Major: Economics

Mikayla Rose Cree

Bachelor of Science: Economics & Philosophy

Minor

Mathematics

Hometown

Newark, California

My Greatest Supporters

My incredible parents, Tom and Gayle, my loving grandma, Rose, my awesome siblings and nephew, Gregory, Joseph, Nicole, and Luciano, my wonderful fiancé, Ben, and my superb advisor, Professor András Margitay Becht.

Favorite Saint Mary's Memory

My faith has transformed during my time at the College, with the support of many mentors, including Professors Patrick Downey and Colin Redemer, Elliott Haught, Father Hai, and Christine Oh. I will never forget their pastoral care, patience, and generosity.

My Next Chapter

I look forward to professional development, fulfilling friendships, reading lots, and marrying my best friend this September!

Clubs and Activities

InterVarsity Christian Fellowship
Cummins Institute

Favorite Quote

Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.

— Mother Teresa

Ruger Welty

Bachelor of Arts: Economics

Hometown

Woodland, California

My Greatest Supporters

Roy Allen
My mother

Clubs and Activities

Club Baseball Captain

Sophia Warren

Bachelor of Arts: Economics: Sustainability Studies

Minor

Spanish

Honors

Cum Laude

Hometown

Aurora, Colorado

My Greatest Supporters

I am grateful for the support of my parents as mentors, friends and providers of this wonderful education. The unending support from my three brothers and their partners. The many guiding forces of my learning and growing at SMC: Manisha Anantharaman, Shaunna Vella, Shawny Anderson, Catherine Davalos, and David Quijada.
And to the funniest, most understanding and inspiring circle of friends.

Favorite Saint Mary's Memory

Too many to count! My favorite memories of college are the mundane moments on campus, laying in a hammock and chatting with anyone and everyone who walked by. I also must mention my time in Puerto Rico over Jan Term 2019. This experience gave me passion, inspiration and perspective along with a group of the most salt-of-the-earth humans that I still call my closest friends.

My Next Chapter

I will be working at an outdoors kids camp with some friends in the Bay Area this summer. After that, I am hoping try an internship in the sustainability field this fall until I leave for Australia for a year in 2022. I am excited to try on many hats in the coming years to discern my calling. This path may include environmental justice research, land rights policy, filmmaking or journalism.

Clubs and Activities

Saint Mary's College Dance Company
Vice President of Green Gaels Environmental Club
Hammock Club
Center for International Studies Peer Mentor
Surfrider's Club
Intramural Soccer

Favorite Quote

“I’ve heard it said that sometimes, in return for the gifts of earth, gratitude is enough. It is our unique human gift to express thanks, because we have the awareness and the collective memory to remember that the world can well be otherwise, less generous than it is. But I think we are called to go beyond cultures of gratitude, to once again become cultures of reciprocity. “

— Robin Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass

Sydney Meyer

Bachelor of Science: Economics

Minor

Anthropology & Mathematics & Computer Science

Hometown

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Ross Leong

Bachelor of Arts: Economics

Minor

History

Honors

Cum Laude

Hometown

La Canada, California

My Greatest Supporters

My biggest supporters throughout my four years at Saint Mary's were my parents and the friends I made during my first year at Mitty Hall.

Favorite Saint Mary's Memory

Attending basketball games in McKeon Pavilion with my friends.

My Next Chapter

After graduation, I would like to spend some time to relax and to do some traveling. I hope to find a job in finance or investments in the near future.

Clubs and Activities

Intramural Basketball
Intramural Flag Football
Club Baseball
Republican Club

Favorite Quote

Be Prepared... the meaning of the motto is that a scout must prepare himself by previous thinking out and practicing how to act on any accident or emergency so that he is never taken by surprise.

— Robert Baden-Powell

Matis Bot

Bachelor of Science: Economics

Minor

Mathematics

Hometown

Moraga, California

Katie Hughes

Bachelor of Arts: Politics & Economics: Sustainability Studies

Honors

Magna Cum Laude

Hometown

Pilot Hill, California

My Greatest Supporters

All my love and my deepest gratitude are extended to Samuel Hughes and Suzette Sepaspour, for being the home I can always come back to. To Rosie and Hunter, for the unconditional love and life lessons. To Jenny and Mike, for the infinite support. To Olivia Hardt, for all the advice. To Grandma Hughes, the Knight family, Kayla Martain, and my best friend Paris.

Favorite Saint Mary's Memory

Some of my favorite memories are taking a fencing class freshman year, rollerskating around campus in the wee hours of the morning, going to late-night with my gals, running on the path across from campus, taking a hip-hip class, going camping & road tripping (Joshua Tree, Fort Bragg, SLO, Anza Borrego), watching tVD, and getting drinks with the two best friends that anyone could have.

My Next Chapter

This summer I have the honor of interning with the San Francisco District Attorney's Office. I will then attend either law school or graduate school before pursuing a career that combines my love for the environment with the pursuit of justice. I hope to spend my twenties enjoying nature, reading good literature, talking about politics, immersing myself in stories, and dancing.

Clubs and Activities

Sales Professional at Tiffany and Company (2018-2021)

Favorite Quote

"What do we wish for? To be whole. To be complete. Wildness reminds us what it means to be human, what we are connected to rather than what we are separate from”

— Terry Tempest Williams

Kiera Armintrout

Bachelor of Science: Business Administration: Business Analytics & Economics

Minor

Mathematics

Honors

Magna Cum Laude

Brother U. Jerome Griffin

Hometown

Golden, Colorado

Award Bio

Kiera Armintrout is graduating with degrees in Business Analytics and Economics, with a minor in Mathematics. A peer mentor for SEBA and the Center for Intercultural Programs, Kiera is passionate about connecting others with resources and is especially interested in the field of developmental economics. After graduation, she will start as a risk consultant at Crowe LLP in San Francisco.

My Greatest Supporters

Are my family, friends, and academic advisors. I am where I am because of my parent's guidance and support. I have made the most amazing friends, who help me stay grounded and continue to help me grow. Finally, a huge thank you to Professor Jones, Andras Margitay-Becht, and the SMC professors who have challenged and encouraged me to try new things.

Favorite Saint Mary's Memory

Meeting new people both in Moraga and in Spain during my semester abroad. From camping trips with my closet gals to nights out with so many friends, SMC has really become home. The freshman years walks from Assumption across campus, the pool days after class, and the nights at the cross will always be memories that I cherish.

My Next Chapter

Following graduation, I will be starting as a risk consultant with Crowe LLP in their SF office. While I'm there, I hope to get involved with a local town hall or find other ways to use my lessons and passions from SMC to make changes in the world. I hope to continue to grow and learn more, and would like to be living abroad in the next few years.

Clubs and Activities

SEBA Peer Mentor
CIP Peer Mentor
Economics Society

Favorite Quote

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So sail away from the safe harbour. Explore, Dream, Discover."

— Mark Twain

Katherine Kahler

Bachelor of Science: Economics

Minor

Performing Arts: Theatre

Honors

Summa Cum Laude

Adam Smith

Hometown

Modesto, California

Award Bio

Katherine (Arzella) Kahler entered Saint Mary's intending to double major in Theatre and JCL. An econ course led to her discovering a great interest in economics, and she is now graduating with a BS in Economics and a minor in Theatre. Moving forward, she is considering a career in criminal law or pursuing a graduate degree in Economics.

My Greatest Supporters

This may sound like a cliche, but I mean it with complete sincerity when I say that my family is my greatest support. They have always pushed me to work hard and study hard, but ultimately to just do my best in everything. They have imparted on me the belief that I am capable of anything and that I can do anything I set me mind to. When I need help, they are the ones I turn to.

Favorite Saint Mary's Memory

I have many wonderful memories of my time at Saint Mary's. Perhaps my favorite memory and thing to do is hiking to the cross at night. Whether I am alone or with friends, there is nothing I would prefer to do on campus. There is something serenely beautiful being up there at night looking down on the campus below or up at the stars.

My Next Chapter

Life after graduation is a daunting thing to think about. Some already have a plan for where they are heading next and others may still be figuring things out. I fall into the later category. While I don't have a specific course planned out, I am strongly considering attending law school, obtaining my masters in Economics, or potentially working in the film or theatre industry.

Clubs and Activities

Inter-varsity Christian Fellowship
Theatre
Honors
Gael Force

Favorite Quote

"We know what we are, but know not what we can be"

— William Shakespeare

Jocelyn Villalta Lua

Bachelor of Arts: Economics & Philosophy

Minor

Sociology

Hometown

Novato, California

My Greatest Supporters

I wouldn't be where I am without my parent's drive to move me forward. I would like to thank my mentor, Colin Redemer, who has led me towards virtue and I hope continues to challenge my ideas after college. I would like to thank my advisor, András Margitay-Becht who made my dreams a reality all on a google excel sheet which constantly needed to be adjusted. Last one goes out to mis amigas.

Favorite Saint Mary's Memory

I always loved walking into Oliver and recognizing so many faces. Catching up with friends as we stood in line and sitting down in a long table where so many could be seated and join in on the conversation.

My Next Chapter

Entry Level Recruiter at Motion Recruitment in the San Francisco office

Clubs and Activities

Philosophy Club
Econ Society
Surfrider
Intervarsity
High Potential

Favorite Quote

"The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it."

— Marcus Aurelius