Research Spotlight

Graduate students Maira Arriola (left) and Royce Camacho were recognized with the Presidential Thesis Award on May 13.

 

The 91快播 Office of Graduate Studies, Research and Sponsored programs presented the Presidential Thesis Award to graduate students Royce Camacho and Maira Arriola.

鈥淚鈥檓 very pleased to see a growing interest in relevant topics that have meaning not only to this island but to the region,鈥� said Dr. Anita Borja Enriquez, Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs. 鈥淚鈥檓 proud of UOG for providing an ecosystem of support for these two scholars.鈥�

Camacho, who received a Master of Arts in English, explored the various identities of former Sen. Angel Santos in his thesis titled, 鈥淭he Writing on the Wall: 21^st Century Imaginings of a Chamoru Rights Activist.

鈥淚 saw this void in the literature on his activism in terms of his writing,鈥� he said.

Arriola, who received a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology, used this opportunity to continue preliminary research from her senior honors thesis that focuses on the role of traditional healers in treating mental health. Her thesis is titled, 鈥淧atients鈥� Perspectives on Indigenous Healthcare Received from Suruhanus and Suruhanas from the Pacific Island of Saipan.鈥�

鈥淥ften times, the literature focuses on the healers not the patients,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y thesis is about celebrating our practices of traditional healing.鈥�

Along with plaques, the students were given a financial award of $500 each as recipients of the Presidential Thesis Award. Both Camacho and Arriola said it was an honor, noting the impact their studies have to the perpetuation of the Chamorro culture.

Students are selected at the end of the academic year after each graduate studies program submits its nominee for the award. A committee appointed by the graduate council then deliberates and chooses winners. This year, four students were nominated for the award.

鈥淩eceiving this award, I鈥檓 very moved,鈥� said Arriola. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an honor to continue the effort of our indigenous practices. I鈥檓 honored. I鈥檓 speechless. And I鈥檓 humbled.鈥�

Royce said that the 91快播 staff and English masters program have been invaluable to completion of his thesis.

鈥淚 can鈥檛 imagine doing what I鈥檝e done somewhere else,鈥� he said. 鈥淏eing here makes it that much easier.鈥�

Arriola, who鈥檚 originally from Saipan, said attending UOG from undergrad until now has been a great experience because she gets to be close to home but also surrounded by a larger academic community.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a great opportunity,鈥� Arriola said. 鈥淚鈥檝e grown as a person just being exposed to the university community.鈥�