Chancellor's Award for Student Achievement

The Chancellor's Award for Student Achievement recognizes and outstanding graduating student(s) each academic year. Students are selected based on academic achievement and love of learning, overcoming barriers, community service, future leadership potential, active involvement in campus life and other qualities. This award is presented annually at the WSU Vancouver commencement ceremony.

Dora Hernandez

Dora Hernandez never viewed a four-year university as an option for continuing her education. As a mother of two who worked to support her family, Dora transferred to WSU Vancouver only after a Clark College faculty member encouraged her to apply  for scholarships. Since arriving at WSU Vancouver, Dora has positioned herself as a trailblazer of on-campus involvement and community outreach and as an advocate  for both minority empowerment and  academic excellence.

After transferring to WSU Vancouver in 2010, Dora impressed her professors with her commitment to learning and her ability to account for a diverse range of perspectives in the classroom. In addition to classes for her human development degree, she also involves herself in a wide range of fields— as evidenced by the education and political science classes she has taken for a certificate in Social and Environmental Justice.

In her time at WSU Vancouver, Dora has left an indelible mark on campus by acting as founder and president of the Latin@ Student Association, a student organization that has provided leadership opportunities for Latina/Latino students on campus. She has also worked to increase student awareness of financial aid and scholarship opportunities through helping plan the FAFSA Feed and Scholarship Fair and by co-leading the  College Goal Sunday Washington event. Further extending her leadership roles, Dora has served as a student diversity peer mentor and, through her position as a student affairs intern, has regularly represented WSU  Vancouver at high schools around the region.

With such a high level of involvement, Dora’s ability to graduate with honors and to act as a role model for her two college-bound sons remains an outstanding testament to her passion and dedication. Although graduating, her roles as leader, motivator, mentor and scholar at WSU Vancouver will continue to inspire and empower those in the community around her.