Fall 2022 Commencement
Saturday, December 10, 2022 10:00 a.m. American Bank Center Arena
A Member of The Texas A&M University System
Prelude and Processional*
Carrier of the Mace Dr. Sandrine Sanos Professor of History, College of Liberal Arts
Welcome ........................................................................................................................ Dr. Kelly M. Miller
Presentation of the Colors TAMU-CC Army Islander Battalion
National Anthem ................................................................................................................... Jessica Valdez Junior, Music Major, College of Liberal Arts
Commencement Address
Presentation of Degree Candidates
Dr. Rebecca A. Palacios Senior Curriculum Advisor, ABCmouse.com
Dr. Clarenda M. Phillips Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
College of Education and Human Development Dean David Scott College of Liberal Arts Dean Shawnrece Campbell College of Science......................................................................Associate Dean Barbara Szczerbinska College of Graduate Studies ................................................................................. Dean Karen McCaleb
Conferring of Degrees Dr. Kelly M. Miller
Announcing ................................................................................................ Dr. Carmen Tejeda-Delgado Professor and Director of Transformative Alliances for Student Success College of Education and Human Development Hooding of Doctoral Candidates
Alumni Presentation
Fall 2022 Commencement President Kelly M. Miller, presiding Scan to link to digital program
Candidate’s Major Professor
College of Education and Human Development |Assisting: Dean David Scott College of Science |Assisting:Associate Dean Barbara Szczerbinska
Commissioning ..............................................................................................................
LTC Steven Pierce Professor of Military Science
Haysam Dawod ’85 President, TAMU-CC National Alumni Association
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
Dr Liliana Bravo
Dissertation Title: Giving Migrant Students a Voice: A Qualitative Case Study of the Challenges Experienced by Post Secondary Latino Migrant Farm Workers in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas
Dr Jasmine Nicole Harris Vick
Dissertation Title: Putting the Sista in Resistance: A Narrative Phenomenological Study of Trauma in Leadership through the Lived Experiences of Black Women in Higher Education Administration
Dr. Angela Susanne Perez
Dissertation Title: Latinas Rising: The Use of Mentorship to Aid in the Success of Latina Doctoral Students
Dr Yolanda Reyna
Dissertation Title: Elementary Teachers' Self Efficacy for Supporting Students with Mental Health Problems in General Education Classrooms
Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education
Dr. Jesusa Elena Jasso
Dissertation Title: The Lived Experiences of Doctoral Level Student Supervisors Addressing the Wellness of Counselors In Training Supervisees
Dr Nora Alicia Maza
Dissertation Title: Examining Personal Self Concept, Social Self Concept, and External Validation Seeking as Predictors of Problematic Social Media Use in 18 to 22 Year Olds
Dr Carlee Reanne Pendleton Cole
Dissertation Title: The Experiences of Individuals with Body Positive Online Social Media Content During Recovery from Disordered Eating
Dr. Jacquelyn Elizabeth Schuster
Dissertation Title: Phenomenological Investigation of the Lived Experiences of Middle School Professional School Counselors in Addressing Student Mental Health, During the COVID 19 Pandemic, after a Return to In Person Instruction
Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum & Instruction
Dr. Kathrine Anne Crysup
Dissertation Title: Science Teachers' Sense of Compassion Fatigue throughout the School Year Following Hurricane Harvey
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
Doctor of Philosophy in Coastal and Marine System Science
Dr Larissa Marie Dias
Dissertation Title: Hydrological and Biogeochemical Controls on Estuarine Carbonate Chemistry Along a Climate Gradient
Dr Elizabeth Anne Gomaa
Dissertation Title: Texas 2007 Senate Bill 3 Environmental Flows Process: A Review and Analysis for the Priority Coastal Basins in Texas, USA
Dr. Thomas Philippe Lavigne
Dissertation Title: Towards a Better Understanding of the Global Electric Circuit and Thunderstorm Trends Utilizing Satellite and Ground Based Measurements
Dr. Sagar Shrestha
Dissertation Title: Photo Transformation of Dissolved Organic Nitrogen in Baffin and Lavaca Bays, Texas, USA
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Master of Science
Tucker L. Addington
Brandie Kristen Bach
Timor Ottis Barrett
Alejandro Ivan Bolanos
Patricia Ann Boyson
Waldemar Bravo
Heather Anderson Burns
Christina Lynn Carrillo
Juan Rey Casas III
Julieta R Chapman
Melissa Anne Cook Rachel P. Cortez
Joely Rose Diaczenko
Nicole Renee Edgar
Rebekah Ruth Frampton
Kimberly Michelle Gadberry
Kyla Ann Galvan
Elizabeth Marie Guerra Norena B. Gutierrez
Jacqueline A Hernandez Kaitlyn Rana Johnson Renee Johnson
Jeremy McKaine Justice Brandy Brooke Krcha
Chalayna Lenelle Landers
Mary Mora Erika Nichole Moreno
Kerry Riley Posthumous Degree
Erica Rios
Alexis Briana Sanchez Henry Ross Tolstedt
Lajoya Virginia Eli Williams Matthew Ray Wood Mahnoor Zahid
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS
Master of Arts
Artug Altug
Jake A. Babic Manuel De La Cruz III
Jessica Marie Aleman
Amanda M. Beattie
Jessie Laurel Castanier
Brielle Joelle Duchesneau Makalah Danielle Griffin Ayesha Jabbar Rostam Edward Mirzadi
Andria Celine Garza Matthew Vaughn Kesselring Mark Wayne Morris
Master of Public Administration
Mary Mahan
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
Master of Science
Erin Jaime Mueller
Robert Timothy Mueller
Jessica Taylor Myers Hinal Arvind Patel Marie Pearl Pendleton Yvonne M Sheasby
Ondrea Dionne Tarske John C Tatum Erica Marsella Woodruff
Luis Miguel Munoz
Monisha Sugla Quang That Minh Ton Christopher Matthew Vickers
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Bachelor of Science
Kiara P Alcoser
Haili Amarissa Allende• Olivia Candice Barr Davila
Kayley Drew Bintliff* Aryceli N Briones*
Chelsea Ann Brothers• Amber Nicole Cantu
Amberly Christiana Cantu Karina Casanova
Victoria Angelica Cisneros
Raquel Covarrubias• Samantha De La Cruz‡
Amber Damera De Luna Jaimee Jordan Deanda Courtani M. Eller*
Arianna Mirae Espinoza• Charlene Llanas Farias
Brittany Nicole Flores‡
Andrew Bradley Gandy Lauren N Gonzales*
Phillip James Greathouse
Kimberly L. Guzman
Hanna Marie Henry
Ayanira Aymee Hinojosa Madison Caye Lee Jacobs Kevin Austin Jaymez
Dylan Grae Jones• Brianna Nycole Joya Elizabeth A. Kiley
Deja Monique Lacey Ross Reaghan Marie Lang‡ Grecia A. Lopez‡
K'Lynn D. Martinez Kody Ray Mcdowell
Abby Louise McLain
Lucy Mae Miller James Thomas Morales Jr Caitlyn Whitney Moreno‡
Brittany Leann Patch Adrian Pena‡
Karlyn Pierce* Katherine Marie Ramon Megan Rene Ramos
Caleigh Ruth Robinson‡ Leana M Rockwell‡
Jacob Pete Salinas*
Vanessa Leigh Santillan Cynthia Pena Santos
Yesenia Serna De Leon*
Katelyn Nicole Sewell Molly Lyn Smith
Tori Alexandria Thomas Bailey Reann Volkmann
Christa Tiffany Winstead* Sydney Alexandra Wisor
Leticia Adame*
Jennifer Ann Baeza
Meghan Roayne Clair
Leslie Elizabeth Cruz
Briana De La Torre‡
Dellanie T'Nae Fleming
Aaliyah Mireyah Flores
Cassandra Nicolle Gomez Abigail Karmella Gonzalez*
Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies
Audrey Celeste Graham
Amber Lee Guerra•
Collette Nicole Laconti
Linda Molina
Jose Armando Ontiveros Jr *
Madeleine Rhiane Perez* Haley Nicole Ramirez April Rizo Genesis Jade Rodriguez*
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS
Bachelor of Arts
Alexis N Saldivar‡
Dayanis Santana
Brant Matthew Smith
Regina Marie Tijerina•
Gabrielle Ann Vaiz
Natalie Arissa Williams Cassidy Ruth Willman‡
Alexa Elizabeth Akers
Kimberly Ann Alaniz‡
Richard Alonzo Jr.
Allison S Antu
Aubrey Alexis Arismendez
Misti Anne Arismendez
Valeria Arredondo
Rebecca Leann Bailey‡ Leah Frances Barts*
Preston D Bass Noe Alejandro Becerra
Cayley Benavides
Jacob Ryan Benavides
Hannah Elizabeth Berry
Kassidy Cheree Biggs•
Robin Elizabeth Blackshear
Darria Alexandria Brittain
Diana Bui
Micah Olesia Cain•
Desirae Ann Camacho
Kendall L. Canez
Corinne Michelle Carbajal
Natalia Anjali Carter*
Kathryn Isabel Chambers• Michelle A. Chavez‡
Chris Clark•
Eric Davila
Miranda Kelley Dean•
Leticia G Deluna‡
Lelia M Dennis Matthew A. Diaz
Kirsten Daile Draper
Stormie Dae Drillen
Deborah Desiree Dubuque
Jessie Marie Eagan*
Delanie Elizondo
Julianne Antionette Esparza
Elijah Xander Esquivel•
Honors Program Graduate
Kristi G Alvarado•
Lisa Denise Alvarado• Nancy Elaine Alvarado Allison Jean Cleveland* Timotea Malorie Deleon‡
Jazmin Danielle Ferdin
Jacqueline Flores•
Simeon Bryant Fryer
Ayanna Skylar Galvan
Alexis Marie Garcia•
Angelita Guadalupe Garcia
Jonathan Robert Garcia*
Victoria Alyse Glover*
Jessi Danielle Gonzalez•
Neyva Rebeca Gonzalez‡
Honors Program Graduate
Trisha Mejia Guico‡
Cameron Mathias Gutierrez‡ Mireya S Guzman
Sarah A Helmer
Melina Jade Hernandez•
Jordan Tess Horan‡
Morgen Breanne Hudson Ashley Alison Johnson* Aurora P Kolar Marina Jewel Langford Neil Rapahel Levens
Andrea R. Libby* Esteban R Licon
Johnne Marzel Lopez
Kimberly Kay Luther* Stevie Rhiannon Macias Taylor Marrs
Celia Paula Martinez
Kamdyn Delayney Matthews
Jonathan Maxwell Maul
Shelby Lynn Mendive*
Richard A Mendoza
Bailey Thomas Miller*
Love Chol Ortega Miller
Joshua Thomas Money
Sydney Avery Mood*
Evelyn Grace Moore Heavenly K. Myers
Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences
Edward Jerand Falkenstein IV*
Davon Fox
Rachael Alena Haer
David Michael Hoffpauir Jose Antonio Leal•
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Jared Lane Oliver
Kayla Renee Pacheco
Justin M. Pinon
Tiffany Ranae Price
Matthew Cameron Ray•
Raven Grace Reese‡
Christopher James Reyes Daniela Rios
Christina Marie Rubalcava Madeliene Reece Salazar
Mike Orlando Salazar Sr
Lizett Sanchez
Roel Justus Sanchez•
Hailey Nicole Sedgwick Olivia Mayann Soto
Valerie Nichole Stribling•
Brooke Reese Talamantez•
Elisabeth Petronella Tamis*
Brittany Marie Thompson‡
Christopher Alexander Torres* Emily Ann Torres
Rhonda L. Trevino
Marco Anthony Uribe Jr. Victoria Jessel Uribe Rocio Vega
Nathaniel Agustin Verdin Taylor L Watson
Alyssa Gabrielle Weaver
Kimberlin H. Wells Amanda C Whitaker* William Xiaoan Whitworth* Megan Renee Ymbert* Austin Sean Youngs*
Franceska Elizabeth Alvarado‡ Melissa Garcia‡
Chloe Jan Green* Bailee Sue Hazelwood‡
Bachelor of Music
Fidencio Mateo Vela
Angelita Medina
Ryanna Katlyn Rodriguez‡ Evan James Schrold Ryan Louis Tudyk
Jenni Elise Rodriguez•
Sharon Margoth Acosta•
Maya Lourdes Bueno
Denise Buitron
Kaylee Arianna Campanico
Jose Antonio Cintron Jr
Alisa Elena Cofresi
Alexis Renae Deluna
Michael Joseph Farah
Nicholas Jude Figueroa
Karianna Yvonne Fuentes• April Renee Garcia
Jorge Alberto Garcia Mariah Garcia
Matthew Armando Garcia Stephanie A Garcia
Bachelor of Science
Rosselyn Vanesa Guardado
James Kenneth Hasette Hayleigh Lynn Hinojosa
Tabitha Ashleigh Hinojosa
Cameron I. Johnson
Alexia Paige Martinez*
Donald Patrick McKinney Noah Satery Miranda*
Christian Andrew Morse
Kendalyn Loen Naranjo Deairus Derrell Nelson
Cristina Guadalupe Ochoa Caitlyn Zoe Ordonez Eileen Rose Ortiz Emanuel Ortuno
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
Bachelor of Science
Kailei Marissa Ozuna•
Kelly Rene Pickard• Lacy D Quinones•
Victoria Marie Romero
Alena A Salazar
Diana Isabel Santos Sydne Tate Simpson
Marcus Ray Soliz
Terry Doyle Standefer Jr
Joshua Alan Thompson
Stephanie Garcia Thompson
Diego Jose Trevino
Arissa Marie Vazquez
Nicolas Alexander Whitney Caroline Zeller*
Margarita Angel Alvarez*
Jesus Eduardo Baca
Marco Antonio Barrera Jr Jr
Faith Erin Beall‡
River Alexandria Bickham
Rebekah Ann Buck*
Amanda Caitlin Burton*
Yasmine Jasive Carcamo Diaz•
Honors Program Graduate
Seth Levi Carr
Mary K. Cazes
Nathanael David Chapman
Kennedy Lynn Chudej
John Edward Clark Jr • Mackenzie Nevahn Cooper
Anabelle Juliane Cruz
Matthew Joseph Daigle
William Keith Daughtry
Aubrey Faith Dauria‡ Kourteney Robyn Dickey Odessa Star Dukes
Daniel Esequiel Duran*
Victoria Madison Egebrecht• Steven Connor Flannigan Jr. Bonnie Shae Forester*
Josie Genevieve Fountain
Elizabeth Marie Freeman Daisy Lugo Fuentes
Iris Raquel Fuentes• Jennifer Fuentes
Casey Lynn Gallagher‡ Triana Renee Garcia
Abril Esmeralda Garcia Lunar• Rylan Benjamin Garza
Kate Dominque Gomez Rangel
Neyva Rebeca Gonzalez‡
Honors Program Graduate Annika Beth Gorman
Brittany Shanequal Granville
Gabriella C. Herrera
Jensen Louann Higy Riley Christopher Hoy• Bianca Nallely Islas
Terrance Laronce Johnson II II
Nathan F Kowalski•
Marina Jewel Langford Raleigh Michelle Lansford Haley Renee Leger Caitlyn M. Little
Trinity Brianne Loftis• Jenika P Lombrana•
Juliana Lopez* Youssef Huy Mohamed Loubani Morgan Gail Maiden
Alana Elizabeth Mangan‡ Madison Grace Marmon Alexandra Lauren Martin Breana Joyce Monet Mays Caitlin Beth McBrearty Brooklyn Danielle McCormick Brianna Joy McGuirl* Trent S. McShane
Caitlyn Briane Meise Anahi Mendez
Stephen John Michalec* Kimber Lee Ann Montanye Sara Alecia Montoya‡
Honors Program Graduate
Leslie Ann Moreno•
Daniel Antonio Murillo
Jamie Ann Murphy
Hannah L. Naivar
Nathan Alec Nguyen Claudia Gabriela Nieves Narvaez* Elizabeth Jordan Norman• Alfredo Olachia
Officer Commissioning
Second Lieutenant United States Army
Denise Ortiz*
Sydney Mary Parisian•
Giovanna Kimberly Pena Alberto D Perez II
Jaid Perez*
Judith Perez* Vanessa Christine Perez Brandon Sean Petkoff* Alexys Layne Puckett
Narita Lynn Ramirez
Andres Jesus Ramos• Jose M. Rojas*
Boaz Kipkogei Ronoh
Rebecca Mia Ruiz•
Honors Program Graduate Jared Juanillo Saenz
Hannah Elaine Schulze*
Kaiya Ann Shealy• Paige Nicole Sheppard
Drake William Spradlin*
Jonathon Randal Sturgeon•
Courtney Mechelle Taylor
Kasandra Taylor‡
Alexi Karris Tercero Asia M. Thiem
Alejandra Maria Torres‡ Alexis H. Trujillo
Felipe Dejesus Urrutia IV• Sally Amarachi Uzomba• Julian Axel Villarreal
Daphne Elissa White
Honors Program Graduate Kenneth Jackson Willoughby
Cody Austin Wilson•
Ciana Young Hannah Elizabeth Young‡
The names on this program include all students who have applied for graduation. Conferral of the official degree is based upon completion and certification of all degree requirements.
Commencement Speaker
Dr. Rebecca A. Palacios is an internationally renowned expert in early childhood education and a leader in the field of dual language learning. She holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas at Austin and has served as a senior curriculum advisor and member of the curriculum board for Age of Learning since 2009. Palacios taught in the Corpus Christi Independent School district for more than three decades, working primarily with preschool and early elementary students, where she received the first “Teacher of the Year” award from the district. Palacios has also served as an instructor at A&M-Corpus Christi, as well as other area universities and colleges. In 2014, she became the first Latina to be inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame. Dr. Palacios served as a founding member and vice chair of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, an organization that has certified more than 110,000 teachers. She has also served on committees for the National Science Foundation and the Education Development Center and Scholastic Inc. Dr. Palacios is a published author in HuffPost and has been featured on WETA’s “Toddling Toward Reading” series, Univision, and TV Azteca. She has given more than 300 presentations globally on teacher professional development, early childhood education and dual language programs. Her recent book publication, Being Your Child’s Most Important Teacher: A Guide for Families with Young Children provides ideas for everyday learning opportunities that help families prepare their children to enter a school environment.
The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents
Mr. Tim Leach, Chairman ..................................................................................Midland
Mr. William “Bill” Mahomes, Jr., Vice Chairman ................................................ Dallas
Mr. Robert L. Albritton Fort Worth
Mr. James R. “Randy” Brooks ......................................................................San Angelo
Mr. Jay C. Graham Houston
Mr. Michael A. “Mike” Hernandez III .........................................................Forth Worth
Ms. Elaine Mendoza San Antonio
Mr. Michael J. Plank ......................................................................................... Houston
Mr. Cliff Thomas ................................................................................................ Victoria
Mr. Demetrius L. Harrell, Jr., Student Regent Palatka, FL
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Official Ring
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and the Islander Alumni Association unveiled the official ring in 1999. The Ring itself is a symbol of achievement, unity, and University spirit. Upperclassmen wear the ring with the school’s name facing their heart. Upon the granting of degrees at commencement, graduates turn the ring around, with the name facing outward. This symbolizes that the graduate is now ready to face new challenges outside the University.
The official ring is a visible, tangible manifestation of the long-lasting bond between Texas A&M UniversityCorpus Christi and its alumni, offering symbolic representation of one’s past, present, and future as an Islander. As always, it is alumni who carry the same pride in their University, and a seamless gold band holds together the many people who have shared a dream—to earn a college education.
University Mace
The Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Mace is the wooden staff that is carried by a mace bearer leading the academic processional for commencements, convocations, and special university ceremonies. Originally, the mace was a long-handled club used by knights during the Middle Ages to crush the armor of enemies. Later, cere monial maces were carried by guards of French and English monarchs. Later still, the mace was carried or placed by a magistrate or dignitary to establish authority. In sessions of the British House of Commons, the mace is placed on the treasury table. In the U.S. House of Representatives, it is placed to the right of the speaker. Today, the Uni versity Mace is used to symbolize the authority of the University President and is a grand emblem of tradition at commencement ceremonies for colleges and universities.
Academic Regalia
Academic regalia (cap, gown, and hood) date to 12th-century Europe, where they were worn primarily for warmth by university students as well as laymen. As laymen gradually changed their garb to capes and breeches, institutions of learning prescribed the gown of black for scholars, with a hood draped down the back when not worn over the head and a mortarboard cap shaped like the mortarboard of the master workman.
In 1985 in the United States, the Intercollegiate Commission prepared a code, specifying the design and color of academic regalia for colleges and universities in the United States. Under this code, the bachelor’s gown has long pointed sleeves. The master’s gown has an oblong sleeve. The doctor’s gown has bell-shaped sleeves. Gowns are generally black; however, a number of schools have adopted special regalia for the doctor’s gown.
The velvet border of the hood may represent either the color of the degree or the color of the field of study. The current trend is for the color to represent the field of study rather than the name of the degree, but in earlier years dark blue was characteristic for a Ph.D. in any field. Hoods are lined with the official colors of the college or university from which the degree is received.
Caps are the traditional mortarboard except for the doctor’s degree, where a four-sided velvet tam is optional. Caps from schools with special color gowns or from foreign universities may be more distinctive. Cap tassels for the doctor’s degree are gold, while the tassels for the master’s and bachelor’s degree are typically black. Holders of all these degrees wear the tassel on the left. The ritual of bachelor’s degree candidates shifting the tassel from right to left marks the conferring of one’s first university degree.
Hood Color Code
Arts, Letters, Humanities ..................................... White Commerce, Accountancy, Business ....................... Drab Dental Lilac Economics .......................................................... Copper Education Light Blue Engineering ........................................................ Orange Fine Arts, Architecture Brown Library Science Lemon Medicine .............................................................. Green
Music.......................................................................Pink
Nursing ............................................................... Apricot Philosophy Dark Blue Physical Education ...................................... Sage Green Public Administration Peacock Blue Public Health ............................................. Salmon Pink Science Golden Yellow Social Work Citron Speech ......................................................... Silver Gray
Academic Honors
Students earning academic honors wear cords in recognition of academic excellence. The following honors are awarded at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi:
‡ Summa Cum Laude: the silver honor cord is awarded to graduates whose cumulative grade point average is 3.9 and above.
* Magna Cum Laude: the blue honor cord is awarded to graduates whose cumulative grade point average is 3.7 to 3.899.
• Cum Laude: the green honor cord is awarded to graduates whose cumulative grade point av erage is 3.5 to 3.699.
*The honors presented during the ceremony are calculated on the student’s institutional cumulative grade point average and institutional credit hours through the semester prior to filing for graduation. Official honors designation, which includes the calculation of the final semester’s grades and hours, will be indicated on the final transcript and diploma.
Honor Society Medallions and Cords
Students at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi have the privilege of being asked to join honor societies. Membership is based on grade point average and special criteria for each organization such as major, community service, and service to a profession. Students belonging to these honor societies wear cords and medallions that represent their high achievements and the colors and symbols of the organization.
Music Provided by Symphonic Winds
Directed by Dr. Elizabeth Petersen, Professional Assistant Professor of Music
Special thanks to the faculty, staff volunteers, Student Government Association, and Island Ambassadors who participated in today’s events.