Select seniors stand out as UC Irvine’s best
Among the few undergrads donning special blue and gold shoulder cords with their commencement regalia this month will be seven high-achieving seniors from the School of Social Ecology. They are among this year’s recipients of the Chancellor’s Award of Distinction, which honors the university’s most outstanding students. The awardees, selected by the UCI Alumni Association, represent exceptional academic achievement, and a commitment to cutting-edge research, leadership and service. Representing the School of Social Ecology are:
Yessica Alejandra Ornelas Anguiano
Age: 22
Majors: business administration and criminology, law and society
Hometown: Soledad, CA
Favorite Class: C120 – Law & Inequality
Favorite Professor: Amanda Geller
What’s Next? “I’ll be pursuing a Master of Public Policy at USC this fall.”
Kelsey Ann Ball
Age: 21
Majors: criminology, law, and society and psychological science
Hometown: Placerville, CA
Favorite Class: CRM/LAW C107 Deviance and PSCI 178S Violence in Society
Favorite Professor: Brandon Golob
What's Next: “Applying for jobs with private investigation companies and local law enforcement agencies in Orange County to gain practical experience before applying to federal agencies.”
Elizabeth Ann Braver
Age: 22
Major: social ecology (minoring in global sustainability)
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Favorite Class: “It's hard to pick just one because I've taken a lot of really amazing and interesting classes! Currently, I’m taking a class on Global Change Biology to complete my minor. In this class, we get to go on field trips to explore local ecosystems and do a lot of hands-on learning, which has been a really cool and fun experience!”
Favorite Professor: Amy Dent
What’s Next? “I am interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in psychology, but I hope to gain additional professional experience in environmental advocacy before that. I am currently applying for a fellowship with the California Climate Action Corps and exploring opportunities with environmental and community-focused nonprofits and NGOs.”
Angeleia Lorelai Do
Age: 22
Major: psychological science
Hometown: Tustin, CA
Favorite Class: Clinical Psychology, Attachment Relationships, or Applied Statistics
Favorite Professor: Jessica Borelli
What’s Next: “I will be continuing my position as a case manager, working with individuals struggling with mental health and psychiatric conditions. I also plan to apply to Ph.D. programs in clinical psychology during the next application cycle.”
James Paredes
Age: 22
Majors: criminology, law and society; social ecology; business economics; and political science
Hometown: Van Nuys, CA
Favorite Class: C142 - White-Collar Crime (taught by Henry Pontell)
Favorite Professor: Ygnacio Flores
What’s Next? “Work for 1-2 years and work on/apply to graduate school.”
Mariana Ramirez
Age: 21
Majors: education sciences and psychological science
Hometown: Perris, CA
Favorite Class: The Science and Practice of Wellness and Resilience
Favorite Professor: Jeff Jonhston (JJ)
What’s Next? “After graduation, I am planning to take a gap year while working as a learning and development intern at the Orange County Transportation Authority and exploring additional opportunities in higher education!”
Jiexiao Wu
Age: 22
Majors: education sciences and criminology, law and society
Hometown: Suzhou, China
Favorite Professors: Brandon Golob, Richard Arum, Qian Du, Barry Goldenberg, Fernando Rodriguez and Julian Smith-Newman.
What’s Next? “Pursue a master's in higher education with a concentration in institutional research at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and potentially aim for a Ph.D. afterward.”