Class of 2009 Oustanding Graduates - Health and Human Services
Below are several of San Diego State University's outstanding graduates from the class of 2009, which includes nearly 10,000 degree candidates:
College of Health and Human Services
Stephanie Hubbell
Stephanie Hubbell, 21, speech, language and hearing sciences
Throughout her college career, Stephanie Hubbell has worked as an educational technician in the Disability Support Programs and Services through the San Diego Community College District. More recently she has been a support provider for a company that cares for adults with physical and developmental disabilities.
While studying abroad in Barcelona, Spain, and working in SDSU's Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Hubbell was able to expand her appreciation for diversity both personally and professionally. She has been nominated for a position with the Peace Corps after graduation and intends to teach special education in Jordan come October.
After returning, she hopes to obtain a doctorate in speech pathology in the SDSU/UCSD joint doctoral program. (Hometown: Grover Beach, Calif.)
Lakeisha Nacoste
Lakeisha Nacoste, 22, B.S., nursing
As a student in SDSU's EOP program, Lakeisha Nacoste is the first in her family to attend college. The youngest child of two retired U.S. marines, she relocated every few years growing up, which taught her the importance of resilience and being able to adjust.
Nacoste serves as president of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, was crowned SDSU's 2008–2009 Homecoming Queen and is a Quest for the Best recipient, among other accomplishments. From the young age of 9, she knew she wanted to be a nurse, and after graduation, she will work at Scripps Mercy Chula Vista Hospital and plans to one day become an emergency room nurse.
After working as a registered nurse, she hopes to attend University of California San Francisco to receive a master's degree in nursing in a critical care specialty. (Hometown: Oceanside, Calif.)
Kelley Stewart Kelley Stewart, 22, B.S., nursing
Kelley Stewart was named the 2009 College of Health and Human Services Outstanding Undergraduate Student of the Year.
A member of the women's crew team, she has been involved with SDSU Scholars Without Borders and served as California Nursing Student Association State Board Director, SDSU peer health educator and a board member for the College of Health and Human Services. She's also volunteered abroad as an aquatics camp counselor, implementing an aquatics summer program for children living on military bases around the world.
Upon graduation, Stewart will work at Sharp Grossmont in the cardiac rehabilitation unit. Within the next year she plans to apply to graduate school to earn a master's degree in nursing. (Hometown: Castro Valley, Calif.)
Other class of 2009 outstanding graduates by college:
- College of Arts and Letters
- College of Business Administration
- College of Education
- College of Engineering
- College of Health and Human Services
- College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts (Ceremony 1)
- College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts (Ceremony 2)
- College of Sciences
- Special programs and double majors
