HPU Announces 2022|23 Recipient of the Elizabeth Miller Strickland Trailblazer Award

May 25th, 2023

HPU Announces 2022-23 Recipient of the Elizabeth Miller Strickland Trailblazer Award

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HIGH POINT, N.C., May 25, 2023 – High Point University is pleased to announce that the third annual Elizabeth Miller Strickland Trailblazer Award was presented to Class of 2023 graduate, Julia R. Velasquez, of Northbrook, Illinois.

The Strickland Trailblazer Award was established by Elizabeth Miller Strickland as a part of her $12 million gift to HPU in August 2020. Each year, the award is presented to a graduating female student who epitomizes the qualities of hard work, passion for service, perseverance and determination. This award is given to assist the deserving student in her transition from undergraduate studies to her next steps as an HPU alumna.

Candidates were nominated for the award by the university’s deans and vice presidents. After the candidates were invited to apply, the Elizabeth Miller Strickland Women’s Leadership Council selected nine finalists and the 2023 Strickland Trailblazer Award recipient. Both the 2023 Strickland Trailblazer and nine finalists received a monetary award and recognition for their extraordinary accomplishments as pioneers in serving the community.

Pictured are nine of the 10 Class of 2023 graduates who were recognized by the Strickland Women’s Leadership Council. From top left are Strickland Trailblazer Award finalists Mia Clemons, from High Point, North Carolina; Emily Lattanzio, from Pawleys Island, South Carolina; Carolina Kapper, from Dover, Ohio; and Jordan Morrison, from Loveland, Ohio. From the bottom left are Reyna Alston, from Durham, North Carolina; Natalee Huber, from Sparks Glencoe, Maryland; Katherine McCarthy, from Ashburnham, Massachusetts; Marlo Hemerson, from Denver, Colorado; and Julia Velasquez, from Northbrook, Illinois. Not pictured is Grace Todd, from Johnstown, Ohio. All 10 finalists graduated in May 2023.

“HPU students are constantly proving that the university houses the brightest minds destined to change the world,” said HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein. “The nominees of the Strickland Trailblazer Award are prime examples. Julia Velasquez has not only excelled academically, but she has shown passion for higher education, advocacy and diversification. Velasquez’s servant leadership is evident in many areas of HPU. She reflects the values held dearly by Mrs. Strickland and HPU.”

Velasquez graduated on May 6 as a member of the Class of 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in neuroscience and a minor in psychology. She will return to HPU this fall to pursue her master’s degree in biomedical sciences. Velasquez is eager to gain more knowledge and experience in her field to prepare for a competitive Ph.D. program. Her goal is to serve as a professor at HPU and one day spearhead a Department of Neuroscience at her alma mater.

During her undergraduate career, Velasquez was actively involved in a variety of student life departments, extracurricular academic activities and research opportunities. She has served as a mentor and guide to many incoming freshmen, easing their discomfort with campus life. She also guided prospective families, advocating the benefits of attending this institution.

Velasquez represented her class by serving as the Senator for the Student Government Association and supported students in her program as a supplemental instructor for a biochemistry and psychology course. She has also represented HPU by being featured in HPU video content, speaking on panels and volunteering her time for events such as HPU’s Annual Veterans Day Celebration. Velasquez has also joined multiple research programs and honors societies.

“I first met Julia as a part of High Point University’s Science Advantage Camp, a summer bridge program for underrepresented minorities entering STEM majors,” says Dr. Kristin Ackerman. “Julia came into this campus with a level of confidence that I had never seen before in a freshman. She is from the Chicago area and moved to North Carolina by herself. This first bold move describes her personality: organized, a planner, has a hunger to be involved and have influence, advocates for herself and consistently strives for personal growth.”

Velasquez was awarded $5,000 to assist in her transition after graduation, and she has chosen a unique path for donating a portion of those earnings. As a Strickland LIFT Scholar (Leading and Inspiring Female Trailblazers), Velasquez assigned a group of freshman mentees whom she felt deserved to be involved in deciding where the donation will go. She asked each mentee to identify a charity which they are passionate about and said she would split the donation between each. Velasquez will be donating to a total of 10 charities in honor of each of her mentees.

“It has been a privilege to play a role in bringing Mrs. Strickland’s vision of a network of trailblazing women and establishing a women’s fellowship at HPU. The Strickland Women’s LIFT Fellowship has been integral to my success at HPU,” says Velasquez. “I have gained a tremendous amount of confidence in my public speaking and communication skills. I received incredible mentorship, which has allowed me to mature as a leader and mentor to younger undergraduate students. I am grateful to have been a part of the inaugural cohort of the LIFT Fellowship; I look forward to working with the program as an HPU alumna.”