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156th Annual Arizona COMMENCEMENTThe Tradition of CommencementCommencement — from the ancient practice of beginning life’s work at theend of an apprenticeship — has roots eight centuries in the European past.The robes and caps worn by the faculty and graduating students at theUniversity of Arizona follow the style of Oxford University.The bachelor’s gown, of poplin or a similar cloth, has long, pointed sleeves;the master’s gown, also of poplin, has long, closed sleeves with square endsand a slit at the elbow for the arm to come through; the doctor’s gown hasfull, round, open sleeves, is faced with velvet, and has three velvet stripes onthe sleeves.The sobriety of the blue or black gowns is relieved by the bright spectrum ofcolors of hood and tassel indicating the wearer’s field of study. At theUniversity of Arizona, candidates for the bachelor’s degree do not wearhoods, but the colors of their tassels indicate the fields in which they arereceiving degrees. The candidates for advanced degrees wear hoods linedwith silk in the official red and blue colors of the University. The velvet edgingof the hood bears the color of the candidate’s major field. The official colorfor the Doctor of Philosophy degree is dark blue, regardless of the major fieldof study. Tassel colors used by advanced degree candidates are: master’s,black; doctoral, old gold.The official degree colors established by the Intercollegiate Code in 1895 areused to represent the following major fields of learning at the University ofArizona:Agriculture and Life Sciences · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · MaizeArchitecture · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Blue-VioletBusiness and Public Administration · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Drab (Light Tan)Education · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·Light BlueEngineering · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · OrangeFamily and Consumer Sciences · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · MaroonFine Arts · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Dark BrownHealth Professions · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · GreenHumanities · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · WhiteLaw · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·PurpleLetters, Arts and Science · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · SilverMedicine · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · GreenMusic · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · PinkNursing · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ApricotOptical Sciences · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · OrangePharmacy · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·Olive GreenPublic Health · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · SalmonSciences · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·GoldSocial and Behavioral Sciences · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · WhiteAt the moment the degree is conferred, the new bachelors move the tasselsfrom right to left to signify their changed academic status.6

156th Annual Arizona COMMENCEMENTCandidates for Degrees Presented byShane C. BurgessThomas L. KochCOLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND LIFESCIENCES, DEANJAMES C. WYANT COLLEGE OF OPTICALSCIENCES, DEANNancy Pollock-EllwandRick SchnellmannCOLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE, PLANNINGAND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, DEANCOLLEGE OF PHARMACY,DEANBruce JohnsonMarc L. MillerCOLLEGE OF EDUCATION,DEANJAMES E. ROGERS COLLEGE OF LAW,DEANPaulo GoesElliott CheuELLER COLLEGE OF MANAGEMENT,DEANCOLLEGE OF SCIENCE,INTERIM DEANDavid HahnJohn Paul Jones, IIICOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,DEANAndrew SchulzCOLLEGE OF SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORALSCIENCES, DEANJulie FunkCOLLEGE OF FINE ARTS,DEANCOLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE,DEANAlain-Philippe DurandIman A. HakimCOLLEGE OF HUMANITIES,DEANRebecca GomezMEL AND ENID ZUCKERMAN COLLEGEOF PUBLIC HEALTH, DEANTerry HuntCOLLEGES OF LETTERS, ARTS ANDSCIENCE, INTERIM ASSOCIATE DEANHONORS COLLEGE,DEANMichael AbecassisLinda DennoCOLLEGE OF MEDICINE – TUCSON,DEANGuy ReedCOLLEGE OF MEDICINE – PHOENIX,DEANIda M. MooreCOLLEGE OF NURSING,DEANCOLLEGE OF APPLIED SCIENCE ANDTECHNOLOGY, INTERIM DEANShan SuttonUNIVERSITY LIBRARIES,DEANAndrew CarnieGRADUATE COLLEGE,DEAN7

156th Annual Arizona COMMENCEMENTThe University of Arizona Ceremonial MaceThe ceremonial — or academic — maceof the University of Arizona reflects theunique character, mission and values ofthis institution. At Commencement, it iscarried by the Chair of the Faculty andsignifies the order and authority of theacademic procession. The placing of themace in its stand marks the beginning ofthe ceremony. Its removal signifies the endof the ceremony.In medieval times, maces were used incombat. Later, bodyguards carried macesto protect royalty. By the 16th century,maces took on the elegance of silver,gold and precious stones, and wereincorporated into academic and civilceremonies. The symbol of authority forthe city of London, for example, is themace of the Lord Mayor.8The University of Arizona mace featuresa crown of sterling silver surrounding theseal of the University, which is accentedwith 22K gold. Underlying the crown are24 acrylic strips in the school colors of redand blue, which add a jewel-like sparkle.The main shaft is made of local mesquitewith a sterling silver band inscribed with“The University of Arizona,” accented with22K gold. The tailpiece repeats the motifof the crown and surrounds a medallionwith an image of a wildcat, the schoolmascot.We thank the University of ArizonaFoundation, the College of Fine Arts andProfessor Michael Croft for adding thegift of this mace to our Commencementtraditions.

156th Annual Arizona COMMENCEMENTKeynote SpeakerAlison LevineKEYNOTE SPEAKERAlison LevineHONORARY DEGREEAlison Levine has made a career out ofbreaking boundaries and inspiring othersto achieve more than they ever thoughtpossible. A history-making polar explorer andmountaineer, she served as team captainof the first American Women’s EverestExpedition, climbed the highest peak oneach continent and skied to both the Northand South poles – a feat known as theAdventure Grand Slam, which fewer than 20people in the world have achieved.In January 2008, Levine made history asthe first American to travel 600 miles onskis across west Antarctica to the SouthPole, following the route of legendary Italianexplorer Reinhold Messner. She made thejourney while hauling 150 pounds of gearand supplies in a sled harnessed to herwaist. She made history again in 2016 whenshe completed first ascents – or the firstsuccessful documented climbs to the top –of two mountains: Hall Peak in Antarctica andKhang Karpo in Nepal.Levine's success in extreme environmentsis especially noteworthy given she hashad three heart surgeries and suffers fromRaynaud’s disease, which causes the arteriesthat feed her fingers and toes to collapse incold weather – leaving her at extreme riskfor frostbite.In addition to climbing mountains, Levine hasspent time climbing the corporate ladder.She has worked for several Fortune 500companies in both sales and marketingroles and spent three years at GoldmanSachs. She left Wall Street in 2003 toserve as deputy finance director for ArnoldSchwarzenegger in his successful bid tobecome governor of California.When not challenging herself outdoors,Levine focuses on training others to becomestrong leaders. She spent four years asan adjunct professor at the U.S. MilitaryAcademy at West Point in the Departmentof Behavioral Sciences and Leadership. In2013, she transitioned from training cadets toworking with corporate leaders and currentlyserves on the board and faculty of theThayer Leader Development Group at WestPoint – one of the nation’s premier executiveleader development programs.Levine was a contributing author to the book"Leadership in Dangerous Situations: AHandbook for the Armed Forces, EmergencyServices and First Responders." She alsoserved as a board member and senior fellowat the Coach K Center on Leadership andEthics at Duke University.Levine is the founder of the Climb HighFoundation, a nonprofit organizationdedicated to improving the lives of joblesswomen in western Uganda by training themto be trekking guides and porters in theirlocal mountains, allowing them to earn asustainable living wage through climbingrelated tourism. Prior to Levine's work, theonly avenue for women to earn money in thatarea of the country was through prostitution.Her efforts allowed the very first group oflocal women to climb Uganda’s highest peak– Mount Stanley. Her work to change thelives of women in Africa is the subject of thePBS documentary "Living Courageously."Levine’s newest role is executive producer ofthe upcoming documentary film "The GlassCeiling," which chronicles the life of PasangLhamu Sherpa, the first female Sherpa tosummit Mount Everest.Levine was inducted into the ArizonaWomen’s Hall of Fame in 2018. She holdsa bachelor's degree in communicationfrom the University of Arizona and an MBAfrom Duke University, where she currentlyserves on the Board of Visitors. She is therecipient of the 2019 Ellis Island Medalof Honor, which recognizes individualswhose accomplishments in their field andinspired service to the nation are cause forcelebration. The medal has been officiallyrecognized by both houses of Congressas one of the nation’s most prestigiousawards and is annually memorialized in theCongressional Record.A sought-after consultant and keynotespeaker on the subject of leadershipdevelopment, Levine has addressedaudiences ranging from Fortune 500companies to professional sports teams tothe prestigious World Economic Forum inDavos, Switzerland. She is the author of theNew York Times bestseller "On the Edge:Leadership Lessons from Mount Everest andOther Extreme Environments." Having spentprolonged periods of time in some of theworld's most dangerous and inhospitableplaces, she tackles the topics of creatingcohesive teams, taking responsible risks anddeveloping no-nonsense leaders that cansucceed in times of uncertainty.Fun fact: Levine’s life story is the inspirationfor a craft beer called Conquer the RouteChocolate Stout, which is distributed by BoldMissy Brewery and features her likeness onthe label.9

156th Annual Arizona COMMENCEMENTStudent AwardsCrystal RaygozaROBIE MEDALBorn and raised in Tucson, Arizona,and a Sunnyside High School graduate,Crystal Alyssia Raygoza is graduatingwith a Bachelor of Science in familystudies and human development, with aminor in Spanish.Crystal RaygozaTony Viola IVLily ChavezCrystal’s intersectional identities asa first-generation Latina student offinancial need sparked her devotion towork with underserved communities.Throughout her undergraduate studies,Crystal dedicated her time to providingsupport and resources for studentspursuing higher education.Since 2017, Crystal has been committedto increasing the retention rate ofunderserved populations. A pastparticipant of College Academy forParents, a free college preparationprogram for parents and K-12 students,Crystal worked for the academywhile at the University. Additionally,she collaborated with campusand community centers to provideresources for students in ArizonaAssurance, a need-based scholarshipprogram; served as an intern withGlobal Experiential Learning, planningdomestic and global programs; andproduced curriculum and activitiesfor study abroad programs in Mexico,Southeast Asia and Hawaii.Crystal has held several leadershippositions at the University of Arizona,including serving on the StudentSuccess and Retention Innovationstudent advisory board, providing aperspective of inclusivity and diversity.She is also a member of Gamma AlphaOmega Sorority Inc., a Latina-foundedsorority.Meucci Ilunga10A Ronald E. McNair AchievementProgram scholar, Crystal formed herown research question, examiningthe relation between "familismo"(strong family bonds) and educationaloutcomes of Latinx adolescents. Thisled to an oral presentation at the 2019McNair Conference at UCLA and aposter presentation at the 2019 UROCPoster Session at the University ofArizona.Following graduation, Crystal willpursue a doctoral degree with theEducational Leadership and Policyprogram at the University of Arizona.There she will focus on the gap ofcollege transition, college access andachievement in higher education tofurther establish college preparationand academic guidance programsthat create welcoming and acceptingspaces.Tony Viola IVROBIE MEDALTony Viola IV, originally from Coolidge,Arizona, is a member of the PascuaYaqui Tribe. In 2016, Tony graduatedfrom Marana High School, where hewas involved in a federally fundedUpward Bound TRIO program thatsupports aspiring first-generationcollege students. Through the supportof the Upward Bound staff, Tony wasable to pursue higher education rightafter graduation and enrolled in theUniversity of Arizona as a proud firstgeneration college student, eager tostart a new tradition for his family andcommunity.While attending the University, Tonyhas been involved in numerouseducational spaces and programs andhas taken on leadership roles both oncampus and in the Tucson community.As a sophomore, Tony worked asa Cat Coach for the First Cats peermentoring program, where he providedmentorship, guidance and resourcesto first-generation college students. Inaddition, Tony has continuously servedtribal communities as an EngagingNative Boys intern, IndigenousIntellectual Warrior, and Native SOARmentor focused on engaging andsupporting Native American youth inenvironmental stewardship, tribal life

156th Annual Arizona COMMENCEMENTways and higher education. Asa founding member of Voices ofIndigenous Concerns in Education,Tony is part of a collective groupon campus working to indigenizeUniversity spaces and policies tobetter support indigenous students,staff, faculty and communities.During his junior year, Tonywas an Access, Wellness, andRelational Determinants ofSchool Success research fellowin the Undergraduate ResearchOpportunities Consortium's PREPprogram under the mentorship ofCorey J. Knox and Sara P. Chavarria.As a research fellow, he focused onthe project he currently coordinatesin the College of Education: LinkingSouthwest Heritage ThroughArchaeology. After four yearsof hard work and unwaveringsupport from countless individuals,Tony is graduating in May 2020with a Bachelor of Science inliteracy, learning and leadership,with a minor in American Indianstudies. Following graduation, hewill continue his studies at theUniversity of Arizona as a doctoralstudent in the Language, Readingand Culture Program in the Collegeof Education.Lily ChavezNUGENT AWARDLily Keane Chavez is graduatingmagna cum laude from the HonorsCollege with a Bachelor of Artsin creative writing and globalstudies. As an Arizona Assurancescholar from Phoenix, Lily hascommitted her undergraduatecareer to promoting internationaleducation and global awarenessby exemplifying the essence ofservice to the University, the Tucsoncommunity, and underrepresentedpopulations abroad.During the summer of hersophomore year, Lily received theArizona in the French CaribbeanScholarship to study acceleratedFrench in Forte-de-France,Martinique. This initial interculturalexperience intensified her passionto learn more about the worldaround her and the diversecommunities that inhabit it.Upon return to the United States,Lily served as a UA GlobalAmbassador. Through thisleadership position, Lily helpedbridge cultures between domesticand international students. In thespring of 2019, Lily received theUniversity of Arizona Study AbroadExplore Scholarship to study Frenchand international affairs at the ParisInstitute of Political Studies. Whileabroad, Lily volunteered with theSciences Po Refugee Help group,providing material, social and legalaid to newly resettled refugees.As a senior, Lily served as aFamily and Youth Support andCultural Orientation intern at theTucson-based International RescueCommittee. Additionally, sheengaged in a semester-long socialmedia enhancement project forIskashita a Refugee Network. Lily isalso engaged with the University’sRefugee Project, where she buildson existing intercultural competencyskills. This past November, Lily washonored with the UA Student Awardfor Global Excellence.Currently, Lily is serving as a civilrights, communications and socialmovements research assistantunder the advisement of ProfessorThomas P. Miller. Lily has alsobeen a member of Alpha EpsilonPhi Sorority, Arizona Model UnitedNations, Phi Beta Kappa honorsociety and Phi Alpha Delta pre-lawfraternity.Upon graduation, Lily intendsto conduct research for anongovernmental organizationdedicated to gender equality andinternational education reform.In the following year, Lily plans tocontinue her education in the fieldof international human rights law.Meucci IlungaNUGENT AWARDMeucci Watchman Ilunga, amember of the Deer Spring andRed Running Into the Water clans, isgraduating summa cum laude with aBachelor of Science in biochemistry.Meucci is from the Kinłichíí(Kinlichee) community, a smallvillage in northern Arizona and oneof the Navajo Nation’s 110 chapters.Drawing from the experiences of hismother, a former sheepherder, andhis father, an immigrant from centralAfrica, Meucci has long hoped tolive up to the example of servicethat both his parents set for him.Meucci has been a volunteerpeer mentor for Native Americanstudents at Carrillo MagnetSchool, and a dog-walker andkitten-socializer at the HumaneSociety of Southern Arizona. At theUniversity, Meucci devoted timeto the Department of Astronomy’sMESCIT (Mentorship and Educationin Science for Tucson) tutoringprogram, served as a departmentalambassador for the Departmentof Chemistry and Biochemistry,and led efforts within his tribeto revitalize his culture throughnew technologies, such asmachine learning and geographicinformation system technologies.In addition to being committed toservice, Meucci is an avid studentof the biological sciences. He firststarted doing research in the labof Christina Laukaitis and RobertKarn in the University of ArizonaCancer Center, then later in thelab of Michael D.L. Johnson in theDepartment of Immunobiologyunder the National Institutes ofHealth Maximizing Access to11

156th Annual Arizona COMMENCEMENTStudent AwardsResearch Careers program. Additionally,Meucci spent a summer at theMassachusetts Institute of Technologystudying computational proteintechniques in the lab of Amy Keating.Ahmad ShahinMarcos Gomez AmbrizLauren Easter12Meucci has received many awardsduring his time at the University ofArizona. These distinctions includeearning the Navajo Nation’s prestigiousChief Manuelito scholarship foracademic excellence, the WildcatExcellence Award, and the AmericanIndian College Fund’s Full CircleScholarship. Upon graduation, Meucciplans to pursue a doctorate in the fieldof synthetic biology, hopefully managingto bring the Diné (Navajo) idea of"Hozhó" (Diné wellness philosophy)along with him.Ahmad ShahinFREEMAN MEDALAhmad B. Shahin, a first-generationPalestinian American, is graduatingsumma cum laude from the HonorsCollege with a Bachelor of Science inphysiology and a minor in Arabic. As aBaird Scholar from Tucson, Ahmad hasdemonstrated his commitment to theunderserved, the University and thegreater Tucson community throughouthis undergraduate experience.Since his freshman year, Ahmadhas served as a volunteer mentorand translator to refugee youths atstruggling local high schools throughthe La Frontera Youth MentorshipProgram. In 2018, he traveled to Indiato support rural eye clinics and recordsight-restoring surgeries as an internfor a nonprofit organization. Ahmad hasalso conducted research on barriers toemployment for homeless individualsin Tucson in partnership with PrimaveraWorks, traveled to Dallas to supportaffordable housing initiatives throughthe Alternative Spring Breaks Program,and provided basic medical care toTucson’s homeless population throughthe Workship Program.As a pre-medical student, Ahmadfound a home in the University ofArizona’s chapter of Alpha EpsilonDelta, the national pre-healthhonorary. Serving over the courseof three years as president, vicepresident and philanthropy chair,he led more than 30 philanthropicengagements, oversaw hundreds ofevents with his board and facilitatedthe group’s first-ever trip to the AlphaEpsilon Delta National Convention inMaryland. Ahmad has worked bothas a medical scribe at a urology clinicand as a research assistant in MayKhanna’s pharmacology lab, where heconducted research on amyotrophiclateral sclerosis and chronic pain.Ahmad also helps Alzheimer's anddementia patients regain lost mobilityand sharpen mental acuity as anintern for the University of ArizonaElder Rehabilitation Program. Ahmadis a

college of medicine - phoenix, dean ida m. moore college of nursing, dean thomas l. koch james c. wyant college of optical sciences, dean rick schnellmann college of pharmacy, dean marc l. miller james e. rogers college of law, dean elliott cheu college of science, interim dean john paul jones, iii college of social and behavioral sciences, dean