For the first time in more than a year, ASU's College of Health Solutions celebrated the accomplishments of its graduating students in person, combining small, safe ceremonies with virtual events spaced out over three days in early May, launching a new group of individuals poised to change the future of health.
More than 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students earned degrees in behavioral health, biomedical informatics and biomedical diagnostics; kinesiology, sports and exercise science; health care delivery; health sciences and medical studies; nutrition; population health; and speech and hearing science.
“It was especially gratifying to celebrate with many of our students in person after all the obstacles they have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said College of Health Solutions Dean Deborah Helitzer. “The graduates were excited, emotional and grateful for the opportunity, making the effort so worthwhile for our faculty and staff.”
The college held a virtual convocation ceremony and an online watch party in addition to several in-person events. About 350 students chose to attend the small on-campus ceremonies, which included a doctoral hooding ceremony, white coat ceremonies for Doctor of Audiology students and a full-day celebration that gave graduates the chance to have their name read, walk across a stage, be cheered on by faculty and staff, and take advantage of many photo opportunities.
“These students have had to adapt to incredible challenges that disrupted but did not derail their goal of earning a degree in health,” Helitzer said. “They have the knowledge and experience which will set them on the path to improve the health of individuals and populations by promoting wellness through better nutrition and exercise, improving the quality of life for people with chronic disease, physical impairments, speech difficulties and hearing loss, and by changing health policy and health systems through technology and data analysis. I truly admire their perseverance and resilience. They give me great hope for improved health for all the communities we serve.”
The ceremonies
Enjoy the special moments and meet some of the college's spring 2021 graduates.
Online events
- Virtual graduation: Commencement address from ASU President Michael Crow, a conversation with Dean Helitzer, outstanding graduate and alumni spotlight videos.
- Cheers to Health watch party: Faculty toasts to students, reading of graduates’ names with slides featuring individual students’ photos and personal messages.
In-person events
- Doctoral hooding ceremony for graduates receiving doctorate degrees, held in the Memorial Union at the Tempe campus.
- White coat ceremonies at the Tempe campus for third-year and fourth-year Doctor of Audiology students to receive their lab coats, signifying their entry into the audiology profession at the doctoral clinical level.
- Recording of the May 5 in-person celebration at the Downtown Phoenix campus, featuring the reading of graduates’ names as they walked across the stage to accept their diplomas.
The students
Learn more about the Class of 2021 from these videos and stories featuring outstanding grads.
Meet our outstanding student awardees:
Terrell Brown, Outstanding Undergraduate Student
Clinton Stevens, Outstanding Graduate Student
News stories
Meet more of the college's students by way of their social media accounts and the photos they shared on Instagram.
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Jeremy Andia graduated with his bachelor's degree in medical studies. Now it’s on to Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University to become an eye doctor.
Photo Courtesy Jeremy Andia
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After earning her bachelor's degree in exercise and wellness, Emily Armstrong will be working toward her doctorate in occupational therapy this fall at Northern Arizona University’s downtown biomedical campus.
Photo Courtesy Emily Armstrong
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Maci Crookes earned a bachelor's degree in health sciences. She’ll be back this fall to start her master's degree in the science of health care delivery.
Photo Courtesy Maci Crookes
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Kameron Granger now has his bachelor's degree in exercise and wellness. He will be spending the next year gaining professional experience and becoming a certified personal trainer while he applies to an advanced degree in nursing, athletic training or exercise physiology.
Photo Courtesy Kameron Granger
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Alejandro Lopez earned his bachelor's degree in health sciences with a speciality in Spanish and health. He is looking forward to gaining medical experience while working on his application to a physician assistant program.
Photo Courtesy Alejandro Lopez
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Evan Miller has her bachelor's degree in health sciences and is going on to Midwestern University with dual enrollment to earn both her Doctor of Optometry and master's degree in public health.
Photo Courtesy Evan Miller
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Adrian Muniz received his bachelor's degree in kinesiology. He plans to pursue a master's degree in nursing.
Photo Courtesy Adrian Muniz
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Jacob Nicoll has his bachelor's degree in exercise and wellness and will begin a master’s degree in occupational therapy this summer.
Photo Courtesy Jacob Nicoll
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James Rouser graduated with a bachelor's degree in exercise and wellness and hopes to become an athletic director.
Photo Courtesy James Rouser
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Paige Snyder was accepted into physician assistant school after earning a bachelor's degree in health sciences this spring.
Photo Courtesy Paige Snyder
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After earning a master's degree in the science of health care delivery, Adam Thompson will be busy as director of patient services for the Phoenix Cancer Support Network while also conducting postgraduate research in health policy and applying to medical school.
Photo Courtesy Adam Thompson
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Emma Utagawa has her bachelor’s degree in medical studies with a minor in Spanish and plans on applying to microbiology PhD programs in the fall.
Photo Courtesy Emma Utagawa
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Dulce Vivas Cruz earned her bachelor's degree in medical studies and hopes to attend medical school at the University of Arizona.
Photo Courtesy Dulce Vivas Cruz
Top photo: Scenes from the 2021 spring in-person graduation ceremonies for ASU's College of Health Solutions.
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