Graduation Recognition
Spring 2024
Dear Sociology Graduates,
Congratulations! As we stand in this shining moment of your accomplishment, we know that you have worked hard and appreciate that you succeeded despite incredible challenges. We lift up your hard work and all that you have learned. We recognize this important milestone and acknowledge all the sacrifices that you and your families have made to get here.
We are honored to be your teachers. More importantly, we are honored to have learned from you – in class presentations, in papers, in online forums, in emails, in our offices, and in many class discussions. We are proud of you Sociology graduates! And we celebrate the positive force for good in this world that we know you will be.
Your sociology faculty
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!
