Congratulations to the recipients of the GSOE Undergraduate Education Awards!

Outstanding Achievement Award: Selected by their respective college deans, this award recognizes students for their exemplary achievement in academics and research or creative activity, their breadth of involvement in the college, and for their commitment to service and citizenship: Jennifer Ramos '20

As a student at UCR, Jennifer Ramos was involved in several organizations and the recipient of numerous awards including the UC Center Sacramento Presidential Public Service Fellowship, the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, the Cultural Experiences Abroad Scholarship, the S.L Gimbell Foundation Scholarship, and Kern Community Foundation Scholarship.

Jennifer served as a GSOE Student Ambassador, was a TRIO Scholars Mentor mentoring first-year students, and had the opportunity to present on the power of storytelling at the Alumni of Color Conference at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

She participated in the UC Center at Sacramento program where she took political science courses, interned at the California Department of Education with the Government Affairs Division, and conducted her own research which focused on the digital divide in California. In her research, she explored issues related to equity, and access to technology and high-speed internet among students from low-income backgrounds, and how this impacts graduation rates and one’s digital citizenship.

Jennifer also studied abroad in Spain, taking courses on Spain’s educational law and Spanish culture, and serving as an English tutor. Jennifer aspires to eventually earn her Ph.D., and start a non-profit organization for at-risk youth.

 

Academic Excellence Awards: These awards recognize students, who are selected by their faculty, for achieving excellence in their academics, and research or creative activity: Veronica Thai '20 and Sergio Iribe '20.

During her time as a student, Veronica Thai participated in research and was the recipient of several scholarships. She was an assistant in the OBSERVE Lab in UCR’s psychology department, where she participated in research that uses data from heterosexual and same-sex couples to find patterns and linguistic indicators of a healthy relationship. In 2015, Veronica was named a recipient of the Simon Scholarship, and the following year, she earned the Orange County Chinese American Chamber of Commerce scholarship. Veronica also was the recipient of one-time scholarships from the Assistance League and the National Charity League Inc. Veronica plans to pursue a graduate degree, and eventually become a school psychologist and help children and families succeed in the education system, and in life.
 

During his time as a student, Sergio Iribe, who was raised in El Monte, was a GSOE Student Ambassador, a Peer Advisor in the School of Public Policy academic advising office, and a student researcher with the Center for Educational Transformation (CET). He participated in the UC Center at Sacramento program where he took courses on state policies and politics. He also interned at the California Research Bureau in Sacramento. During this internship, he conducted research and assisted with data collection on various topics pertaining to state legislature. In 2019, Sergio was a recipient of Vallarta Supermarkets Scholarship. Sergio was recently accepted, and just began the GSOE's Master's in Education and teaching credential program. His ultimate goal is to become a teacher, and then potentially become a principal or work in a school district in some capacity.