Nominated by Andrea Juarez, Kirby Moss, Frank Herrera, Mona Mozatti, Janelle Adsit, Kumi Watanabe-Shock and Mark McKenna

Cara has consistently demonstrated professionalism in the field of journalism and public relations through her work and service to organizations that serve social justice goals. She has made outstanding contributions to HSU’s campus: Her work with El Leñador, HSU’s student-run English/Spanish newspaper, as a graphic and layout designer; the MultiCultural Center as the publications editor and designer; the Campus Dialogue on Race social media manager, and with the new Student Marketing Center.

She constantly is thinking about ways to improve her work and increase the impact of the messages related to visual storytelling. She is a leader, willingly takes on new tasks, is accountable, dependable and exceeds expectations. Cara is extremely bright and talented. She is repeatedly asked to take on jobs on and off campus but chooses to put her efforts into work that matters to her conscience because she wants to help make a difference.

Cara has modeled excellence in the field of design and visual storytelling through her work with El Leñador, the MultiCultural Center, her work with Campus Dialogue on Race, and her current position with the Student Marketing Center. Cara’s work as a visual artist was recognized for excellence in the California College Media Association Awards state-wide competition for college newspapers in Feb. 2020. She was part of the El Leñador design team that placed second, and she also received a third place award for her individual work. Cara also received a distinction in writing award from the HSU Department of English in spring 2018. One of Cara’s most prized awards, however, is one that she received from her peers: At the El Leñador staff awards in spring 2019, Cara was awarded the “Espinach” award for her artistic creativity and panache.