Cassandra Garza

Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science with a minor in Psychology

Extracurricular and athletic involvement: “During all four years here at CUC I have competed for the track and field team,” said Garza.  During her sophomore year, she served as vice president and treasurer of the Spiritual Life club. Garza also served as a resident assistant her junior year and a community coordinator her senior year. She also worked in the campus fitness center for three and a half years.

Future plans: “After graduation, I will be moving in with some friends and will be starting my master’s in the fall. I will be returning to CUC as a graduate assistant to earn my master’s in Strength and Conditioning,” said Garza. “I am hoping to spend some time with my extended family this summer because we haven’t seen each  other due to the pandemic.”

Garza’s advice: “Take in every moment and seize all the opportunities that are presented to you,” said Garza. “You do not want to look back at your college experience and think ‘what if.’ There are so many opportunities that the university has to offer for everyone.”

Bilal Ahmed

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Biology

Extracurricular and athletic involvement: “All my life I’ve loved trying new things so I have gone out of my way to join clubs, sports, and organizations. I’ve been involved in Pre-Med Club, Student Government, Nursing Club, track, football, lacrosse, and residence life as an RA,” said Ahmed.

Future plans: “I’m going to be attending LECOM Medical School to pursue my dreams of becoming a doctor,” said Ahmed. “It’s been my life goal and I am finally taking the next big step!”

Ahmed’s advice: “Focus on school, but do not let it stop you from having fun,” said Ahmed. “Make friends, talk to new people, go downtown, make the most out of your undergraduate years because by the time you know it, it will be over.”

Noemy Sotelo

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Management with a minor in International Business, Cum Laude 

Extracurricular and athletic involvement: Sotelo participated in the Pre-Alliance Planning for the Coalition for Promotion and Underrepresented Minorities in Academic STEM (PUMA-STEM) Student Mentoring Workshop from 2017 to 2019. She was vice secretary of the Women in Engineering (WIE) student chapter branch from 2018 to 2019, and she served as treasurer from 2017-2018. In 2018, Sotelo was a student member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Sotelo was also a Children’s Miracle Network-Dance Marathon participant in the spring of 2019.

Future plans: “My plans after graduation are to move to Florida, work as an assistant manager and work my way up, and travel until I am ready to settle down. I also plan to move back to Chicago around August to October if plans go well,” said Sotelo.

Sotelo’s advice: “Make the most out of your college experience, meet new people, try new things, explore Chicago, and enjoy every moment of it,” said Sotelo. “These four years will be the best and worst experience of your life, take every opportunity possible to find who you are and to grow as an individual.”