Editor’s note: Commencements require tickets for admission. To attend, contact Julia Ann Easley in advance at jaeasley@ucdavis.edu.
Shanlea “Sen” Tabofunda of Cupertino, Ƶ, set a goal for their first year at the Ƶ, Davis: learning to ride a bike without using their hands.
Tabofunda accomplished that and so much more during their time at UC Davis. In a commencement speech Saturday, they will use a biking metaphor to highlight how we need others to find balance in our lives.
“In the face of all the challenges these past few years have thrown at us … the one thing that we’ve learned we can always rely on, is each other,” they wrote in their draft speech.
Tabofunda is one of five students selected to address the university’s undergraduate commencements at Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center Friday through Sunday (June 13-15).
The others are Alexa Kwan of Santa Clara, Ƶ; Krystle Catamura of San Jose, Ƶ; Nikhita Toleti of Windermere, Florida; and Hala Al Saidali of Marina, Ƶ.
Finding balance
9 a.m. Saturday — Shanlea “Sen” Tabofunda, Bachelor of Science in neurobiology, physiology and behavior with a minor in sociology.
Tabofunda has been an undergraduate researcher in labs exploring how pollutants, especially those we inhale, harm the brain. They have co-authored an academic paper and presented research at the annual meeting of an academic society.
Tabofunda was also this year’s chief of staff at the Joan Viteri Memorial Clinic in Sacramento, which provides free primary medical care for underserved populations, including those who use intravenous drugs, work in the sex trade or identify as transgender.
“It was the most fulfilling thing I did,” said Tabofunda. “I’m playing a role in helping people get the life-saving care they need.”
They are one of the 2024-25 recipients of the , which recognizes high-achieving undergraduates who have pursued skills and experiences beyond their coursework to have a positive impact on the world.
Tabofunda said they are grateful for those who encouraged them to do more and who picked them up when they fell. “Finding your balance is not one specific point. Throughout your life your priorities will shift,” they said. “Having friends and people to support you helps you find balance time and time again.”
Tabofunda plans to work in a research setting for two years before starting a medical degree or medical and doctoral degree program.
Lining up that next relationship
9 a.m. Friday — Alexa Kwan, Bachelor of Arts in economics.
It’s not surprising that Kwan successfully negotiated higher pay for her first job out of college as a global compensation analyst at Marvell Technology in Santa Clara. She had interned at the company for six months, had other job offers, and co-founded and served as president of the Human Resources Management Association at UC Davis.
“Negotiation, that’s what we try to teach in the club I started,” said Kwan, who finished her degree in December and started her job in January.
During her studies, Kwan also served as director of finance for Davis Women in Business, a student organization promoting professional development including career direction and networking.
Originally aspiring to be a certified public accountant, Kwan pivoted to human resources when an internship in the field helped her discover her calling. “I get to tell stories with data and make recommendations based on data and trends,” she said.
In her speech, Kwan will compare the college years to dating. She said that some Aggies have already lined up their next relationship — a job, graduate school or a big move. She said it’s OK that others are still figuring it out. “If college has taught us anything,” she wrote in the draft, “it’s that we are never just one thing. We are the sum of every challenge we overcame, every late-night conversation that changed our perspective, and every person who left a mark on us.”
In the job search, Kwan said, there may be setbacks. “You have to repurpose those nos. You have to use that as fuel and fire to keep you going. What can I do differently? What can I change next time?”
Kwan plans to eventually earn an MBA and start her own human resources consulting business.