Comparative Ethnic Studies – Outstanding Senior 2021

Clubs, Organizations, Leadership, and Service

• Chi Sigma Alpha National Sorority, Inc., Vice President of External Affairs and Fundraising Chair
• Multicultural Student Services Student Mentor
• Asian Pacific American Student Coalition, Secretary
• Hawai’i Club, Secretary

Honored Faculty and Mentors

• Lisa Guerrero, Comparative Ethnic Studies
• John Streamas, Comparative Ethnic Studies
• David Leonard, Comparative Ethnic Studies
• Faith Lutze, Criminal Justice & Criminology
• David Makin, Criminal Justice & Criminology
• Dominique J. Faga’autau, Multicultural Student Services
• Stephen Bishoff, Multicultural Student Services
• Rory Ong, Comparative Ethnic Studies
• Sherwin Sales, English

Faculty Comments

Emily is a talented student whose work pushes critical conversations about race and racism. In CES 201, she created several remarkable videos about racism and COVID-19, about the criminal injustice system, and about racism in America. Her work embodies what is at the heart of ethnic studies: speaking truth to power; producing community-relevant scholarship; and developing tools necessary in the fight against systemic racism. David Leonard

She [is] a very good student…and in class was always prepared with her readings. It was clear she understood and comprehended the material, [and was] willing to share her insights. She also worked in groups really well and obtained the highest scores in the class.” Rory Ong

Personal Statement

Being an out-of-state student coming from California, I didn’t know what I was getting myself into as I walked the campus during my Alive session. I didn’t know where Pullman was or anything but as soon as I stepped foot on campus, that all changed. I found my community within the Cougar family and a passion towards my majors. Finding life-long friends within the Asian American and Pacific Islander community and peers within the CES department, I knew coming here was the best decision that I could have made for my future. These past four years are going to be filled with memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Thank you to all my friends, family, and faculty that pushed me to do more and gain a confidence that I would have never found in myself.

Future Plans

Emily plans to move back to California to be closer to family. She wants to continue her education but will first find a job, hopefully one that provides experience in social services.

Long-Term, she wants to work in social service agencies to help low socio-economic minority families, who are silenced.