COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SCIENCES SCHOLARSHIP PORTFOLIO (2013) | Page 131

Lauren Morgan Lombardo
Social Work 2013 Undergraduate Honoree
As an SF State student, Lauren has been on the Dean’s list since
2008 for maintaining an overall GPA of 3.6. Lauren’s social justice
orientation is best exemplified by her leadership roles in the following
student organizations and initiatives: 1) Treasurer, Phi-Alpha Honor
Society; 2) Vice President, Social Work Advocates for Vision &
Empowerment (SWAVE); and 3) Undergraduate Liaison, National
Association of Social Workers (NASW) California Chapter, Region A.
Lauren has led fundraising efforts for several community organizations,
such as Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS), and the
Edison Charter School. As Vice President for SWAVE, Lauren headed
a toy drive for Evergreen Center for Women and Children as well as
put on events for social work students. She is currently coordinating
the third annual Sounds of Justice concert which the BASW students
organize to showcase local talent and fundraise for community
partners. As undergraduate liaison for NASW CA, Lauren coordinates
and communicates events, campaigns, and other activities between
SF State and the local chapter of the NASW. Lauren has participated
actively in the NASW Legislative Lobby Days for two academic
years. In this year’s lobby days, she will lead a legislative team for an
appointment with legislator..Lauren’s off-campus involvements further
demonstrate how she puts her social justice commitment to practice.
These involvements include: 1) Helping build a new store for
Habitat for Humanity in San Carlos; 2) volunteer coordinator for the
Big Wave Project, an event that helps fundraise and bring awareness
about the need for a live in home for those with Autism; 3) Food Bank
and CCLP Immigrant Court Advocates; and 4) volunteering for two
years with The Red Cross’s Annual Fundraising Gala in Union Square.
Jessica Diaz

Nancy Marquez
Nancy has exemplified community involvement through public service.
For nearly eight years, she served as a community organizer for the
Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organization. By
working with community members in Contra Costa County, she: Won
the City of Oakley grants for programs for at-risk teens, and another
for a full time health clinic; organized two citizenship programs that
helped 60+ residents become naturalized citizens; developed bridgebuilding workshops in partnership with the Oakland Diocese to foster
dialogue on immigration issues; led initiatives at two school districts
to reduce class size, improve college opportunity through parentteacher home visits, eliminate linguistic barriers preventing parent
engagement; secured a commitment from the BART Board to adopt a
local hire policy for East County residents. Nancy is a first generation
immigrant. She completes her degree with a GPA of 3.64.
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SCHOOLS

Jessica Diaz is a Bay Area Native raised in Marin County. Jessica
completed a Masters of Social Work in May 2012 and received the
Graduate Student Award for Academic Achievement. Jessica has
volunteered for non-profit The Body Positive for over 10 years in
which she leads workshops, groups and seminars about building selfesteem of girls and women with regards to body image, health and
movement. Jessica will be pursuing a career in Community Mental
Health working with adults and older adults with severe and persistent
mental illness.