2025 Undergraduate Centennial Achievement Award Recipients
Jennitza Barreras
Jennitza Barreras is a first-generation Mexican American student graduating in May 2026 with a Bachelor of Arts in Education in elementary education with a bilingual emphasis and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from the University of Arizona. She is proud to set an example for her four younger siblings and grateful to her parents, whose sacrifices made her education possible. Originally from Gridley, California, Jennitza moved to Sahuarita at age 14, where she built a strong sense of home and community.
Her college journey began in the College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic, financial struggles and long overnight shifts forced her to step away. Returning in 2022 with renewed focus, she discovered her passion for education as a career and a calling. These challenges strengthened her commitment to equity and access in education. Her journey has been one of persistence – not only on her own behalf, but on behalf of her family, her community and the support system she has built at the U of A.
Jennitza has taken on leadership and service roles as student council treasurer and social media chair, College of Education ambassador and AmeriCorps tutor. Through the TRIO Teacher Prep Program, she has worked as a peer mentor, math and Spanish tutor, and student assistant, supporting college students and engaging families through outreach. She has also sought professional development in STEM, preparing to bring engaging and culturally responsive math and science experiences into her future classroom.
Her academic achievements include the AASRA Scholarship, Alumni Council's Dean Taylor Scholarship, Marilyn J. Ludwig Scholarship and the ADELANTE Internship Award. She has also earned dean's list recognition in both the College of Humanities and the College of Education.
Jennitza plans to begin her teaching career in local Title I schools while pursuing graduate studies and, ultimately, a doctoral degree in education. She hopes to continue serving as an advocate for underrepresented students both in and out of the classroom, building pathways to equitable education.
Spencer Metz
Spencer Metz hails from Wilmington, Delaware, and will be graduating with honors in the spring of 2026 with a Bachelor of Arts in law and a minor in economics. Spencer's path at the University of Arizona has been shaped by a range of experiences, with the most life-altering being the loss of his father during his sophomore year. Faced with the decision to transfer to a school closer to home or continue at Arizona for his remaining two years, Spencer chose to stay. He attributes this decision to the strong community and support system he found on campus, as well as the opportunities he still felt compelled to pursue.
As a senior, Spencer serves on the Undergraduate Advisory Cabinet, the Bobcats Senior Honorary, and as co-chair of the U of A's All Leadership Council. He is also the head citation editor of the newly launched Arizona Undergraduate Law Review and secretary of the Jewish Pre-Law Association, a student club he founded and previously led as president. In addition, Spencer is an active member of the Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity and Alpha Epsilon Pi. To become more engaged with the local community, Spencer has volunteered with Southern Arizona Legal Aid; an experience that helped strengthen his connection to Tucson and his commitment to public service.
Alongside these roles, Spencer has held multiple research and teaching assistantships in the School of Government and Public Policy, the James E. Rogers College of Law and the Eller College of Management. Most recently, he began research as a Mo's Policy Scholar at the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy. Having recently completed the Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Junior Summer Institute at the University of Michigan's Ford School of Public Policy, Spencer plans to continue his education in law or policy, with the goal of entering the legal, policy or political sphere.