Mullins, Vines are commencement speakers

Amaya is earning a degree in political science with a pre-law concentration. She is passionate about assisting immigrants' assimilation into the United States by advocating for an efficient and fair path to citizenship.

She has worked with the nonprofit organization Boy With A Ball as a peer mentor and English as a second language tutor. Amaya is also vice president of logistics for the Latino Student Association and served on the steering committee when UNG hosted the Model United Nations conference. She also took part in the prestigious Meridian-Cox Service Fellowship for Emerging Leaders in Washington, D.C., this summer.

Following graduation, she hopes to continue her education by pursuing a J.D. with a specialty in international and comparative law.

"The faculty and staff have been super encouraging for me to apply for scholarships, fellowships and internships," she said. "Being at UNG has given me this new-found confidence of believing in myself and not selling myself short."

A second-generation Kenyan-American, Sims has kindled a growing interest in leadership opportunities in her four years at UNG. While she is pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration in management, her minor in Korean helped her decide to pursue a career in teaching English as a foreign language in South Korea. She is seeking a Fulbright grant to support this path. Sims has also served as vice president of the Korean Club this semester.

She started college as a retail worker in Helen, Georgia, and is ending it as a day-of coordinator for a wedding planning company based in the north Georgia area.

"Being here and collaborating with fellow students, being in clubs, it gives you confidence and refines you as a leader," Sims said. "The faculty are always ready to help you find opportunities beyond the classroom."

Westerfield is in her fellowship for sports medicine at Self Regional Healthcare in Greenwood, S.C., actively covering NCAA Division II college athletics and high school athletics.

She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in biology and a minor in Spanish from UNG. Westerfield then attended Mercer University School of Medicine in Macon, Georgia, as a Nathan Deal Scholar, with a commitment to serving rural Georgia upon completion of her training.

Most recently, Westerfield completed her family medicine residency at Self Regional, where she served as chief resident and completed focal tracks in sports medicine, obstetrics and women's health, and global health. She was awarded the South Carolina American Association of Family Physicians Most Outstanding Resident of the Year Award by her faculty and program.