Congratulations, Class of 2022! 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.
Gabriella Abramson
she, her, hers
Disability Studies Minor
I am planning to study in the University of Utah’s SLPA program and then hopefully work as an SLPA in a school. My advice to incoming students would be to enjoy every minute you have of undergraduate! One of my most memorable experiences in Transform was my CEL for one of my special education classes.
Gregoria Alegria
she, her, hers
BA, International Studies
Gender Studies Minor
One of my most memorable experiences in Transform is having incredible and passionate teachers who pushed me towards success and excellence.
One piece of advice I would give is, to never forget that we never stop lear and being students, also enjoy every day like it was your last, and everyone needs a little bit of help every once in a while.
One of my most memorable experiences is having the incredible opportunity to learn from incredible Professors and staff!
Mel Bartholomew
she, her, hers
BS, Gender Studies
BS, Philosophy
I am planning on applying to graduate school to get my master’s degree in Gender Studies. My advice to incoming and current studies would be to build strong relationships with your peers and especially with your teachers and college leaders. Those are very likely to become lifelong relationships, and the teachers/leaders will help you succeed in your next steps after graduation.
One of my memorable experiences was being on the teaching time for the Queer Representation in the Media class with Dr. Kim Hackford-Peer. I was extremely involved in creating the curriculum and taught multiple classes. That experience solidified by desire to be a Gender Studies professor myself one day.
Cloe Butler
she, her, hers
BS, Gender Studies
BS, Health, Society & Policy
After graduation, I intend on continuing my work advocating for the sexual and reproductive wellbeing of all individuals and pursuing a career at one of the wonderful non-profits that serves the Salt Lake City community.
If I were to give one piece of advice to incoming and current Transform students, I would encourage them to continue searching for ways to apply their classroom experience to the real world and take pride in their Transform degree. I was lucky enough to be able to engage in research exploring sexuality education for immigrant and refugee youth, which was absolutely my favorite experience in Transform.
Jamie Canfield
she, her, hers
BS, Gender Studies
BS, Psychology
I plan on going into clinical mental health counseling working specifically with queer folks.
I would tell incoming and current students to get involved with as many people as you can within the college. You won’t find a better group of people anywhere else.
My most memorable experience is simply the culture in the classrooms that was created. Going into so many safe spaces each week is a blessing I will never forget.
Nestor Chavez
he, him, his
Ethnic Studies Minor
I will be a nurse on the Burn Trauma Intensive care unit.
Find your community that will support you through thick and thin. College is a difficult time for many of us. I found my community in the Center for Equity and Student Belonging.
My most memorable experience is the people I met in all of my ethnic studies courses, all the discussions about political and social issues, and the professors/advisors that were always there for me when I had no one to turn too. Thank you everyone!
Ryann Kylee Foster
she, her, hers
BS, Gender Studies
I am planning on continuing to work within my community to create a safe environment for all.
I would advise incoming and current students to take every opportunity given and really appreciate this time in their lives because it is truly magical.
My most memorable moment was meeting Jen and speaking with her in majoring in gender studies. It was really the defining moment that helped me decide that I wanted to pursue a degree in gender studies.
Jayden Howard
she, her, hers
BS, Gender Studies
BS, Management
BS, International Studies – Development and Sustainability Emphasis
After I graduate I will be starting a full-time developmental position with the US Air Force in logistics. I will continue my education in this program by most likely pursuing a Masters of International Affairs and Global Enterprise.
My advice is to do all that your heart desires with your time in college. Join that club, go to that presentation, go get the free food, take that class that has nothing to do with your degree simply because it is interesting to you.
It’s not a specific experience, but throughout my entire time taking Transform classes, I have felt so much support and love from my professors and advisors (Go Jen!). I have had a long 6 years of undergrad and nothing seemed to be straightforward, but because of the support of this program, I am finally preparing to graduate and start my next adventure.
Hannah Jeffs
she, her, hers
BA, Gender Studies
BS, Strategic Communication
Disability Studies Minor
Advice that I would give to incoming students is to always seek knowledge, because in the grand scheme of things we each only know so little. Get as close as you can to the issues that matter to you. And seek opportunities that invigorate you to be the best version of yourself.
Olivia Joylani Kavapalu
she, her, hers
Pacific Islands Studies Certificate
Through my coursework in Transform and my work with the Pacific Islands Studies Initiative, I found a home on campus. Working with great leaders and mentors like Kehau Folau, Moana Hafoka, and Angela Robinson, I’ve learned the extent of my capabilities and the mana that lives in our community. After graduating I hope to pursue a degree in Public Health and serve my Pacific Islander community in a healthcare-related capacity.
My biggest advice to incoming and current students is two-fold. One– never forget that you belong here. For far too long in my academic journey, I thought I was just the lucky, token kid to be here. Imposter syndrome is so real, but never forget that you are powerful, that you are capable, and that you belong to be here. Secondly, find a support system. There are people all over this campus who can support you and connect you to things you never knew possible. Seek them out and nurture your relationship with them. So much of the richness in college comes from who you know and who you’re connected to.
Lehua Kono
she, her, hers
Pacific Islands Studies Certificate
I hope to work within the Global and Public health fields to help address health disparities for Pacific Islander and Asian communities.
Frances Lucas
she, her, hers
BA, Ethnic Studies
My advice: don’t overly stress. Things will get done in time as long as you manage it well. Participate in activities, make friends, have study groups, these will help make your experience on campus that much more memorable.
Sanila Math
she, her, hers
BS, Ethnic Studies
I will be attending the University of Utah Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine in the fall to pursue my M.D. and explore intersectional healthcare and how we can work towards deinstitutionalizing healthcare in favor of community wellbeing, relationship building, and health equity for historically excluded populations.
I have gained valuable knowledge from the ethnic studies classes I have taken over the course of my academic journey, but my most valuable experiences have come from expanding beyond my chosen field and finding ways in which other passions intersect with my interests. What I have come to value the most have been the life experiences I have shared with my family and peers, the wisdom I continue to gain from my mentors and support system, and the relationships I have formed along the way. I encourage my peers to find lessons in every relationship and to care about what they are learning — go beyond the classroom and explore the impact you can have on your community.
Raha Mehrkish
she, her, hers
BS, Gender Studies
BS, Psychology
I plan on going on to get my Master’s and PhD in Clinical Child Psychology. I want to become one of the greatest clinical child psychologists, especially for those in minority groups.
My biggest piece of advice for incoming and current students is: Get involved!! Join clubs, attend events, take any opportunity you’re presented with, and do what your heart desires. It’s a crucial time for putting yourself out there and making memories.
One of my memorable experiences in Transform was attending the events in the Transform lounge. It was always such a cozy place where I could relax, drink some tea, and meet new people.
KayleeShaye Mickelsen
she, her, hers
BS, Psychology
I plan to take some time to work, save, and travel like crazy.
My advice: It’s okay if you switch but bulk up on gen ed’s during the summer at slcc. Save yourself a bunch of time and money.
Allie Moore
she, her, hers
BS, Gender Studies
I am pursuing a Masters degree in Public Administration at the U!
To incoming and current students: keep going and growing!
My most memorable experience in Transform was having a community on zoom classes when we weren’t able to leave our houses and hang out with friends.
Sarah Orozco
she, her, hers
BA, Ethnic Studies
BA, Gender Studies
After graduation I’m hoping to move out of state and pursue a career in Student Affairs!
My advice to incoming and current students is to ask all the questions you have and share your perspectives when you feel comfortable. Don’t be afraid of being “wrong” because the world’s way more complex than just right and wrong.
One of my most memorable experiences with Transform is when I did an internship in Washington DC and meanwhile I took a class through Transform that helped me critically reflect on what I was experiencing.
Bernice Ova
she, her, hers
BS, Family, Community, and Human Development
Psychology Minor
Pacific Islands Studies Certificate
I plan on getting a job in my field of study. I also plan to continue my studies by pursuing a master’s in Educational Counseling. I would advise incoming and current students to keep being resilient and know that it will all be worth it in the end. My most memorable experience in Transform was being able to identity and understand issues within Oceania from an Indigenous Pacific Islander perspective.
Sai Parsawar
she, her, hers
Honors BS, Ethnic Studies
BS, Health, Society & Policy
Psychology Minor
I will be working for a few years and then am planning on pursuing my masters in Public Health or Ethnic Studies.
For incoming and current students, know that you will thrive in community and therefore you should find support and support others in your community. Make sure you are connecting with other people in your major or at the university at large. While for students with multiple marginalized identities, it may seem like you don’t belong here or that people don’t care about your success, there are people here that support you and want see you thrive. Find them and make sure to support each other at this institution.
My most memorable experiences in transform have been connecting with people who have similar lived experiences to me in class and learning about what it means to do community organizing with a liberatory mindset. I especially enjoyed when professors would build 1:1 relationships with students around these topics
Briona Proulx
she, her, hers
BS, Gender Studies
After I graduate I plan to move to Columbus Ohio to start nursing school. I plan to use my degree to educate my community and make a difference in the world.
Some advice that I would like to give incoming students is don’t be afraid to be yourself. Do things you never thought you would do. You only get so many trip around the sun so make everyday your best day.
One of my most memorable experiences in transform is the time that I went on a trip to Moab with my Price of Gender class to just be away from the world for a weekend. We would stay up late and have amazing talks about sex and gender. I had decided to take this road trip by myself down to Moab and meet everyone there. When I got there Dr. Coco told me that she was proud of me and I was so brave to do that drive by myself in the dark. Every day after that trip Dr. Coco never fails to tell me how proud she is of me for being so brave. I am blessed to have had such amazing professors that I was able to learn from.
Patricia Ross
he, they
BS, Sociology
African American Studies Minor
Diversity Certificate
I am planning to use my degree to help get to the next level in my academic career by obtaining a master’s degree in a public service or nonprofit area. This path will hopefully enhance my scope of knowledge and allow me to initiate more transparency in whatever I decide to do.
The most important advice I can give is to never stop learning. Even though, you may run across those occasional bumps in the road, you just have to keep going until you get to the place you want to be no matter how long it takes. It won’t be easy, but nothing ever is. Surrounding yourself with the right tools, people and experiences is what make it all worthwhile.
One of my most memorable experiences in Transform was in my last year where I felt I was ready to give up then two Transform instructors made me realize that I mattered and they were able to assist me in finding a solution to be able to complete my degree. I am eternally grateful to Dr. Kim Hackford-Peer and Jen Wozab for believing in me because throughout my academic career not many people have believed I could do this until now. It has taken a long time to get here and I just want to say “thank you” to the folks who believe in us because without that kind of support things could have turned out very differently. This experience has touched me deeply and I will never forget it.
Caitlin Scheuer
she, her, hers
BA, Gender Studies
BA, Communication
I am currently working in the field of behavior analysis as a therapist for children with autism, and I can’t wait to keep exploring my horizons and using the compassion I learned in Transform to help people in all walks of life.
West Singleton
he, they
BA, Gender Studies
I plan to teach!
Advice: Your relationships with your professors are so important.
Memorable experience: All students just laying down in a classroom together and continuing our discussion.
Gabby Snow
she, her, hers
BS, Gender Studies
After graduation, I plan on using my Gender Studies degree to “transform” the future of sustainable, gender neutral garments that empower and celebrate individuality and self expression.
Advice that I have for incoming students is to be patient with yourself as you grow, and remain curious about everything that brings you rage and discontent within the system. Compost the patriarchy!
One of my most memorable experiences in Transform was taking Kilo Zamora’s class “Gender On The Hill”. In this class, we found and explored the catalyst for social change. I met some of my life long comrades and we fought for radical change together on Capitol Hill each week during the legislative session. We were able to hold space with fellow local activists, and facilitate dialogues with legislators to question and discuss the oppressive laws that are being passed each session in the state of Utah.
Dakodah Terry
she, her, hers
BS, Gender Studies
Health Education Minor
Planning on going onto a graduate program in English education. Also working on getting a talent agent in LA.
Welcome to the best and most welcoming major at the U! Enjoy your time here and make as many connections as you can <3