Category: Student Spotlights
Student Spotlight: Courtney Brazile
Focused on empowering students with effective communication skills and championing their internal sense of self, Courtney Brazile is known as a nationally recognized advocate for incorporating diversity and inclusion into the college classroom and organizational setting. As a professor of communication studies at Dallas College and student in the Doctor of Education (Ed.D..) in Organizational … Continued
Student Spotlight: Lori Ruiz
Highly interested in getting those around her to feel, look, and be their best, Lori Ruiz is the prime example of what it means to be actively encouraging her students while simultaneously juggling the hats of student, mom, and director of health services within Freer Independent School District in Freer, Texas. Completing her second bachelor’s … Continued
Graduate overcomes childhood challenges, takes leadership roles at ACU
Hermela Aregay, social work graduate originally from Eritrea, embodies resilience, perseverance and a passion for others. Hermela and her family moved from the East African country of Eritrea to Dallas when she was eight years old, presenting the obstacles of learning a new culture. Along with this challenge, in her teenage years, she was diagnosed … Continued
Determined first-generation student finds faith, community amid adversity
Matias Montanes, a first-generation international student from Spain, will graduate from Abilene Christian University this weekend, taking with him much more than a diploma. A tennis scholarship brought Matias to Abilene, Texas – a place he knew nothing about. Despite minimal knowledge of the English language, he traveled to the U.S. with a passion for … Continued
Student Spotlight: Tosha Ochoa
The world needs people who are kind, considerate, passionate and, above all else, open to hearing what God has in store for them—people a lot like Tosha Ochoa, a junior in the B.S. in communication science and disorders program. Whether it’s working with kids, adults or corporations, Tosha knows a thing or two about knowing … Continued
Student Spotlight: Katrina Pfefferle
Some people are born researchers – always investigating, observing, and curious. Others, like Katrina Pfefferle, are made for it. Known for her lively personality and acute sense of understanding complex biological concepts, Katrina perfectly embodies not only the spirit of Caris Life Sciences, but also the attitude and drive of a typical ACU Online student. … Continued
ACU Student Internship Spotlight: Holly Reichling, Nouwen Craft and Gabriella Lopez
Three Abilene Christian University students completed internships for the TV production The Chosen over the past two summers and acquired new connections as well as tangible skills for their future careers. Holly Reichling, senior multimedia major from San Antonio, was a production intern for The Chosen at the set in Utah this summer. Reichling started … Continued
Student Spotlight: Kayla Perez
Three words can be used to describe Kayla Perez: bright, young, and full of life. As a self-proclaimed Houston, Texas native and proud Latina, Kayla Perez is the perfect example of a go-getter. From studying around the clock to taking care of her horses to spending time with her boyfriend and family, Kayla doesn’t let … Continued
Student Spotlight: Krissi Lester
Krissi Lester believes, serves, loves, and seeks to honor God in everything. That is the message she wants to send, period. Facing incredible challenges, including a tough childhood and incarceration later in life, Krissi knows that the only way she can stand today is because of her faith in Jesus Christ. Now, as an adult … Continued