Fall 2021 Commencement Saturday, December 11, 2021 10:00 a.m. American Bank Center
A Member of The Texas A&M University System
Fall 2021 Commencement President Kelly M. Miller, presiding Prelude and Processional* Carrier of the Mace ........................................................................................ Dr. Frank Spaniol Professor of Kinesiology, College of Education and Human Development Welcome ......................................................................................................... Dr. Kelly M. Miller National Anthem ................................................................................................... Jessica Valdez Junior, Music Major, College of Liberal Arts Commencement Address ........................................................................................ Mr. Rob Hall Group Vice President/General Manager-Gulf Coast Region for H-E-B Presentation of Degree Candidates ............................................................. Dr. Clarenda Phillips Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs College of Business .................................................................................................... Dean Brian Tietje
College of Education and Human Development ............................................. Dean David Scott College of Nursing and Health Sciences ........................................................ Dean Hassan Aziz College of Graduate Studies ..................................................................... Dean Karen McCaleb Conferring of Degrees .................................................................................. Dr. Kelly M. Miller Announcing ................................................................................... Dr. Carmen Tejeda-Delgado Professor and Director of Transformative Partnerships in Teacher Preparation College of Education and Human Development Hooding of Doctoral Candidates ..................................................... Candidate's Major Professor College of Education and Human Development | Assisting: Dean David Scott College of Nursing and Health Sciences Assisting: Dean Hassan Aziz Alumni Presentation ....................................................................................... Dr. Haysam Dawod ’85 President Elect, TAMU-CC National Alumni Association
Recessional* *Audience will remain seated.
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership Dr. Katheryn Elaine Paynter Dissertation Title: An Exploration of Belonging Through Student Union Employment Dr. Irma Linda Uribe Dissertation Title: Social Justice Early College High School Principals Disrupting Inequitable Systems for Latinx Students Dr. Gina Marie Vilches Dissertation Title: Perceptions of Stakeholders Regarding Grow Your Own Approcahes to Hiring Rural School Superintendents
Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education Dr. Kimberly Elaine Lofland Dissertation Title: Conceptual and Procedural Instruction in Mathematics: A Content Analysis From 1970 to 2020 Dr. Maureen Dolan Sullivan Dissertation Title: Social and Emotional Learning Competencies: A Content Analysis of Caldecott Medal Award Winning Texts Published From 1994-2019
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS Master of Accountancy Melissa R. Barnes Marlyn Bryant Cass Anne Deel Ethan Kenneth Drain Cruz Manuel Holguin Ogaz Jay L. Johnston Sierra Nicole Kunkel
Bethany Rose Maha Faiq Nasir Malhi Laura Ann Nash Mthokozisi Ndlovu Olakunle Ebenezer Ogunmodede Seth Dwayne Ponce Charles Ralloma
Susan Sargent Ashley Sonnen Rebecca Kathleen Tamayo Laura Villarreal Joseph Waibel
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS Master of Business Administration Riham Abdo Mary Linley Albert Isaac E. Almaraz Omar Alouani Adebola Olubunmi Amira Farnaz Arabghani Juan Alberto Arboleda Justin Lee Argo Ryan K. Baker Ashleigh Elizabeth Barrera Chaskey Nels Barry Roel Basaldua Jr. Belinda Rose Bass-Goldwater Angel Beard Jarrett Ashby Beard Paul Elliot Berger Wes Melvin Bevly IV Kenda Raelee Biddle Jeremy Burno Leslie R. Burriss Melody Corynne Cantu Alex Adam Carpenter Monica Esther Castaneda Lluvia Sarahi Castillo Neftaly Castillo Alejandra Colorado Al Vincent Comeaux Hector A. Contreras Jr. Ashley Nicole Cooley Jamie Beck Cooper Daron Rochard Cox Alyssia Inez Crawford Malerie Reace Crow Madison Paige Cuba Balaji Damarla Santosh Jaipal Daryani Brittany Andrea Davis Matthew Frederick Dawod Stephanie De Leon Demond Dean Mackenzie Leigh Degon Dominic Dertatevasion Jackilynn M. Dewees Andrew Read Diaz Maci Marie Donahue Logan James Downey Eric Du Richard Dylan Dunn Lauren Elizabeth Echols Elileojo Onyinyechi Egbuna
Courtney Rae Elizondo Jaylen Niche Etheridge Malachi Michael Fisher Michael J. Fogle Abagail Claire Ford-Stille Kari Brooke Franco David Foster Fredericks Angelica Marie Gamboa Evelyn Catalina Garcia John Matthew Garcia Carlos Garcia-Cuesta Peyton Michael Gerland Chad Taylor Ginsel Regina Maria Gonzales Laura Michelle Gonzalez Mason Ryan Graves Richelle Anne Velasquez Gui Kendal Jo Haegelin Kyle Sage Hamon Allyson Harroff Brian Dale Hartshorn John M. Hazard Brandi Jo Hinton Abbie Housden Elizabeth Diane Mcmurray Hunter Matthias Todd Hunter Jared Collin Hutson Maria Alejandra Ibarra Margaret Ashley Janek Clayton Wayne Jannise Manpreet Kaur Rajwinder Kaur Christopher Ryan Kindell Martha L. Knight Candice Kokas Wafa Koubaa Saajen Divyesh Kumar Shreya Kumar Rachel M. Lane Kendal Danae LaRocque Audrey R. Lee Christine Lin Elizabeth Looper Sean Patrick Lothery Andrea Rae Loya Matthew Joseph Manwaring Mohammed Marmash Steven Marquez Jr. Antonio Martinez III Joe Henry Martinez
Kimberly Marie Martinez Manuel Guadalupe Mata Destinye Mayberry Shelby Nicole McClure Tina Renee McDonald Jacob Allen Mccall Sanford A. Mccolley Tyler Andrew Mccolley Alexandra Keating Mccoy Torrie Samantha Mcskimming Justin Andrew Meador Kevin Amador Medrano Casey Ranier Milesko Felipe Monasi Clara Ruth Montez Sarah Mohamed Mostafa Erek S. Narviz Stacey Rutendo Nchanji Tina Ngo Tim Dinh Nguyen Valarie Diep Nguyen Adeniyi Akinwumi Odesola Alex Eugene Pagel Chase Collis Parker Leanndra Renee Parramore Ritesh Vinod Patel Efren Julian Pedraza Daniela Andreina Penaloza Victoria Lynn Perez Margaret Kay Peterson Huggins Phiri Jr. Jr. James Louis Pittman Robert Jon Propst Eduardo Jesus Pulido Adam Michael Rakowicz Rudolf Ramos Jr. Christian Paul Joseph Rank Christopher Richardson Jake Michael Riggs Sydney Taylor Robinson Ariana Rodriguez Jose Arturo Romo Jr. Alexander Rowlett Selena Rae Samaniego Nikita Lonye Sandouka Ana Karen Santos Gaona Alexander Pefanis Schlee Jason Matthew Schlitz Samantha Jean Scott Jenna Nelson Seybold
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS Master of Business Administration, continued Siraj Ahmed Shabber Sharon Catherine Sharpe Amanda Jo Sherwood Madison Sarah Sikes Denis Alberto dos Santos Azevedo Silva Gloria Estrella Silva Raymundo Silva Jr. Simran Kaur Singh Andrea Jeannette Smart Hunter Stephen Soffos Kyra Dee Solis Tony Dion Solorio Jr. Dipti Srivastava Elizabeth Steadman Valerie Elizabeth Stolberg
Alessandra Ximena Stray Vanessa Clare Swanson Kayla Nikol Tabor Barry L. Tealer Matthew Allen Tedrow Erin Elizabeth Thompson Wendy Marlene Thompson Caitlynne Marie Thornton Ryan Kristofer Tighe Jacob Tillson Nicholas Tyler Tupy Nicholas Lee Tyler Dane Evans Vandermark Katherine Marie Vela Helena Jose Ventura Romeo Villa
Aleisha Marie Vincent Beverly Coren Visgar Lan Vo Jessica Wagner Matthew Trevor Wesson Kyleen Wilhite Lawrence Allen Williams Tyler Michael Winthers Maria Gabriela Wood Matthew J. Worthington Alexandrea L. Wright Chanin Clark Wright Hannah M. Wunderlich Hector Yeverino Rachel Wren Young Nassib Issam Zeidan
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT Master of Science Pamela Jean Almaguer Amy Lee Alvarez Stephanie Abigail Benavides Melissa Ann Castaneda Magda Yudith Chavez Garza Amber Marie Click Valeria De La Garza Clarice Esther Dezzeo Albarran Lisa Shannon Doolittle
Dylan Todd Eckert Deandra Marie Esparza Rhenita Michelle Gilliam Andrew Davidson Gregg Rachel Ann Harris Tionna M. Jackson Alekhya Kalidindi Jacqueline Michelle Keebaugh Jaclyn Pebbles Maldonado
Amanda Kathleen Miles Ana Alyssa Morales Alexandria C. Munoz Walker Davis Perkins Alexia Marie Sandoval Danielle Sara Schraer Neha Thomas Stephanie Yen Binh Tiet Kevin Kwockyau Wong Jr.
Master of Arts Eun Young Bae Jessa Rubie G. Castro William John Chriss Andrea Marisol Guerra Harlee Jean Hall
Selena Danielle Herrera Chelsea Nichole James Ramiro Lopez Stephanie Lissette Malca Victoria Mariah Mathson
Julia Autumn Peay Norberto G. Rodriguez Jr. Krystal Ashley Salinas Diana Cordova Roca Walker
Master of Public Administration Lamesha Roshay Bice Ryan Danielle Gant Caleb Harris
Lorana Katherine Hasette Douglas Craig Matthijetz Shellby Aarin Soto
Amanda Leigh Vasquez Alvin Bernard Witcher
COLLEGE OF NURSING AND HEALTH SCIENCES Master of Science in Nursing Rachel Arneson Julia Angelica Colton
Joycelyn Desarno Noah Neil Madi Margate
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS Bachelor of Business Administration Ashley Rae Adkins Cailyn Erin Adkins Angelia Alaniz• Isabella Faith Alarcon Kaitlyn Allen Allen Michael Alexander Alvarado• Reid Harris Anderson Oscar Brain Arciniega Joe Daniel Ayala Sarah Maureen Beery‡ Adam S. Branscum Jake Michael Brennan• Allison Mae Castor Michael John Chabolla Abigail Rose Cieslik Kendon Christopher Connally Crystal Cortez Tiyana Francis Cruz-Rodriguez Mariah Mae Cullen Joshua James Dale Nester Wayne Diaz Michael Austin Dillard Jorden C. Dunbar Geddy Erasmus Emery Megan Elizabeth Esch Brittney Renee Esparza Isabella Aileen Espinosa Teresa Lee Marie Fernandez• Caleb Reed Fletcher Bryanna Lyzette Flores Carlos Armando Flores‡ Eduardo Gonzalez Felisha Julianna Gonzalez Lucero Gonzalez Trevor Josiah Gotcher Nicholas Kyle Gruesen Ashley Marion Haberland
Charles Robert Harris Carolina M. Hernandez Logan Charles Hester Gabriela Holguin-Ortiz Sierra Dawn Howe Haven Mcclain Hughes* Sharon Janette Hurtado Musa Huseynzade Breeana L. Jackson‡ Kyle George Jerutis John Michael Jones Jack Henry Kelly‡ Parker Austin Kendle Julie Brianna Knox Trung Nguyen Le* Juan Diego Ledezma Destiny Alese Lord Clayton B. Martin‡ Nicholas Martinez Tara Ann Martinez Liam Baltazar Mcdermott Justin Aaron Medrano* Stephanie Melesio Ulises Aguilar Mendez• Uriel Aguilar Mendez Ricardo Mendoza Tyler Patrick Miller Luke Lynn Moore Emily Nicole Moses Mark Joseph Muenster• Camryn Nicole Mulligan Christina Nguyen Brianna Marie Nicol‡ Aven Seth Rahim Noronha Domonique Torres Onken Joseph A. Orta Byanka Alexis Padilla
Jose Daniel Palacios Vanessa Pelaez‡ Bryan Edward Prado Morgan Alexandra Pringle Ester Jasmine Reta Bryan Dale Reyna Jr.• Dimarco Christopher Reyna Dylan Richards• Michael Alexander Rios Jesus Esteban Rodriguez Katrina Elyse Rodriguez Crystal Frances Romero Kyle K. Saifi‡ Francisco Felipe Sanchez III Carly Ann Scull Zachary Roy Seaman* Valeria G. Silva Marion Tirso Carlos Sison Kendall Marie Skinner Jordan Thomas Slusher* Alyssa Rose Smith Megan Shelby Stowers• Zane Thomas Taylor Kyle Gerald Thomas Sonia Maria Torres Mercedes J. Trevino Sarah Elizabeth Valentine• Bridgette Lynn Vasquez* Kayla Nicole Vela Brandi Marie Villarreal Hugo Daniel Vizcarrondo Peyton S. Werner Jessica Morgan West Morgan Leigh Winterrowd Jacob Dylan Worsham Michelle Tina Wright
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT Bachelor of Science Dustin Randall Almendarez Joseph E. Barrett• Ashton Benavidez• Kaylee Marie Brown Mark Eloy Carrillo Mackenzee Rhea Counts‡ Victor A. Diaz• Victoria A. Elizondo Brooke Ann Floerke• Caden Scott Flowers Ellese Faith Garcia‡ Leah Jordan Garza
Amanda Kathleen Geary Billy Guerra III Aelisa Ann Henry Jenna Kindrick Jones• Kylie S. Kvam Aliyah Martinez• Daniel Christopher Nelson• Torrionna Shavaria Nesbitt Hannah Renee Nichols Nichole Alyssa Oliver* Orlando Anthony Perales II Alyson Victoria Pierce*
Taylor Rayne Quintana‡ Emily Margaret Ramirez Elijah Ray Ramos Charles Ray Reyna Jr. Jacqueline Rodriguez Rachel Salinas-Cantu• Makinna Nickole Serrata• Shannon Michelle Shea John B. Soriano* Lauren Ashley Stracener Skylar Grace Tiblow Julian Vela Sr.•
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies Tanner Jae Alden* Jacqueline Christina Ayala* Madison Baylee Brannan* Hannah Cathernie Cerda* Bianca Celeste Coronado Beberlyn Jazmyn Cristan• Cassandra Maryann Deleon Allison Marie Douglas• Shelby Denise Elliott Bayleigh Denae Ellis Jasmin N. Gomez• Ashley Samantha Gonzalez* Micaela Rose Gonzalez Keri Morgan Graves
Bella Elise Gutierrez‡ Marissa Rae Hernandez Katelyn Grace Hill Maria Mercedes Hunt Destiny Cheyenne Kelly Jacqueline C. Lozano• Stefany Azyadeth Lule Brittany Renee Luna Leslie Cheyanne Mahrer* Alexis Sierra Paige Munguia‡ Hanna Elizabeth Oehlke Haley Nicole Perez* Brooke Elena Richardson‡ Angelina Brittany Rivera
Marianna Isabella Rodriguez Samantha Leanne Rodriguez* Hannah E. Ruan Kassandra Salazar‡ Magali Carrillo Salazar Jenell Lizette Soliz Brooklyn Shaye Sutton• Mariah Allissa Valadez* Amelia M. Villarreal‡ Sierra Bianca Villarreal* Brianna Renee Williams* Kristen Lorraine Zambrano
COLLEGE OF NURSING AND HEALTH SCIENCES Bachelor of Science Michelle Jene Ansick
Brianna Renee Hernandez
Adriana J. Hurtado
Bachelor of Science in Health Science Nazar Mustafa Alalwi Gabriela Delicia Cantu Alexis J. Carbajal Sadie Nicole Encinia‡ Elena Isabella Erhardt Hannah Frances Flores Michelle Gargar Flores‡ Tyler Michael Fricke Priscilla Laura Garza
Daniella Enedina Gonzalez• Sophia Gabriella Guerra Bryanna Mia Jaramillo Spencer Phillip Keith Vanessa Marie Loera Adela Elis Ludeke Lauren Evelyn Mehring Kateesha Janice Mejia Brad Matthew Murillo
Orobosa Oyemwense Leonel Esteban Perez Bailey Marie Ramirez Steven M. Rivera Chijin Elianne Rodriguez-Cedeno Taylor Paige Tunches Eileen Valencia• Jillian Jessenia Villarreal
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Elena Isabella Erhardt
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 Rob Hall graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from Texas A&M University. While attending Texas A&M, he was a Pole Vaulter on the Texas A&M track team attaining All Southwest Conference honors in 1987 and Athletic Academic awards for the 1986-87-88 seasons. Rob completed the Cornell University Food Executive Program in 2003. Rob started his career with H-E-B in the Store Management Training program in June of 1989. Through the years at H-E-B, Rob has worked at numerous locations and in multiple positions. He was running his first store (Sinton H-E-B) in a solo Store Director assignment back in 1992. After several larger store leader assignments, Rob took on a Unit Director Team Leader role in Victoria which enabled him the opportunity to lead a group of 4 stores. He then moved into several regional roles including advertising, merchandising, selling, and marketing assignments. For the last 17 years, Rob has led the H-E-B Mighty Gulf Coast Region of 33 stores. Rob stays very involved in the community. In 2021, he was Co-Chair for the Corpus Christi Heart Walk, Advisory Board member for the Center for Retailing Studies in the May’s Business School at Texas A&M University, and a Director for Hollamon Lands Company and Mildred Shofner Farms, Inc. Over his time in the Corpus Christi area, he has been a community advocate and board member for multiple organizations including: Past Chair for Texas State Aquarium, Board member for K.E.D.T., USS Lexington, American Heart Association, Christus Spohn Health System Foundation, University of Texas Marine Science Institute, United Way, and more. Rob resides in Portland, Texas, and is married to his lifelong sweetheart and best friend, Stacey. Stacey is also an Aggie, class of 1989. Rob and Stacey are proud parents to two daughters and two sons-in-law; Robin Dee-Anna Kok (married to Ethan Kok) and Kathryn Shea Whitehead (married to Aaron Whitehead).
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. "Bob" Albritton ....................................................... Fort Worth Mr. James R. "Randy" Brooks ....................................................... San Angelo Mr. Jay Graham .................................................................................. Houston Mr. Michael A. "Mike" Hernandez III ...........................................Forth Worth Ms. Elaine Mendoza ..................................................................... San Antonio Mr. Michael J. Plank .......................................................................... Houston Mr. Cliff Thomas ................................................................................ Victoria Ms. Matilin "Mati" Rigsby, Student Regent ............................. College Station
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 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 University-Corpus 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, ceremonial 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, University Mace is used to symbolize the authority of the University President and is a grand emblem of tradition commencement ceremonies for colleges and universities.
Academic Regalia The academic regalia (cap, gown, and hood) date to the 12th Century European universities when they were worn primarily for warmth by the students as well as by 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-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 within the range of 3.7 to 3.899. Cum Laude: the green honor cord is awarded to graduates whose cumulative grade point average is within the range of 3.5 to 3.699. *The honors presented during the ceremony are calculated on the student's institutional cumulative grade point average through the semester prior to filing for graduation. Official honors designation, which includes the calculation of the final semester's grades, 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, colors and symbols of the organization.
Music provided by:
Winds Symphonic
Directed by: Dr. Elizabeth Petersen, Assistant Professional Professor of Music
Special thanks to the faculty, staff volunteers, the Student Government Association and Island Ambassadors who participated in today's events.