Candelaria Alayon, a Mechanical Engineering major from Las Vegas, Nevada is member and leader in a number of extracurricular organizations, including Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, Peer Mentors, Phi Eta Sigma, Future Alumni Council, University Ambassadors, Presidential Leaders Fellowship, Stem-Up, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, American Society of Mechanical Engineers and Reading Partners. “Before starting at TU, I had a general idea of what I wanted for my future. These past years at TU have opened my eyes to an entire new world. Through hands-on projects, challenging assignments, and guest speakers my professors gave me a real-life view into the world of engineering. Being a peer mentor made me feel secure in my leadership and listening skills and will allow me to continue to support others. With all the experiences I’ve had, the people I met and the knowledge I gained these last three years, I feel confident in my ability to build a roadmap to accomplish the goals I see for myself as an engineer, a mentor, and a proud TU alum.”
Ann Marie Flusche is a Biology major from Tulsa, Oklahoma. She is actively involved in Peer Mentors, Phi Eta Sigma, Presidential Leaders Fellowship, Early Careers in Community Medicine program, University of Tulsa Undergraduate Research (TURC), Alpha Epsilon Delta, Student Association, STEM-UP, NOVA Fellowship, University Ambassadors, and Global Health Brigades. “After graduation, I plan to obtain a MD/PhD in Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine or Cancer Biology. I hope to work as a neuro-oncologist and conduct research on neurodegeneration and brain tumors. I believe my TU experience has prepared me for my future aspirations. My career path is contingent on the lifelong pursuit of discovery. Therefore, at TU, I have immersed myself in various research labs to experience different fields and discover new knowledge.”
Heath Fusco, a Political Science and Spanish major from Nixa, Missouri is involved with many extracurricular activities at TU, including University Ambassadors, TU Honors Program, Global Scholars, Presidential Leaders Fellowship and Undergraduate Mock Trial. “My time at TU has blended the traditional academic experience with a realistic, challenging, and unapologetic look at what it means to be a leader in today’s world. At every turn, TU has built upon my strengths and has challenged me to confront the challenges that surround me. As I enter the next stage of my career as a law student, and later advocate, these lessons, challenges, and experiences have prepared me to make change in a diverse variety of circumstances, for which I will always be grateful. As I address climate change, challenges to human rights, and hot button political issues in my career, the solutions I find will owe much to my time at TU.”
Taylor Kinnard, a Mechanical Engineering major from Frisco, Texas is a leader and member of University Ambassadors, Society of Women Engineers, TU Pom Squad, Make a Difference Engineering (MADE at TU), Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, TU Honors Program, and Phi Eta Sigma Honors Society. “With the support TU provides, however, I have gained the courage to try everything and regret nothing. Looking at my life now, my freshman year self never could have imagined I would be leaving TU as the Captain of a D1 dance team, the President of one of the largest student organizations, and an intern with a local aerospace company to propel my goal of one day becoming an aerospace engineer.”
Kassie Le-Huynh is a French and Economics major from Wichita, Kansas. She is involved in TEDxUTulsa, TU Plant Club, Student Economic Association, Tulsa
Undergraduate Research Challenge (TURC), TU Honors Program, Vietnamese American Student Association, Future Alumni Council, Mortarboard, and the College of Arts and Science Executive Committee. “Since my freshman year, TU has truly been an environment that has helped me flourish and given me the necessary skill set and experiences to ultimately be successful in my future endeavors. Upon graduation, I hope to pursue a dual JD-MPP to become a criminal attorney that addresses disparities in the criminal justice system and later become a law professor. Thanks to the guidance of TU faculty, I have been able to proactively learn about the criminal justice system, specifically from the perspective of individuals working their way through the system."
Jayla Meeks, a Political Science and Organizational Studies major from Detroit, Michigan has been a member and leader of various campus organizations including, Association of Black Collegians, Future Alumni Council, Pi Sigma Alpha, True Blue Neighbors, Resident Assistants, Presidential Leaders Fellowship, University Ambassadors, Pearl's Hope, Student Association, Phi Eta Sigma, Alpha Psi Omega, Leaders Incorporated Mentorship Program, TU Honors Program, and is an owner and entrepreneur of iRepresent Jewelers. “My TU experience has been foundational in helping me learn my strengths and leveraging them, understanding that my authenticity will pave the way to success, and has also allowed me to become vulnerable and trust those with wisdom to provide me with direction in order to achieve my goals.”
Kamrin Thornton, a Nursing major from Fayetteville, Arkansas is a member of a number of student organizations, including Peer Mentors, Association of Black Collegiates, TEDxUTulsa, TU Student Nurses Association, Society for Women Minorities in Medicine, Future Alumni Council, NOVA, Mortarboard, and Sigma Theta Tau. “After a few years in the field, I plan to pursue a graduate degree in the form of a master’s degree or a Doctorate Nurse Practitioner (DNP) degree. I want to continue my education because I want to help patients in a broader scope. I also want to teach at a nursing school as a clinical professor and ultimately become the director of a program that strives for excellence and cares deeply about diversity and supporting diverse students. TU has furthered my understanding of the importance of diversity and representation in higher education.”
Liz Williams, a Political Science and Sociology major from Skiatook, Oklahoma is actively involved in Student Association, Student Alliance for Violence Education and University Ambassadors, and is an current volunteer for Domestic Violence Intervention Services. “I have now gained entrance into the Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) 360 Cohort and secured a federal position as my first post-graduate career move. My TU experience was defined by incredible professors and alumni pushing me to achieve my greatest aspirations by giving me the tools and connections to do so. Throughout my future career, I will remember the collaborative effort it took to propel myself into a position of success. As an alumna, I will strive to connect with the coming generations of TU students to afford them the same opportunities I was once granted.”