Dean’s Award, College of Education, Health and Human Services
Diana Lopez (second from left) is joined by Dean Emiliano Ayala (left), human development lecturer Tracy Hall and CSUSM President Karen Haynes after receiving the Dean’s Award as the Outstanding Graduate for the College of Education, Health and Human Services. Photo by Andrew Reed
Diana Lopez, B.A., Human Development
Dean’s Award, College of Education, Health and Human Services
A first-generation college student struggling with her cultural identity, Diana was embarrassed to speak Spanish in front of her friends until her second year at CSUSM. Helped by the university’s and the department’s celebration of diversity, she built her fluency in English and demonstrated a drive and sense of leadership.
Last year, she served as the president of the student-led Human Development Club, and she has volunteered many hours to local community organizations helping culturally diverse youth and their parents, all while working to put herself through college.
Diana plans to continue her education and is applying to master’s programs in social work.
Dean of Students Outstanding Leadership Award
Alexa Diaz (second from right) is joined by Dean of Students Jason Schreiber (right), First-Year Programs director Joanne Pedersen and CSUSM President Karen Haynes after receiving the Dean of Students Outstanding Leadership Award. Photo by Andrew Reed
Alexa Diaz, B.A., Human Development and Spanish
Dean of Students Outstanding Leadership Award
Alexa is an outstanding scholar whose true passion is helping others. During her first year, she was initiated into the Alpha Lambda Delta honor society, and later elected president of the CSUSM chapter.
During her second year, she joined the Tukwut Leadership Circle, the campus’ leadership certificate program, and her service has been recognized by UNESCO for the last three years. Last year, she because the lead for the TLC Peer Leadership Team; in total, she has served over 3,000 hours in support of TLC students.
Alexa also has begun to explore the world of teaching at the college level. After receiving training covering student development theory and research on first-year student college success, First-Year Programs hired her as an instructional student assistant to serve as a GEL 101 peer educator.
https://news.csusm.edu/csusm-honors-top-2019-graduates/
Media Contact
Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
Office of Communications
bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306
Marilyn Huerta, Public Affairs Communication Specialist II
College of Education, Health & Human Services
mhuerta@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-4306
News: College of Education, Health & Human Services 
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