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Published May 11, 2026
By Darlene Muguiro
ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ College of Health Sciences

This May, the College of Health Sciences is celebrating its eighth cohort of Outstanding Seniors. The designation of CHS Outstanding Senior is awarded to ten graduating seniors in the College each academic year. These students are selected on the basis of academic achievement, personal excellence, and positive impact on the College of Health Sciences. This year, CHS will recognize students in a special ceremony to take place on the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ campus.

The 2026 College of Health Sciences Outstanding Seniors include:

Yakoob Abu-Raddaha (Kinesiology): Yakoob’s most meaningful experiences at ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ revolved around his student teaching internship. As a physical education major, he was able to apply his classroom learning to real-world settings while building meaningful relationships with the students. 

Throughout his undergraduate degree, Yakoob balanced a challenging schedule that included his internship, full-time work, and classes. As part of the Physical Education Teacher Education concentration, he also attended monthly seminars where students learned about new practices and participated in professional enrichment activities. He says that managing his busy schedule has been the most challenging part of being a student, but that it also taught him to become resilient and approach challenges one step at a time. Yakoob’s persistence and careful planning throughout his degree has also helped him to achieve significant academic success – he is on track to graduate summa cum laude this spring, with an impressive 3.95 GPA.

After graduation, Yakoob intends to continue his education and apply the skills he has gained in communication, teamwork and adaptability to graduate school. He intends to apply to the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Physical Therapy program and begin participating in research and volunteer opportunities to enhance his education and gain the clinical experience required for the field.

Angie Acosta (Social Work): Angie’s time in the College of Health Sciences was shaped by multiple opportunities for service to others. As a volunteer for La Posada and the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence, she supported survivors of domestic violence and their families. Through additional volunteer work with local food banks and her internship at a Federally Qualified Health Center, she saw firsthand the impact of food insecurity, economic hardship and lack of access to healthcare. These experiences strengthened her commitment to social work and helped her better understand the interconnected challenges communities face, while reinforcing her understanding of the need to address basic needs of clients first.

Angie’s biggest challenge was learning to manage a full load of classes, volunteer work and internships along with a serious illness. Despite dealing with ongoing treatments and fatigue, she was passionately committed to completing her goals and wanted to provide a good example to her child. This experience taught her the importance of self-advocacy and the value of asking for help when needed. It also strengthened her commitment to support others who may be facing their own challenges, and led ultimately to her creating a snack cart for students facing food insecurity, so they could focus at school.

Angie is on track to graduate summa cum laude this spring, with a perfect 4.0 GPA. After graduation, she intends to pursue the Advanced Standing Master of Social Work program at ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ and ultimately her LCSW. She intends to focus her practice on the elderly population.

Claudia Arantza Contreras Muro (Kinesiology): Early in her academic career, Claudia had to make a difficult choice that ultimately taught her resiliency and adaptability. Motivated by an exhausting four-hour daily commute to ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½, she made the bold move to leave her family home in Juarez mid-semester with her brother to find an apartment in El ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½. While the experience was daunting, she ultimately overcame her challenges and excelled, maintaining an impressive 3.89 GPA while successfully balancing a full schedule of classes, extracurricular activities and research.

Claudia says that she hopes she will be remembered as someone who valued being part of the College of Health Sciences, which she calls her second home. She took advantage of every opportunity offered to her, working as an undergraduate assistant for the CHS Dean’s Office, where she was entrusted with increasingly complex responsibilities. The experience opened other doors, as she learned about student organizations and joined the Pre-Physical Therapy Association, ultimately taking on the role of president. She further expanded her engagement by participating in a summer study abroad in Costa Rica and joining the Clinical and Applied Physiology Laboratory, where she learned about the process of human subjects research and the important role that researchers play in establishing guidelines that clinicians use to treat their patients.

After graduation, Claudia will begin a new phase of her academic journey, joining the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Doctor of Physical Therapy’s Class of 2029. She also plans to pursue becoming a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist to build her expertise in sports performance and injury prevention and rehabilitation.

Emma Xol Escobedo (Rehabilitation Sciences, SLP concentration): Like many of her peers, Emma felt a calling to serve the community that shaped her. Throughout her undergraduate degree, she sought opportunities to build connection. As a volunteer for a home hospice center, she worked with patients and families during a deeply emotional time period. The experience taught her the importance of empathy, a quality that she foresees she will carry into her future clinical work. As part of the Neurological Disorders and Stress Management Lab, Emma explored the intersection of neurodiversity, psychosocial well-being and minority health. After conducting a literature review centered on minority populations with multiple sclerosis, she began thinking deeply about how stress, resilience, identity and access to care shape health outcomes. She says her time in the lab not only helped her find her place in the speech-language pathology field, but also taught her how to think like a future SLP who values both science and humanity.

While juggling a demanding schedule of academics and a job as an undergraduate assistant in the College of Health Sciences Dean’s Office, Emma also took on leadership roles as the secretary and vice president of external affairs for the Student Association of Rehabilitation Sciences. She also helped to initiate the development of a Nuerodiversity Alliance chapter at ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ to ensure that neurodivergent students, particularly those from Hispanic and bilingual backgrounds, can find community, advocacy and understanding. These roles helped to hone her leadership and communication skills while also allowing her to build connections, collaborate with diverse groups, and create opportunities to uplift students.

Emma is on track to graduate cum laude this spring. She will continue her academic journey into the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Master of Speech Language Pathology program. After completing her SLP degree, she plans to remain in El ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ and focus her practice on bilingual and bicultural families, neurodivergent individuals, and communities that have been historically underserved.

Irene John Tomy (Clinical Laboratory Science): As an international student, Irene says that she initially struggled to navigate her academic journey at ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½. The transition into a new academic environment, combined with barriers she faced while looking for opportunities to engage, were initially discouraging. Instead of giving up, Irene began asking questions and reached out to faculty directly.

Fueled by a passion for scientifically informed healthcare practice, she eventually found the Metabolic, Nutrition and Exercise Research (MiNER) Lab, where she became part of an interdisciplinary team of undergraduate, graduate and doctoral student researchers investigating metabolic health and helping to advance research that directly impacts the border community. Irene presented her work at professional conferences, including the American Physiology Summit, where she met with researchers and students from across the country. These experiences strengthened her confidence and scientific communication skills.

Throughout her undergraduate studies, Irene balanced her academics and time with the MiNER Lab with a position as the vice president of the CLS Class of 2026. In this role, she helped promote the field of clinical laboratory science and volunteered in community health fairs, including HOPE+, where CLS students provide free health screenings to vulnerable community members. She also volunteered at El ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ans Fighting Hunger Food Bank. These experiences exposed her to the real-word impact of food insecurity and limited access to healthcare, and reinforced her commitment to improving community health.

Irene is on track to graduate summa cum laude, with an outstanding 3.96 GPA. After graduation, she plans to work as a certified medical laboratory scientist. She ultimately aims to transition into biomedical research in order to contribute to the advancement of precision medicine and the study of metabolic disorders.

Crystal Mendoza (Rehabilitation Sciences, SLP concentration): Crystal describes her time in the Neural Plasticity Rehabilitation Lab as the highlight of her academic career. There, she was part of a team that investigated stroke rehabilitation. She had the opportunity to present her work at two COURI symposiums, where she won Best in Category in both events, as well as the American Society of Neural Rehabilitation. She is also a published author on a paper addressing the gap between capacity and performance in stroke recovery. These experiences helped her develop critical thinking and time management skills, and sparked her interest in becoming a clinical researcher in the field of speech-language pathology.

While developing as an undergraduate scholar, Crystal also honed her leadership skills as an officer in the National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association, where she worked to help foster a stronger sense of community and involvement. Her priority was to connect members with volunteer opportunities in the community and actively encourage participation, especially for those members who may not have initially seen themselves in those spaces. As a member of the Student Association of Rehabilitation Sciences, she also attended various community outreach events such as food drives, health fair clinics, and events with the Down Syndrome Coalition Center. She says these experiences were impactful not only because of the hands-on involvement, but also because of the meaningful nature of the work itself.

Crystal is on track to graduate magna cum laude, with an excellent 3.82 GPA. She will continue her academic journey at UT Austin, where she will pursue her master’s degree in speech-language pathology. Ultimately, she plans to return to El ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ in the future to begin a doctoral degree, where she can focus on clinical and applied research in her field.

Yeizlyn Morales (Rehabilitation Sciences, PT concentration): As a first-generation college attendee, Yeizlyn entered ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ without a clear roadmap of how to navigate college and balance academics with extracurricular opportunities and professional pathways for her career. Rather than allowing uncertainty to limit her, she chose to act and began to actively seek opportunities and mentorship, ultimately joining the Neurological Disorders and Stress Management Lab, which she calls her most transformative academic experience.

During her time in the NDSM Lab, Yeizlyn was part of a team examining resilience, hope, and employment experience in individuals with multiple sclerosis. She contributed to a peer-reviewed publication and was selected to present at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research, the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ COURI Symposium, and the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Viva la Salud conference. These experiences strengthened her communication and analytical thinking skills, while the research itself taught her to view patients through a biopsychosocial lens and reshaped her understanding of rehabilitation as more than physical restoration.

While balancing classwork with her role as a student researcher, Yeizlyn also worked in an outpatient orthopedic rehabilitation clinic, where she was able to connect her classroom knowledge to a real-world setting. This spring, she also completed 45 shadowing hours in Cartago, Costa Rica. The experience of working in an environment with limited resources made a lasting impression, strengthening her cultural humility and deepening her appreciation for resource-conscious care.

Yeizlyn is on track to graduate summa cum laude, with a remarkable 3.94 GPA. After graduation, she will pursue a physical therapy degree, with a focus on serving diverse communities.  

David Parish (Kinesiology): David says that entering ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ as a non-traditional student was one of the most challenging things he’s had to overcome. After serving two decades in the U.S. Army, including combat deployments, he had to learn how to succeed in the vastly different undergraduate academic environment while also being a dad to two young children. He learned to adapt by building structured study habits, committing himself fully to improvement rather than pride, an effort that ultimately led him to excel in both academics and extracurricular engagement.

David’s most meaningful experiences revolved around his participation in the Motor Control and Virtual Reality Lab and the PRIME PT Lab, where he helped build a strong culture of academic engagement as coordinator of the Pain Journal Club. Through his engagement in research, he was able to apply theoretical knowledge from the classroom into real-world settings, and grew from a student who was absorbing information into someone who could contribute to the creation of knowledge. While managing his full-time course load and developing as a scholar, he also served as the president for a local swim team, board member of the Northeast Soccer League, and coach for a youth soccer team. He says that his time as ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ was most fulfilling while balancing his time in the classroom with service to families and the community.

After graduating summa cum laude in December 2025 and serving as the college banner bearer, David began the Master of Science in Kinesiology’s fast track program. He is scheduled to defend his thesis later this year and will continue his academic journey into the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences PhD Program next spring. He ultimately aims to enter academia with a research focus that connects physiology, performance and health in meaningful ways, particularly for veteran populations.

Jazmin Pino (Social Work): Jazmin says that the strong sense of community and shared purpose she has experienced in the Department of Social Work has allowed to her build meaningful relationships with both her professors and peers. She is particularly grateful for the lessons she has learned during her field work classes, which have given her the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world settings and deepened her commitment to culturally responsive and ethical practice.

Over the course of her undergraduate degree, Jazmin managed a complex schedule of classes, work as a facilities student supervisor at the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Student Rec Center, volunteer work with the Kelly Food Pantry, and leadership roles with the Student Association of Social Work. In her leadership roles, she encouraged fellow SASW members to attend professional trainings and workshops and organized donation drives. One of the most meaningful of these events was a holiday toy drive for over 100 children in need whose parents were Kelly Food Pantry clients.

Despite the personal and professional satisfaction that she gained from each of her roles, she began noticing that she was constantly mentally and physically drained. She realized that she needed to intentionally practice time management, and began setting realistic limits and allowing herself to step back as needed. She ultimately came to understand that balance is essential for longevity in a profession centered on supporting others.

Jazmin in on track to graduate summa cum laude, with an outstanding 3.97 GPA. This summer, she will begin the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ MSW program. She plans to obtain her LMSW licensure and practice in the El ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½-Juarez community. She hopes to integrate clinical and macro practice and is committed to working in the areas of policy and community-level reform.

Ruben Romero Magallanes (Rehabilitation Sciences, SLP Concentration): One of the most challenging experiences Ruben has faced happened early in life, following his brother’s diagnosis of a serious illness. During that time, he was crossing the bridge into El ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ from his home in Juarez to attend school while also spending time with his brother. He took it upon himself to overcome the situation by being an asset to his family, taking on household chores so that his parents could focus on work and his brother’s health. While the situation was emotionally overwhelming, Ruben learned that he was a fighter, strong enough to face any obstacle with determination and confidence despite the circumstances.

 Ruben entered ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ determined to remain connected from the first semester. He jumped into a role with the Office of New Student Orientation and was the CHS lead for five semesters, guiding incoming students and their families through the complexities of college life with poise and sensitivity. He was later appointed at the CHS Dean’s Office as an undergraduate student assistant. During that time, he also joined the Child Homeostatic Integrative Learning Lab, presenting research on the impact of hardship on children’s vocal expression at the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Viva La Salud conference and the National Conference of Undergraduate Research. In his roles as community outreach officer and president of the Student Association of Rehabilitation Sciences (STARS), Ruben expanded partnerships with the Autism Society of El ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½, NAMI Walks and Big Adventure 915, creating meaningful service opportunities for fellow STARS members.

Ruben is on track to graduate summa cum laude, with a stellar 4.0 GPA. He has been recently named a ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Top 10 Senior. Following graduation, he will begin his master’s degree in speech-language pathology. He plans to focus his practice on patients with neurodegenerative and neurological conditions. Long-term, he hopes to pursue a PhD and mentor future bilingual healthcare providers.

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Go Miners!