Liberal Arts Highlight Student Is a Role Model for Peers

Selena Galaviz is simply outstanding. That is why she is being recognized as the College of Liberal Arts highlight student at WSU's fall commencement ceremony, where she will graduate with a B.A. in speech and hearing sciences.

Galaviz came to WSU in 2004 as a Distinguished Regents Scholar from Toppenish High School. There the class valedictorian earned 8 varsity letters, including 4 in track as a sprinter.

The oldest of 4 children and the first in her family to pursue a university education, Galaviz credits her parents, Anthony Sr. and Leanne, for setting an example of hard work and for encouraging her to value education as a means for finding opportunity and achieving success.

A President's Honor Roll student, scholarship recipient, and member of the Honors College, Galaviz has distinguished herself in and beyond the classroom.

In addition to her academic studies, Galaviz competed on the WSU track and field team for 4 years, served as a peer academic counselor in the athletics department, was a volunteer recruiter for culturally and linguistically diverse students, worked as a technical assistant for the College of Education research project "Addressing the Educational Achievement Gap for Native American Students in Washington State," was an active participant in the Speech and Hearing Sciences Club, and collaborated on a "Resource Guide for Parents of Children Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing."

Libby Walker, interim dean of the Honors College, said, "Selena excelled academically in her Honors College classes and also in her athletic pursuits as a member of the varsity track and field team. She is the epitome of an Honors College student—gifted in many areas and able to excel in them all."

Recently, Galaviz was one of 40 college and university students nationwide selected to participate in the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's Minority Student Leadership Program, where students develop their leadership skills and learn how to effect change, take risks, and meet challenges.

Galaviz plans to attend graduate school in the fall and earn a master's degree in speech and hearing sciences. After completing her education, she would like to work with children as a speech-language pathologist, coach high school track and field, and eventually work in a hospital environment.