Scholarship Luncheon 2026 Brings Together Donors and Students to Celebrate Achievements
Thanks to everyone who joined us for our annual 2026 Scholarship Luncheon to connect and celebrate with our supporters and our amazing scholarship students!
Our annual Scholarship Luncheon brings together the donors who fund scholarships with the students they support to remind us that together we can change the world!
Thanks to everyone who joined us for our 2026 Annual Scholarship Luncheon! Hosted by the college and co-sponsored by Desert Diamond Casino and Bill Westcott, Inc, this year’s luncheon inspired everyone who attended. We were delighted to connect in person with so many of our supporters and partners, and our public health student speakers shared powerful testimonials about what they have achieved with scholarship support.
Following introductions and remembrances from Dean Iman Hakim, we heard from current scholarship students, including BS student Demaris Carolane Lent, MPH student Lizbeth Olivarez, and PhD student Uzoamaka Okwor, about their educational journeys in public health, and how scholarship funds helped them toward their goals.
During her remarks, Dean Hakim also talked about our new Finish Line Scholarship. This scholarship is designed to support students who are very close to completing their degree but face unexpected financial challenges that could delay or even prevent their graduation.
We have seen students in their final semester who are balancing coursework, jobs, and family responsibilities, only to be faced with an unexpected expense or shortfall. With just a small amount of additional support they can stay enrolled, graduate as planned, and begin making a difference in the communities they serve. Without it, their path forward can quickly become uncertain.
The Finish Line Scholarship is intended to provide timely support at a critical moment, and ensure that students can complete what they have worked so hard to achieve. If this is something that resonates with you, we would be very grateful for your support. You can make a gift here: Finish Line Scholarship
We are deeply grateful for our donors, thanks so much for your dedication to public health!
Scholarship Luncheon Video
You can see a recording of the Luncheon program here, and the student's speeches will fill you with appreciation for public health!
Scholarship Luncheon Photos
You can see more photos from the Scholarship Luncheon event on our Flickr site
Scholarship Luncheon Speakers 2026
Damaris Carolane Lent
BS in Public Health, One Health
Zuckerman Family Foundation Scholarship Endowment
Damaris is a public health major with a One Health emphasis and an interest in environmental health, particularly water quality and environmental hazards. Through her internship with the Partnership for Native American Cancer Prevention Outreach Core, she developed a passion for health education and hopes to educate Native American communities about health and wellness.
Lizbeth Olivarez
MPH in Health Behavior Health Promotion
Chicanos Por La Causa Commitment to Service Scholarship
Lizbeth approaches public health through an intersectional lens to address contemporary health challenges. Her research focuses on rural health, health communication, and strengthening psychosocial support for marginalized communities. She plans to pursue a PhD and a professorship to advance community-based participatory research and promote equitable, community-driven public health solutions.
Uzoamaka Okwor
PhD in Epidemiology
SueBob Scholars Endowment
Uzoamaka is a PhD student in Epidemiology studying chronic disease prevention, women’s health, and health disparities. Her research examines cancer risk factors and polycystic ovary syndrome among Hispanic women of Mexican heritage. With experience leading community cancer screening programs, she aims to become a professor developing prevention strategies and informing equitable health policy.
