2021 Outstanding Student Awards in Community Health

2021 Outstanding Student Awards in Community Health

Each year, the Division of Health and Exercise Science holds an awards ceremony to recognize our outstanding students in Community Health and Exercise Science.

Unfortunately, this year we were unable to hold our annual recognition reception due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In lieu of our annual reception, our outstanding students were virtually honored for their academic achievement, professional development, community service, and leadership experience. It is with great honor that 9 outstanding Community Health students were recognized for 2021.

Queenie Love Agbayani

Major: Community Health

Minor: Human Biology

 

My goal is to pursue a career in epidemiology, possibly globally.  I have an interest in anything related to data and the research aspect of public health.

 

Activities

  • WOU Community Health + Polk County COVID-19 Project
  • Day Camp Counselor
  • College of Education Student Worker
  • Campus Public Safety Worker

Scholarships & Awards

  • Transfer Scholarship 2019
  • President’s Honor Roll
  • Dean’s Honor Roll

Sonia Castaneda Felix

Major: Community Health

Minor: Spanish

I will be furthering my education at OSU in the Master’s of Public Health, Health Promotion and Health Behavior program. After my Master’s, I hope to being as a health navigator.

Activities

  • WOU Community Health + Polk County COVID-19 Project
  • Benton County Health Services Intern
  • Salem Health Volunteer

Scholarships & Awards

  • Kiwanis Scholarship 2017, academic and volunteer
  • Kaiser Permanente Scholarship 2017-2018, academic
  • Oregon Opportunity Grant, academic
  • WOU Tuition Grant, academic

Gabriela Esquivel

Major: Community Health

Minor: Spanish & Human Biology

I wish to pursue my MPH at OSU in order to become a Maternity Care Coordinator, where I will be in a position to help pregnant mothers, especially Latinx mothers navigate the healthcare system and it’s services that are available to them.

Activities

  • WOU Community Health + Polk County COVID-19 Project

Scholarships & Awards

  • FR Presidential Scholarship, 2017-2021, academic
  • St. Edward’s Catholic Church, The Father Paul Maher Scholarship. 2017-2018
  • Academic Honor Roll

Mariana Guerrero

Major: Community Health

Minor: Psychology & Spanish

Looking forward to a couple of years I plan on pursuing a Master’s degree in Public Health. Until then I plan on working as a community health worker or health navigator. Because of my experience working with children and the Latinx community I would enjoy continuing working with these populations.

Activities

  • WOU Community Health + Polk County COVID-19 Project
  • Fostering Success Coordinator
  • Youth Development Professional, Boys & Girls Club

Samantha Harris

Major: Community Health

Minor: Human Biology & Chemistry

My future professional plans include building on my passion for working with underserved populations.  Working as a CNA and a scribe, in conjunction with my undergraduate education has led me to apply to medical school and I will most likely seek a career in emergency medicine.

Scholarships & Awards

  • Soccer Athletic Scholarship, 2016-2017
  • President’s Honor Roll

Activities

  • WOU Community Health + Polk County COVID-19 Project
  • WOU Soccer
  • Salem Health Emergency Department Volunteer
  • Younglife Volunteer

Jesus Maciel Abarca

Major: Community Health

Minor: Human Biology

I plan on pursing a Master’s in Public Health. I have always enjoyed helping people and the environment that I live in.

Scholarships & Awards

  • Academic Honor Roll
  • WOU Summer Grant 2017
  • WOU Jump-Start Scholarship 2017-2019
  • SEP Class Grant 2017-2019
  • Latino Advisory Board Scholarship 2017-2019
  • Private Scholarship 2017
  • Ike Nail Band & Orchestra Scholarship 2017-2019
  • WOU Special Event Scholarship 2019

Activities

  • WOU Community Health + Polk County COVID-19 Project
  • Humane Society volunteer
  • Salem Hospital volunteer
  • Tutor

Karissa McClanahan

Major: Community Health

Minor: Human Biology

I am now happily about to graduate as a community health major and could not be more in love with the field and proud of my journey to getting here. I’m excited to explore the world of public health and see what it has to offer and what I can bring to the table.

Activities

  • WOU Community Health + Polk County COVID-19 Project
  • Assistant Manager, Independence Cinema

Scholarships & Awards

  • Dean’s Honor Roll

Sarah Meyer

Major: Community Health

Minor: Human Biology

After graduation, I plan on taking the Certified Health Education Specialist exam and I want to further my education by going to graduate school and get my Master’s in Public Health or Global Health.

Activities

  • WOU Community Health + Polk County COVID-19 Project
  • Women’s Basketball President 2020-2021
  • Direct Support Professional

Scholarships & Awards

  • WOU Presidential Scholarship, 2017-2019, Academic
  • Honor Roll 2017-2020
  • Dean’s List 2020-2021
  • Academic Excellence Showcase 2021

Fabiana Palma Vaquez

Major: Community Health

Minor: Human Biology

My current plan is to become a nurse and work for smaller communities with under-represented populations.  I am also interested in seeking opportunities to work within the community health field with a focus on low-income families that lack health care resources.

Activities

  • WOU Community Health + Polk County COVID-19 Project
  • Cashier, Home Depot

Scholarships & Awards

  • Dream US Scholarship, 4 years, academic
  • Airport Rotary Foundation Scholarship, 4 years, academic
  • Singer Foundation Scholarship, 4 years, academic
  • Academic Honor Roll, 2018-2021
  • President’s Honor Roll 2020
  • OPS Award, Home Depot 2019