The University of San Diego

Chartered in 1949, the University of San Diego is a private, Roman Catholic institution of higher education located on 180 acres at the western end of Linda Vista, overlooking San Diego’s Mission Bay. Known for its commitment to teaching, the liberal arts, the formation of values and community engagement, USD aspires to excellence and offers higher education to individuals of all races, creeds, cultural backgrounds, abilities and sexual orientations. The university takes pride in the personalized approach and holistic view it brings to the educational process, recognizing the physical, spiritual, intellectual, emotional, cultural and social needs of its students and how those needs are interdependent for personal growth.

The university was founded under the leadership of Mother Rosalie Clifton Hill of the Society of the Sacred Heart and Bishop Charles Francis Buddy of the Diocese of San Diego. “Beauty will attract them; goodness will lead them; but the truth will hold them,” said Mother Hill. This has been interpreted to mean that beauty will initially attract people who come to the campus, and when they are here, they will encounter people in whom they find a certain goodness. This, in turn, will lead them to the truth, which will hold them. For Mother Rosalie Hill, the search for truth was the purpose of the university.

USD enrolls almost 9,000 students from 141 countries and 50 states, who may choose from more than 86 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The university’s academic units include the College of Arts and Sciences, the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science, the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace and Justice, the Knauss School of Business, the School of Law, the School of Leadership and Education Sciences, the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering and Professional and Continuing Education.

USD is recognized as a Community Engagement Institution by the Carnegie Foundation, and is a member of Ashoka’s Changemaker Campus Consortium. Dedicated to the ongoing legacy of our founders, the University of San Diego is committed to finding sustainable solutions to humanity’s urgent challenges and empowering students to live fulfilling lives as responsible, global citizens. USD is comprised of a community of scholars committed to teaching and research both in and out of the classroom and is the youngest independent institution on the U.S. News & World Report list of top 100 universities in the United States.

Our Mission

The University of San Diego is a Roman Catholic institution committed to advancing academic excellence, expanding liberal and professional knowledge, creating a diverse and inclusive community, and preparing leaders dedicated to ethical conduct and compassionate service.

Mortar Board Judy Lewis Logue

Alcalá Chapter

Founding Advisor

JUDITH LEWIS LOGUE

Director of Financial Aid, retired 2019

Chapter Advisors

E. CECILIA BARNHILL

USD Mortar Board Alumna 2020

CHARLES BASS

Senior Director, Alumni Relations and Mortar Board Alumna

JUDITH LIU, PhD

Professor of Sociology

MICHAEL MAYER, PhD

Professor of Biology

PERLA MYERS, PhD

Executive Director, Jacobs Institute for Innovation in Education and Professor and Mortar Board Alumna

PAULINE POWELL

Assistant Dean, College of Arts and Sciences

RAQUEL VALDEZ DIAZ

USD Mortar Board Alumna 2021

Honorary Mortar Board Members

ALICE B. HAYES, PhD

TRICIA A. DURAN

PATRICK F. DRINAN, PhD

MARY E. LYONS, PhD

FRANCIS M. LAZARUS, PhD

ANNE M. DONNELLAN, PhD

JULIE H. SULLIVAN, PhD

ALANA K. CORDY-COLLINS, PhD

SUSAN M. LORD, PhD

MICHAEL S. MAYER, PhD

THOMAS R. HERRINTON, PhD

CARMEN M. VAZQUEZ, MS

DELAVAN J. DICKSON, JD, PhD

NOELLE H. NORTON, PhD

THERESE TRUITT WHITCOMB, MA

JAMES T. HARRIS III, DEd

IRIS H. ENGSTRAND, PhD

ANDREW T. ALLEN, PhD

THOMAS H. LUPFER, MA

GAIL F. BAKER, PhD

JENNIFER ZWOLINSKI, PhD

JUDITH LIU, PhD

LANEÉ BATTLE

CHELL ROBERTS, PhD

REGINA DIXON-REEVES, PhD

VERONICA GALVAN, PhD

October 22, 2000

April 27, 2002

September 13, 2003

April 14, 2004

April 25, 2004

April 24, 2005

April 28, 2006

April 27, 2008

April 27, 2008

April 26, 2009

April 25, 2010

April 17, 2011

April 22, 2012

April 21, 2013

December 9, 2014

October 18, 2016

February 14, 2017

April 30, 2017

May 5, 2019

May 5, 2019

May 23, 2020

May 23, 2020

April 25, 2021

April 25, 2021

April 24, 2022

April 24, 2022

Members

DEEPALI ADVANI is a Junior graduating a year early majoring in Real Estate. She serves as professionalism chair on Phi Chi Theta and is a member of the Real Estate Society and the Asian Student Association. She is working on adding American Sign Language courses to USD and starting an ASL club since she was raised with deaf parents. She is getting her real estate license this summer and working at Pacific Coast Commercial. She plans to attend graduate school to earn her MBA after graduation. Deepali was born in Seattle, Washington and moved to Dallas, Texas in 2013.

KATRINA ANDERSEN is pursuing a degree in Behavioral Neuroscience in an effort to expand on her current AAS in Social and Humans Services and Substance Use Disorder Professional credential. She has been consistently involved in both community and professional addiction recovery services. In her hometown of Seattle, Washington, Katrina was involved in community outreach programs for unhoused individuals and would often speak on panels within detox and inpatient treatment centers. Katrina plans to pursue a graduate degree in Nursing with a Psychiatric specialty in order to continue working with individuals suffering from co-occurring Substance Use Disorders and Mental Health Disorders.

MADDY BARNEY-GIBBS is a Liberal Studies major with a concentration in Communications. Maddy grew up in Thousand Oaks, California but her family recently relocated to Carlsbad, California. She is a transfer student who became a part of the USD Honors Program last fall. She currently works for the Youth Engagement Initiative program with the Mulvaney Center at a local elementary school in Linda Vista. She is a tutor/teacher’s aide in multiple classrooms helping with individual student work, group reading practice, planning art activities, etc. Maddy recently studied abroad at University College Cork in Cork, Ireland. After completing her undergraduate degree she plans to earn a Master of Education and teaching credential at USD preparing her for a career working in an elementary school environment.

ANDRE BATTIKHA is a Behavioral Neuroscience major with a minor in Chemistry. Born and raised in San Diego, he is in love with San Diego and decided to pursue great things at the University of San Diego. He is involved with clubs such as Pre-Dental Club, as the external event manager, and Minorities in Business Club, as the Head of Communications. He also continues to volunteer at Perkins Elementary School, UCSD’s free pre dental clinic, flying Samaritans, as well as with Kuponda and their after school program. Andre enjoys playing basketball and lifting weights with friends, as well as going to the beach in his free time. He is currently set on the Dental route and plans to pursue Dental School in August of 2024.

NINA BLANCO is a Behavioral Neuroscience major with a concentration in pre-medicine and a minor in Theology and Religious Studies. Nina works to promote student development in Campus Recreation and is a member in Phi Delta Epsilon, Alpha Pi Sigma, where she has held executive board positions, Lettered Multicultural Council, and FUSO. She works as a Resident Assistant at USD, is a Pathmaker Intern with Palomar Medical Center, and helps promote diversity through her job with the San Diego Padres. She plans to attend medical school after graduation and eventually jumpstart a nonprofit that provides affordable healthcare to low socioeconomic communities. Nina is from Houston, Texas.

SALENA CHACON is an English major with a creative writing emphasis with minors in Spanish communication. She serves as a writing consultant at the Writing Center, is on the editorial board for the Alcalá Review, and is a member of the Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society. She is also a member of USD’s Surfrider club. Her future career goals are to work in the book publishing industry. Salena is from Haddonfield, New Jersey.

CAM COLUCCI is a Mechanical Engineering and Physics major. He is from Salina, Kansas, and serves as a member of the Theta Tau Engineering Fraternity. He enjoys all types of outdoor activities and sports. He has completed a cyber security internship with the Office of Naval Research and works as a member of the NROTC. Once he graduates, he will commission into the Marine Corps.

MARIANA COMBARIZA is a dual degree student earning a Bachelor in Business Administration in Marketing and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, with a minor in Theology and Religious Studies. She is the president and founder of Food for the Soul Theology Club, leading meetings and events where students of all faith backgrounds learn about Christianity, Jesus, and get the chance to dive deep into theological inquiries. She works as an Involvement Consultant and Student Org Newsletter Lead at USD’s Student Activities and Involvement Office, and is a Design Lab Fellow with the Changemaking Hub researching student loneliness. This summer, she’ll work for humanitarian aid organization Compassion International as the Experience Strategy Intern, and aims to have a career in international development and nonprofit marketing. Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, she hopes to one day return to her native country and fulfill God’s will for her life there.

DAMIERA CRUZ is a Philosophy major who is also minoring in the interdisciplinary program Philosophy, Political Science, and Economics (PPE). Originally from Coral De Tierra, she strives to be a District Attorney prosecuting cases of domestic violence and child abuse and neglect. She serves as an intern at the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. Damiera was involved with One Safe Place, a center that provides resources for survivors of victimization. At One Safe Place, Damiera collaborated with Palomar Health to create policies for their forthcoming brain injury program. In addition, she has served as a Hope Coach for the Camp Hope program. Moreover, Damiera is also a peer mentor for the San Diego Brain Injury Foundation. On campus, she is the co-president of the University Ministry’s Students For Life; through this club, she has advocated for finding common ground between advocates of all causes related to the dignity of life.

JULIETTE DIGNUM is an Integrated Engineering major with a concentration in sustainability. Her passion for the environment has led her to develop strong career goals surrounding renewable resources and energy, and she plans on continuing her education to get an engineering master’s degree after USD. She is an active member of the Society of Women Engineers and looks forward to leadership opportunities within the organization. Juliette is from Menlo Park, California.

MICHAELA DIVITO is an industrial and systems engineering major with a concentration in sustainability. She is currently involved in the Society of Women Engineers and the Institute of Industrial & Systems Engineers. She also loves taking recreational classes through the Mission Bay Aquatic Center, including surfing and wakeboarding. She is an intern for the Center for Community Energy of San Diego, and she conducts research on supradegenerative lasers for the Physics and Biophysics Department. She hopes to make an impact in the renewable energy sector. Michaela is from Lake Forest, Illinois.

EVA ELEFTHERIADIS is pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations with minors in Chemistry, Classical Studies, and Spanish, while simultaneously being in the Honors Program. After graduating from USD, she will pursue medical school. She has a passion for global health and plans to use her combined skills to help elevate the standard of health, creating a more equitable global community. She plans to be a voice for doctors internationally and use the diplomatic skills she has learned to solicitate collaboration, teamwork, and unity on international levels. Ms. Eleftheriadis is from the San Francisco Bay area and is very involved in her Greek-American community.

NAVAH ESHRAGHI is a Biology major with minors in English and Chemistry. She is a member of the Honors College and is currently serving as the Chair of the Scholastic Assistant Program and the Alcalá Club Selection Committee representative for her class. She has worked in the Panhellenic Community as President of Sorority Life as well as the Delegate for the Pi Beta Phi chapter, and her research experience ranges fields from children’s cancer therapeutics to the modernization of early Tudor English linguistics. Navah is from Portland, Oregon and hopes to return to the Pacific Northwest one day to serve as a physician or clinical researcher.

JORDAN ESKEW is an International Relations major with a minor in Arabic studies. Originally from Fort Collins, Colorado she is a Torero Ambassador mentor for Out of State Ambassadors, and a Torero Tour Guide. For the past year, she has worked at an NGO as an advocacy liaison specializing in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She is currently studying abroad at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia and she will be working in Uganda this upcoming summer doing research on the Muslim populations in the region. She is actively pursuing her joint Bachelors and Masters degree in International Relations at the University of San Diego, and is planning on going to law school after she graduates.

MICHAEL FARRELL is an active-duty Marine who has served his country for 11 years. Originally from Elmira, New York, he has made San Diego his home. Michael helps the NROTC unit train the new midshipmen in ceremonial drill practice on Monday mornings. He also assists the color guard unit representing the unit at different events across the county. His major is English because he loves reading and writing. Michael believes these attributes correlate to a successful leader, not only in the Marine Corps but in the civilian sector as well. His future career goals involve earning a follow-on English degree and beginning a teaching career at the Naval Academy. He also is interested in a military-sponsored program that sends marines to work with members of Congress on issues that affect the Marine corps directly. In addition, he greatly desires experience in academia and the different branches of government. If the stars align, Michael would love to get a law degree and start a second career someday. But it’s still too early for all that. Michael spends his free time with his children and his wife, Patricia. He has a son, Brock, six, and a daughter, Mia, three. His hobbies include lifting weights, reading and writing.

TIANA FEE is a marketing and real estate major with minors in communication studies, management, and supply chain management. She is originally from Portland, Oregon, but moved to the Coachella Valley just before turning four years old. Her past USD involvements include being a USD Associated Student Government Senator, VP of Operations for Women in Management, Marketing Director for Entrepreneurship Club, Iota Class VP for Phi Chi Theta, and Director of Communications for USD American Marketing Association. Her present USD involvements include being an OLÉ Ambassador, Philanthropy and Fundraising Director for Kappa Alpha Theta, and a member of Phi Chi Theta, American Marketing Association, and USD Real Estate Society. She aspires to be a real estate broker and chief marketing officer. She also plans to flip homes.

CATHERINE GIORGI is a double major in Psychology and Italian Studies and is on the pre-medicine track. Catherine is the co-president for the Italian Culture and Language Organization as well as an Italian tutor to her fellow USD peers and a Torero Ambassador. She volunteers at The Order of Malta Free Healthcare Clinic in Oakland, California and has worked at an ophthalmology office in her hometown of Danville, California. Catherine also volunteers for the Natalie Giorgi Sunshine Foundation, advocating for food safety for those living with life-threatening food allergies and having taken part in the passing of two California state laws to protect food allergic people, as well as filming a documentary. She recently took am EMT certification class and hopes to pursue a career in the healthcare field.

BRENDAN GRAVILLE is from San Francisco, California and a political science major and economics minor. He served in Associated Student Government at USD as a senator for a year, primarily working on the academics committee. In addition, Brendan is currently a member of the fraternity Beta Theta Pi and is in the process of restarting a club at USD known as SWAT or Students Working Against Trafficking. He plans to attend law school after his undergraduate studies at USD and pursue a career in the public or private sector of law enforcement, tackling important issues such as human trafficking.

KEVIN GRAY is an accounting major and a Marine Corps veteran. He is currently a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society and the treasurer of the USD Student Veteran Organization. He will also serve as Beta Alpha Psi president for the 2023–24 school year. He hopes to start his career in public accounting as an auditor and earn the CPA certification.

ALEXANDER GUERRERO is a Computer Science major who is also completing Pre-Nursing courses. He plans on applying to USD’s Hahn School of Nursing next Fall in order to earn his MSN and become a registered nurse. He grew up in San Diego county and transferred to USD in Fall 2022. He is currently a Palomar Health Pathmaker Intern where he has served in various departments within Palomar Medical Center Escondido such as orthopedic care, emergency department, surgical and trauma ICU and internal pharmacy. Since 2021, he has also served as the Medical Captain for the Rock n’ Roll San Diego Marathon.

ALEENA HADDAD is an Architecture major minoring in Law and Ethics, and planning on double majoring in Real Estate. She is part of the Real Estate Society and honors program at USD. She also serves as the Finance Chair of the Architecture Institute Society club at USD. As an intern at Arcadia Building Solutions, she seeks to expand her skills, experience and knowledge. She is considering attending law school to become a real estate attorney and invest in real estate. She may also seek to continue her studies in Architecture to develop real estate.

SOFIA HART is an Honors student majoring in Ethnic Studies and minoring in Sociology. She is the Community Projects Coordinator at the Changemaker Hub here at USD and a fellow with state of California’s College Corp program. She is an intern at Bayside Community Center in Linda Vista, a gardener with the Montgomery middle schoolers, a proud member of Saint Basil’s Coptic Orthodox Church and Sunday School teacher, and a recipient of the Circle of Excellence Scholarship Award. After graduation, Sofia is hoping to pursue her Masters in Theological Studies at Saint Cyril and Saint Athanasius Theological School (ACTS) as well as getting her teaching credential. She absolutely loves working with kids, she feels they shine the light of Christ so beautifully and authentically and desires to be a teacher to continue to learn from them. Specifically, she is looking into teaching Kindergarteners and children with special needs. Sofia was born and raised in San Diego and is blessed to be the daughter of two wonderful parents Ash and Jacquie and the siblings of Nicole, Tony and Luke.

LINNAE HARTZEL is a behavioral neuroscience major with minors in chemistry and spanish. She serves as the general manager and captain of the USD women’s club soccer team, a tutor for organic chemistry, helped start Her Healthy Habits Club, and is part of the National Science Foundation: The Alliance of Students with Disabilities for Inclusion, Networking and Transition Opportunities in STEM (TAPDINTO-STEM). Outside of school, she works as an emergency medical technician. After graduation, she plans to attend medical school and pursue a career in orthopedics. Linnae is from Manhattan Beach, California.

AIDAN JACOBS WALKER is a Biology major with a minor in Business Entrepreneurship. He works at USDtv, where he gets to express his love of sports as the Lead Sports Segment Producer. He plans to pursue a career in the health sciences or federal law enforcement. Aidan is from Berkeley, California.

MEREDITH JAEGER is a double major in Sociology and Communication Studies with a minor in Women and Gender Studies. Originally from Anoka, Minnesota, Meredith works in Minnesota at an adaptive summer camp for disabled persons. In addition to this, Meredith is interested in becoming a behavioral technician and continuing her work with persons with disabilities post undergrad. During her time at USD, she has been a part of ADA, worked for the International Rescue Committee, and served as the Vice President of Inclusion for Pi Beta Phi. She is passionate about many sociological topics but hopes to continue down the path of working within disability justice.

JEAN JEREMIE is an architecture major with a minor in art history. Originally from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Jeremie is a transfer student from the Harry S. Truman College in Chicago, Illinois. He is a current honor roll student and a part of the TRIO McNair Research Scholar program where he emphasizes affordable housing solutions for low-income families, specifically migrants and the homeless population. After graduating from the USD in May 2024, Jeremie plans to pursue a PhD in architecture and use that degree to develop sustainable urban housing solutions especially for those disproportionately unhoused.

MATHISHA KARUNARATNE is an honors student pursuing a Computer Science major and a Marketing minor. He is the Co-Leader/ Financial Manager of the USD Sailing Club and a Service Committee Leader of the USD Haven Project. He also works and is a guide at USD’s Outdoor Adventures. He plans to pursue a a career in software development, and is originally from Sri Lanka. In the past, he has sailed for Sri Lanka’s National Sailing Team.

SAMANTHA LAURIN is studying Psychology with a minor in Communication and Marketing. She strives to own her own business in therapy, helping those who have mental health difficulties. She has help with Survivors of Suicide Loss events and researches at a psychoanalysis office. She is a member Psy Chi, the Psychology fraternity and helps plan events in her sorority, Gamma Phi Beta. Outside of academic participation, she is the president of the Women’s Water Polo team and is an active member in many clubs on campus, such as Intervarsity, Psych and Behavioral Neuroscience Club, and Active Minds.

SHIARA MATEO is a double major in Sociology and Political Science from Broomfield, Colorado. She is part of clubs such as FUSO (Filipino Ugnayan Student Organization), Phi Alpha Delta (Pre-Law Fraternity), and the Humanitarian Club. Currently she will be working on a project during the summer under the Urgent Challenges Collective. In the future, she plans to attend law school in hopes to pursue a career in humanitarian law or to do legal work for a non-profit.

JENNA MELLO is from San Diego, California and is majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience and French with a minor in Chemistry. She is the co-president of The Haven Project, a student organization the supports individuals impacted by foster care, and is a weekly volunteer in the ICU at Scripps Mercy Hospital. This school year, she was a part of the first cohort of the California College Corp and worked with the City of La Mesa to assist with its Environmental Sustainability program. Jenna plans to pursue a career in pediatric medicine and is currently looking to specialize in neonatology, surgery or oncology.

KAIYA MITCHELL is double majoring in Business Administration and Political Science. Originally from Arlington, Virginia right outside Washington, D.C., Kaiya is very involved in campus life. Kaiya has served as President of Alpha Delta Pi, OLÉ and Out-of-State Ambassadors, as well as a political organization. She is also a Torero Tour guide and loves welcoming prospective students and families to campus. She has spent more than 200 hours coaching figure skating to young children including a special group for disabled children. She is currently waiting to hear back from Georgetown University where she hopes to obtain a master’s degree in Management and an MBA starting in August 2024. She is also currently a business management intern at Northrop Grumman and hopes to one day become the VP of Government Affairs for Northrop or another Defense Contractor Prime.

DIANA MONTOYA-HERRERA is an Integrated Engineering with an emphasis in Sustainability major with a minor in computer science. She is currently a California College Corp Fellow for the Port of San Diego’s Engineering department, outlining modernized barriers of the San Diego Bay to include green infrastructure, such as living shorelines. She serves on the executive board of USD’s chapter of Society for Hispanic Professional Engineer Chapter as Outreach Coordinator. During spring break, she studied water engineering abroad in Jerusalem. This summer she will be conducting research in energy efficiency for wastewater treatment at Stanford University and plans to pursue a doctoral degree in Environmental Engineering. Diana is from San Diego, California.

SYDNEY-ARIEL MUNESES is an International Business major and minors in Chemistry and Chinese. Being a member of the University of San Diego Honors Program, Sydney-Ariel embraces interdisciplinary learning and curiosity and is passionate about her studies at USD. Through this program, she serves as an Honors Captain for incoming Honors students. As well as being a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma International Business Honor Society and Chinese Culture and Language Association, Sydney-Ariel also values participating in philanthropy, serving the local San Diego community and her hometown community of Baltimore, Maryland. Recently, she had the privilege of studing abroad in Auckland, New Zealand and hopes to study or work in Asia someday. In the future, she also plans to further her studies in either the field of business by obtaining a master’s degree in Business or by attending medical school to pursue a career in the medical field.

MUSASHI NOZAKI is a mechanical engineering major. He is originally from Japan, but moved to San Diego in 2014. Musashi was the head coach for the soccer team at Montgomery Middle school in the past and currently works as a tutor for Student Support Services (SSS). He plans on joining the military as an officer after graduating college and work in the aeronautical field as an engineer.

LAUREN O’DONNELL is a double major in Developmental Psychology and Music. Originally from Mystic, Connecticut, she is an Out-of-State Ambassador and a Torero Ambassador. She currently works and guides at Outdoor Adventures on campus as well as plays in the USD Wind Ensemble. Outside of USD, Lauren volunteer’s at ABLE ARTS, which is a music and art therapy location for a diverse group of people. She recently studied abroad at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia for a semester. After graduating, Lauren hopes to attend graduate school for her PhD in Psychology in hopes to one day open her own practice and work with children on the Autism Spectrum or Cancer Recovery patients.

VITA OLSON is a Biology and Finance major with a minor in Spanish. She serves as a volunteer for science outreach projects with the USD STEM Outreach club and with science nature camps for elementary students. She is the vice president of the Honors Student Board and was a member of the OLÉ Team, supporting student orientation. She is currently a student researcher in the department of biology, studying insect evolution and ecology, and plans on pursuing a career in the biosciences or health. Vita is from Sequim, Washington.

ERICA ORTIZ is a double major in Communications and Sociology. She is is currently on the executive board of the M.E.Ch.A. organization on campus and will be co-chair next year. After graduating she would like to pursue a career in marketing or health communication specializing in eating disorders. She is from Fairfield, California.

MARIANA PEREZCHICA is a Marketing & Business Administration major with a minor in Spanish. On campus, she is a Student Representative at Student Support Services, where she has also served as a Summer Bridge Volunteer Lead, and a Peer Mediator for first year students not able to attend the yearly event. She was also the president of USD’s Spanish Club a few semesters back. Mariana is not only involved in extracurriculars at USD, but also in off-campus organizations to pursue her passion in dancing Mexican Ballet Folklorico. She is the Artistc Director of a professional group and the new after school Folklorico teacher at King Chavez Academy of Excellence. Mariana hopes to have the ability of pursuing her career in the San Diego county to stay close to her home in Chula Vista. She hopes to work at a Marketing agency once she graduates and eventually purse her master’s degree in this field.

MARA PERUZZI is a Visual Arts and Psychology major with a minor in Italian. She is an active leader at a local community service center (Vo.Re.Co.), serving meals to people in need. Also, she is an English conversation leader at the Casa Internazionale delle Donne, helping adult Italian students develop their English skills. Mara is also an Italian tutor for USD students, and she is rising to the president position on the Club Women’s volleyball team. She is interested in fostering creativity and critical thinking through art, especially in early education. She is considering attending graduate school in Visual/Graphic Design in Italy. Mara is from Santa Cruz, California.

EMMA PETERS is an International Relations major with a minor in French and Francophone Studies. She works as an Involvement Consultant with the Office of Student Activities and Involvement to assist the campus community, student organizations, and prospective students. Emma is a USD College Corps Fellow, which has provided her the opportunity to intern with the non-profit the Foundation for Climate Restoration. She advocates for equitable higher-education accessibility with the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities as a Student Advocate. She plans to pursue her master’s in International Relations at the University of San Diego and pursue a career as a public servant. Emma is from Denver, Colorado.

KAYLIN POLK is a Marketing major from Temecula, California. As VP of Public Relations for Women in Business and a Kaplan Student Brand Ambassador, she strives to promote accessibility to educational resources and expertise among her peers. She has interned at the University of San Diego International Center and Shyne San Diego, where she helped further the economic advancement of human trafficking survivor entrepreneurs through investor relations, brand management, copywriting, nonprofit and legal work. Kaylin dances hip-hop on USD’s Less Than Three Dance Crew and is ecstatic to study abroad in Madrid, Spain next semester.

JORDAN PRATT is a psychology major with a minor in biology. Jordan is from Lafayette, California. She recently studied abroad in Rome, Italy at John Cabot University. She serves as a mentor for Pre-Health students, is the vice president for the Pre-PA Club, and is a member of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology. She has worked at a skilled nursing home for three years where she cared for patients with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Jordan is currently becoming an EMT and plans to work this summer in emergency medicine. Following graduation, Jordan plans to apply to PA school to continue her education and continue to fight for health equity.

MIA RAKOWSKI is a Finance major from Simsbury, Connecticut. She was a Recruitment Counselor for the 2023 Panhellenic Recruitment process, and is an active member of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women. Currently, Mia serves as Pi Beta Phi’s Director of Housing, and she looks forward to being a part of the leadership team in her chapter. She is an incoming Middle Market Banking intern at Wells Fargo in the Commercial Banking Summer Internship Program, and plans to become a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).

SABRINA RICHARDS is a political science major with a philosophy, politics, and economics (PPE) minor and a law and ethics minor. She was an intern for Congressman Darrell Issa, is a member of and an intern for the Honors Program, a lector at Founder’s Chapel and a hostess at La Gran Terraza. She plans to attend law school postgraduation and pursue a career in the American government. Sabrina is from Las Vegas, Nevada.

ARIANNE SAMBADO is a psychology major, business minor, and pre-nursing. She is a member of Alpha Delta Epsilon National PreHealth/Pre-Med Honor Society and currently volunteers weekly at the University of California San Diego Hillcrest hospital in the emergency department. She grew up in rural Linden, California, a farming community where she found her love for helping others. She hopes to become a traveling nurse and later plans to continue her schooling to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner.

RUBYE STRICKLAND is an environmental science and behavioral neuroscience major from Montgomery, Alabama. They are a member of the Honors Program and a fellow for the Port of San Diego through College Corps Climate Action. They co-founded the Neuroscience Club and the Skate Club at USD. They have lab positions in a geochemistry lab and a neuroscience lab on campus, and they plan to pursue a PhD in either environmental health or neuroscience. Additionally, they have been training in Muay Thai kickboxing and traditional boxing for a few years.

HAYLEY TAGGART is a psychology major and is from Coronado, California. She will serve as a Transfer Scholastic Assistant in the Fall and is a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority at USD. She volunteers at the San Diego Food Bank and continues to coach youth in all All-Star Cheer. Hayley served as a CNA at Scripps Chula Vista for several years. She volunteered and worked in hospitals during the peak of COVID and was honored to be there for patients whose families could not be. Hayley will be studying psychology abroad in Paris, France this summer. She plans to pursue her master’s in Psychology and earn her MFT so she can build a career helping others. Some of her other passions include flying planes, playing with her puppy and being out in nature.

IDANIA TORRES is an International Business and European Management double bachelor degree student with French and Marketing minors. She was a mentor for Student Support Services, a University Ministry Scholar, and served on the E- board for French and Francophone Studies Club. After graduation, she hopes to work for a company where she will have the ability to travel and increase her international experience. Idania is from Columbus, Ohio.

MARCOS VARGAS is an Accounting major with a minor in Information Technology Management. He is a member of the Honors Program and Honors Club at USD. He has served as a mentor for the Honors Circle Mentorship Program and is the Honors Club Coordinator for the Honors Club. Marcos is also a University Ministry Scholar and a member of USD Club Cross Country. He plans to intern with Deloitte this summer as an International Tax Intern, graduate from USD with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Accounting, and pursue a career in public accounting. Marcos is from Pasadena, California.

DAVID VERA is majoring in Physics and Math, and is originally from Orange County, California. In his sophomore year, he worked with Torero Ambassadors in the OLÉ program. He worked as a Near Peer Course Mentor in the Math department, helping students in their lower division math courses. More recently, he has joined the Physics Identity Program and is a member of the Society of Physics Students. He was recently announced as a SURE Scholar, and plans on doing research on quantum systems this summer. He plans to obtain a higher degree in a physics/engineering related field.

DARIUS VERA is a third year math and physics major from Laguna Hills, California. In the past, he has worked with Torero Ambassadors as an OLÉ Ambassador, and has worked with the math department as a Near Peer Course Mentor to try and increase success in lower division math courses. Currently, Darius works with Dr. Chad Kishimoto in his neutrino astrophysics lab. In the future, he hopes to work in the aerospace industry.

CELINE YACOUB is an Industrial and Systems Engineering major with a concentration in Sustainability. She serves as a commuter assistant, Torero ambassador, and is also part of USD’s Honors Program. She hopes to secure an internship for the summer that will allow her to further her career aspirations and provide her hands-on experience within her field. She plans on pursuing a career in project management or as an operations analyst. Celine is from San Diego, California.

HAILEY-JASMINE YOCAM is a Business Administration major with minors in both International Business and Chinese. Originally from Seattle, Washington, Hailey is so excited to be a student at her dream school, the University of San Diego. She is the director of New Member Experience for the Zeta Pi chapter of Alpha Delta Pi and she is on the executive board for USD’s Club Swim Team. She is also a member of the Chinese Culture and Language Association and the international business honor society, Beta Gamma Sigma. Hailey is planning on attending graduate school and pursuing a career in global entertainment management, accounting forensics or live event management.