Two Degrees of Impact
How Maggie Woodruff, ’21 J.D. from UCI law and current anthropology Ph.D. student, plans to use dual degrees to improve lives
Maggie Woodruff possesses a kaleidoscopic curiosity that’s propelled her interests in everything from swimming to social justice. Whatever the pursuit, she’s done so with passion and purpose. In May, the UCI anthropology Ph.D. student completed her J.D. at the UCI School of Law. In July, she passed the California Bar Exam, enabling her to practice law in the state. And when she completes her doctorate in 2024, she’s planning to use her dual graduate degrees to tackle complex social issues.
Manahuu (Hello) to a Bright Future
UCI senior Brad Greene greets opportunity with optimism, perseverance and a nod to his Native American heritage
Senior Brad Greene has spent much of his life standing out. At 6’11”, he’s decidedly difficult to miss. Then there’s that (considerable) talent he has in basketball, which he’s put in play as an Anteater for four seasons. He’s got tattoos, the inspiration for which he will happily share. But perhaps how Greene stands out the most is via his role in elevating the college experience for fellow Native American students. As he gets ready to graduate in June with a double major in sociology and education, a specialization in children’s learning and development and a minor in anthropology, Greene took time to share how he says manahuu (“hello” in Paiute) to each opportunity that comes his way.
Strength Through Adversity: How Senior Psychology Major Karen Garcia has Forged her Own Path
Adversity gives rise to character. For Karen Garcia, a senior majoring in psychology, personal hardships have revealed her strength of character in spades. It’s this fortitude that led to her success in college and path to a very bright future serving others.
Holding Court: Loryn Carter, ’20 UCI Volleyball Player and Political Science Major, Reflects on her Time at UCI
UCI senior Loryn Carter ’20 makes quite an impression. At 6’3”, she’s hard not to notice. But it isn’t just her height that garners attention: Carter’s skills on the volleyball court, as well as her leadership roles on campus, have carved out an impressive legacy during her time as an Anteater.
A political science major, Carter will graduate this spring. As her time on campus comes to a close, Carter reflects on the experiences that have shaped her college career, as well as the path that led her to where she is today.
Big Idea, Big Potential: UCI Freshman and Dalai Lama Scholar Karishma Muthukumar Could Soon Help Guide the National Science Foundation’s Research Agenda
Big ideas don’t need to have big beginnings: some of the best have started with a single person passionate about creating change.
Enter Karishma Muthukumar. In high school, she earned a competitive summer internship at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County, created a program to help patients communicate using emojis, and launched a non-profit to educate and provide outreach on the brain, brain disease, and brain injury. Now a cognitive sciences major at UCI, Muthukumar was named the 2019-20 Dalai Lama scholar for her plan to change hospital waiting room experiences for patients and their families. And that’s only the beginning. She wants to create empathy-based artificial intelligence – helpful technology applications that also improve human connection, lessen anxiety, and reduce loneliness. She pitched her plan as part of the National Science Foundation’s 2026 Idea Machine, and in May, the undergrad learned she’s one step closer to making her idea a reality. Her project was one of 33 finalists selected from an initial pool of 800 applicants, and if selected as one of four winners, Muthukumar’s big idea will help guide scientific research objectives in the United States for the next decade.
Not bad for an 18-year-old college freshman.
Affirmative action an increasingly divisive issue for Asian Americans
Affirmative action has long been supported by minority groups for its efforts to level the playing field when it comes to college admissions. However, there’s an uptick in opposition to affirmative action by ethnic subgroups who feel that the policy unfairly discriminates. Specifically, Chinese Americans are mobilizing around the issue in increasingly conservative ways.
From Baseball to Business
Baseball has always been an integral part of UCI alumnus Taylor Holiday’s life, even after he stopped playing the game professionally. In fact, the ’09 alumnus credits his experiences with the sport - from his days as a student athlete at Mission Viejo High School and UC Irvine to being a 19th round draft pick for the New York Yankees - for the many successes he enjoys today. But for all of his time spent perfecting his on field performance, it has been the people he’s met and relationships he formed through baseball that have proven most critical.
Zot, zot, zot!
Senior Joyce Nguy exudes enthusiasm for her soon-to-be alma mater. In her time on campus, she has served as a Campus Representative, student blogger, Residential Adviser, Global Connect student leader and self-proclaimed zot zealot, to name a few. And there’s also that Fulbright she won to teach English in Taiwan. Majoring in political science and education sciences, Nguy is a persistent and tenacious explorer of opportunities, and it has paid off in spades.
From Atwater to All'estero
Perspective is sometimes found close to home; other times it’s developed when one travels far away. For Elianet Romero, it has been a little bit of both. From a childhood in one of Los Angeles’ most ethnically diverse neighborhoods, to a college student on exchange in Italy, Romero continues to demonstrate that her desire for an understanding of cultural paradigms knows no borders.
Lauds & Laurels, Risk & Reward
Shannon Eusey doesn't do anything halfway. Unless you count half marathons, in which case yes, she’s done a few. But that was before she decided to move on to the full 26.2, of which she’s now completed eight, (six being world marathon majors). And she’s just getting started.
Passion, Purpose and Coffee
Germain Louie may be the only former Starbucks barista whose choice of drink is pure black coffee. Though the chain is known for its fancy and sometimes complicated coffee-based drinks, Louie became an advocate of drinking coffee black in his time working as a barista while completing his degree at UC Irvine. He enjoyed educating fellow employees as well as customers on the various flavor notes that can be experienced with different varietals, unencumbered by add-ins.
