2022 grads credit mentoring, campus involvement for success
Purdue University Northwest will celebrate its fall 2022 graduates on Saturday, during its commencement ceremony in Hammond. A total of 833 candidates for graduation will be honored in two ceremonies on that day.
Three of PNW’s outstanding grads shared their student experiences, achievements, passion for their university and how they powered onward to earn their degrees.
Aaron Ramirez
Aaron Ramirez, who is graduating with a bachelor of science in Health Studies and minors in Biology and Psychology, said the support he received from many at PNW has inspired him to attend graduate school to do the same.
The first-generation student from East Chicago has served as a peer mentor in both PNW’s Honors College and
Student Support Services, a resource in PNW’s TRIO programs for first-generation and underrepresented students.
Ramirez notes his own mentors, whether student peers or PNW faculty and staff, encouraged him to become involved and network. He said his positive relationships in a smaller setting provided a sense of belonging that helped shape him into a successful graduate.
“Every year they showed
me how they are there to support students,” Ramirez said. “Working with TRIO made me realize I want to work in student affairs because they have such an impact on student success. I want to work in the education field, and that’s primarily because of the positive interactions I’ve had with the faculty and staff here.”
Mya Dixon
Mya Dixon will earn a bachelor of science in Information Systems with a concentration in Management from the College of Business and a minor in Computer Science from the College of Engineering and Sciences.
The Lansing, Illinois, native credits her experience on the Honors College community service committee with teaching her how to communicate with others.
In addition to her participation on a committee, the four-year member of Honors College also acted as a peer mentor for incoming freshmen. During her time at PNW, she also worked as a teaching assistant and participated in several intramural sports activities on campus.
Dixon gained valuable experience in her field of study as a human resources intern at United Parcel Service in Hodgkins, Illinois, and a systems programmer intern at Carl Buddig & Company in Homewood, Illinois.
“My experiences at Purdue Northwest taught me how to be a leader,” Dixon said. “I learned how to listen to other people’s opinions and make sure everyone’s voice is heard before forming an opinion.”
After graduation, Dixon is hoping to stay on at Carl Buddig & Company as a junior systems programmer.
Marcos Diaz Gutierrez
Marcos Diaz Gutierrez is set to earn a bachelor of science in Applied Mathematics and Statistics from the College of Engineering and Sciences.
A native of Guadalajara, Spain, Diaz Gutierrez was a member of the PNW Pride men’s tennis team, which he credits with helping him develop organizational and time management skills. Those skills paid off as he was named a Chancellor Medallion recipient, an honor awarded to undergraduate students with the highest grade point average in each of the academic colleges.
In addition to being a student-athlete, he was a math tutor, worked as a resident advisor and was a member of the Mathematics and Statistics Club.
“There are so many lessons and so much knowledge that you don’t learn from books in college but rather by being involved on campus,” explains Diaz Gutierrez. “The opportunity to learn from people with different backgrounds, different opinions and different life experiences helped me to develop important skills that will help me in the future.”
After graduation, Diaz Gutierrez will be applying to graduate schools, hoping to continue his study of math with the ultimate goal of working for a research university or organization, teaching and conducting research in the field of mathematics.