Major: Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise Science and a minor in Creative Writing
Career Goal: Graduate School for Physical Therapy and a Career in Pediatric Physical Therapy
“I am greatly appreciative of your generosity and willingness to help students like me succeed despite the challenges they face.” – Cynthia Ibanez
UNM – Andre
Major: Philosophy with a Pre-Law concentration and a Sociology minor.
Career Goal: Attorney serving at-risk populations that have limited access to legal representation. “When I worked with homeless youth, I would tell my clients that it was my job to build them an army of support, with those who believed whole heartily in their success; now, thank you for joining my army of believers in my success.” – Andre Jones
UNM – Sarah Kamei
Major: Bachelor’s College of Arts & Science
Career Goal: Author or Teacher
UNM – Hector Triana Ruiz
Major: Electrical Engineering (EE)
Career Goal: PhD in EE and work for a leading tech company like Tesla, Boeing, or Google.
“I want to thank the donors of the Anne B. Thomas No Bounds scholarship for offering this opportunity to students like me” – Hector Triana Ruiz
UNM – Kaden Calahan
Major: Secondary Education with a concentration in Language Arts
Career Goal: Language Arts High School Teacher
“Thank you. I am grateful to have been selected for this honor” – Kaden Calahan
2023
UNM – Daniel Feng
Major: Biochemistry in the 2022 BA/MD cohort at UNM
Career Goal: To provide high quality medical care to others in my home of NM.
“My disability has never stopped me from excelling in academics and community services to reach my highest potential and pursue my true dream.” –Daniel Feng
UNM – Ethan Van
Major: Double major in Psychology and Religious Studies
Educational goals: Counseling psychology Ph.D.
Career Goal: I would like to work specifically with individuals who experience intersecting LGBTQIA+ and religious identities. Additionally, I am interested in teaching college level students to help foster the growth of more counselors in the community.
“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the donors who provided funding for the Anne B. Thomas No Bounds Scholarship. My area of research is not widely studied, and having individuals provide support while I am building my career means the world to me” – Ethan Van
UNM – Scholar 3
Major: UNM Business School
“Anne B. Thomas had a will to succeed and overcome any adversity in front of her. These same values were instilled in me through sports and are values I would be honored to carry forward as an Anne B. Thomas scholarship recipient.” – Scholar 3
2022
UNM – Karlann Harms
Major: Integrated Studies and Innovation
Educational goals: Graduate Summa Cum Laude with three minors by May 2023
Career Goal: My goal is to become a small business owner who will eventually fund foster care and youth entrepreneurship programs.
“I want the donors to know that school means the world to me, and I am eternally grateful for both the scholarship and being introduced to Ms. Thomas’ story and her values. I will never forget it and fully intend to pay the kindness I have been shown forward in my career.” – Karlann Harms
UNM – Daisy Belmares-Ortega
Major: Mechanical Engineering, Minor Chemistry
Educational Goals: Complete MD PhD program at UNM
Career Goals: I would like to be a physician scientist in the fields of pathology, toxicology, or neurology to work for underserved patient populations here in NM.
“I am part of UNM’s Society of Women Engineers (SWE) to mentor and empower women in STEM and the Native Health Initiative (NHI’s) Healers of Tomorrow program to promote health careers to all New Mexican high schoolers.
Thank you to our generous donors. It is through community support that students can make their dreams come true. I cannot wait to make you all proud and help pay it forward!” – Daisy Belmares-Ortega
UNM – Scholar 3
Major: Nursing / Criminology
“Although my own life experiences have been far from ideal, I know that I am resilient, smart, and deserving” – Scholar 3
2021
UNM – Leslie Hernandez
Major: Special Education License to teach special education Pre K – 12th License to teach general education K-5
Educational goals: Visual Impairment Masters program at New Mexico State, so I can become a teacher for the Visually Impaired.
“I am an active member of the National Federation of the Blind, and a board member of the New Mexico Association of Blind students. I know the No Bounds scholarship will be a great help for students who have disabilities at UNM, and will show them that they are just as capable of getting a college degree as anyone else.” – Leslie Hernandez
UNM – Paul Irwin
Major: English with an emphasis on Creative Writing Minor in the Honors College Certificate in Technical/Professional Writing
Educational goals: MFA in Creative Writing or a MA/PhD in General Education
“I am a non-traditional student and decided to pursue a higher education five years ago. I promised my mother before she passed, that I would pursue one of my dreams and make a difference in the world. I hope to be able to teach the craft of storytelling to high school or college students.” – Paul Irwin
Scholars
The Anne B. Thomas No Bounds Scholars
2024
CSULB Inaugural Scholar – Cynthia Ibanez
Major: Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise Science and a minor in Creative Writing
Career Goal: Graduate School for Physical Therapy and a Career in Pediatric Physical Therapy
“I am greatly appreciative of your generosity and willingness to help students like me succeed despite the challenges they face.” – Cynthia Ibanez
UNM – Andre
Major: Philosophy with a Pre-Law concentration and a Sociology minor.
Career Goal: Attorney serving at-risk populations that have limited access to legal representation. “When I worked with homeless youth, I would tell my clients that it was my job to build them an army of support, with those who believed whole heartily in their success; now, thank you for joining my army of believers in my success.” – Andre Jones
UNM – Sarah Kamei
Major: Bachelor’s College of Arts & Science
Career Goal: Author or Teacher
UNM – Hector Triana Ruiz
Major: Electrical Engineering (EE)
Career Goal: PhD in EE and work for a leading tech company like Tesla, Boeing, or Google.
“I want to thank the donors of the Anne B. Thomas No Bounds scholarship for offering this opportunity to students like me” – Hector Triana Ruiz
UNM – Kaden Calahan
Major: Secondary Education with a concentration in Language Arts
Career Goal: Language Arts High School Teacher
“Thank you. I am grateful to have been selected for this honor” – Kaden Calahan
2023
UNM – Daniel Feng
Major: Biochemistry in the 2022 BA/MD cohort at UNM
Career Goal: To provide high quality medical care to others in my home of NM.
“My disability has never stopped me from excelling in academics and community services to reach my highest potential and pursue my true dream.” –Daniel Feng
UNM – Ethan Van
Major: Double major in Psychology and Religious Studies
Educational goals: Counseling psychology Ph.D.
Career Goal: I would like to work specifically with individuals who experience intersecting LGBTQIA+ and religious identities. Additionally, I am interested in teaching college level students to help foster the growth of more counselors in the community.
“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the donors who provided funding for the Anne B. Thomas No Bounds Scholarship. My area of research is not widely studied, and having individuals provide support while I am building my career means the world to me” – Ethan Van
UNM – Scholar 3
Major: UNM Business School
“Anne B. Thomas had a will to succeed and overcome any adversity in front of her. These same values were instilled in me through sports and are values I would be honored to carry forward as an Anne B. Thomas scholarship recipient.” – Scholar 3
2022
UNM – Karlann Harms
Major: Integrated Studies and Innovation
Educational goals: Graduate Summa Cum Laude with three minors by May 2023
Career Goal: My goal is to become a small business owner who will eventually fund foster care and youth entrepreneurship programs.
“I want the donors to know that school means the world to me, and I am eternally grateful for both the scholarship and being introduced to Ms. Thomas’ story and her values. I will never forget it and fully intend to pay the kindness I have been shown forward in my career.” – Karlann Harms
UNM – Daisy Belmares-Ortega
Major: Mechanical Engineering, Minor Chemistry
Educational Goals: Complete MD PhD program at UNM
Career Goals: I would like to be a physician scientist in the fields of pathology, toxicology, or neurology to work for underserved patient populations here in NM.
“I am part of UNM’s Society of Women Engineers (SWE) to mentor and empower women in STEM and the Native Health Initiative (NHI’s) Healers of Tomorrow program to promote health careers to all New Mexican high schoolers.
Thank you to our generous donors. It is through community support that students can make their dreams come true. I cannot wait to make you all proud and help pay it forward!” – Daisy Belmares-Ortega
UNM – Scholar 3
Major: Nursing / Criminology
“Although my own life experiences have been far from ideal, I know that I am resilient, smart, and deserving” – Scholar 3
2021
UNM – Leslie Hernandez
Major: Special Education
License to teach special education Pre K – 12th
License to teach general education K-5
Educational goals:
Visual Impairment Masters program at New Mexico State, so I can become a teacher for the Visually Impaired.
“I am an active member of the National Federation of the Blind, and a board member of the New Mexico Association of Blind students. I know the No Bounds scholarship will be a great help for students who have disabilities at UNM, and will show them that they are just as capable of getting a college degree as anyone else.” – Leslie Hernandez
UNM – Paul Irwin
Major: English with an emphasis on Creative Writing
Minor in the Honors College
Certificate in Technical/Professional Writing
Educational goals:
MFA in Creative Writing or a MA/PhD in General Education
“I am a non-traditional student and decided to pursue a higher education five years ago. I promised my mother before she passed, that I would pursue one of my dreams and make a difference in the world. I hope to be able to teach the craft of storytelling to high school or college students.” – Paul Irwin