Carla Fullwood, director of inclusive excellence education and development, has been selected as one of the

The awards celebrate companies and individuals who have worked to establish and advance diversity and inclusion efforts in their workplaces and communities. The winners will be honored at an event on June 18 at N.C. A&T State University.

鈥淢y work is grounded in the belief that inclusive excellence is not just an ideal, but a practice. It requires ongoing learning, unlearning and accountability,鈥� Fullwood told the Triad Business Journal. 鈥淚鈥檓 inspired by possibility. The idea that unfair systems can evolve, that people can grow, and that we can create environments where more people feel a true sense of belonging. That is what keeps me committed to this work every day.鈥�

At 黑料不打烊, Fullwood leads initiatives on inclusive excellence and is a certified coach. She is a contributor to the Carolinas chapter of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education. She was the closing speaker at NASPA Region III 2024 Summer Symposium, a featured guest on the web series 鈥淕ood Trouble: Inclusive Pedagogy鈥� and a guest on the podcast 鈥淟imed: Teaching with a Twist.鈥� She also co-authored the article 鈥淎mplifying Student Viewpoints on Inclusive Student Experiences for Inclusive Excellence in Kinesiology.鈥�

In her nomination, it was noted that Fullwood听is consistently recognized by faculty and staff for her “highly effective and learning-centered approaches to expanding perspectives related to diversity and inclusion and developing skills for equitable practices.”

鈥淐arla demonstrates her commitment to building capacity for empathetic human connections,鈥� said Randy Williams, vice president for inclusive excellence. 鈥淪he deliberately creates learning conditions that help people see the world through others鈥� eyes and act thoughtfully with kindness, regardless of identities. The Triad Business Journal wisely recognized Carla for her leadership at 黑料不打烊 and in the region.鈥�

More information on the June 18 celebration is available .

Crowley’s research focuses on queer and trans communities, particularly in the U.S. South, and the ways language evolves. Over the past several years, trans people have gained greater public visibility, which, Crowley says, has sparked debates about language.

鈥淗ow do trans people want people to refer to us?鈥� Crowley asks. 鈥淲hat are the 鈥榗orrect鈥� ways to talk about transness?鈥�

While many people look to Crowley for answers to these questions, Crowley is not interested in coining new terms. Through interviews with members of queer and trans communities, Crowley has found that people navigate the ever-changing landscape of gender and language in different ways.

鈥淥ne interviewee said that if you’re about to say 鈥榯hank you, sir鈥� or 鈥榯hank you, ma鈥檃m鈥� to be polite, you could choose another phrase that conveys the same respect,鈥� Crowley said. 鈥淪omething like 鈥榯hank you so much.鈥欌��

At 黑料不打烊, mentorship takes many forms. Before arriving at the university, Crowley found mentorship through Professor of Art History Kirstin Ringelberg.

During the interview process, Crowley was asked whether there was anyone on campus they would like to meet. They requested a conversation with a trans faculty member to gain insight into that experience at 黑料不打烊.

Ringelberg, who has been a member of the 黑料不打烊 faculty for more than 20 years, became an important resource.

鈥淜nowing that they’ve been here so long and have so much institutional memory has been a great fountain of knowledge for me, especially navigating this campus as a trans person,鈥� Crowley said.

Next year, Crowley will serve as coordinator of the Women’s, Gender and Sexualities Studies program. As they prepare for that role, they have looked to colleagues such as Ringelberg for guidance on creating spaces where queer and trans students, faculty and staff can thrive.

鈥淗iring Archie has helped with mentorship across campus,鈥� said Ringelberg, 鈥淎rchie is an incredible mentor, to our students and the way that Archie models positive but critical transness to our students is transformative .”

Like many 黑料不打烊 faculty members, Crowley has also become a mentor to students.

During their first year of teaching at 黑料不打烊, Crowley taught Azul Bellot ’26 in an introductory linguistics course. Bellot entered the class as a psychology major but became interested in linguistics through the course. With Crowley’s guidance, Bellot designed an independent major in sociolinguistics.

Then, for an independent research project, Bellot interviewed trans women and collected stories about their health care experiences. Bellot later presented the research at the Student Undergraduate Research Forum, the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience and the Women’s and Gender Studies South Conference.

鈥淚t鈥檚 really gratifying to be able to guide someone through that process and see them get excited,鈥� Crowley said.

For Crowley, Pride is more than a month-long celebration. Through their research, mentorship and work with the Women’s, Gender and Sexualities Studies program, they are helping build community where people feel seen, supported and heard.

Crowley keeps reminders of Pride’s history throughout their office, from a small brick they received at a Pride event in Alamance County to a poster commemorating the 1966 Compton’s Cafeteria Riot.

“The history of Pride is rooted in confrontation,鈥� Crowle said. 鈥淚t’s a celebration in the confrontation.”

黑料不打烊 honors Pride Month stories

As part of LGBTQ+ Pride Month, 黑料不打烊 is sharing stories through Today at 黑料不打烊 that highlight students, faculty and staff who contribute to a campus environment where cultural identities and experiences are celebrated year-round. Throughout the month and year, 黑料不打烊 also offers resources and events to support the LGBTQ+ community.

The series connects two significant milestones in American history 鈥� the nation鈥檚 250th anniversary and the 161st anniversary of Juneteenth 鈥� through opportunities to explore the ongoing pursuit of freedom, equality and justice.

“This series offers our community an opportunity to reflect on the diverse significance of two historical celebrations during a complex contemporary moment. As we commemorate 250 years of American independence, it is a joyous yet complicated time,” said Carla Fullwood, director of inclusive excellence education and development. “Many communities, particularly historically marginalized communities based on race, have not experienced our nation’s principles of freedom, equality, and justice in the same way across the past 250 years. That is evident in the significance of Juneteenth, which marks the moment enslaved people in Galveston, Texas were notified of the Emancipation Proclamation, which had been signed years earlier. And that declaration on June 19, 1865 does not account for the many enslaved people who remained in bondage across the South, and in several Union states,听for months after.

Summer Race, Reflection & Discussion

Faculty and staff participating in the Summer Race, Reflection & Discussion series will gather June 9-18 for facilitated conversations inspired by “The Racial Healing Handbook: Practical Activities to Help You Challenge Privilege, Confront Systemic Racism, and Engage in Collective Healing” by Anneliese Singh.

Through the lens of racial healing, participants will explore how race and racism have shaped Americans鈥� experiences of foundational democratic ideals and consider what concepts such as freedom, equality and justice mean in their own lives and communities.

Registration for the Summer Race, Reflection & Discussion series is now closed. Registered participants should have received their copy of 鈥淭he Racial Healing Handbook.鈥� Additional details will be shared directly with participants.

Juneteenth Commemoration Activities

The Inclusive Excellence Summer Development Series culminates June 18 with a day of educational experiences, reflection and celebration.

Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum & State Historic Site Tour

From 9 to 11:30 a.m., faculty and staff can visit the Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum & State Historic Site, home of the historic Palmer Memorial Institute, a pioneering educational institution for African American students in North Carolina. Participants should begin boarding the bus at 8:45 a.m.; transportation will depart campus promptly at 9 a.m. from the 黑料不打烊 sign near the Inman Admissions Building.

Freedom Footprints

Beginning June 8, members of the 黑料不打烊 community can explore Black history, activism and achievement at 黑料不打烊 through . The self-guided experience includes campus walking tour stops marked by lawn signs featuring QR codes that connect visitors to additional historical information.

On June 18, Shaunta Alvarez, interim coordinator of University Archives, Digital Collections & Systems Librarian and associate librarian, will lead a guided version of the tour. Weather permitting, participants will depart from Lakeside 213/214 at 1:45 p.m. following the Summer Race, Reflection & Discussion session. No registration is required.

Emancipation Celebration

The day concludes with Together@黑料不打烊鈥檚 Emancipation Celebration from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in McKinnon Hall within Moseley Center. Community members are invited to enjoy a Juneteenth exhibit, music, sweet treats and games while celebrating freedom, resilience and community. Participants can compete in a Spades tournament for prizes or join casually to learn or teach the game. Individuals and teams of two are welcome to

The Inclusive Excellence Summer Development Series is a collaborative initiative supported by Belk Library, Black Lumen Project, the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education (CREDE), the Committee on 黑料不打烊 History and Memory, 黑料不打烊 Archives and Special Collections, HealthEU Initiatives, the Office of Inclusive Excellence Education and Development (OIEED), the Office of Leadership and Professional Development (OLPD), Together@黑料不打烊/Staff Advisory Council and other campus partners.

The events offered through this summer series give us an opportunity to explore that complexity with honesty and care,” Fullwood said. “The Summer Race, Reflection & Discussion series creates space to unpack our understanding of these complexities through dialogue and storytelling. The Freedom Footprints tour and Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum tour center narratives about Black experiences that are often untold or minimized in the context of American history. Closing the series with the Together@黑料不打烊 event allows us to root all of this learning in community-building. We are proud to offer 黑料不打烊 faculty and staff opportunities to learn, reflect, and heal together.”

It was through the Gender & Sexuality Living-Learning Community that Lagunes Flores discovered something more: a community that helped her realize she wasn’t “just another student,” but someone who mattered deeply to the people around her.

“It made me realize that I played a bigger role than I initially did,” Lagunes Flores said. “I thought it was just going to be, ‘Oh, another first year,’ but it made me realize that I mattered a lot more than what I thought.”

What began as a search for belonging has evolved into a commitment to help others find it, too. That transformation started the day she moved to campus.

A journey of self-discovery

Lagunes Flores鈥檚 journey began during a Phoenix Friday event, where she experienced a sense of belonging and purpose after meeting another incoming student who encouraged her to apply to the Gender & Sexuality LLC. The two would later become roommates.

“I thought to myself, ‘Well, okay, at least I’ll have one friend at 黑料不打烊 and a roommate I know I can trust,'” said Lagunes Flores, who joined the university community through the听Leon and Lorraine Watson scholarship in the Odyssey Program.

What she didn’t know at the time was that the connection would help shape the foundation of her first year of college. After settling in on move-in day, Lagunes Flores and her roommates gathered the pride flags they had brought for their shared living space.

“One of my roommates was like, ‘Before putting them up, do you want to just go outside or go in the hallways and run with them?'” Lagunes Flores said.

Carrying their flags through the residence hall, she and her roommates celebrated the start of their first year and the community they had established. For Lagunes Flores, this moment meant so much more than celebrating move-in day.

“That was the first time I had actually experienced a sense of community with other queer people,” she said.

Growing up in a Native American community in Lumberton, North Carolina, Lagunes Flores had few opportunities to explore many of her intersecting identities.

“The only identity that I really got to explore before undergrad was the money struggles and things like that,鈥� she said.

黑料不打烊 became a springboard for self-discovery, helping her embrace parts of her identity that had remained largely unexplored. That journey included gaining a deeper understanding of her queer identity. Experiences and friendships with fellow students led her to the support and community she needed.

One of those experiences came during a Drag Extravaganza event hosted by the Gender and LGBTQIA Center (GLC), featuring drag star Stormie Daie, who invited audience members to celebrate diverse identities and encouraged them to cheer when they heard one that resonated with them.

“That was the solidifying moment where I was comfortable in my sexuality,” Lagunes Flores said. “That was when I found my label.”

Building a foundation of belonging

Beyond helping her explore her identity, the Gender & Sexuality LLC also connected Lagunes Flores with mentors who would shape her academic and professional journey. Among them were Lauren Gulimette, an associate professor of philosophy and co-coordinator of Women鈥檚 Gender and Sexualities studies, and Luis Garay, director of the GLC, who are both co-advisors of the LLC.

Through conversations with Gulimette, Lagunes Flores discovered a passion for Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies and eventually added it as a minor, alongside her major in elementary education and a minor in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

Guilmette also connected her with the PACE program, which helped her secure a campus position and introduced her to opportunities she hadn’t considered as a first-year student.

Among them was an internship with Transcend Alamance, a nonprofit organization that supports transgender individuals in Alamance County. As an intern, Lagunes Flores helps write the organization’s bi-monthly newsletter.

Those who have worked closely with Lagunes Flores have noticed her growth and commitment to building community, noting that she is someone who actively creates spaces where others feel welcomed and connected.

“While Maria can at first seem shy and quiet, it has been a pleasure to watch her find community and come into their own as an active participant in the classroom and a student organizer on campus,” Gulimette said.

Garay echoed Gulimette, highlighting that Lagunes Flores鈥� commitment to inclusivity and building connections extends beyond the living-learning community itself.

“She brings floormates and friends outside of her residence hall to our monthly community dinners, extending our values of connection and relationship-building to others across campus,” Garay said.

Tibs Vance 鈥�29, a fellow student and friend, said that Lagunes Flores has a gift for helping others feel included.

“Maria is always really good at inviting me to events she helps organize or events she thinks I’ll enjoy,” he said. “Her understanding of others in her communities really helps her support and form impactful connections.

The sense of belonging and community that she found through the Gender & Sexuality LLC and with students, such as with Vance, now informs how she approaches leadership opportunities and her future career goals.

Looking ahead, she hopes to help students explore their identities and find community, just as she did during her first year at 黑料不打烊. After graduation, she plans to teach in the classroom before pursuing a graduate degree and a career in higher education.

Her first-year experiences have shaped not only her career aspirations but also her understanding of belonging and what pride looks like in everyday life.

“Belonging means knowing you’re loved in a space and that space makes you feel welcome,” she said. “You being you is an act of everyday pride.”

黑料不打烊 honors Pride Month stories

As part of LGBTQ+ Pride Month, 黑料不打烊 is sharing stories through Today at 黑料不打烊 that highlight students, faculty and staff who contribute to a campus environment where cultural identities and experiences are celebrated year-round. Throughout the month and year, 黑料不打烊 also offers resources and events听to support the LGBTQ+ community.

June was officially recognized by the U.S. government as Pride Month in 1999 when President Bill Clinton proclaimed June 鈥淕ay and Lesbian Pride Month.鈥� Learn more about the history of the month听.

The GLC also hosts a Pride Month Community Coffee event on June 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in Irazu Coffee. Attendees can get one medium iced or hot drink. .

Resources at 黑料不打烊

• Gender and LGBTQIA Center听(GLC) in Moseley 209 provides support to LGBTQIA students, provides confidential support for survivors of gender-based violence, and presents on gender and LGBTQIA-related topics. The GLC is open during the summer, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on holidays. Feel free to stop by the office, email (glc@elon.edu) or call at 336.278.6228
• The Gender and Sexuality Living Learning Community听is a residential community open to any student wishing to explore topics around gender and sexual orientation.
• 听is a queer-straight student alliance ensuring a safe space for all queer people, existing for over 20 years.
• OutLaw听is a social and educational organization that fosters a supportive and accepting environment for LGBT students, faculty, staff and professionals at 黑料不打烊 Law.
• LGBTQIA Alumni Network celebrates听and connects LGBTQIA alumni by fostering belonging and advocating for our community.
• The Spirit and Pride Initiative听is a grant-funded initiative supported by The Carpenter Foundation and in collaboration with the GLC and Truitt Center to support LGBTQIA students of faith.
• RISE, a QTPOC student initiative, supports LGBTQIA students of color through affirmation, celebration, and elevation.
• CLEAR听(Coalition of Learning, Empowerment & Anti-violence Resources) is a听student-directed initiative supervised by the GLC that coordinates events and presentations on gender-based violence awareness and prevention.
• The GAP Fund听provides financial support to currently enrolled 黑料不打烊 students who are supported by the mission and programs of the Gender and LGBTQIA Center. The GAP Fund is made possible by generous donations to the GLC from LGBTQIA alumni, allies, faculty, staff, current students, and community members.

Community Resources

• 听is a nonprofit organization serving the LGBTQ communities of Alamance County by organizing an annual Pride festival.
• 听provides support for families and friends of LGBTQ people through educational materials and advocacy against harassment and bullying.
• 听is a community-led initiative created to form opportunities that inspire a sense of belonging for LGBTQIA+ and gender expansive people of any age, race and ability in Alamance County.
• 听(Greensboro) creates unity through programming and philanthropy that advances equality and inclusion for LGBTQ communities.
• 听works to to serve, empower, and advocate for the well-being of our diverse LGBTQ+ communities.
• 听supports LGBTQ+ people through services, programming, resources, and support networks that center their wellbeing and allows them to thrive.

Allyship Tips from the GLC

• Connect with any of the organizations in this article.
• Give听to the Gender and LGBTQIA Center to provide financial support for LGBTQIA students who are experiencing food insecurity, to have access to gender-affirming clothing and to make educational experiences financially accessible.
• Learn the history of the LGBTQIA communities from The Society for Human Rights to the Compton鈥檚 Cafeteria Riot and to the Stonewall Riots and subsequent Pride Parades.

Reach out to the staff at the Gender and LGBTQIA Center about other ways to get involved or if you are interested in volunteering with the GLC.

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As the 2025-26 academic year drew to a close, May was marked by celebration, reflection and new beginnings across 黑料不打烊. From Commencement festivities and awards ceremonies to end-of-year traditions, performances, and moments of community, the month showcased the accomplishments and experiences that defined another successful year on campus. These photos highlight some of the memorable scenes and milestones that made May a special month at 黑料不打烊.

Engineering excellence

Students in 黑料不打烊’s Department of Engineering听put their classroom learning into practice through six capstone projects showcased May 8 in Founders Hall as part of the Engineering Senior Design course.

Coolin’ on the Commons

黑料不打烊’s Black Student Union held Coolin’ on the Commons in May, which featured live music, games and fun.

‘黑料不打烊 will never leave you.’

The Class of 2026 gathered Under the Oaks on May 19 for Numen Lumen: Senior Baccalaureate, a time for reflection on the light students will take into the world. During the event, Jana Lynn Patterson,听associate vice-president for student life, dean of student health & well-being, and assistant professor, reminded graduates about the importance of the relationships they’ve built at 黑料不打烊. Patterson will retire from the university this summer after 40 years.

Think critically, lead empathetically

Candidates from graduate-level programs in the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education and Martha and Spencer Love School of Business received their diplomas during a joint Commencement ceremony on May 20 in Alumni Gym.

In her address, journalist and author Katherine Blunt 鈥�15 acknowledged a challenging reality 鈥� that today鈥檚 graduates are leaving institutions of higher learning across the country and embarking on professional journeys in a world where artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how people work, learn and think.

But she reminded the graduates that听while many people may be tempted by the path of least resistance, 黑料不打烊 cultivates leaders who are deeply rooted in collaboration, communication and, most importantly, the ability to think critically.

Celebrating community

Ahead of and during Commencement Week, 黑料不打烊 held a variety of affinity celebrations celebrating and engaging graduates who share common identities, passions and connections that exist throughout various affinities. Those include Lavender Celebration, , Celebremos: Graduates Take Flight and Donning of the Kente.

‘Be-possible-ists’

During the 136th Commencement Ceremonies in Schar Center on May 22, President Connie Ledoux Book asked the Class of 2026 to look back on their听New Student Convocation in 2022,听1,371 days prior.

During their first year, the Class of 2026 all read the Common Reading book听鈥淔actfulness鈥� by Hans Rosling. In his book, Rosling described the word 鈥減ossible-ist:鈥� someone who looks honestly at the world鈥檚 problems and still believes, based on evidence, that things can get better, and that they are getting better. Book asked the graduates to be “possible-ists” as they enter the world.

黑料不打烊 celebrated graduates in two ceremonies 鈥� the morning event for the School of Communications and the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business, and the afternoon event for 黑料不打烊 College, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education and the School of Health Sciences.

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A Donning of the Kente Ceremony at 黑料不打烊 celebrated the African heritage, achievements and resilience of Black graduates in the university鈥檚 Class of 2026 during an evening filled with expressions of cultural tradition, reflection and joy.

Held on the eve of Commencement ceremonies, the annual event honored graduating students with handmade Kente stoles woven in Ghana, a symbol of heritage, wisdom and shared responsibility to be worn at graduation.

Family members and the wider university community gathered inside Alumni Gym on May 21, 2026, to recognize the graduates鈥� accomplishments and the communities that supported them throughout their college journeys.

鈥淭onight, we do more than congratulate our graduates,鈥� said Randy Williams, vice president for inclusive excellence and associate professor of education. 鈥淭onight, we bear witness to them. Tonight, we affirm them.鈥�

The 10th annual ceremony highlighted the importance mentorship in the graduates鈥� success. In his remarks to graduates, Williams recognized the 鈥渧illage鈥� of parents, grandparents, mentors, faculty and staff, and friends who supported the graduates throughout their university studies.

Alex Bohannon 鈥�17, president of the 黑料不打烊 Black Alumni Network, encouraged graduates to remain engaged with the university and support future generations of students.

鈥淎s you look ahead, carry this charge: build community, mentor intentionally and stay engaged. 黑料不打烊鈥檚 strength is its people showing up for one another, again and again,鈥� he said. 鈥淓ngagement is not symbolic. It is active. It looks like mentoring a student, returning to campus, opening doors, and investing your time, talent, and resources.

鈥淭he next generation鈥檚 experience will be shaped by what you choose to do from this point forward.鈥�

Engagement is not symbolic. It is active. It looks like mentoring a student, returning to campus, opening doors, and investing your time, talent, and resources.

Alex Bohannon ’17, president of the 黑料不打烊 Black Alumni Network

Bohannon also highlighted the role of the 黑料不打烊 Black Alumni Network in mentoring students and supporting initiatives such as the Black Alumni Scholarship Fund. He noted that the ceremony鈥檚 continued growth reflects a vision established a decade ago and sustained through alumni engagement and philanthropy.

During the donning ceremony, each graduate was joined on stage by a person who played a meaningful role in their 黑料不打烊 experience. Supporters presented the stoles while tributes celebrating each graduate鈥檚 accomplishments and future aspirations were read aloud.

Graduates were praised for perseverance, leadership and cultural pride as families, mentors and faculty members reflected on the challenges many students overcame to earn their degrees. Presentations highlighted stories of first-generation college graduates, international students, and campus leaders who balanced academics with research, athletics and service while supporting others along the way.

Another popular feature of the evening program: A rhythmic dance of celebration performed by served to open and conclude the ceremony.

黑料不打烊’s event is made possible by the Kelli E. Palmer 鈥�98 Donning of the Kente Endowment. Funding from the endowment supports the program, including the purchase of the kente stoles.

In her own remarks to graduates, La’ Tonya Wiley 鈥�97, 黑料不打烊鈥檚 assistant director of affinity alumni engagement, described the evening as a way to not only honor accomplishments, but to honor who celebrants have become.

鈥淵ou are scholars, changemakers, leaders and living examples for those who will follow behind you,鈥� she said. 鈥淢ay you always remember that your excellence is not defined solely by titles or degrees, but by how you uplift others, how you remain rooted in purpose and how you continue building community wherever your path leads.鈥�

As they prepare to leave 黑料不打烊, many members of the Class of 2026 gathered in Lakeside Meeting Rooms on May 21 for a celebration centered not only on achievement, but also on the people and communities that helped them get there.

Celebremos! Graduates Take Flight brought together 37 seniors and their families, mentors and friends to honor their journeys for an afternoon of reflection, gratitude and celebration. Throughout the program, students shared personal tributes recognizing the sacrifices, encouragement and support systems that shaped their 黑料不打烊 experiences.

President Connie Ledoux Book reminded the soon-to-be graduates that the stole they were about to receive was not only a recognition of their academic accomplishments, but also a testament to their pride, culture and identity.

鈥淭he 黑料不打烊 community is proud of your achievements, your stories and the richness that you have added to 黑料不打烊鈥檚 history during your time here,鈥� she said, adding that this is just the beginning. She asked them to take 黑料不打烊 with them in all endeavors and to stay connected to their alma mater. 鈥淚 do hope that you鈥檒l continue to reach back to 黑料不打烊 and the community here to share your story, to share your 黑料不打烊 experience and to root for the next generation of 黑料不打烊 grads.鈥�

Each graduate had the opportunity to write a message of gratitude for their village in the language of their choice. Many of them took the opportunity to publicly thank parents and loved ones whose sacrifices made college possible.

鈥淎s a first-generation Hispanic college student, there were many moments where I felt like I was figuring things out as I went,鈥� wrote Isabella Iba帽ez, whose family heritage is from Argentina. 鈥淢y parents immigrated here and worked hard to create opportunities for me and my siblings, even when they did not always have a roadmap themselves.鈥�

Others reflected on the emotional complexity of reaching graduation after years of uncertainty, growth and perseverance.

鈥淚’ve听been听asked听a听lot听recently听about听how听I听feel听about听graduating,鈥� drama and theatre studies major Samantha Az煤a wrote. 鈥淲ithout听so听much听as a second thought, I鈥檓 quick to respond听with听鈥榚xistential.鈥欌�� In her tribute, Az煤a thanked her parents for the sacrifices they made in moving to the United States and for teaching her to take advantage of every opportunity and to 鈥渢rabajar duro y nunca rendirme, incluso cuando las cosas se ponen muy dif铆ciles.鈥�

For fellow graduating senior Libia Zulema Velasquez, hearing younger students reflect on the sacrifices their parents made for them was particularly meaningful. A mother herself who uprooted her family from Culiac谩n in northwestern Mexico to pursue a Master of Education in Innovation at 黑料不打烊, she understood all too well the significance of those words. 鈥淚 kept looking at my children,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 can identify with that sacrifice.鈥�

As part of her reflection, she had these words for Liam and Leo: 鈥淎 mis hijos quiero decirles que: todo es posible. Todo se puede alcanzar. Solo hace falta pensarlo, decidirlo 鈥� y actuar.鈥�

The stories shared throughout the event reflected a wide range of experiences, but common themes emerged repeatedly: family, belonging, mentorship and resilience.

For Daniela 脕vila, graduating meant carrying her hometown in Honduras with her into the future.

鈥淗oy, al celebrar mi graduaci贸n, llevo a mi pueblo conmigo en cada paso que doy,鈥� she wrote. 鈥淢e siento profundamente orgullosa de mis ra铆ces y de representar a una comunidad llena de personas trabajadoras, artesanos y luchadores que inspiran con su ejemplo.鈥�

Several graduates specifically highlighted the communities they found at 黑料不打烊: spaces and people that helped transform the university into a second home. Others recognized the role programs such as Odyssey and 黑料不打烊 Academy played in helping them navigate college and pursue opportunities they once thought impossible.

鈥淥dyssey听no solo me brind贸 apoyo acad茅mico, sino tambi茅n un sentido de pertenencia y una red de personas que realmente creen en mi potencial,鈥� wrote Jes煤s Santoyo Rosales, who is graduating with a degree in biomedical and mechanical engineering. 鈥淓ste logro no es solo m铆o, es de todos nosotros鈥澨�� a reminder that 鈥渢his achievement is not only mine; it belongs to all of us.鈥�

鈥淵our story matters and the way you live with integrity, with empathy and love will continue to inspire those around you.鈥�
鈥� Sylvia Mu帽oz, director of the CREDE

The event also highlighted the deeply personal nature of students鈥� journeys. Some graduates thanked siblings who inspired them, grandparents who sacrificed for future generations, professors who saw potential in them and friends who became family.

鈥淕rowth does not happen alone,鈥� Iba帽ez wrote. 鈥淚t comes from the people who support you, challenge you, and remind you that you are capable even when you doubt yourself.鈥�

For many students, graduation represented more than earning a degree; it symbolized the culmination of years of sacrifice that stretched far beyond themselves.

鈥淐omo hija mayor y primera generaci贸n en graduarme de la escuela secundaria y ahora de la universidad, llevo este logro con orgullo, pero tambi茅n con responsabilidad,鈥� wrote Carolina Vasquez. 鈥淪iempre he querido ser un buen ejemplo para mis hermanos, demostrarles que s铆 se puede, que nuestros sue帽os no tienen l铆mites.鈥�

In her charge to the students, Diana Jimenez Carreno challenged graduates to be present in the moment and proud of what they have accomplished. Above all, she encouraged them to never forget their roots or the strong voices they carry within them.

鈥淒o not let stereotypes, stigma or negativity in the world silence that voice,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd believe me, it鈥檚 easier said than done. But you鈥檙e not alone. And when life feels overwhelming, lean on your village.鈥�

Sylvia Mu帽oz, assistant dean of students and director of the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education, echoed that sentiment in her closing remarks. 鈥淎s you begin this next chapter, remember your voice matters,鈥� she said. 鈥淵our story matters and the way you live with integrity, with empathy and love will continue to inspire those around you.鈥�

As the celebration concluded, students embraced family members, posed for photos and reflected on the communities that carried them through their 黑料不打烊 journeys.

鈥淚 just feel so thankful and so blessed,鈥� Velasquez said, reflecting on the event. There is one message, she added, that she plans to carry with her moving forward: 鈥淒isfruta el momento.鈥�

As 黑料不打烊 honored its first-generation graduates during the annual stole ceremony on May 20 in McKinnon Hall, Assistant Director of First-Generation Student Support Services Kenneth Brown Jr. 鈥�19 turned to the words of American poet Lucille Clifton to capture the significance of the moment.

鈥溾�榃on鈥檛 you celebrate with me what I have shaped into a kind of life? I had no model,鈥欌�� Brown recited from Clifton鈥檚 poem, 鈥淲on鈥檛 you celebrate with me,鈥� using the passage to reflect on the journeys of the 70 students 鈥撎齣ncluding 10 graduate students 鈥撎齬ecognized during this year鈥檚 ceremony.

In his welcome, Brown explained to the soon-to-be graduates that the university was honoring not only their academic accomplishments, but also their spirit, commitment and resiliency.

鈥淭oday, we celebrate the paths each of these students has created 鈥撎齛 path that took shape as they walked on it,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e celebrate the legacy they are leaving on this campus as remarkable leaders and scholars, a beacon of light in a dark world. We celebrate all they have given to 黑料不打烊 and how they have made us a stronger, more inclusive institution.鈥�

Organized by First-Generation Student Support Services, an initiative within the Center for Access and Success, the ceremony marked the largest group recognized since the stole ceremony was established in 2020. The milestone served as a point of pride for participants, their families and the university.

Brown thanked gathered faculty, staff, mentors, family members and friends for supporting the students throughout their 黑料不打烊 journeys, emphasizing that the celebration reflected a shared commitment to first-generation student success.

Following Brown鈥檚 introduction, the ceremony transitioned to reflections from student keynote speaker Asia Green 鈥�26, a presentation of the first-generation stoles, a charge from Luis H. Garay, director of the Gender and LGBTQIA Center, and the announcement of this year鈥檚 1891 Awards recipients.

Finding the perseverance

During her keynote remarks, Green reminded fellow first-generation graduates that every student鈥檚 route to Commencement looked different 鈥� and that those differences deserved to be celebrated.

鈥淓very person in this room has a different story, a different struggle, and a different journey that brought them to this moment,鈥� said the exercise science major. 鈥淪ome of us barely made it through certain courses. Well, we鈥檙e here today! No matter what your journey looked like, you made it here, and that alone is something to be proud of.鈥�

The La Crosse, Virginia, native spoke candidly about overcoming fear and uncertainty throughout her college experience, urging students to move forward with confidence even when the future feels intimidating.

鈥淭o be a first-generation student means more to me than I can fully explain because it’s more than receiving a degree 鈥� it’s about traveling without a road map,鈥� she said.

Despite moments of self-doubt, Green flourished at 黑料不打烊, carving her own way. She built an impressive record of academic achievement and campus involvement while pursuing undergraduate research opportunities, leadership roles, and a study abroad experience in Costa Rica. Following graduation, Green said she will continue her education after being accepted into a doctoral occupational therapy program in Florida.

鈥淪uccess does not always require knowing all the answers or having everything planned,鈥� Green said. 鈥淔or me, it often meant intentionally choosing to stay despite significant challenges. Many of us have experienced times of uncertainty when giving up felt easier than continuing. However, by persevering through these difficult moments, we find new opportunities and directions that redefine our paths.鈥�

鈥淢y time at 黑料不打烊 taught me that where you come from does not define where you are going.鈥�

After Green鈥檚 keynote, graduates crossed the stage to receive their first-generation stoles from mentors, family members and supporters who shaped their 黑料不打烊 experiences.

Fittingly, the stole was designed by first-generation student Daisy Martinez-Jimenez 鈥�26, and 鈥渟ymbolizes the unique and complex journey that you all have taken to be in this moment,鈥� Brown said.

Along with the stole, students received an 黑料不打烊 lapel pin, sponsored by the Office of Alumni Engagement, signifying their entry into the 黑料不打烊 alumni family.

Pay it forward

The event continued with an inspirational charge from Garay, drawing from their own experiences as a first-generation college student and current doctoral student.

Garay reflected on the significance of the moment not only for the students being recognized, but also for the families and communities who supported them along the way.

鈥淢y cultural roots are in the ranchos of Zacatecas, Mexico,鈥� Garay said. 鈥淢y family, like many immigrants, came to this country for the opportunity and a better life for their kids. So, my college graduation was not only mine but my parents’ and my family鈥檚 graduation, too. Maybe this is something some of you relate to as well.鈥�

Garay structured their remarks around three invitations for graduates as they move into the next chapter of their lives: honoring mentors, sharing knowledge, and paying it forward.

As part of their remarks, Garay encouraged graduates to recognize the mentors who helped them reach Commencement. Garay recalled a former supervisor who encouraged them early in their career and challenged graduates to think about the people whose support and encouragement sustained them throughout college. Garay even paused their remarks to invite graduates to send a text message thanking a mentor, family member or friend who helped guide them to graduation day.

鈥淢y last invitation to you all … take the knowledge you have gained and pay it forward,鈥� Garay said. 鈥淏y paying it forward, I mean using your knowledge, skills, expertise, social connections, or financial means to shift the reality for someone. As you go and leave 黑料不打烊 and enter your careers, I want to encourage you to find ways to give back to those who are coming after you.鈥�

Recognizing this year’s 1891 Awards recipients

Following the stole presentations, organizers recognized the recipients of the 2026 1891 Awards, honoring individuals who have advanced first-generation student success at 黑料不打烊.

Named in honor of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 first graduating class in 1891, the awards celebrate members of the campus community who embody the values of First-Generation Initiatives: empowerment, celebration, community, passion and authenticity.

This year鈥檚 recipients included:

• 1891 Award of Community: Emily Menjivar 鈥�26
• 1891 Award of Celebratory: Jana Lynn Patterson, associate vice president for student life/dean of student health and well-being, and Paula DiBiasio, associate professor of physical therapy education
• 1891 Award of Passion: Selma Mari膰 鈥�26
• 1891 Award of Empowerment: Daniella Alonzo Lopez 鈥�28
• 1891 Award of Authenticity: Jo-Rae Jennings G鈥�26, associate director of communications for Student Professional Development Center

Closing the ceremony, Cici Salazar 鈥�23, G鈥�26, encouraged graduates to reflect on the resilience and determination that carried them throughout their time at 黑料不打烊. The graduate apprentice for First-Generation Initiatives reminded students that the challenges they faced throughout college had already prepared them for the uncertainties that lie ahead.

鈥淭ake a moment to reflect on how far you鈥檝e come,鈥� Salazar said. 鈥淓ach challenge, setback and moment of uncertainty has shaped the strength and resilience that you brought to the stage today.鈥�

Salazar emphasized that graduates鈥� journeys at 黑料不打烊 were marked not only by personal achievement, but also by resilience, community and the responsibility to support future generations.

鈥淎s first-generation students, we have already proven that we can do hard things,鈥� Salazar said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e broken barriers, created opportunities, and paved the paths for ourselves and those who will follow after us. More now than ever, we must continue showing up for one another with compassion, strength and authenticity.鈥�

During the next three years, the Periclean Scholars Class of 2029 will work with faculty mentor Vanessa Drew-Branch, associate professor in the Department of Human Service Studies.

During an event on April 30 in Sato Commons, Drew-Branch, welcomed the Class of 2029 by introducing the cohort鈥檚 theme of food sovereignty at 黑料不打烊 and in St. Kitts and Nevis. Drawing connections between local and global food systems, Drew-Branch encouraged Scholars to think critically about issues of food insecurity, food apartheid, justice, dignity and sustainability. She highlighted how colonial legacies, climate change and inequitable systems continue to shape access to healthy and culturally appropriate food while emphasizing the importance of community-centered, sustainable agricultural practices. Through her remarks, students were challenged to approach this work with humility, curiosity, and a commitment to building authentic partnerships rooted in reciprocity and social justice.

The newly inducted members of the Periclean Scholars Class of 2029:

• Melanie Alarcon
• Katherine Banker
• Autumn Boyce
• Kimara delRosario
• Willow Evans
• Travis Greene
• Simone Lewis-Abdeen
• Mason Marks
• Tia Nelson
• Jazline Rogel Sanchez
• Ally Rotenberg
• Kylie Rukavina
• Gabriella Shew
• Hazel Silverstein
• Shukri Siraji
• Caleb Slosberg

The Periclean Scholars Program provides students with a distinctive three-year educational experience focused on global engagement, interdisciplinary learning and ethical community partnership. Each cohort studies a specific country or region, collaborating with local and global partners to gain a deeper understanding of complex social challenges and develop sustainable, justice-centered initiatives.

Throughout the program, acholars complete 18 semester hours of coursework during their sophomore, junior, and senior years under the guidance of their faculty mentor. Through these courses and experiential learning opportunities, students explore best practices in community engagement, examine the critical distinction between charity and partnership, and learn to approach social change through collaboration, reciprocity, and long-term relationship building.

As the Periclean Scholars Class of 2026 prepares to graduate, the induction of the Class of 2029 reflects the continued legacy of student leadership, ethical partnership, and community-engaged global learning that defines the program.