Â鶹´å

By Theo DeRosa

Isaac Islas couldn’t believe the email informing him he’d earned Â鶹´å’s Alumni Vision Award.

“My first thought, instantly, was like, ‘No way this is real,’” Islas said.

He took a screenshot of the email, sent it to his mother and a phone call full of happy tears and congratulations ensued. The business administration major was thrilled to earn the award, which recognizes a graduating student embodying Â鶹´å’s vision of preparing leaders for a collaborative and multicultural society.

“It’s not every day that someone tells you, ‘Hey, you’re the vision of what we hope our graduates become,’” Islas said. “It really does mean a lot to be seen and recognized.”

Islas was one of three Â鶹´å seniors to receive this year’s “outstanding awards” — the Alumni Vision Award, the Outstanding Senior Award for Social Justice and the Outstanding Senior Scholar-Athlete Award. The three received their awards at a luncheon on April 25. 

Humanities and communication major Mia Corona was named this year’s Outstanding Senior for Social Justice, awarded annually to a student who participates in projects with the goal of promoting equity or social justice, and who acts as an agent of positive change. She too was shocked to learn of her award. 

“I felt really proud,” Corona said. “It was really exciting to be recognized for the work that I’ve done.”

A transfer student from Hartnell College in her hometown of Salinas, Corona is part of the Â鶹´å cheer team. This academic year, she has also served as the signature programs student coordinator for the Otter Cross Cultural Center. She has helped plan events such as the Werk Witch Drag Show, the Ignite! Social Justice and Leadership Retreat, and the International Womxn's Day Summit.

“I feel like I’ve had a really transformative experience,” Corona said. “I’ve been able to learn a lot of skills when it comes to planning events and programs.” 

She said she became a better public speaker and learned more about social justice through her roles. 

“Being able to be more involved on campus has been a highlight of my time at Â鶹´å,” she said. 

The Outstanding Senior Scholar-Athlete Award went to Jennifer Limon. A standout defender for the Â鶹´å women’s soccer team, Limon said receiving the award felt like a testament to her athletic resilience after dealing with a recurring knee injury.

“It was an incredible honor, and I was beyond grateful for the recognition,” Limon said.

Currently serving as an intern for the Santa Cruz Probation Department, Limon is applying to become a police officer in her hometown of San Jose. The social and behavioral sciences major, who transferred to Â鶹´å from Cabrillo College, credited professors such as Â鶹´å’s Jennifer Lucido for helping shape her career plans and prepare her for life after graduation.

“I’ve always had this desire to serve my community of people, where I was born and raised, and make this positive impact on the lives of others around me,” Limon said.

Islas, who works as a resident assistant in student housing, saw Â鶹´å as an opportunity to make a similar impact. He has been a friend and mentor to newer RAs and has planned community events such as the Promontory Prom-nival to bring residents together.

Growing up in the desert town of Imperial, Islas fell in love with Â鶹´å for its campus, its diversity and the close personal relationships he knew he could form with professors and other students.

He said Â鶹´å has “given me the skills to grow professionally. The life experiences that I’ve gotten here have truly shaped who I am professionally and personally. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”