Andrew Nielsen

Andrew Nielsen is a 21 year old junior, majoring in Biological Science. He is married to a "wonderful wife" and has twin boys. He supports his wife and children working full time. Next quarter he will be working less so that he can focus on his studies.

His greatest educational achievement thus far has been his rededication to his schooling. While he believes he lacked the diligence needed to excel, he found that having a wife and children have helped him to recommit himself to his education, succeeding by bring his graded from D's to ALL A's.

After Andrew obtains his BA from UCSB, he plans on attending Law school. His goal is to become a corporate lawyer.

Great Job Andrew!

Ilana Sarah Dann Luna

Please welcome Ilana Sara Dann Luna. She is a 28 year old graduate student, single mother of a 6 yr old daughter. Ilana is an active member of the campus community and her scholarly work is dedicated to furthering the rights of women through the study of literature.

She returned from school two years ago after 4 years of being a high school teacher in New Hampshire. Her participation in inter-department and campus issues is very apparent. Among other things, she has been an organizer & coordinator for a Graduate Student Conference for her department at Spanish & Portuguese in 2005 as well as this years’ 9th Annual Colloquium on Mexican Literature. She has been asked to present at conferences in Irvine as well as Georgetown.

In Philadelphia she volunteered 4-6 hours per week tutoring Latino students from the inner city to prepare them for the rigors of college. Though she derives great satisfaction from her work teaching language, her ultimate goal is to be a professor of literature as well as a literary translator and writer.

Her belief is there are always possibilities to create community and to connect across disciplines. She sees a career in academia and education as a way to construct meaning and tolerance around mutual understanding. Her vision is to continue on this path into the future.

Congratulations Illana

Heather Orozco

Heather is a junior majoring in Art Studio while raising a 5 year old as a single parent. She is appreciative of the book scholarship as she admits that, due to financial obstacles, "it's increasingly difficult at times to supply materials necessary to complete class projects."

Heather is a transfer from Cerro Coso Community College where as a fulltime student she was a member in the C.A.R.E. Program, Special Services Club, and Current Events Club. She also held positions as Associated Student Art Department Representative, and Arts Action Vice President & Treasurer.

In addition, Heather's community service include working at Isla Vista Elementary School and Habitat for Humanities.

Her immediate career goal is to obtain a masters in Art and use that degree to teach art at the junior high school level.

Her hope is to, "influence children to incorporate art into their lives, so to stimulate creativity and appreciate what art can bring to society."

Heather, we wish you all the best in improving the lives of children in such a wonderful manner!

Lauren G. Burlew

Lauren is a transfer from Santa Barbara City College. She is a junior majoring in Sociology while raising two young children as a single parent.

While at Santa Barbara City College Lauren was extremely busy wearing multiple hats as a counselor, peer advisor, and mentor to fellow students who also fell into the non-traditional category.

Her involvement with agencies dedicated to children’s rights, equal opportunities to education, and civil rights include: STAND for Children, the National Association for Education of Young Children, and the California Association for Bilingual Education.

After Lauren receives her BA in Sociology, her goals include entering the MA/Multiple subject credential program. She has completed her TESOL (Teaching English as a second language) certificate and hopes to teach, focusing particularly with minority groups.

We find it commendable that this individual has, in her words, "every intention of investing my current goals into a better future for my community and family."

We all wish you well on those endeavors!

Yully Nieves

Yully is a graduate student majoring in Latin American/Iberian Studies. She received her BA from California State University.

She greatly believes that re-entry & non-traditional students need the most support and encouragement at the community college level in order to continue their higher education at the university level. As a result of that conviction, Yully uses her education as, "a tool to serve and improve educational opportunities for women."

Her awards include the President's Honor List, and College of Liberal Arts Distinguished Student. Her community service includes tutoring Spanish for the EOPS Honors Club, and as a research assistant for "The Latino Families HIV/AIDS Prevention Project. In the roles of coach & fundraiser assistant, she volunteered for Women Helping Women.

Career goals include teaching sociology and working as an academic advisor at the junior college level in particular advocating for underrepresented students and re-entry/non-traditional students.

As Yully states, "she plans to contribute to first-generation students' success, and bring social awareness, peace, and fairness to her community through education and respect for others."

With all you have accomplished, Yully, we truly believe that you will do so!