Since 1983, the Order of Merit recognition has been given to no more than 2% of UCI social sciences undergraduates who best exemplify a commitment to academic distinction, leadership and service to the school, campus and community. The UCI School of Social Sciences is happy to announce its newest members of this prestigious honor, listed below by name, major and additional honors including Summa Cum Laude (awarded to 1% of graduating seniors); Magna Cum Laude (awarded to 3% of graduating seniors); Cum Laude (awarded to 8% of graduating seniors); Phi Beta Kappa (the oldest and most prestigious honor society in the U.S. recognizing academic excellence and character within the social sciences) and Chancellor’s Award of Distinction (awarded by the Alumni Association; represents exceptional academic achievement and a commitment to cutting-edge research, leadership and service to UCI):

Roxana Akbari
Sociology and Political Science
Cum Laude
PHI BETA KAPPA

Nicole Balbuena
Political Science, Chicano Latino Studies and Sociology
Summa Cum Laude
PHI BETA KAPPA
Chancellor’s Award of Distinction

Elizabeth Cervantes
Sociology and Psychology

Erin Marie Costigliolo
Economics and Environmental Science
Campuswide Honors
Summa Cum Laude
PHI BETA KAPPA Junior inductee

Sarah Daniel
International Studies
Cum Laude
PHI BETA KAPPA
Chancellor’s Award of Distinction 

Khang Do
International Studies and History
Magna Cum Laude
PHI BETA KAPPA Junior inductee

Stephanie Doering
Cognitive Sciences and Informatics
Magna Cum Laude
PHI BETA KAPPA Junior inductee
Chancellor’s Award of Distinction

Levina (Minxin) Dong
Business Economics
Cum Laude
Chancellor’s Award of Distinction

Nicole Dunger
Political Science 

Heaven Howse
Psychology

Melissa Hurtado
Anthropology
Cum Laude

Mary Grace Lamons
Psychology 

Aditi Mayer
International Studies

Gershwin Merencillo
Political Science and Public Health Policy
Chancellor’s Award of Distinction

Julissa Esmeralda Navas
Psychology and Education Sciences
Summa Cum Laude
PHI BETA KAPPA Junior inductee
Chancellor’s Award of Distinction

Joyce Huang Nguy
Political Science and Education Sciences
Magna Cum Laude
Chancellor’s Award of Distinction

Alaina Nugent
Cognitive Sciences and Education Sciences
Campuswide Honors
Cum Laude

Raj Parekh
Quantitative Economics, Data Science and Math

Dulce Perez
Chicano/Latino Studies and Education Sciences

Shelby Lynn Petty
Business Economics
Campuswide Honors
Summa Cum Laude
Chancellor’s Award of Distinction

Wendy Ponce
Chicano Latino Studies and Sociology

Elianet Romero
International Studies and Political Science

Jessica Santiago
Political Science and Criminology, Law & Society
Cum Laude
Chancellor’s Award of Distinction

Fiona Shan
Quantitative Economics and Math
Magna Cum Laude

Rachel Smith
Cognitive Sciences
Cum Laude

Victoria Page Turner
Political Science and International Studies
Campuswide Honors

Truong Xe
Social Policy and Public Service and Business Economics
Chancellor’s Award of Distinction

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The 2019 honorees will be recognized at an invite-only celebration on June 14. Also receiving special recognition at the ceremony are the following award winners:

Shelby Smith, Social Policy and Public Service junior, recipient of the Alice B. Macy Outstanding Undergraduate Paper Award for her paper entitled, Low-Socioeconomic, First-Generation, Latino High School Students’ College Aspirations.

Christine Chen, Business Economics and Statistics, Digital Information Systems senior, recipient of the Charles A. Lave Paper Prize Award.

An Nguyen, Political Science junior, recipient of the David Rosten International Education & Service Scholarship.

Deeva Momand, International Studies senior, recipient of the 1st place Middle East Studies Paper Prize.

Shelby Smith, Social Policy and Public Service junior, recipient of the 2nd place Middle East Studies Paper Prize.

Lily Pahlevani, Political Science junior, recipient of the 3rd place Middle East Studies Paper Prize.

Nicole Balbuena, Political Science, Sociology, and Chicano/Latino Studies senior, recipient of the Outstanding Community College Transfer Student Scholarship.

Stephanie Doering, Cognitive Sciences and Informatics senior, recipient of the School of Social Sciences Alumni Academic Excellence Scholarship.

Brandon Newberg, Quantitative Economics and Business Administration senior, recipient of the School of Social Sciences Outstanding Honors Thesis Award.