The Ethnic Studies department awards three honors: the Matt Meier Award for Student Research, the Cedric Busette Memorial Award, and the Ramón Chacón Community Service Award.
The Ethnic Studies program invites students to submit substantive academic work centered on issues of race/ethnicity for the annual Matt Meier award. Work in any discipline or department will be considered. A broad range of work will be accepted including (but not limited to) short or long essays, research papers and projects (including capstone research projects), short films, podcasts or other forms of audio/visual research. Winners will be awarded a $500.00 monetary prize along with a plaque recognizing their accomplishment both of which will be awarded at the Ethnic Studies Seniors' Reception in Spring Quarter.
Guidelines for submission:
- Submissions should be centrally focused on issues related to race/ethnicity (e.g. - studies of African American, Latina/o, Asian or Pacific Islander, Native/American Indian communities in the U.S., history of racialization, manifestations of critical race theory, immigration, transnationalism, intersectionality, women of color, racial and/or ethnic social movements, profiles of significant leaders or organizations within minority communities).
- Only one entry per student
- Essays and paper submissions should be no less than 5 pages in length and no longer than 35 pages and must include a reference list or bibliography to be considered.
- Projects and papers with multiple authors are allowed, albeit only one awarded will be conveyed.
- Each applicant must submit a copy of their work to the Ethnic Studies Department at ethn@scu.edu.
Past Recipients:
- 2024 Bryce Nishikawa (Sociology & Ethnic Studies double major), Chelsea Ebisuya (Psychology & Ethnic Studies double major)
- 2023 Nicole Rumfola (Ethnic Studies & Economics double major), Angel Lin (Ethnic Studies & Sociology double major)
- 2022 Capstone Paper: Alexis Lipscomb (Ethnic Studies & Political Science double major), Celeste Munoz (Political Science & Ethnic Studies double major); Course Paper: Sydney Shead (Ethnic Studies & History double major)
- 2021 Kimberly Fernandez Pedraza (Ethnic Studies and Art & Art History double major)
- 2020 Khiely Jackson (Ethnic Studies major)
- 2019 Jamie Jenkins (Ethnic Studies major)
- 2018 Allison Martinez - Capstone Paper (Political Science & Ethnic Studies double major), Edith Romero - Course Paper (Ethnic Studies & Child Studies double major)
- 2017 Elina Barahona - Capstone Paper (Communication & Ethnic Studies double major), Yesenia Veamatahau - Course Paper (Ethnic Studies & Sociology double major)
- 2016 Angelica Delgado - Course paper (Sociology major)
- 2015 Christelle Lorenzana - Course paper (Political Science major)
- 2014 Feliz Moreno-Capstone Paper (English major), Kathryn Monreal-Course Paper (Sociology & Ethnic Studies double major)
- 2013 Julia Harrison-Capstone Paper (Environmental Studies major), Jordan Jue-Course Paper (History major)
- 2012 Jessica E. Gonzalez-Capstone Paper (Sociology major), Adriana E. Hernandez-Capstone Paper (Political Science major), Jonathan Tong-Course Paper (Psychology major)
- 2011 Isabel Durón-Capstone Paper (Political Science & Ethnic Studies double major), Paul Chianese-Capstone Paper (History major), Jacqueline Lynch-Course Paper (Political Science major)
- 2010 Gustavo Magaña, Jr.-Capstone Paper (Political Science major), Lindsay L. Mohundro-Course Paper (English major)
- 2009 Mariana Barba-Capstone Paper (Sociology major), Ashley Butts-Course Paper (Sociology & English double major)
- 2008 Aurelia De La Rosa Aceves (Sociology major)
- 2007 Cynthia Sanchez (English major) and Mandela Gardner (Communication & Spanish Studies double major)
- 2006 Michelle Rodriguez (Sociology & Ethnic Studies double major)
- 2005 Amparo Cid (Political Science & Ethnic Studies double major)
- 2004 Manuel Perez (Communications major)
- 2003 Sylvia Anguiano (Sociology major) and Loribelle Valdez (Political Science major)
- 2002 None
- 2001 Christina Morales (Sociology major) and Rosario Lopez (History major)
- 2000 None
- 1999 Alicia Gallegos (Political Science major)
The Cedric Busette Memorial Award was established in 1996 by the Ethnic Studies Program to honor the memory of Professor Cedric Busette for his outstanding commitment to the Ethnic Studies Program and for his dedication to the goals of Jesuit education. As a member of the Ethnic Studies Advisory Board, he worked tirelessly to improve the program and was an excellent mentor to faculty and students.
Past Recipients:
- 2024 Dominique Dozier
- 2023 Dr. Aldo Billingslea
- 2022 Gail Gradowski
- 2021 Erin Kimura-Walsh
- 2020 Margaret Russell, JD
- 2019 Dr. Christina Zanfagna
- 2018 Graciela Lopez, M.D.
- 2017 Danielle Aguilar
- 2016 Unity 4
- 2015 Jade Agua
- 2014 Dr. Sarita Tamayo-Moraga
- 2013 Laura Ornelas
- 2012 Dr. Aparajita Nanda
- 2011 Dr. Janet Flammang
- 2010 Dean Atom Yee
- 2009 Prof. Pancho Jiménez
- 2008 Dr. Alma Garcia
- 2007 Dr. Juliana Chang
- 2006 Dr. Bridget Cooks, and Amparo Cid
- 2005 Dr. Francisco Jiménez
- 2004 Rev. Gerdenio Manuel, S.J.
- 2003 Pauline Nguyen
- 2002 Dr. Stephen Fugita
- 2001 Christina Morales, and The Center for Multicultural Learning
- 2000 The Students of the Multicultural Center
To honor the life and legacy of Dr. Ramón Chacón, Professor of Ethnic Studies and History, whose work within marginalized communities embodied the best of SCU’s commitment to social justice and service. Established in 2016, the award honors a graduating senior whose record of service upholds the tradition established by Dr. Chacón.
Past Recipients:
- 2024 Karla Santos (Ethnic Studies & Women's and Gender Studies double major)
- 2023 Zakiya Cooper (Ethnic Studies & Spanish Studies double major), Marielle Tellez-Castro (Ethnic Studies, Political Science & Spanish Studies triple major)
- 2022 Angel Macias (Ethnic Studies & Political Science double major), Jacqueline Ramirez (Ethnic Studies major)
- 2021 Chloe Gentile Montgomery (Ethnic Studies & Environmental Science double major), Erin Malcolm (Ethnic Studies major), Blanca Moncada (Ethnic Studies & Psychology double major)
- 2020 Semi Williams (Political Science & Ethnic Studies double major)
- 2019 Arelí Hernández (Ethnic Studies, Political Science, & Spanish triple major), Alejandra Sanchez (Sociology, Ethnic Studies, & Spanish triple major)
- 2018 Alejandra Magaña Gamero (Ethnic Studies & Psychology double major)
- 2017 Jennifer Gonzalez (Ethnic Studies & Political Science double major) and Isaac Nieblas (Ethnic Studies, Political Science & Spanish Studies double major)