Nathaniel Cross is graduating with honors with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and Spanish. Born in the United Kingdom, Nathaniel has called Tucson home for most of his life. 

Nathaniel's own migration to the United States at a young age heightened his awareness for the importance of public service and constituent casework in immigration fields, catalyzing the community commitment that informs the receipt of this award. Throughout his undergraduate career at the University of Arizona, Nathaniel has worked to empower local migrant communities as an intern with Chicanos Por La Causa, a legal aid nonprofit, by aiding in the design and execution of biannual naturalization fairs, which help residents apply for citizenship at no cost. His devotion to this organization led to his selection as a Mellon-Fronteridades intern – a university program elevating historically overlooked narratives – which has empowered Nathaniel to bring greater attention to immigration issues facing Tucson and Southern Arizona communities through his creation of photojournalism exposition. 

Nathaniel's commitment to increasing the accessibility of quality immigration services is closely tied to his greater personal philosophy of empathetic and compassionate public service, also exhibited in his research as a Wildcat. As a political science research assistant, Nathaniel is studying methods to reduce gun violence and violent crimes around Tucson by investing in alternatives to law enforcement and collaborations with community partners. 

Nathaniel is a multi-semester recipient of the Dean's List with Distinction and Highest Academic Distinction awards. He has also been honored by his selection as a United States Senate Youth Program scholar, the Frances McClelland Youth Vision Award, and the Tara S. O'Connor Memorial and Patricia MacCordale scholarships. 

In 2024, Nathaniel began an accelerated Master of Public Policy in the School of Government and Public Policy. After graduation, Nathaniel plans to finish his master's degree and hopes to pursue international public service as a Fulbright Scholar or with the Peace Corps. 

Katie Nguyen is graduating with dual degrees in physiology and medical sciences from the College of Medicine – Tucson and molecular and cellular biology from the College of Science, with minors in personal and family financial planning and biochemistry. A first-generation college student from Chandler, Arizona, she is passionate about mentorship, inclusion and health care, dedicating her undergraduate career to fostering supportive spaces for students and underserved communities.  

Katie's involvement with Asian Pacific American Student Affairs helped her embrace her cultural identity. She began as an intern for the Vietnamese Student Association and Golden Lotus, a Vietnamese cultural dance group, eventually stepping into leadership roles to build community, celebrate heritage and mentor future leaders.  

Her commitment extends into academics, where she supports students as a teaching assistant for MCB181R: Introductory Biology under Dr. Leitner, and previously, Dr. Hester. These experiences reinforced her belief that effective teaching centers on recognizing students' unique needs and empowering them with the skills to succeed in their future careers.  

Determined to be the mentor she once needed, Katie serves as an APASA peer mentor at the Thrive Center, helping first-year students navigate university life, mental health challenges and identity exploration.  

Beyond campus, Katie has worked as a nursing assistant and caregiver, deepening her conviction that meaningful patient care extends beyond medical treatment. Committed to health care accessibility, she volunteers with initiatives supporting unhoused individuals, serving as a community health specialist at Z Mansion Clinic.  

Katie's greatest inspiration comes from working with children with special health care needs, particularly through adaptive recreation and as lead child supervisor at Saguaro City Music Theatre.  

Katie's dedication has earned recognition through the Betty B. Chastain Educational Foundation Scholarship and the Asian American Faculty, Staff and Alumni Association Tuition Scholarship.  

After graduation, Katie will continue working with Saguaro City Music Theatre and mentoring students at the U of A. Committed to health care advocacy, she aspires to become a pediatric physician and one day, a medical dean shaping the future of medical education. 

Patrick Tanori Quintero is graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology with a double minor in Spanish and human development and family sciences. As a first-generation Hispanic student from Tucson, he has devoted his time at the University of Arizona to fostering an inclusive and supportive academic environment through research, mentorship and community engagement. 

During his undergraduate studies, Patrick contributed to three research projects: the Child Cognition Lab, which examines language acquisition in infants; the Nexus Lab, which studies social support in student-teacher relationships in middle schools; and the Shades of Identity Study, which explores racial and cultural identity in college students. 

Beyond research, Patrick has been dedicated to student and community support. As a College of Science Ambassador, he helped connect prospective students with research and academic resources. As a LifeSTEP mentor in the Department of Psychology, he provided individualized support to youth facing behavioral and social challenges, reinforcing his commitment to mental health accessibility for underrepresented youth. 

One of Patrick's greatest support systems at the University of Arizona was the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program. Under the mentorship of assistant professor of practice and McNair Program Director Caitlin Rosario Kelly, he conducted independent research and presented his findings at six national and local conferences. 

This fall, Patrick will begin a joint doctoral program in clinical and developmental psychology at the University of Pittsburgh. His research will focus on how educational resilience buffers the effects of poly-victimization on adolescent mental health and how trauma-informed interventions shape long-term academic and psychological outcomes for Latine youth and families. 

Patrick's achievements have been recognized through multiple honors, including the Adrienne G. and Amy "Jace" Hurley Scholarship, awarded to first-generation, high-achieving psychology students at the University of Arizona. He has also received the Hispanic Alumni Club Scholarship and the Ánimo Award for his academic excellence, research contributions, and dedication to the Hispanic community. 

Committed to dismantling barriers in education and mental health, Patrick strives to ensure that research, policy and practice work together to empower underrepresented communities for generations to come. 

Aaliyah Thompson-Mazzeo is graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering and minors in dance, mathematics and biomedical engineering. Originally from Irvine, California, Aaliyah quickly made a home for herself in Wildcat country. 

Dance has always been a major part of her life. When faced with the difficult decision between pursuing a career in dance or engineering, Aaliyah left her dreams of being a professional dancer to find a bigger purpose. With a renewed vision, she dove headfirst into immersing herself in her community. 

Aaliyah took engineering leadership positions in Engineering Student Council and the National Society of Black Engineers. As director of social and outreach and then president of ESC, she led large-scale events like Engineers Week and the Engineers' Ball, oversaw the council when hosting the Western Regional Conference for the National Association of Engineering Student Councils, and introduced a community service executive position to recenter ESC around building community internally and in Tucson. As programs chair for NSBE, she organized study sessions and networking forums to connect Black engineers on campus. Aaliyah also volunteered at STEM outreach events such as SARSEF Arizona STEM Adventure and MESA Day as well as provided free tutoring at Imago Dei Middle School and mentored high school girls through the Society of Women Engineers. Additionally, Aaliyah is a tour guide for Arizona Ambassadors and a former member of Links Junior Honorary, where she served as apparel chair and selections chair. 

Although she didn't pursue a dance major, Aaliyah didn't give up her dreams of dancing in college and made the Arizona Pomline her sophomore year. She has been a dancer for the Arizona Pomline and the Sudler Trophy-winning Pride of Arizona Marching Band and has performed at countless athletics events and university affairs as well as volunteered in the Tucson community for Love of Reading week and the Ronald McDonald House. 

Currently, Aaliyah serves as vice president of Bobcat Senior Honorary, where she helped organize Homecoming, engaged students on Giving Day, and is currently planning Alumni Weekend and the Pinning Ceremony for the next class of outstanding Bobcats. Also in her senior year, Aaliyah focused her time on research. As a Ronald E. McNair Scholar, she works as an undergraduate researcher in Dr. Andrew Fuglevand's lab, where she investigates noninvasive methods to control a robotic arm for rehabilitation methods for high-level tetraplegics.  

Aaliyah's dedication and leadership have earned her numerous honors during her time at the University of Arizona. She has won more than $100,000 in scholarships, including the Giuè Family Scholarship, the William and Marguerite Hesketh Scholarship, the Gary W. Harper Mechanical Engineering Scholarship, and the NAACP Tucson Black Excellence Scholarship. She was also a member of the inaugural cohort of a Black Excellence Scholars in the W.A. Franke Honors College and is a member of Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society. 

Aaliyah is deeply grateful for the opportunities and support she has received at the University of Arizona and looks forward to the next chapter in her academic and professional journey. She is excited to share that she will be attending Johns Hopkins University in the fall as a Vivien Thomas Scholar to pursue her doctorate in biomedical engineering. Aaliyah's passion for biomedical engineering stems from her experiences with dance injuries, and she hopes to develop innovative treatments for nerve and spinal cord injuries and prosthetic development, combining her engineering expertise with her love for movement. 

Ryan Sadowsky is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, majoring in management information systems. A proud Tucson native and third-generation Wildcat, he is committed to giving back to his community. In high school, he founded The FreshSole Project, donating more than 1,500 pairs of shoes to families in need, reinforcing his passion for service. 

At the U of A, Ryan's college experience has been defined by leadership, mentorship and innovation. As president of the Eller Leadership Board, which facilitates the Eller Rising Professionals program, he mentored more than 120 first-year students annually, helping them navigate their academic and professional paths. 

Through Eller Rising Professionals, he led an initiative with Junior Achievement, organizing club members to teach financial literacy at an underserved Tucson elementary school, an effort that earned Eller the Legacy Award from Junior Achievement. 

Ryan's passion for technology also shaped his contributions. He developed automation tools that streamlined the Eller College of Management professional admissions process, improving efficiency and accessibility. As a student coordinator for Professional Admissions and Curriculum Management, he managed course scheduling and student records, enhancing the student experience. His technical skills were further sharpened as a summer analyst in bank loan trade management at Goldman Sachs, where he optimized financial processes and built automation tools for trading operations. 

For his leadership, service and academic excellence, Ryan was twice honored as an Eller Scholar of the Year, recognizing his significant contributions to the college. 

After graduation, he will join Merit Foods of Arizona, his family's business, leveraging his expertise in technology and operations to drive growth while further continuing the businesses relationship with the University of Arizona. He also plans on continuing his commitment to service as a board member for Junior Achievement of Southern Arizona. Ryan is deeply grateful for the Eller community, his parents Matt and Shelley, and his close friends. He looks forward to making a lasting impact in his hometown. 

Siena Sevillano Shedd is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in physiology and medical sciences with a minor in biochemistry. 

Siena, the eldest of three and firstborn to two University of Arizona graduates, grew up across the United States and abroad in Vinhedo, Brazil. Her family now resides in Pleasanton, California. 

During her four years at the University of Arizona, Siena has been a leader within the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology. After serving as a preceptor for two semesters, Siena became a teacher's assistant and actively contributed to student learning by leading reviews and mentoring and managing instructional resources. 

Siena's leadership extends to her time in Women in Medicine and Science, an organization that advocates for women's advancement in science fields. As a local outreach committee member, she led teams of students in engaging with their community and establishing partnerships with community organizations. Those efforts led to the club's selection for the Associated Students of the University of Arizona Outstanding Community Engagement Award. 

Siena has dedicated herself to a lifetime of service in medicine. As an athletic training technician in McKale Memorial Center, she's worked with athletic trainers across multiple sports to gain hands-on experience in sports medicine. When she's not cheering them on at games, Siena supports U of A athletes by assisting with rehabilitation treatment to help them reach their performance goals. 

Siena has also used her linguistic skills to bridge communication gaps in health care settings. As a medical interpreter at Clinica Amistad and clinics within the Commitment to Underserved People (CUP) program, she has facilitated access to care for uninsured Spanish-speaking patients. 

Beyond her clinical experiences, Siena is committed to serving vulnerable populations. At Banner Health, she supported pediatric patients and their families, and at Sister José Women's Center, she created a welcoming space for women experiencing homelessness. Her dedication extends internationally through the MexZona Medical Services nonprofit, where she helps deliver free medical care to underserved communities in Mexico. 

After graduation, Siena plans to pursue a medical degree so she can continue advocating for accessible health care and patient-centered care as a physician. 

Angela White is graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science, double majoring in neuroscience and cognitive science, and psychological science. 

After a long, winding journey as a nontraditional student, Angela is truly humbled to be graduating and deeply grateful for the enduring support of her family, friends, teachers and each of her wonderful mentors. As a child with early-onset, debilitating mental illness, she held a native curiosity and wonder for the natural world, but was unable to complete high school and pursue her academic interests. Many years later as a working adult, Angela began taking classes at Pima Community College before transferring to the University of Arizona. 

Angela's academic work is profoundly informed and inspired by the invaluable lessons of adversity in her life. Under the mentorship of Dr. Zachary Cohen in the Personalized Treatment Lab, she founded the Leveraging Exercise for Anxiety and Depression (LEAD) project. The multiphase study employs scalable research methods to design, deliver and study exercise interventions for individuals suffering from anxiety and depression. Under the mentorship of Distinguished Professor Dr. John Allen, she conducted research examining the effect of exercise on key neurogenic targets, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor and tropomyosin receptor kinase B. Using an interdisciplinary approach, LEAD aims to support the development and delivery of accessible, effective, personalized treatments and propel the integration of exercise-based treatment into clinical practice. 

Angela is the grateful recipient of numerous awards, including the W.A. Franke Honors College Exploratory Mini-Grant, a Laura and Arch Brown Scholarship, a Phi Theta Kappa Hites Transfer Scholarship, an All-USA Academic Team Scholarship, and an All-Arizona Academic Team Scholarship. She is also the founder of the community-driven GROW (Gathering Resources to Optimize Wealth) Academy, which has provided free financial literacy education to more than 500 adolescents and adults. 

After graduation, Angela plans to pursue a doctorate in clinical psychology at the University of Arizona. She has a special love for teaching and mentorship, and she hopes to be involved in this work for the rest of her life.