Sandra Alfonso, Bachelor of Applied Arts in Psychology graduate and Dean’s Honour Roll recipient has received Kwantlen’s President’s Outstanding Graduate Award at Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s 2009 Convocation ceremony held at its Surrey Campus.
After a 15-year absence from post-secondary education, one of Alfonso’s great stories began at Kwantlen.
When Alfonso first arrived at Kwantlen, she was nervous and unsure of herself, but through hard work and dedication, she quickly became a role model not only to her peers, but also to her two daughters. She achieved an excellent academic standing, contributed to community services and volunteer work, and became a keen student researcher for Kwantlen’s Community University Research Alliance (CURA) project, a study aimed at reducing youth and gang violence.
Having achieved the Dean's Honour Roll six times, Alfonso graduates today with the President's Outstanding Graduate Award, and credits Kwantlen’s engaging program and the commitment and support of faculty for her success.
“Winning this award fills me with gratitude. Thanks to the dedicated and caring Kwantlen faculty and the availability of support services such as the learning and counselling centres, I’ve been able to persevere through challenges and reach my personal and academic goals.”
Inspired by her university experience at Kwantlen, Alfonso plans to obtain a master’s degree and a PhD in women’s studies in the future.
Presented annually, this award encourages Kwantlen students to excel in their chosen fields of study and to participate in university, student and community activities to the benefit of others. Recipients have completed all their study in one program at Kwantlen; have consistently shown outstanding ability in the field; have contributed in a significant way to Kwantlen or community affairs; and may be recommended by faculty.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University brings with it a tradition of providing access pathways for students with different talents and abilities, and opportunities for all who are willing to work hard to realize their goals. Key to Kwantlen’s new mandate is an enhanced capacity to integrate research and external community engagement within a learning environment that places students at the centre of all that the university does.
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