![Student looks into the camera while standing outside.](https://www.plu.edu/admission/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2024/05/20240418_es_raphi-senior-spotlight-01-725x408.jpg)
Criminal justice major Raphi Crenshaw ’24 interned at Tacoma Pro Bono and plans to attend law school
After graduating from Emerald Ridge High School in Puyallup, Raphi Crenshaw ’24 enrolled at PLU with plans to major in biology . “I was going to become a dermatologist, but when I started taking the classes, well, I wasn’t a fan of it,” Crenshaw remembers.…
![Student folds their arms and smiles into the camera and is standing in front of a purple UW Medicine sign.](https://www.plu.edu/admission/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2024/01/ib-admission-blog-jan-2024-725x408.png)
Isaiah Banken ’21 paves the way to medical excellence from PLU to UW School of Medicine
Meet Isaiah Banken, a ’21 graduate who set his sights on a career in medicine. With a B.S. in biology and a minor in mathematics from PLU, Isaiah began exploring diverse medical opportunities near his hometown of Wenatchee, WA. From being a compassionate force in…
![A student wearing a black mask, a blue baseball cap turned backward, and a white lab coat holds a pipette in front of their face as they practice adding liquid to a pipette.](https://www.plu.edu/admission/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2023/06/pnwu-mams-mou-725x408.png)
New partnership leads to new opportunities for PLU pre-health sciences graduates
PLU just launched a new partnership with the Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) to help PLU students apply to medical or other healthcare professional schools . Located in Yakima, PNWU educates and trains health care professionals emphasizing service among rural and medically underserved…
![Student stands in front of the pool wearing a plaid shirt and smiles at the camera.](https://www.plu.edu/admission/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2023/06/senior_story_23_henri-coronado-volta-725x408.png)
Henri Coronado-Volta ’23 discusses his global studies major, studying away, and his plans to attend UW’s Public Health Epidemiology program
Henri Coronado-Volta grew up in Seattle, Washington, and chose PLU because the smaller school offered the opportunity to build community, a chance to continue swimming, and living close to home—but not too close. He double majored in global studies and Hispanic studies and minored in…
PLU grads reflect on commencement
“Commencement means the culmination of hard work and accomplishments with my teammates and my classmates — so it’s a great day.” Our recent graduates reflect on the countless late nights spent studying, the friendships forged, the challenges overcome, and the personal growth they’ve experienced.
![PLU student, wearing a black shirt, cream cardigan sweater, and orange and yellow pants, smiles into the camera while standing in front of a wooden wall and window.](https://www.plu.edu/admission/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2023/06/jackie-lindstrom-1-725x408.png)
From Oxford, England to Oaxaca, Mexico, Jackie Lindstrom ’23 uses math to understand migration
Recently, chemistry major Jackie Lindstrom found herself in Oxford, England, conducting a series of informational interviews with public health representatives from Oxfam and the International Organization for Migration, a United Nations advisory agency that promotes international cooperation on migration. Traveling under a Wang Center Research…
![Adrian Ronquillo sits on a couch with a remote control in his hand. He's wearing a white shirt with the words 'Netflix' across the chest.](https://www.plu.edu/admission/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2022/12/adrian-ronquillo-5-19-22-018-725x408.jpg)
Computer Science major lands job at Netflix
During his senior year, computer science major Adrian Ronquillo ’22 filled out 203 job applications. Despite already having a job offer from a tech company he was interning with, he wanted to see what other opportunities were available to him. One of those applications included…
![Elizabeth Larios is pictured sitting at a lab table. She is wearing goggles and is using a water dropper to pour liquid into a beaker.](https://www.plu.edu/admission/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2022/11/elizabeth-larios-lab-600x408.jpeg)
PLU alum returns to Namibia to research infections and teach marimba
Biology major Elizabeth Larios ’21 was awarded a Fullbright scholarship for her work in Namibia. When she was in fourth grade, Larios wanted to be a neurosurgeon. That’s when her class took a field trip to a science museum and Larios saw an exhibit about…
![Lisa Woods smiles at the camera in her office. The window behind her looks over the city of Tacoma and there is a picture of Martin Luther King Jr. to her right.](https://www.plu.edu/admission/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2022/08/lisa-woods-web-725x408.png)
PLU alum takes leadership role as Tacoma’s chief equity officer
As far back as middle school, others noticed Lisa Woods’ quiet strength and power of observation. “My demeanor is to listen, hear people and see people,” she says. “I’ve developed that over time, but I’ve always been the listener in the room and not necessarily…
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Despite pandemic challenges, transfer student finds community at PLU
Monya-Dawn Wilson ’22 is a DJS Fellow and Rieke Scholar who came to PLU as a transfer student. Wilson is a Biology major, and dreams of becoming a pediatrician. “I’ve always liked science and learning,” said Wilson. “I like learning about the body, learning about…
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