The Adelante Juntos Faculty & Staff Association at WSU is proud to honor and celebrate the achievements of students, faculty, and staff at the 3rd Annual Spanish-Speaking Graduation Ceremony.
We are excited to recognize outstanding Shockers through the following awards:
- The Elisa Chacon Award – This recognition is named after Elisa Chacon, WSU’s first Latine student graduate (1932). The award will be given to an undergraduate student who has excelled in the areas of scholarship, community, leadership and advocacy
- Previous recipients: Guadalupe Torres-Arreola (2024), Valeria Paunetto (2025)
- The Hector Franco Award – This recognition is named after Hector Franco, WSU’s earliest graduate level degree recipient (1950). The award will be given to a graduate student who has excelled in the areas of scholarship, community, leadership and advocacy
- Previous recipients: Abel Barraza (2024), Griselda Gomez (2025)
- The Joseph “Jose” Angulo Award – This recognition is named after Joseph “Jose” Angulo, WSU’s longtime professor who taught at WSU for 37 years (1930s-1960s). This award will be given to a faculty member who has excelled in advocating, promoting, mentoring and engaging the WSU community.
- Previous recipients: Marco Hernandez Guillen (2024), Dr. Edil Torres Rivera (2025)
- The Marcelino “Chelo” Huerta Award – This recognition is named after Marcelino “Chelo” Huerta, WSU’s head football coach (1962-1964) who was inducted in to the College Football Hall of Fame (2002). This award will be given to a staff member who has excelled in advocating, promoting, mentoring and engaging the WSU community.
- Previous recipients: Dr. Sara Mata (2024), Dr. Isabel Medina Keiser (2025)
- The Camarena Community Award – This recognition is named after Gene and Yolanda Camarena, founders of the Shocker Adelante Scholars (2020). Awarded to a student, faculty or staff member who embodies the highest ideals of character, leadership and service and whose commitment has made a significant impact to the WSU community
- Previous recipients: Sofia Polanco Botteselle (2024), Dr. Teri Hall (2025)
Nominations will be accepted until March 13. Each candidate will be carefully assessed by the awards subcommittee of the Adelante Juntos Faculty and Staff Association.
Award winners will be revealed at WSU’s third annual Spanish Speaking Graduation Ceremony hosted April 30.