Congratulations, Class of 2020 and 2021!
Whether you are able to join us physically for convocation or not, we hope you are able to find a moment — ideally many moments — to recognize the magic of your resilience and perseverance through this ever-changing year.
We are excited to celebrate you and your achievements, look forward to staying connected, and wish you the best of luck on your next moment of brilliance.
Brooke Adams
she, her, hers
BS, Ethnic Studies
I began this degree in 2017-18, believing it would make me much more informed about and a better communicator about social justice and race-related issues. My hopes have been fulfilled, thanks to the passionate, outstanding faculty who are part of Ethnic Studies and other affiliated programs on campus. My advice to incoming and current students is to read all you can—academic papers but also credible news sources to see how what you are learning plays out in the real life. Try to decide early on what you are interested in so you can thread your work together from one course to the next. My most memorable experience in Transform has been collaborating on a final project with my colleague, Juliette Herrera. So proud of Juliette and honored to work with her on our capstone project.
Natalia Anderson
she, her, hers
BS, Writing and Rhetoric Studies
BS, Gender Studies
“I’ve been very lucky to be a Transform student. This program has introduced me to the most brilliant, thoughtful and inspiring students and professors. Thank you friends and mentors.”
Amanda Carrasco
she, her, hers
Honors BA, Ethnic Studies
BA, Sociology
I will attend UCLA to pursue a Master’s degree in Higher Education & Organizational Change in the Fall of 2020. Ultimately, I aim to pursue a PhD in Higher Education to become a researcher and faculty member who teaches through a critical race lens.
One of the biggest tools for success that I have found to be effective is finding a community on campus where you feel welcomed and valued. There are a lot of different student organizations and resource centers that cater to different student needs. Through my involvement on campus, I was able to surround myself with supportive mentors and peers that care about me as a person and have helped me navigate higher education. Finding my community and family on campus has tremendously enhanced my undergraduate career and I will carry this experience with me into my future work.
Talia Dixon
she, her, hers
Honors BF, Modern Dance
American Indian Studies Minor
After graduation, I plan on attending UC Berkeley to study Performance Studies and Native Studies. My goal is to leverage my graduate experience as an opportunity to mature as a Luiseño scholar and author of my peoples’ truth. On a broader scale, I hope to make meaningful contributions to Indigenous scholarship and break down barriers faced by our communities due to systemic exclusions.
The best piece of advice I think I can offer to incoming and current students is to follow your heart no matter what, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone and taking scary risks. Keep asking hard questions even if it feels like other people aren’t.
My most memorable experience as a student in Transform will be the transformational mentorship I received from Dr. Elizabeth Archuleta. Dr. Archuleta’s support over the years, as my professor and Honors mentor, has been life-changing. With her guidance and wisdom, I have come to understand and reconcile with my identity as an Indigenous person. The decolonizing research that I have been able to develop as result has led me to where I am now and will continue to guide me for the rest of my life. I envision my future research as having the potential to sustain my family’s traditional knowledge and contribute towards a cultural resurgence for myself and my community.
Brandy Farnsworth
she, they
BS, Gender Studies
My most memorable Transform experience was discovering that I was in fact, a radical feminist.
When the pandemic hit, I had the opportunity to break into my field before I graduated. I’m serving as the team lead at women’s homeless shelter in downtown SLC. I intend to grow my roots there before moving onto other career opportunities or grad school.
My advice to incoming students is to have fun and study what is personally interesting to you; the right doors will open.
Rosemary Vea Fifita
she, her, hers
BA, Ethnic Studies
Pacific Islands Studies Certificate
“Skies the limit! Reach for your dreams! I am contemplating a Masters but would like to take a gap break. I may do it sooner or explore the labor market.”
Jenny Hobbs
she, her, hers
BA, Ethnic Studies
My hope is to create a more inclusive society by creating equity and using education as a tool for personal enlightenment.
My advice: Remember that school is a small part of your life. Don’t stress out and don’t let others pressure you about trivial things. Follow your unique path, always believe in yourself, and be kind.
Louise Holbrook
they, she
BS, Anthropology
American Indian Studies Minor
History Minor
I am moving to New Orleans to teach English language arts and strive for equity in the classroom. I am so grateful to Transform for inspiring this white girl to go use her privilege to make change!
My favorite moment of college (so far) was Thomas showing the performance art piece “Indigerrito” on the first day of a seminar.
Mars Jacobsen
they, he, she
BS, Gender Studies
Computer Science Engineering Minor
“I look forward to the many opportunities I will have to improve myself in my life. My degree in gender studies and minor in computer science are tools in my skillset that I look forward to using in working towards my goals of having a positive impact on the world around me. I advise incoming and future students to take advantage of as many resources as possible! I’ll never forget the ways that my professors have shaped my identity and worldview throughout the years.”
Jocelyne Lopez
she, her, hers
BA, Ethnic Studies
BA, Psychology
I am planning to go to grad school.
Education is what you make of it. Don’t limit yourself and keep going.
Naserian Montet
she, her, hers
BS, Gender Studies
BS, Political Science
I want to thank my American mama Ellen Brady and Leon Hammond, my college professors, my academic advisors and everybody that supported me throughout my college life. I am planning on going to grad school to pursue an MPA.
My advice to incoming and current students is to never give up, keep pushing, don’t let stress kill your motivation. Know where to go and ask for help. Don’t suffer alone because you’re not alone. Don’t forget people that are there for you. Be grateful. Life is too short.
Emily Nachtweih
she, her, hers
BS, Health Society & Policy
BS, Political Science
Disability Studies Minor
I am going to graduate school for a Masters of Science in Healthcare Administration at the University of Utah starting Fall 2020!
What you put into your degree is what you will get out of it. The University of Utah provides so many opportunities to get involved on campus and grow in your academic and professional development, take advantage of them!
Stephanie Ponce
she, her, hers
BA, Ethnic Studies
To me, majoring in Ethnic Studies has been amazing. I don’t know exactly what my plans are, but I plan to use my degree in everyday life. I think Ethnic Studies is a degree everyone needs. Advice I would give incoming and current students would be to never give up and keep on pushing until the end. Ethnic studies is such a special degree and you’ll find that everyone and all professors are rooting for you. One experience I’ll never forget is my capstone class with Dr. Aikau. We were all trying to figure out research and we were able to be so vulnerable with each other. It was a bittersweet ending to my capstone class and I will remember every moment of that class.
Christina Souknarong
she, her, hers
BS, Ethnic Studies
I am going to be attending UVU for my Masters in Education with an emphasis in Higher Education.
My advice: Take on the U by it’s reigns, challenge yourself and challenge the spaces you’re in. You only get to do your undergraduate journey once so live it up, find that community and be the change you want to see transformed.
Mandy Tran
she, her, hers
BS, Ethnic Studies
BS; Family, Community & Human Development
Psychology Minor
After graduation, I will be starting my graduate career in School Counseling and of course finding a full time job with benefits!
For those of you in higher education, I’m so glad and proud of you that you are here! This is a big step into your journey to find what you want to do, whether it be for a career or for your personal gains. Remember that it is ok to not know what you want to do. It take time. Use these years to learn what you like, what you’re passionate about, and what makes you happy, whether it be exploring virtually or in person. Along this journey it is important to have self compassion as you will learn so much about yourself during these times, from all the lows to all the highs. Remember to take care of yourself, hold space, make space. You are here and we are here for you. I’ll be rooting for you!
Christine Workman
she, her, hers
BS, Ethnic Studies
BS, Sociology
I am planning on attending graduate school here at the U in School Counseling. I would say that my best advice would be to try new things, even if they are unfamiliar and hard.