May 21, 2004 :: No. 255

Student Ambassador Wins International Understanding Award

A business administration major who traveled abroad and became a student ambassador for British Council USA has the added honor of being this year’s recipient of Cal State Fullerton’s International Understanding Award. Melissa Tellez of Upland will be recognized Friday, May 28, at the university’s honors convocation on the eve of commencement ceremonies.

The award recognizes personal contributions to increase international understanding through leadership activities on campus with clubs and university-sponsored programs.

Tellez, who will take part in commencement exercises on Saturday, May 29, became committed to studying abroad while in high school. As a junior at Cal State Fullerton, she traveled to the United Kingdom and attended the University of Bradford as a student representative of the California State University Academic Council on International Programs.

When she returned, Tellez was named a student ambassador for British Council USA, a position she continues to hold. As an ambassador, she shares her experiences with Cal State Fullerton students at study-abroad fairs and predeparture orientations.

“Through the program I have been able to reach out to so many,” said Tellez, who plans to begin an MBA program at Hawaii Pacific University in the fall. “It’s so rewarding when you see other students taking the opportunity to enhance and broaden their education through international travel.”

As a President’s Scholar, Tellez has served as secretary, vice president and as a mentor, and was a member of the scholarship program’s screening committee in 2002. She also was a founder and 2002-03 president of the CSUF Rotaract Club, and a member of the campus Accounting Society and Beta Gamma Sigma – a business honor society.

Off campus, Tellez has served on the board of directors for North Orange County’s YWCA, volunteered at Ronald McDonald House and Adopt-a-Family of Orange County, and participated in the multiple sclerosis and Children’s Hospital of Orange County walkathons.

“What makes Melissa most distinctive is that she not only embraces the ideas of international understanding, she knows that it entails continuous and challenging work to really make a difference,” said Robert Ericksen, director of international education and exchange. “I applaud her for making a difference at Cal State Fullerton.”