Erin Enguero and Anna Santana are the recipients of SJSU’s 2016 Outstanding Graduating Senior Awards  in recognition of their scholarship and contributions to the community. Both will be recognized at Commencement, beginning at 9:30 a.m. May 28 in Spartan Stadium. Read about the Outstanding Thesis Award recipient Amanda Feldman.

Erin Enguero

Erin Enguero (photo by Inderpal Kaur)

Since age 11, having a hearing loss has influenced how Enguero identifies herself academically and socially. She has evolved from a self-described “cautious pre-teen to an ambitious young woman striving for excellence” in her educational and community endeavors.

Carrying a 3.796 GPA, she has earned numerous scholarships and has been recognized as a CSU Trustee Award winner, SJSU Salzburg Scholar and 2016 American Kinesiology Association Undergraduate Scholar.

While Enguero’s hearing loss has taught her to adapt using her existing strengths, she says she is proud “not just for overcoming my disability, but for finding the courage to explore my identities as a student, leader and, ultimately, an agent of change.”

Enguero graduates in May with a bachelor’s in kinesiology. In fall 2016, she plans to pursue a doctorate in physical therapy at California State University, Fresno.

Anna Santana

Anna Santana with civil rights activist Dolores Huerta (courtesy of Anna Santana)

At age six, Santana transferred schools three times in less than a year in search of a bilingual teacher. This daughter of former farmworkers says this was just part of the struggles that “have shaped my dreams and aspirations.”

Today, Santana advocates for the education of migrant families through the Apoyo Campesino project, which seeks to change a state regulation that forces students to move to a different school after each growing season ends.

In addition, Santana is the founder of the College Awareness Network, which has been integral in bringing students from marginalized schools to university campuses to promote a college-going culture.

A double major in sociology and Spanish, Santana will receive her bachelor’s degree in May. As a McNair Scholar, she maintains a 3.9 GPA and has been accepted to Stanford University for graduate school. Like Enguero, she is also an SJSU Salzburg Scholar and participated with the 2015 cohort.

Salzburg Scholars Connection

SJSU Salzburg Scholars have a history of achieving top accolades at San Jose State. See the list below of Outstanding Graduating Seniors, an SJSU Outstanding Thesis Award recipient and two CSU Outstanding Research Award recipients.

SJSU Outstanding Graduating Senior (highest recognition an undergraduate student can receive from SJSU)

• 2016 | Erin Enguero (SJSU Salzburg Scholar 2013)
• 2016 | Anna Santana (SJSU Salzburg Scholar 2015)
• 2013 | Travis Lopez (SJSU Salzburg Scholar 2012)
• 2011 | Andrew Ingram (SJSU Salzburg Scholar 2010)
• 2011 | Mojgan Mohammadi (SJSU Salzburg Scholar 2010)

SJSU Outstanding Thesis Award (highest recognition a graduate student can receive from the university)

• 2015 | Sarah Aghazadeh (SJSU Salzburg Scholar 2012)

CSU Outstanding Research Award (highest recognition a graduate student can receive from the CSU System)

• 2015 | Mary Okin (SJSU Salzburg Scholar 2013)
• 2011 | Darci Arnold (SJSU Salzburg Fellow 2006)

See the full list of current and former Salzburg Scholars.

Pat Lopes Harris contributed to this post.