main content Community Builder Wins College’s Highest Honor

Azucena Lizbeth Morales Santos BA ’24 is the winner of this year’s Rena J. Ratte Award, the undergraduate college’s highest academic honor. The award recognizes excellence in scholastic, intellectual, and creative achievements, and is presented during the undergraduate Honors Convocation ceremony preceding commencement in May.

Why did you choose to attend L&C?

I chose L&C for its financial aid package and its programming to support BIPOC, first-generation, and socioeconomically disadvantaged students. It was also important to me to find a college with spaces that foster community and small class sizes to develop a strong relationship with my professors. I believed L&C would provide these things for me.

What parts of the L&C experience helped shape your path?

As a double major in sociology/anthropology and Hispanic studies with a minor in ethnic studies, I took a variety of courses, such as History of Colonial Latin America, Spanish 301H (geared toward Spanish heritage speakers), Introduction to Anthropology, Race and Ethnicity in Latin America Global Perspectives, Social Theory, History of Modern Mexico—and so many more! My most rewarding class was History of Immigration and Asylum Law, which challenged me academically and positioned me to understand the weight of asylum law in the United States.

What do you think makes L&C special?

Lewis & Clark has introduced me to many opportunities that furthered my experience as a community member in leadership positions; a worker in different offices, like IME [Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement]; and SAAB [Student Academic Affairs Board] tutoring. Most importantly, I’ve become a more confident, skilled, and resilient person. Just as special, if not more so, are the staff, faculty, and students I have met at L&C who are caring and warm. They are strong people who do not settle for how things are but instead critically strategize for better programming to support L&C students.

What’s an example of a goal you achieved?

A goal of mine since high school was to go to Oaxaca, Mexico, and visit my parents’ pueblo Santa Catarina Noltepec, Oaxaca. Through the Center of Social Change and Community Involvement—and the generous scholarship of President Robin Holmes-Sullivan—I had the opportunity to attend the Oaxaca immersion program right after graduation. Not only did I accomplish my goal of going to Oaxaca, but I connected with many Oaxacan college and high school students, as well as nonprofit organizations that empower marginalized communities.

Parting thoughts?

I came to L&C with the mindset that my Nae (mother in Mixteco) instilled in me, nada en este mundo es imposible, solo tienes que encontrar la manera (nothing in this world is impossible, you only have to find a way). Thank you to my L&C community…you showed me that not only is there a way, but that you don’t have to find that way alone.