CAHSS Excellence Awards 2026

About

Ryan Finner has been a standout among his peers since beginning his academic career here at EWU. For the last four quarters, he has maintained straight A’s in spite of his ongoing commitment to research projects, attending national conferences and providing exceptional campus service to the greater EWU community by means of becoming the founder of the Research to Pathways club which provides undergraduates with research opportunities along with connections and valuable resources for post-graduation success. In addition, Ryan also serves as an office assistant in the Africana Studies Program and as an academic coach for Eastern’s Program Leading to University Success (PLUS) which helps high school students learn academic success strategies. His PLUS tutoring, in his own words, “has deeply influenced his interest in fostering inclusive environments for students. As a TRIO McNair Sholar and member of the Black Student Union, Ryan has big plans for the future on inclusivity and accessibility in higher education. His most recent presentation was entitled “Puropose-Driven Leadership in Urban Policy: Community Resistance and Grassroots Organizing Amid Gentrification.” Having been recently accepted into the University of Oregon’s Graduate School, Ryan will continue to leave a lasting impression both academically, personally and socially as he eventually acquires a Ph.D. to officially fulfill his calling as a servant leader for an inclusive society of diverse communities.

About

Mia Blomgren is a driven communications student, student leader and philanthropist. She has made significant contributions to the campus community and the local community thru her exceptional leadership and service activities. As President of EWU PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America) and as a board member for the past three years, Mia helped lead the team, plan events, and support students’ professional development.

Mia has organized and led several professional development and community service activities including organizing a supply drive families staying at The Ronald McDonald House of the Inland Northwest, a health communications “Pro-Tour” to local healthcare organizations in Spokane and several workshops devoted to helping students learn how to find jobs and internships with industry professionals. As a member of the Cheney Lions Club (the world’s largest community service organization), Mia has utilized her background in communications and public relations to help promote and organize community service events in her local Cheney community and lead partnerships between EWU students and the nonprofit including helping organize Christmas card and Valentine’s Day card drives for the seniors at the Cheney Care Center. Mia helped lead two tables at the Cheney Public Library during Cheney Holiday Hoopla to help kids make cards for the Cheney Care Center seniors and helped organize a table at the URC Fitness Center to encourage college students to create Valentines for the Cheney Care Center seniors.

Mia is also an exceptional student with a straight “A” average who cares deeply about her education and professional development. This spring, Mia will be representing EWU PRSSA as one of only two students at the Regional PRSSA Conference in New York and last year Mia represented the chapter at the International PRSSA ICON Conference in Anaheim, California. Mia is also a great human who cares deeply about other people and making a difference on campus and in her community.

About

Azaria Purdy is an exceptional student, student athlete and servant leader who is deeply committed to giving back to her community. Azaria has maintained a straight “A” average while also serving as a student athlete on the EWU Track Team, completing an internship with the Spokane chapter of the NAACP, being involved as a member of PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America) and working a part-time job. 

Azaria cares deeply about the community and has utilized the skills she’s learned in her communications and public relations courses to help make a positive impact in several meaningful ways. For example, through her public relations internship with the local Spokane chapter of the NAACP Azaria utilized her background in communications and social media to help promote public awareness initiatives aimed at dismantling racial barriers and promote civil rights. Azaria played a key role in thoughtfully guiding the NAACP’s community engagement efforts, helping the organization respond to community needs, organize and promote events and strengthen its social media presence to maximize the reach and impact of its initiatives.

Additionally, during her internship with the 90+ Project (a Spokane-based youth soccer organization focused on mentoring, character development and increasing access to soccer for low-income families), Azaria analyzed barriers, evaluated national initiatives and assessed market saturation by examining how local organizations can support and promote young women in sports through funding events, projects and programs.

Azaria has demonstrated exceptional dedication across all her courses. She is a critical thinker who often leads the class in thoughtful discussion. Azaria encouraged me to think more deeply about my curriculum and the ethical relevance of public relations in contributing to social and cultural change. She is an inspiring student and leader!

About

(Unfortunately, Malina couldn’t be present at the awards ceremony, so Dr. Nicholas Larsen accepted Malina’s award on her behalf.)

Ms. Weigel will graduate with an overall 3.98 GPA, a 3.97 in the Economics B.S. and 4.00 in the Business Administration minor. She was consistently on the Dean’s List and will graduate Summa Cum Laude. 

In 2025, she started working as a Data Analyst Intern for the Institute for Public Policy and Economic Analysis (IPPEA) at EWU. Ms. Weigel has worked closely with her supervisors Dr. Patrick Jones and Dr. Kelley Cullen to update and refine indicators across nine regional trend websites using timely economic and demographic data. These indicators are frequently cited by newspapers locally and across the state. Ms. Weigel has also contributed to projects used to inform decision-makers in our communities. These include aiding in the data collection and analysis for an economic impact analysis of the Spokane School District at the local, state, and federal levels, an enrollment forecast report for the Pasco School District, and preparing a short presentation analyzing recent earnings outcomes of Eastern Washington graduates compared to peer institutions. She analyzed large data sets including the Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM), Washington Department of Revenues (DOR) and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). This experience has given Ms. Weigel the unique opportunity to take what she has learned in the classroom and apply it to real world projects.

She was the lead analyst in collecting and analyzing county and metropolitan-level data in Washington State to inform both policymakers and the general public. The reports she created were published on the Association of Washington Business’ Vitals dashboard, among other projects. As the most senior intern with the IPPEA team, she has also taken on a leadership role by training and mentoring new interns.  

Ms. Weigel exemplifies this award’s intent as an exceptionally capable individual in academic and extracurricular activities.

About

(Unfortunately, Avaree couldn’t be present at the awards ceremony, so faculty accepted Avaree’s award on her behalf.)

Avaree is a hardworking, polite, and enjoyable student in class. She was engaging and thoughtful in her linguistics and grammar classes with me, and I hear from her literature professors that she works hard on her independent papers and is a supportive and fun group member. Her ability to support her classmates even as a learner herself is one thing that sets Avaree apart.  Even with hardships facing her, she kept her chin up and maintained her hardworking and joyful love of learning.

About

Jacob excels at expressing complex ideas in both written and oral contexts, and his work reflects the kind of academic distinction, intellectual leadership, and commitment to others that the Jeffers W. Chertok Dean’s Honor Student Award is meant to recognize. In his philosophy courses, he is both a confident contributor and a charitable listener, unthreatened by alternative perspectives. His written work is consistently well researched, rigorous, and philosophically imaginative. These strengths extend beyond the classroom, most notably in his presentation of original research on Descartes at the EWU Student Research and Creative Works Symposium last spring.

In Fall term, Jacob was selected to serve as our Philosophy Program’s tutor in Formal Logic. Students repeatedly expressed appreciation for his patience, clarity, and effectiveness in this role. His success reflects not only mastery of technical material but also a genuine commitment to the intellectual growth of others, and his uncommon combination of expertise and generosity has had a measurable impact on his peers. Together, these qualities demonstrate a maturity and even-handedness that shape his interactions across academic and social contexts.

As a two-time officer in the Philosophy Club, Jacob has demonstrated a steady and effective form of leadership. His quick wit, friendly demeanor, and quiet confidence put others at ease, while his sincerity and dependability make him someone others trust and naturally follow. Taken together, these qualities exemplify the rare combination of intellectual rigor, generosity, and leadership that this award is designed to honor. The faculty of the Philosophy Program recommend him without reservation and with the highest confidence.

About

Melanie Jones is both a remarkable fiction writer and a strong leader among students. She has taken the undergraduate literary magazine, Northwest Blvd, under her wing and drummed up a very engaged staff of undergrads. She and her co-editor hold events for student engagement, both readings of the material in the magazine and creative fundraisers, like a black out poetry night with an opportunity to have the black out poems published in the journal. In class, Melanie’s feedback to other students is encouraging but not circuitous – she is frank and clear. She engages in discussion on all texts and often gets other more reticent students in on the conversation. Finally, Melanie is one of the most talented and hard working fiction writers among the undergrads. Her work is subtle and brave, and her attention to craft is clear. Her stories have emotional and intellectual integrity: they are playful and subtle, and they are painful, tender, and healing. They exist on the edge of fantastical but remain firmly grounded in a reality familiar to all of us. Her characters are your friends. They struggle through this dark world together.

About

I have the pleasure of working with Ms. Neve as her major academic advisor and instructor of the teaching methods courses in the secondary English education program. From the beginning of our work together, it was clear that Ms. Neve was one of the exceptional students in our program. She exhibits an admirable work ethic that shows her commitment to her academic career and to the profession of teaching English. She possesses the qualities instructors hope to see in all of our students and teacher candidates. She is a respected leader among her peers and serves both EWU and her community as daily practice.
Ms. Neve is a consistent leader in her classes at EWU, and I have witnessed her continual support of her fellow teacher candidates as they have struggled through the pressures of transitioning into the teaching profession. Ms. Neve navigates these processes with insight and grace, assisting her colleagues in making sense of the challenges in front of them. Ms. Neve’s consistent high grades in her coursework show leadership in her ability to juggle community commitments while maintaining academic integrity.
While fulfilling her academic requirements with distinction, Ms. Neve has worked as a caregiver for a special needs 14-year-old girl by providing companionship, administering medications, and assisting her with regular personal hygiene. Additionally, Ms. Neve worked as a caregiver for the elderly, volunteered at the Post Falls Equestrian Center, cleaned up gardens for the community, and fed unhoused neighbors at community kitchens.
I am continually impressed with Ms. Neve’s leadership and service to EWU and to her community. To find this collection of academic mastery, leadership skill, and commitment to service, at this early career stage, is uncommon and very welcome. I am proud to support her nomination for the Jeffers Chertok Dean’s Honor Award.

About

EWU Film nominates Maija Angell for the Frances B Huston Award. Ms. Angell has been a dedicated student and an exceptional contributor to our community. During her time in the Film Program at EWU, Maija has demonstrated assured leadership through community engagement and an exemplary class presence. A 3.96 overall GPA indicates that Maija has achieved the truly rare feat of excelling in criticism, production, and screenwriting. She has also participated in the Honors program at EWU. What is not captured by the GPA but is well-known to the faculty in Film and Digital Media is how Maija elevates the focus and dedication of those around her.
Perhaps Maija’s most notable contributions have been in service to the community. For two years, Maija has been a member of Collegians, Eastern’s jazz choir. She has also edited several videos and sung for Cheney United Methodist Church. These are long-standing services to our community. But Maija has also sought out exceptional opportunities to serve the global community. In the summer of 2025, Maija attended the special program Actuality Abroad in San Miguel de Allende, in Guanajato, Mexico. Maija served as Producer in a team of 4, working with the non-profit Patronato Pro Niños (PPN) to create the 10-minute documentary Fuerza En Una Sonriza. The team also made a micro-documentary about the person who leads tours to raise money for PPN.
Exceptional academic achievements and service to the community make Maija Angell a worthy recipient of the Frances B Huston Award.

About

As a dual-major in Music Technology & Mechanical Engineering, Matthew is the perfect
representative for having achieved an interdisciplinary education at EWU. He has successfully
completed two degrees and has found creative ways to integrate both fields for what clearly looks
to be a promising professional career. He has also served as a swimming instructor and lifeguard
during his residency. He has shown tremendous leadership in many ways, including coordinating
fun music fundraisers at the pool, arranging students to play music together for various functions,
and he has become known for being the leader of the EWU Boomwhacker music group!
Matthew’s research in the development of accessible technologies for music-making represents
both academic rigor and service to the disabled community. Moreover, Matthew has actively
engaged with all facets of Music Technology—showing exceptional aptitude in the areas of
experimental instrument design, interactive media, & creative coding. Alongside these intensive
activities he has cemented himself as a student leader in various performing ensembles such as
Wind Ensemble, Marching Band and Code Red. Matthew also approaches every activity, rehearsal
and project with a positive attitude, and a welcoming demeanor. He has great energy, curiosity,
and an innovative mindset. Matthew has been a consistent contributor beyond the classroom
during his time at EWU, and we are confident that Matthew will be highly successful in his
professional life!

About

Art nominates Skylar Miller for the Jeffers Chertok Dean’s Honor Award, recognizing her distinguished
academic record and excellence in service, leadership, and scholarship within the arts.
Skylar’s commitment to service is evident in her community volunteer work as an assistant in an after-
school art workshop for grades 3-5 at Hutton Elementary in Spokane. She demonstrated leadership by
managing social media for the Art program, significantly increasing its visibility and engagement among
students and followers. Her curious nature and generous spirit have made her a reliable source of
support and inspiration for her peers. She continues to develop professional growth through a gallery
internship this spring.
Academically, Skylar embraces challenges, consistently pushing boundaries in her artwork. She takes
risks, explores challenging methods, and boldly pursues her ideas while accepting and learning from the
outcomes. Skylar’s scholarship is reflected in her multidisciplinary practice, involving painting, fiber arts,
and sculpture. Her work explores representation and confronts the viewer, connecting deeply with
themes of human yearning, failure, and hope. She is a remarkable student whose dedication and
creativity will certainly enrich our artistic community.

About

As the EWU orchestra concertmaster, and as a gifted and passionate violinist, Yunju shows her
commitment to collaboration and consistently engages in every rehearsal, concert, class and
performance event with a great sense of joy and possibility! She truly exudes pure enthusiasm in every
performance and in how she interacts with the public representing herself and EWU with grace, and
authentic kindness. She has served in leadership roles in orchestra throughout her entire residency at
EWU, and won the annual concerto competition twice – a very rare accolade! She listens and works with
those around her, setting a tone of professionalism and mutual respect. In addition to maintaining her
high GPA, Yunju has been a strong leader within the program, across the campus and throughout the
Spokane region. She is a stunning performer and has shared her talents with fellow students generously
giving of her time as a coach and musical mentor. She has performed prolifically every season, and says
yes to every invitation! She also supports our student composers by performing their new works. Yunju
has been very active in outreach and engagement activities performing at area retirement centers, the
Feed Cheney program, the annual Fox concert, PUB events, pre-concert events for the Spokane
Symphony and numerous others. An example of her stunning impact was demonstrated when an older
couple listening to her play, reached for each others’ hands and wept as they listened to her passionate
performance. She is also notably respectful and collegial in all her interactions. She exemplifies
excellence not only as a musician, but as a leader, collaborator, and member of the EWU community. In
performance, leadership, collaboration, and service, Yunju represents the very best of what an EWU
music student can achieve, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for her!

About

Charlie Prater is an exceptional graduating senior at Eastern Washington University, earning a 3.83 GPA and graduating Magna Cum Laude as a double major in Anthropology and Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies. Charlie exemplifies the intellectual rigor and curiosity that define the Jeffer’s Chertok Dean’s Honor Award. A deeply critical feminist thinker, Charlie brings a fearless, intersectional lens to their academic work and classroom engagement.
As a non-binary student, Charlie has made invaluable contributions to interdisciplinary discussions, enriching conversations with insight, nuance, and a commitment to equity and inclusion. Their coursework—including Anthropology of Gender, Bodies Socialization and Culture, Gender, Health and Marginalization, and Intercultural Communication—reflects both breadth and depth in examining complex social issues.
Charlie stands out for their remarkable ability to pair critical inquiry with active listening, fostering collaborative and innovative approaches to social transformation. Their global curiosity and dedication to justice, equity, and belonging make them not only an outstanding student but also a community builder within the classroom. Faculty and peers alike benefit from Charlie’s thoughtful engagement and openness to diverse perspectives.
The Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies program is proud to nominate Charlie Prater for this prestigious honor, recognizing their academic excellence, leadership, and transformative impact.

About

Anna Reed is hardworking and impressive. When we needed a grader to work with our new faculty member, there was no question; it would be Anna. Anna has superbly balanced employment here and outside with her studies, maintaining near perfect grades since she came to EWU last year. It’s not because she hasn’t taken chances; for biological anthropology, she took chemistry, calculus, and anatomy and physiology. She just takes the time to get it right. She’s quiet, but thoughtful; she always has something important to say. She really is an incredible person: caring, thoughtful, incisive. We can’t wait to see what she does next.

About

Preston Dyess is among the most serious, ambitious, and talented scholars many of us on the History faculty have encountered during our careers at EWU. Preston changed majors fairly late in his trajectory, but once a History major, he quickly revealed a talent for analysis, research, and writing second to none in his cohort. His grades have been stellar, of course, but it is his ability to extract historical arguments from primary and secondary sources – and then express them in group discussion — that is the most impressive piece of his academic portfolio.

Moreover, Preston is masterful writer, and a research paper he presented on the ill-fated San Patricio Battalion in the Mexican War of 1846 was awarded Best Overall Paper (undergrad or graduate) at the Phi Alpha Theta Northwest Regional Conference in 2025. It was the first time (to our knowledge) that this particular prize was won by an EWU student. Preston is now shopping that paper around for publication in a history journal, and, eager to “defend his crown,” he just presented a new paper on war captives in the Peloponnesian War at the PAT Northwest Regional Conference 2026, which convened at Gonzaga University.

Given Preston’s gifts as a researcher, thinker, and writer, Professor Joseph Lenti invited him to contribute to an edited volume Lenti is compiling on the impacts of deindustrialization in a Massachusetts town. Preston is the only undergraduate involved in the project, and his ongoing research on the contamination of the Quinebaug River and ancillary health problems in the community promises to be a major part of the book.

Preston plans on pursuing an MA and PhD degree in History, and I am very excited to watch him further advance along his path to academia.

About

Tyler Walker will graduate this Spring as a Social Studies Education major, with minors in both Applied Developmental Psychology and Psychology, as well as two classes shy of another endorsement in Middle Level Math and an overall 3.99 GPA. To say Tyler pushes himself to be as informed and prepared as possible for his future career as a teacher in an understatement. He’s received the highest praise from course instructors and was awarded (by faculty vote) the 2025 Joseph Seipp Social Studies Scholarship. Tyler’s constant drive for improvement is only overshadowed by his commitment to and passion for helping his communities.

Tyler has worked multiple jobs as a student, including a student employee with the EWU Eagle Store and Mobile Order Runner for the Spokane Indians Baseball Stadium, but also volunteered for a year at the EWU Climbing Wall to help introduce students to sport (before subsequently being hired as an instructor). Service is second nature to Tyler as he consistently mentored education majors early in their coursework, volunteers as a high school wrestling coach and boxing coach, served as a volunteer judge for Eastern Washington History Day, and volunteers as a youth director for his church.

During his teaching practicums, Tyler excelled in building relationships with his students at Freeman High School and goes beyond requirements to help students connect with content and actively work toward real-world civics engagement. Mentor Teacher John Bruno, expressed that “Tyler Walker is an exceptional student teacher that drives the curriculum in innovative ways that keeps the students engaged and motivated to learn.” According to Tyler, as a teacher he would like to “leave an impact on the next generations to be curious, learn, and discover themselves through education. In this time, I’m excited for the opportunity to grow and learn from my students.”

About

(Unfortunately, Yareli couldn’t be present at the awards ceremony, so Dr. Miguel Novella accepted Yareli’s award on her behalf.)

Yareli Paz—a double major in Bilingual Education and Spanish, with a minor in English as a Second Language (ESL)—is a highly motivated student who has dedicated herself to academic excellence at Eastern Washington University. With an outstanding 3.97 GPA and a profound commitment to the profession, she represents the very best of EWU.

During her time at EWU, Yareli developed a strong theoretical and practical foundation in multilingual instruction. Her classroom contributions were consistently insightful, often enriching group discussions by encouraging her peers to consider new perspectives.

Her preparation was further strengthened by significant hands-on experience in multilingual settings. During her practicum at Rubén Trejo Elementary, a dual-language program in the Spokane School District, she gained vital local classroom experience. Expanding on this, Yareli took on solo-teaching responsibilities in Fall 2024 for KidsConnect, an afterschool program for newly arrived immigrants and refugees. There, she designed engaging, hands-on lessons that led to measurable gains in student English proficiency. Furthermore, in Winter 2025, she applied her bilingual skills to help redesign a literacy curriculum for a village in the Dominican Republic, offering critical insights on supporting literacy in both first and second languages.

As a bilingual and bicultural speaker, Ms. Paz exemplifies Spanish as an integral part of the American cultural landscape. Her pedagogical expertise, maturity, and dedication make her a model for multilingual educators in Washington State. There is no doubt that Yareli Paz is a valuable asset to any school community, representing the educators that Washington State needs.

About

It is my pleasure to nominate Anait Arutiunian. I have interacted with Anait extensively both inside and outside the classroom, and she consistently demonstrates the highest standards of academic achievement, intellectual curiosity, and personal integrity. She is mature, self-motivated, and able to excel under pressure.

Anait’s outstanding GPA reflects a disciplined work ethic and a genuine commitment to learning. She is multilingual—fluent in Russian, Armenian, Spanish, and English—which enhances her ability to engage with diverse ideas and collaborate effectively with peers from varied backgrounds. Beyond language proficiency, Anait pursues a broad and deep understanding of social, historical, and cultural contexts through rigorous academic readings. Experientially, she has travelled extensively and strive to learn more about other cultures.

In the three upper-division courses I taught in which she enrolled, Anait regularly enriched classroom discussion by contributing well-informed comparative perspectives on cultural and political issues. Her insights frequently broadened her classmates’ viewpoints and elevated the overall learning environment.

Athletically, Anait has demonstrated equal dedication and excellence. As a professional tennis player with a top international ranking, she was awarded a full athletic scholarship at Eastern. She has used this opportunity not only to advance her athletic career, which serve the institution, but also to strengthen her academic preparation for a bright future.

As an ambitious young lady, she aspires to be accepted to Rafa Nadal, which is a world-famous tennis academy. I believe her disciplined approach and ability to balance the demands of elite sport and rigorous study are instrumental in her future success.

About

The Political Science program nominates Amelia Pozernick for the Jeffers Chertok Dean’s Honor award for 2026. Mia has been an exceptional student during her time at Eastern and as a political science major. While her 4.0 grade point average testifies to this, it is Mia the person who really stands out. Her presence in the classroom is warm and friendly and her contributions to class discussions are sophisticated and astute. As a result, there can be no doubt that other students learn from her as well as her instructors. Her coursework is always of the highest quality, and she makes the extra effort to learn and understand. We will all miss her presence in the department, and we wish her all the best in her studies at Gonzaga Law School and her future professional endeavors.

About

Abigail Valentine is not afraid of hard work or getting her hands dirty. She is a full-time student, a single mother, an employee at a pediatric clinic, and a small business owner-operator. Since 2018, she has worked with animals—first in animal shelters, and currently as a pet sitter and house sitter. This work ethic translates into stellar academic performance. She has a 4.0 GPA and has impressed the Urban & Regional Planning faculty. Despite being pulled in many directions with multiple responsibilities, she shows up in the classroom on time having completed readings and homework. She both asks, and answers, tough questions in classroom discussions. She brings with her passion for whatever she is learning along with a desire to see justice served, and the needy taken care of. The work that she turns in demonstrates someone who is actively figuring out the best way to apply what she’s learned in the classroom those around her. Abigail has demonstrated her potential to be successful in the professional world, and we can’t wait to see what form her success will take.

About

Cadet Savannah Dunn has excelled in the three qualities we expect in the Military Science Department and Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program: Scholar, Athlete, Leader.

Savannah is an exceptional example of academic excellence, leadership, and service. As a Scholar, she has maintained a strong 3.76 GPA in her last four quarters while pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, alongside an outstanding 4.0 GPA in her Minor in Military Science. Her academic record reflects not only intelligence and discipline, but also a sincere commitment to learning and professional development.

As a Leader, Cadet Dunn has been entrusted with two of the most demanding roles in our program—Battalion Operations Officer (COO) and Battalion Logistics Officer—positions she has fulfilled with integrity, confidence, and strategic insight. Her calm presence under pressure, empathetic leadership style, and ability to inspire her peers have made a lasting impact on our organization. She consistently advocates for her fellow Cadets and promotes a culture of mutual respect, accountability, and excellence.

Beyond her official duties, Savannah generously volunteers her time to coach, teach, and mentor both peers and junior Cadets. She leads by example, cultivating a positive learning environment and empowering others to reach their full potential.

Her achievements also extend to the physical domain, where she ranks in the top 10% on the Army Combat Fitness Test, has competed on the ROTC competition teams, and earned the Expert Fighting Eagles Badge—testaments to her resilience, determination, and leadership.

Cadet Dunns’s well-rounded excellence, leadership character, and commitment to service make her an outstanding candidate for this academic leadership award. She truly represents the highest ideals of the Jeffers Chertok Dean’s Honor Award, the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, Eastern Washington University and is poised to serve with distinction as an Air Defense Artillery Officer in the United States Army.

About

Ms. Dawson is a first generation, college student from a low income background and lacked family guidance in her aspirations. She’s had to find a way to success in college on her own. As a non-traditional student in her 30’s, Ms. Dawson found a way to fit into the campus community through volunteer work and student employment. She volunteers as a peer mentor and her student employment positions include currently working as a student assistant in the Department of Sociology and Justice Studies where she is performing extremely well.

In order to become a top student, Ms. Dawson has worked very hard while utilizing student resources and refining her skills though academic coaching. Her success is exemplified by having recently being accepted into the McNair Scholars Program. She is a true EWU academic success story.
Ms. Dawson exemplifies the kind of student that our former colleague and mentor to our senior faculty, Jeffers Chertok, would be proud to have earn an award in his name.

About

I have the pleasure of recommending Sarai Barahona for the 2025/2026 Chertok Dean Honor Award. Ms. Barahona has taken several of my courses during her time at Eastern Washington University and academically, has been at the top of every class. Her specific field of interest was forensic examination. During her time in classes, I noted that she was relatively quiet but exceptionally perceptive when discussing criminal justice concepts and theory. Ms. Barahona was accurately able to integrate complicated class themes and notions to answer questions both discussion and exam questions using her critical thinking skills.
Because of her critical thinking ability, and despite being quiet, Ms. Barahona became an integral leader in various class activities and discussions. She has worked exceptionally hard, and it showed. She has had an impact on many instructors in our program and is recommended by more than one. My only regret in writing this letter of recommendation for the award is that I will no longer have her in classes because she is graduating. I have no doubts that she will have a very bright future, and I can’t wait to see how it unfolds.

About

(Unfortunately, Adrianna couldn’t be present at the awards ceremony, so Dr. Kerryn Bell accepted Adrianna’s award on her behalf.)

Adrianna is a rare student who is triple majoring in Criminal Justice, Psychology, and Spanish. On top of that, she maintains a 3.88 cumulative GPA. This is absolutely extraordinary. The Department of Sociology & Criminal Justice fully believes in engaged learning. To that end, we make field trips and internships readily available to our majors. This past Fall 2026, Adrianna went to the Airways Heights Corrections Center as part of Dr. Bell’s CRIM 460 – Penology class. Further, in that class she was exposed to volunteer opportunities with Lutheran Community Services as victimization is hugely correlated with incarceration. Adrianna was so engaged; despite her heavy school schedule she went through training and became a Victim Advocate Volunteer with Lutheran Community Services. In this role, she works with victims of sexual assault including hospital support visits which often occur at unusual times of the day or night.

In conversations outside class with Adrianna, she said this experience has been life changing and made her realize that her path forward is through Social Work. To that end, she was accepted to and will be starting her Master’s in Social Work at EWU this Fall. She is dedicated, hardworking, and already immersing herself in helping survivors in the local community. I strongly believe that Adrianna will be a difference maker to many people in the years to come.

About

It is with great enthusiasm and without reservation that I recommend Andrea Caiceros for the Chertok
Scholarship. Andrea took several upper-level courses with me. She excelled in her courses works. She
currently works with me as a teaching fellow. Andrea is one of the most dedicated, compassionate, and
driven students I have had the privilege of working with over the past ten years. I am confident that she
embodies the qualities this scholarship seeks to recognize and support.

What distinguishes Andrea beyond her professional commitments is her deep engagement with her
community. She is a founding member of Mi Gente: Latinos Unidos of EWU, where she serves as
Community Outreach and Event Coordinator, actively building spaces of belonging for Latino students
on campus. This is the kind of leadership our university need to cultivate and encourage. She also
serves on the Dean’s Student Advisory Group as the Sociology program representative, demonstrating
that her peers and faculty alike trust her to be a voice for her department. Importantly, her bilingual
abilities recognized with a Seal of Biliteracy and an estimated CEFR C1 level in Spanish have allowed
her to serve as a bridge in every environment she has worked in, from a Baskin Robbins crew to a
university residential hall.

About

A major in the International Affairs Program at EWU, Dean has proven to be an exceptional student since his arrival. I first met him in Fall 2025 in my POLI 203 (Comparative Politics) and POLI 425 (Politics of the Middle East) courses, in which he earned As. Beyond a strong GPA (3.8) and a record of high grades, Dean has impressed me with his intellectual curiosity, positive attitude, and exemplary work ethic. philosophy. Since arriving at EWU, he has received two study-abroad scholarships to Armenia and Thailand and will travel to
Tajikistan this summer. His intellectual interests extend beyond international affairs to philosophy, history, and culture, and in my one-on-one conversations, he often displays a maturity beyond his 20 years. Overall, he is an outstanding candidate who, in my view, most deserves this scholarship; I therefore recommend him with the utmost confidence for his intellect, work ethic, and respectful demeanor.

About

Ms. Pulsifer, an Honor’s Program student who is pursuing a major in Social Studies Education, exemplifies the best qualities of an outstanding student and demonstrates a commitment to EWU and the growth of fellow students unmatched by her peers. Ms. Pulsifer came to EWU with a plan to become an educator and has never strayed from that goal. Inspired by teachers in her own life, Kara has expressed a deep appreciation for “the immense impact that a teacher can make on a student who needs support.” Ms. Pulsifer has also noted her desire “to become the kind of person that students who are struggling can find support in and become strong, confident, and successful members of society.” Ms. Pulsifer has received
accolades from professors in the Social Studies Program that speak not only to Kara’s impressive academic career but also the numerous ways in which she demonstrates leadership skills within the classroom and beyond.

About

Nancy Benson is a non-traditional academic scholar. As a parent and a person with worldly experience, Nancy brings a keen approach to inquiry in classroom learning that connects socially lived theorizing with academic excellence. Her interests and abilities are succinctly rooted in nuanced critical thinking that addresses solution focused practices. When I first met Nancy in winter 2025, she was already deeply versed in interdisciplinary learning and scholarship. She stood out immediately as a student who consistently contributes to community learning by deepening classroom dialogue via real world knowledge and examples.

About

As a scholar, Cadet Spence has distinguished himself through exceptional academic achievement, intellectual curiosity, and unwavering discipline. He has earned an impressive 3.84 cumulative GPA while pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, complemented by a perfect 4.0 GPA in his Military Science minor. His academic performance reflects not only outstanding aptitude, but also a deep commitment to personal growth, professional excellence, and lifelong learning.