Spanish MA student Ester (Tesi) Aguirre Alfaro is the recipient of the 2023 Social Justice Award. This Graduate School award recognizes and honors distinctive and exceptional achievements by a graduate student in the Notre Dame community who has shown a commitment to advancing the University’s mission and has demonstrated compassion, perseverance, and courage in tackling complex issues in our society through excellence in their research and scholarship, teaching, and service.
The selection committee has found Tesi’s time at Notre Dame has been marked by a deep commitment to fighting for immigrant mothers and families, both in her research, as well as in her engagement with the community. It has come forth in her teaching pedagogy and in her work with the William J. Shaw Center for Children and Families.
Acceptance of the Social Justice Award includes a cash prize and an invitation to attend and be recognized during the 2023 Commencement weekend, both at The Graduate School Awards Reception and The Graduate School Commencement Ceremony.
This is an incredible achievement both for Tesi and the whole Spanish program. It shows the impact of our teaching and research beyond the classroom and the relevance of Spanish graduate studies at large. Finally, it is important to highlight Prof. Marisel Moreno's mentorship, which has been crucial for Tesi's work as well as for all of our graduate students working on Latinx literatures and cultures.
Tesi will graduate from our MA this May 2023 and is currently deciding among top PhD programs to continue with her studies and passion for service to the community. Congratulations Tesi!