Honors and Awards

nothing is accomplished alone

Scholarships and Fellowships

Robert Morris University

  • School of Communications and Information Systems
    Summer Research Fellowship; $2850; 2012
    • Research Project: Autism and Persona

University of Minnesota

  • College of Liberal Arts, Diversity of Views and Experiences (DOVE) Summer Research Fellowship; $4000; 2009
    • Research Project: Different by Design: Online Spaces for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
  • Department of Writing Studies Research Block Grant; $625; 2008
    • Research Project: Creating an Autism Portal: Using Drupal to Create a Advocacy and Support Web Site
  • College of Liberal Arts, Diversity of Views and Experiences (DOVE) Summer Research Fellowship; $5000; 2007
    • Research Project: Virtually Different: Rhetorical Strategies of Autistic Students in Virtual Spaces
  • University Tuition Grant; full graduate tuition; 2007–2010
  • University Diversity of Views and Experiences (DOVE) Fellowship; 2006–2007
    • Stipend for academic year: $21,000
    • Tuition waiver: $13,040

California State University, Fresno

  • State University Tuition Grant; $3102; 2005–2006
  • State University Tuition Grant; $2820; 2004–2005

University of Southern California

  • Dean’s Scholarship Award for Excellence; $12,000 ($3,000 / year)
  • George H. Mayr Foundation Scholarship; $3000; 1987, 1988, 1999
  • USC General Award; $3000; 1990
  • USC Outstanding Student Scholarship; $1265; 1987
  • Presidential Merit Scholarship; $500; 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990
  • California State Federation Award (Honors Society); $500; 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990
  • USC Alumni Scholarship; $500; 1987
  • Visalia Association for the Talented & Gifted; $500, 1987

Honors & Awards

Graduate Honors

  • Phi Kappa Phi (ΦΚΦ) National Honors Society, Chapter 062; 2006

Journalism

  • First Place Mail-in Editorial, San Joaquin Valley Press Association; 1987
  • California Scholastic Press Association Scholarship Award; 1987
  • Honorable Mention, Fresno Bee Writer’s Contest; 1987
  • First Place Editorial, Tulare-Kings Counties Journalism Competition; 1986
  • Honorable Mention Editorial, Fresno State Journalism Competition; 1986

Computer Programming

  • Bank of America Achievement Award in Computer Science; 1987
  • Third Place Individual Programming, Bakersfield State University Math Field Day; 1986
  • Fourth Place Computer Team, Fresno State University Computer Competition; 1986
  • Second Place, College of the Sequoias Computer Competition; 1985

Public Service & General

  • Military Writers Society of America, President's Award for Service; 2012
  • Soroptimist International Appreciation Award; 1987
  • Optimist International Citizenship Award; 1987
  • California Scholarship Federation Gold Seal; 1987
  • Academic All-American; 1987
  • Visalia Association for the Talented and Gifted (VATAG) Merit Award; 1987
  • Visalia Unified School District Outstanding Achievement Award in Science; 1987
  • American Legion Boys’ State Senator; 1986
  • Who’s Who Registries; 1986, 1987, 1994