Class of 2009 Outstanding Graduates - Double Majors and Special Programs
Below are several of San Diego State University's outstanding graduates from the class of 2009, which includes nearly 10,000 degree candidates:
Double majors and special programs
Sasha Shimazu
Sasha Shimazu, 21, B.A., international business, Japanese and Asia-Pacific
College of Business Administration and College of Arts and Letters
Like many students nationwide, Sasha Shimazu plans to enter the Peace Corps upon graduation, teaching English in Eastern Europe. Being the only child of foreign parents, Shimazu's college journey was different than most of her friends.
As a high school senior, she had no idea what the college application process entailed and was on her own in planning her future. This motivated her to become a student recruitment assistant at SDSU, so that she could help other high school students in similar situations. As a member of the Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity, Shimazu has been very involved on campus since her first semester, serving on at least one executive board or committee each semester.
She interned at the San Diego World Trade Center and the Office of Congressman Yuuji Yamamoto while studying abroad in Tokyo. (Hometown: Ione, Calif.)
Tracie Ugamoto Tracie Ugamoto, 22, B.A., communications and Spanish
College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts and College of Arts and Letters
One of this year's Quest for the Best winners, Tracie Ugamoto is a Japanese-Peruvian, first-generation American. She is involved in several organizations on campus, including Asian Pacific Student Alliance (President, 2006–2007), Andres Bonifacio Samahan Filipino Organization, Associated Students, Cross Cultural Center and International Student Association.
This fall she plans to apply for the JET program, teaching English in Japan. Ugamoto plans on getting a master's degree in student affairs and hopes to help develop student government organizations at universities internationally. (Hometown: Gardena/Torrance, 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
