awards – UCR | Department of Ethnic Studies

On June 4, 2026, the Ethnic Studies Department held its annual awards and graduation ceremony. In addition to honoring our graduating undergraduate and graduate students, we had the pleasure of celebrating the 2025–26 award recipients.

Congratulations to all our award winners and graduates

Pictures of the event are located at the bottom of the post

Wilmer and Velma Johnson Ethnic Studies Undergraduate Award (Competitive scholarship granted to a rising Sophomore, Junior, or Senior Ethnic Studies Major)

Lizeth Sanchez
Mariana Sanchez

Barbara Brown Jimenez Memorial Chicano Studies Student Scholarship (Chicano Studies major with an interest in the Catholic community)

Karina Roman Diaz

Dosan Ahn Chang-Ho Award (Junior Ethnic Studies major with the highest overall GPA)

Anna Bocanegra
Emely Castillo
Alejandra Diaz

Maurice Jackson Award (Graduating Ethnic Studies major with the highest overall GPA)

Lizeth Sanchez

Nominee for the CHASS Tomás Rivera Award (Nominee for the CHASS award for outstanding academic and/or creative achievement and demonstrated commitment to community service)

Celestte Lara Serrano

Sumi Harada Award (Graduating Ethnic Studies joint major with the highest overall GPA)

Adonai Martinez

Ernesto Galarza Award (Junior Ethnic Studies major in recognition of service to the community)

Niko Le

Katherine Saubel Award (Graduating senior who best promotes the preservation of cultural awareness)

Donna Magana

Barnett Grier Award (Graduating senior who best promotes ethnic awareness)

Cynthia Dawson

Sister Rosa Marta Zarate Award (Graduating senior major in recognition of service to the community)

Mariana Sanchez

Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award

Morayma Flores-Higinio

Edna Bonacich Ethnic Studies Graduate Award (Competitive fellowship for new or continuing Ethnic Studies graduate students who have demonstrated a commitment to the promotion of equity in the workplace)