Graduation Recognition

Spring 2024 Department Awardees

Kristen McVaugh

(She/Her/Hers/ or They/Them/Theirs)

Throughout their graduate program, Kristen's research topic centered around gender, sexuality, communication, meaning making. Their project was titled "Learning From Each Other: Intergenerational LGBTQ+ Communication". Kristen's hobbies include exercising, reading, hiking, going to the beach, and playing with their dog.

They will be continuing their work in diversity, equity, and inclusion within higher education space with a new job as the Assistant Director for Institutional Diversity at Harvey Mudd College. Kristen plans to continue to build their career from this amazing opportunity and eventually become a director within their field.

Kristen's advice to aspiring sociology students:

"Find a way to research what you are really passionate about. Your interests are important and add valuable contributions to the creation of knowledge. Don't let people tell you they are not relevant. Go to therapy. Learning about yourself is a very important part of the hidden curriculum of a master's degree. Learning how you handle stress, what triggers you, and what your personal values are will help you be successful. Make sure to make time for self-care and fun. This looks different for everyone, but the burnout is real and you need to find things that bring you joy throughout the process."

Congratulations Kristen McVaugh!

Marycruz Miller

(She/Her/Hers/)

Marycruz's goal is to continue working in the nonprofit industry and use the knowledge and experiences she has gained in graduate school to serve vulnerable populations. Her hobbies include spending time with her dogs, napping with her daughter and trying new restaurants around Orange County.

Her research topic is titled "Out of the Closet and Into Polyamory: A Qualitative Analysis of the Experiences of Coming Out". 

Marycruz's advice to aspiring sociology students:

"My advice to others would be to research something that you are passionate about. Find something that interests you and lean into that. That way when it gets difficult, you’ll still be motivated to continue working on it. Don’t give up, and utilize the resources offered to you. Most importantly, make friends, enjoy your time here and remember that you belong and deserve to be here."

Congratulations Marycruz Miller!

Kim Duarte

(She/Her/Hers/)

Kim has graduated with a B.A. in Sociology with a concentration in Health & Social Welfare. Her Hobbies include going to the beach, doing her makeup, singing, writing, reading, and going to concerts.

She aspires to pursue a Master's in Social Work (MSW) degree and to become a children's social worker. Kim wants to help children with special needs and who are homeless. She also sees herself working with those who are impacted by the juvenile justice system.

Kim's advice to aspiring sociology students; 

"Get close to your professors! Attend office hours, participate in class, and communicate your struggles with them. Seek and build meaningful connections with them because they could help you research a topic you're passionate about, write you a letter of recommendation for graduate school, or become one of your mentors. By networking with them, you will stand out inside as well as outside the classroom. Faculty members are always excited to work with students and care about their well-being and success. Therefore, sociology majors would greatly benefit from their professors' support if they were willing to collaborate and interact with them. Keep in mind that you are not alone in your academic journey and that they are with you every step of the way!"

Congratulations Kim Duarte!

Susie Agama

(She/Her/Hers/)

Susie has been working as a research associate for UCLA, and her goal is to continue to grow in that field as a research analyst and continue honing her abilities. During her time as a graduate student, her area of focus was in criminology and a research topic titled "The Impact of Race On Policing: The Blue Line is Blurry and Not Colorblind".

Susie's advice to aspiring sociology students; 

"My genuine advice to prospective students is to trust your intuition and to follow through with pursuing challenging topics. As long as you communicate with professors and immerse yourself with your cohort, you’d be surprised what you can achieve. So always bet on yourself, even if you think it’s difficult. If you continue leaning on your community and embracing your village (I.e. your cohort, trusted professors, and friends and family), you’ll get far. Grad school is not a race, so take your time and remember to be kind to yourself."

Congratulations Susie Agama!

Spring 2023 Department Awardees

Cam Batiste

Cam Batiste is the recipient of the Distinguished Graduate Research Award. 

His thesis is titled “What's race got to do with it? Black student experience at a Hispanic serving institution”.  His hobbies include indoor gardening, reading, and listening to podcasts.  After graduation, Cam will take it easy in the post-grad life before applying to Sociology Ph.D. programs with the hope of becoming a Sociology professor.  His advice to aspiring sociology students:

 “Sociology majors should always locate themselves in their research or areas of interests. This will not only make your research meaningful but also critical.”

We are so proud of your success and are earnestly looking forward to seeing you advance further into your sociology career. Congratulations Cam Batiste!

Laura Barreto

Laura is this year’s Outstanding Graduate Awardee.  Her thesis is titled “Under The Shadows of Higher Education: Housing Insecurities Among College Students Laura’s hobbies involve going to museums, and her career aspirations include applying to Ph.D. programs to continue her research examining access and equity in higher education for undocumented students, students of color, and LGBTQ+ students. Her advice to students studying sociology:

“Talk and ask professors about a tentative timeline to complete the Masters in Sociology program. If you are doing qualitative research and are interviewing people, get IRB approved. Follow this link to see the steps on how to get IRB approved: Titan Research Gateway: IRB Basic Steps. Share resources, be humble and uplift others up. Focus on your thesis, comps, or project writing. Carve out time during the day to just focus on that. As a nontraditional, it's challenging to find time to focus on our research, due to external responsibilities. But, in order to finish and successfully reach our own personal goals, we need to set time aside to just write about our research.” 

You show the mark of a true leader and an advocate for underserved communities. We are humbled to have been able to work with you as you've continued to grow as a sociologist.

Congratulations, Laura Barreto!

Leah Yagin

Leah is the recipient of the Outstanding Community Leader Award, serving as a peer mentor providing support and advocacy to her fellow students. 

Her hobbies include Arts (sewing, painting, mixed media arts, etc.), gym, and eating LOTS of food.  Leah aspires to be a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). She would like to work in hospitals serving children and families and eventually transition to international relief through the Peace Corps or as an on-call humanitarian aid worker. Leah’s advice to other sociology students:

“Take as many SOCI electives throughout your time at CSUF. Most professors in the Sociology department are willing to meet with students during office hours to talk about things outside of course material such as grad school, the sociology field, and even their own research! Chat with professors to expand your network. I recommend joining the peer mentor program or sociology club to meet others who are on a similar path!”

Your passion for serving others is truly inspiring, and we know that you will impact change as you support other communities worldwide. Congratulations, Leah Yagin!

Jen Laughter

Jen is the recipient of the Distinguished Undergraduate Research Award.

Her research topic is titled “I Decided It Was Best for My Kids": Intensive Mothering, Economic Abuse, and Decision-Making in Heterosexual Relationships with Economic Inequality”. Jen’s hobbies include creative writing, social activism, and spending time with her family. She plans to further her career in sociology by applying to Ph.D. programs to continue research on gender inequality and intimate partner violence. Jen’s advice to aspiring sociology students:

“Find opportunities and seize them!”

It has been a joy to see you grow into your own in the study of sociology. We are overjoyed by your achievements here at CSUF and excited to see you further your success in your career.

Congratulations Jen Laughter!