College is a journey many students begin without fully understanding the life experiences it brings will bring. As a new freshman, a student has to figure out how to navigate everyday challenges such as walking to class, sorting out housing, studying abroad and learning to communicate for with others. These things may seem simple, but they often aren’t. Through it all, students also remain centered on the ultimate goal: to graduate.

The journey can continue to bring unexpected challenges outside of academics, with situations that can feel overwhelming at times. As the academic year comes to an end, the College of Liberal Arts celebrates the remarkable individuals who graduated, carrying their motivations, aspirations and dreams forward into the future.

Genevy Machuca

Genevy Machuca is a student who was born and raised in southern Nevada and approached college with an open mind, recognizing that some of the biggest takeaways of the college experience are the skills they build.

Machuca is a dual major in the College of Liberal Arts’ Department of World Languages and Literatures Spanish program and the Reynolds School of Journalism who struggled at first to find her footing.

“I questioned my major, found new hobbies, met new people and even lost some along the way. Yet, nothing was ever a setback, just part of becoming who I am,” she said.

This sentiment is true among many of our liberal arts students. The College prides itself on building community and preparing students for the workforce as well as the world.

Machuca has been an active member of the College, serving as a NevadaFit Mentor (guiding new freshman on their first weeks of school), spending lots of time in University’s Knowledge Center and taking her studies abroad through South America and Europe. All these experiences, big and small, have prepared her for the next step of life: post-grad. Daunting to some, Machuca says the experiences and her “just try it” mentality, which has pushed out of her comfort zone, have all been key players in preparing her for this moment and all the next ones. Machuca is committed to being a lifelong learner, adapter and community builder, no matter where post-grad takes her.

Upon graduation, Machuca plans to continue traveling and sharing the stories that go untold.

"Stepping outside of the bubble of home and learning more about cultures and people from all over the world is important to me," she said. "Even though I will be done with college, learning won’t stop, and I believe the best way to learn is through real life experiences. For me, that means traveling.”

Many students share that same passion after taking opportunities to study abroad. The College encourages students to explore the global opportunities available during their time at the University. The College has several international programs, including courses in Rome, Japan and beyond. You can learn more about these opportunities on the Global Humanities Program webpage.

Jaden Pharrell King

Not all studies follow the same path. For some, experiences include the daily balance of work, school and often hardship that their classmates and professors may never know about.

This spring, the Department of Art, Art History and Design’s digital media major and College of Business, entrepreneurship minor, Jaden Pharrell King, proudly walked the commencement stage, honoring his hard work and his late father, whose sudden loss has motivated him to push even harder towards commencement and each day's opportunities. 

Originally from Las Vegas, King reflects on his accomplishments and hardships.

“I persevered and dedicated myself to not only academics and occupation, but to myself and using my time here to find myself again,” he said.

King shared that his largest challenge while studying at the University was the loss of his dad, who passed suddenly from sickle cell disease in December 2023. After taking the winter to be with family, King returned to school in the spring of 2024 and has been on the Dean’s List every semester since, worked multiple internships and worked for two years as the social media and marketing lead of the Nevada Career Studio. Despite his hardships, King’s kept his foot on the gas and remained determined to put himself in the best position at graduation. Through loss, work experience and academics, King reflected that he’s “…constantly changing and will for the rest of my life.”

A student like Jaden Pharrell King is the perfect example of the grit and drive many students endure during their time on campus. Multiple internships and career orientated jobs don’t just fall into someone's lap; they are earned. Setting himself up for success, King is excited to graduate and take on job hunting, while making time to travel, grow and find out who he is during his next journey as a post-grad.

Graduation always seems to arrive sooner than expected. Yet one thing remains certain: the skills and experiences students gain in the College of Liberal Arts, including critical thinking, determination, community building and a global perspective, shine through in the confidence and poise of graduates like Genevy Machuca and Jaden Pharrell King, along with every liberal arts student who crossed the commencement stage this May.

To all Liberal Arts graduates reading this: the College is incredibly proud of you and will always be here, cheering you on wherever your journey leads next.