Personal Growth in Human Relationships class helps graduate find her field of study

April 18, 2019

Editor’s note: This is part of a series of profiles for spring 2019 commencement.

Cami Mcintire, a family and human development major in the T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics at Arizona State University, talks about the importance of taking classes you love, getting to know your faculty and following your passion. ASU student Cami Mcintire Cami Mcintire, a family and human development major in the T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics, says her top tip for students is to get to know faculty. Download Full Image

Question: What was your “aha” moment, when you realized you wanted to study the field you majored in?

Answer: I actually started my freshman year here at ASU as an undeclared major because I was hesitant on getting into a field I wasn’t going to love. I met with an academic adviser, and she told me a lot of students here at ASU enjoyed taking a Personal Growth in Human Relationships class in the family studies department. I took the class based off her suggestion and fell in love. By the end of my first semester I was actually upset the course was coming to an end. So, the beginning of my second semester I picked up my family and human development major.

Q: What’s something you learned while at ASU — in the classroom or otherwise — that surprised you, that changed your perspective?

A: After picking up my women and gender studies minor, I began enrolling in courses that discussed topics like women’s bodies and women’s international health. These courses were eye-opening for a young woman like myself. I enjoyed the topics, discussions and overall environment that went on in those types of classes. Other students became vulnerable as we discussed sensitive topics, and I had never experienced anything like it; I loved it.

Q: Why did you choose ASU?

A: I always knew I was going to stay in state because my family would not have been able to afford to visit me had I moved out of state. Being close to home (she is from Gilbert, Arizona) humbles me and allows me to take mental breaks when need be. I also knew research was something I wanted to be a part of when I started college, and because ASU is an R1An R1 university is one that is doctoral-granting and has what is classified as "very high research activity" in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. institution, I felt like it was kind of a perfect fit.

Q: Which professor taught you the most important lesson while at ASU?

A: No doubt about it, Sarah Lindstrom Johnson. Not only has she taught me so much academically and within the classroom, she has also taught me how to better myself and has provided me opportunities I would have never even knew existed. One of the most important lessons I think I’ve learned from her is how to trust the process. I always feel like I’m falling behind or not doing enough, but she has always been there to ground me.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?

A: Get to know your faculty! I know it is so cliche, but it is so very valuable. They are there with and for you so take advantage of that! You will need those connections if you choose to pursue a graduate-level degree, and many of them are plugged into the job market and various opportunities that they may share with you. It is all about who you know!

Q: What was your favorite spot on campus, whether for studying, meeting friends or just thinking about life?

A: When it’s not too hot, Hayden Lawn is a great place to meet up with friends, study, read or eat. I love bringing a small blanket and just lounging out there!

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

A: I am currently in the process of finding an internship for my gap year. I also work at a speech therapy clinic so I will continue there until I figure out what I want to go to graduate school for.

Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?

A: Working to end starvation. It makes my stomach turn thinking about the fact that there are people all over the world who are not capable of buying, growing and/or preparing any type of food, yet I am able to Postmates just about anything …

Selena anniversary event celebrates Chicana cultural contributions

A t-shirt of famed Chicana icon Selena is displayed at an event celebrating her life and legacy on the Tempe campus.

On March 31, 1995, trailblazing Mexican American Tejano musician Selena Quintanilla-Pérez was shot to death by the president of her fan club, Yolanda Saldívar. She was 23.The loss shook the music world and the Chicano community at large. Over two decades later, Selena still is an internationally celebrated cultural icon.Tribute concerts continue to be staged in her honor around the world, along ...

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Selena anniversary event celebrates Chicana cultural contributions

April 18, 2019

On March 31, 1995, trailblazing Mexican American Tejano musician Selena Quintanilla-Pérez was shot to death by the president of her fan club, Yolanda Saldívar. She was 23.

The loss shook the music world and the Chicano community at large. Over two decades later, Selena still is an internationally celebrated cultural icon. A T-shirt of famed Chicana icon Selena is displayed at an event on the Tempe campus celebrating her life and legacy. Download Full Image

Tribute concerts continue to be staged in her honor around the world, along with a host of documentaries, public works of art and museum exhibits.

An event organized by Arizona State University's School of Transborder Studies, in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, this week honored the singer’s legacy on April 16, what would have been her 48th birthday.

“Selena was an extremely creative individual who made the crossover from music to fashion, acting and speaking before almost anyone else,” said Monica De La Torre, an assistant professor in the school. “I think her death cemented that in a tragic but beautiful way that seems to be getting bigger and bigger each year.”

Students, faculty and staff gathered for Celebración de Selena on the Tempe campus, where a photo booth, lotería games and other Selena-themed activities took place as her music played in the background.

Christina Molidor, assistant to the director at the School of Transborder Studies, and Adilenne Diaz Hernandez, an administrative associate in the school, pose with Selena memorabilia in a photo booth at the event.

Photo by Alisa Reznick

Monica De La Torre, an assistant professor in The School of Transborder Studies, said the Selena event on campus helped give credence to the contributions of Mexican Americans.

Monica De La Torre, an assistant professor in The School of Transborder Studies, said having the Selena event on campus helped give credence to the cultural contributions of Mexican Americans.

Photo by Alisa Reznick

Students and faculty play a game of Selena-themed lotéria at the April 16 event honoring the singer.

Photo by Alisa Reznick

Monica De La Torre, an associate professor in The College's School of Transborder Studies, dons a pin with the name of one of Selena's most famous songs, "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom."

Monica De La Torre, an assistant professor in The College's School of Transborder Studies, dons a pin with the name of one of Selena's most famous songs, "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom."

Photo by Alisa Reznick

Adilenne Diaz Hernandez calls out cards during a round of Selena lotería at the event.

Adilenne Diaz Hernandez, an administrative associate for the school, calls out cards during a lotería round at the event.

Photo by Alisa Reznick

De La Torre, whose research and classes focus on how Mexican Americans are portrayed in popular culture, said having the event in an academic setting serves to recognize Chicana/o cultural contributions at a time that feels more important than ever.

“I never would have imagined being at a Selena event on campus when I was an undergrad, so it’s actually a radical idea,” she said. “Particularly at a time when Latinos and Mexicans are being vilified, I think having these public events to celebrate our cultural contributions serve to counter that idea.”

For Tara Sperry, a freshman who attended the event, Selena’s music played a pivotal role in her interest in both the Spanish language and Latino culture.

“As someone who grew up in a family that doesn’t speak Spanish, she was really my first introduction to the language,” said Sperry, now a double major in Spanish literature at The College’s School of International Letters and Cultures and secondary education at Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College. “I came here to help celebrate that.”