Distinction

Global Studies grants distinction to graduates who have served the global community above and beyond the requirements of the major. Recent recipients include:

Brooke Penfold  |  2018

• Double Major: Global Studies & Spanish
• Study Abroad: CSUIP: Santiago, Chile
• Service Internship: Worked Fondacio Chile in Santiago, Chile.
  • Worked with persons with physical and mental disabilities in an ergonomic greenhouse to grow medicinal herbs
  • Participated in an after-school program helping kids with homework and organizing educational activities
  • Worked with the homeless, distributing donations, preparing meals, and socializing with members of the community
• Additional service
  • Volunteered as a teaching assistant at a bilingual school
  • Volunteered as a tutor teaching citizenship, ESL, and computer classes to immigrants throughout Sonoma County
  • Helped organize donations to the American Red Cross after the Tubbs Fire

Jibranh Ortega  |  2015

• Major: Global Studies; Minor: Latin American Studies
• Service Internship: Worked for La Casa del Migrante in Tijuana, Mexico
  • Lived with migrants in a group shelter for three months
  • Provided orientations and hospitality to migrants (e.g. food, access to medical and legal assistance, and help finding jobs)
  • Helped raise awareness of migrant issues through various local media in Tijuana
• Additional service
  • Recruited volunteers for La Casa del Migrante upon return
  • Served as a student Leader for SSU’s delegation to the Model UN

Johanna Javaluyas  |  2014

• Major:Global Studies; Minor: Geography
• Study Abroad: Chengdu, China & Bangalore, India (one semester each)
• Service Internship: Worked for Earth to City in Mulalillo, Ecuador
  • Lived in a small farming community for three months
  • Helped promote organic methods of market gardening
  • Helped promote organic products in local farmers markets
• Additional service
  • Worked with street children in Bangalore, facilitating their own service initiatives, such as art projects and garbage cleanup

Ben Fine  |  2013

• Major:Global Studies
• Service Internship: Worked for El Salvador North America (ENSA)
  • Lived and worked in the region of Caluco, a poor rural region of El Salvador
  • Helped build a school kitchen, installed solar lights, taught English, and facilitied donations of clothing and supplies
  • Helped develop training programs for local community members to become electricians, potters, wood carvers, etc.
• Additional service
  • Became a leader within the ENSA organization, managing volunteer groups and promoting ongoing initiatives

Carissa Green  |  2012

• Major:Global Studies
• Service Internship: Worked for Bayer Farm Neighborhood Park and Gardens, Ethnobotony Project
  • Helped neighboring families grow their own fruits and vegetables in the community garden
  • Helped built a database of herbs and remedies; helped build a medicinal plant garden
  • Trained to become a Health Promoter, and then produced presentations on healthy meals and recipies through the Free Lunch Program
• Additional service
  • Became a community leader for Bayer Farm, organizing activities for the community