{"id":23616,"date":"2023-02-09T15:02:51","date_gmt":"2023-02-09T15:02:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/?p=23616"},"modified":"2025-03-13T12:06:18","modified_gmt":"2025-03-13T19:06:18","slug":"student-honored-for-civic-engagement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/news\/2023\/02\/09\/student-honored-for-civic-engagement","title":{"rendered":"Students honored for civic engagement"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Logo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Each year, the University of Washington Bothell recognizes two student civic leaders with the Chancellor\u2019s Student Civic Leadership Awards<\/a>. Sponsored by the Washington Campus Coalition for the Public Good<\/a>, this award acknowledges students who address critical issues on campus and in their communities through service and social entrepreneurship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recently, Chancellor Kristin G. Esterberg announced that senior Jose Cuevas-Lopez and junior Itzetl Vixtha Teoba are the recipients of this year\u2019s awards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both Cuevas-Lopez and Vixtha are in the School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences<\/a>. Lopez plans to graduate this June with a double major in Media & Communication Studies and in Law, Economics & Public Policy. Vixtha is on track to receive her degree in Media & Communication Studies in December.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A need to be heard<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As a first-generation college student of Mexican and Latinx descent, Cuevas-Lopez knows firsthand the ways in which systemic and social barriers can disrupt access to education. He has not always felt heard in academia, and he discovered this was an experience shared by other people in his community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing this, he made it his mission to uplift the voices and lived experiences of first-generation students and students of color. But the reality of working multiple jobs and attending UW Bothell full-time made it difficult to fulfill his mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Jose<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Jose Cuevas-Lopez, senior in the School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs part of my major, I had the opportunity to work with Anida Yoeu Ali, senior-artist-in residence in the School of IAS,\u201d said Cuevas-Lopez. \u201cShe encouraged me to apply for the Joy of Giving Something Fellows presented by Imagining America, and it has made all the difference.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cuevas-Lopez was selected for the 2022-23 cohort \u2014 one of only eight student artists and creatives from across the country to receive this honor. It comes with a $2,000 tuition scholarship, mentoring, financial support for a community project, learning exchanges and support to attend IA\u2019s National Gathering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lifting up student voices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For his community project, Cuevas-Lopez connected with UW Bothell Student Media and with the Student Diversity Center to develop a podcast of BIPOC, first-generation students about what it means to belong and to be a part of UW Bothell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am living the experience I want to highlight in this podcast,\u201d said Cuevas-Lopez. \u201cI want to explore the barriers to access and belonging that students face, with the hope that I can help provide campus leaders with recommendations for how to more deeply engage with and support a sense of belonging for students like me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cuevas-Lopez is finalizing the interviewees for the podcast and plans to launch it later this quarter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Courage in community<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Similarly to Cuevas-Lopez, Vixtha has struggled to feel like she belonged in college. A first-generation, undocumented student, she used to think about giving it all up. Yet, \u201cquitting was not an option once I found students who were also feeling out of place \u2014 and faculty and staff who would not give up on us,\u201d Vixtha said. \u201cThey helped me find resources and support that I never realized were available to me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve found courage in community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Itzetl<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Itzetl Vixtha Teoba, junior in the School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vixtha has in fact found courage in multiple communities. She immersed herself as part of the first cohort of the Digital Scholars<\/a> program, which provides first-generation students with skills in digital marketing, data analytics, social media and data visualization. She also worked in the Student Diversity Center, welcoming students and helping to create a safe space where the needs, demands and capacities of diverse populations can be shared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mentoring the next generation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Away from campus, Vixtha helps low-income and undocumented families in her community. She is now a mentor to young students who are first-generation and undocumented, serving as a role model and demonstrating that college is possible for them, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know the impact a little attention and support can have on a student who is struggling to fit in,\u201d Vixtha said. \u201cAnything I can do to help more youth from my community attend college, I\u2019ll do it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vixtha has helped students far away from UW Bothell, as well, when she participated in a virtual internship with Pravah, a New Delhi nonprofit organization that develops youth leadership throughout India using social justice campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Creating a better future<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Student Civic Leadership Award recognizes civically engaged and passionate students who are dedicated to making a difference on their campuses and in their communities, said Esterberg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThrough their individual contributions and initiatives,\u201d she noted, \u201cJose and Itzetl are helping faculty and staff at UW Bothell to create the best possible environment for all students to learn and to thrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis award is a testament to their leadership and commitment to service, as well as the positive impact they have had on our campus.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Audriannah Horne<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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