When Cameron Miner, a graduate in family studies from St. George, Utah, first came to Brigham Young University, she thought her path was set. A pre-nursing student with plans to work in healthcare, she imagined a future grounded in medicine. But after entering the program, something felt off.

I quickly realized it wasnt for me, she says. I still wanted to help people but I wanted to have more of an emotional connection with people.

After re-evaluating her goals, she transferred into the family studies program to focus on the psychological and social aspects of human relationships. The new major allowed her to engage with people on a deeper level, fulfilling the "connection" she felt was missing from her previous studies. She credits a spiritual prompting for helping her make the final decision to switch.

I really just kind of felt like I was guided by the Lord, Miner says. He kind of pushed me this way.

During her time at BYU, Miner balanced a full academic load, research positions, internships, and service opportunities. At the same time, she was navigating one of the most difficult experiences of her life: supporting her husband through a recurrence of mucoepidermoid carcinoma, a cancer affecting the salivary gland. His diagnosis came early in 2025, just as Miner was transitioning into her new major, and the months that followed were filled with surgeries, radiation treatments, and uncertainty.

There were a lot of tears, a lot of really hard nights and days, she says.

Despite the weight of caregiving and academic demands, Miner remained deeply committed to both her education and her relationships. Radiation treatments left her husband exhausted, and as a result, daily routines changed to accommodate his needs. She credits much of her strength to the support system around her friends, ward members, and mentors eased the strain of day-to-day responsibilities.

We had friends that would just text us every week like, Hey, how are you doing? What can I bring you? she says. Its small but it means so much.

During her time at BYU, Miner volunteered at the Utah State Hospital, interned at the Foundation for Family Life and worked with couples through a sexual mindfulness course. Her personal experiences influenced how Miner approached her work. Across those settings, she saw how communication and trust shape the way people navigate difficult situations.

I think communication is everything, she says. If the communication isnt there, then the ability to get through really difficult things is going to be so much more difficult.

That belief was cemented as Miner moved between her two internships which were in vastly different clinical worlds. From helping families navigate the road to recovery at the Foundation for Family Life to sitting with patients facing severe mental health crises at the Utah State Hospital, Miner saw people at their most vulnerable.

Just to see them grow you feel this power and this love for them, Miner says of the clients she worked with. Its amazing to see them change their lives.

Miner also worked as a student assistant for a global study abroad program. Through these roles, she engaged closely with individuals and couples navigating complex personal challenges, both in and outside of clinical settings. These experiences gave her a front-row seat to how deeply personal circumstances shape emotional well-being and relationships. Over time, she began to see a clear pattern: a persons physical, emotional, and social lives aren't separate, but deeply dependent on one another.

Theres so much intertwining of our physical health and our emotional health and our relational health, she says.

Faith became the primary counterweight to the stress of Miners major life transitions. When faced with crossroads that didn't have a clear right answer, Miner learned to trust in something greater than herself, which allowed her to move forward without the paralysis of second-guessing.

You just have to have faith that the Lords will will be done, she says.

Miner plans to continue that work in BYUs Marriage and Family Therapy graduate program. She is particularly interested in areas like healthy sexuality and medical family therapy, where she can work directly with individuals and couples facing complex challenges.

For Miner, the true value of her degree isn't just in the subject matter, but in the person she became while earning it.

College is so much more than classes, she says. Its been really eye-opening and full of opportunities that have allowed me to grow as a person.

That growth is now realized in the way she shows up for others; having relied on a support system during her own difficult chapters, she makes a point to be that steady presence for her peers. She leaves the program with a clear hierarchy of values.

Have faith and make time for your most important relationships, she says.

Brigham Young University graduate Kelly Rodriguez didnt always know she would become a social worker. Growing up in the New York City borough of Queens, she saw firsthand the challenges families face when navigating systems without clear guidance or resources. Now, as she prepares to graduate from the Master of Social Work program, Rodriguez views her degree as a vital tool for advocating for families in the same challenges she witnessed as a child.

I grew up as a first-generation Latina [immigrant], and there was not a lot of resources for my family because we were just not [able to overcome] language barriers, Rodriguez says. And so, I felt very passionate about learning those resources and helping other families get access to it, regardless of their background.

Rodriguez initially pursued nursing, but after gaining clinical exposure, she decided she wanted a more relational, one-on-one approach to helping others. That realization led her to psychology and eventually social work, where she found a structure that aligned with both her professional goals and personal values.

I love that social work focuses on the person and the environment, she explains. We look at different systems in the person's life, not just a diagnosis label.

Leaving behind the fast-paced, diverse environment of New York City, Rodriguez stepped into a setting that felt entirely unfamiliar. Having joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 19, her decision to attend BYU came with real uncertainty about whether she would fit in or be understood. Those fears quickly dissolved as she found a welcoming and supportive community.

I recognized I need to be me and represent who I am here, she says. People need me to be me, not other people.

Rodriguez soon learned that her clinical training and her testimony didnt have to live in separate compartments. She began to lean on her faith to navigate the heavy emotional lift of her coursework, finding that the more she used the Spirit to guide her training, the more her confidence grew alongside her testimony.

What a blessing to be in a career where I get to use the Spirit to help me guide and help people heal in their lives, Rodriguez says.

In January, Rodriguez presented research at the Society for Social Work and Research conference, an opportunity she once thought was out of reach. Working alongside faculty mentor Cory Dennis, professor of social work, she studied substance use and mental health among Hispanic and Latino populations, exploring barriers to accessing care.

I never felt like I would be able to present at a conference yet feel confident, she shares, reflecting on the experience. But it made me motivated to want to be in those positions so I can be a voice and help others in the community.

The experience made it clear that there was a gap in representation within the profession. Not seeing many people from her community in those spaces fueled Rodriguezs desire to use her education to advocate for underserved communities. Like many graduate students, Rodriguez had her fair share of imposter syndrome moments. But she chose to trust her hard work over her doubts and stayed the course.

Im really proud that I didnt give up, she says. I kept going when I didnt feel like maybe I felt smart enough.

That perseverance has paid off. Faculty members have noted her remarkable growth, not only in her clinical skills but also in her confidence and leadership. Rodriguez credits the programs supportive environment, mentorship and financial assistance with helping her succeed.

After graduation, she plans to remain in Utah to complete the 3,000 hours required for licensure as a clinical social worker. Long term, she hopes to return to New York City, where her journey began, to serve communities similar to the one that shaped her.

I would love to continue working with kids and neurodivergent clients, she says. I want to be able to help create a space that they can feel heard and seen.

Looking back, the Provo campus feels very different from the unfamiliar place Rodriguez first stepped into years ago. The uncertainty she felt early on has been replaced by a vision for the future. Thinking about everything it took to get to this point, she smiles.

Its been the most amazing experience ever, she says.

For Jonah Messinger, a political science senior with a focus on legal studies from Orange County, California, law school has always been the goal and political science felt like the natural path to get there. What he didnt expect was how much he would come to enjoy the technical side of his coursework.

I got exposed to a lot more of the quantitative analysis aspect, and I really liked it, Messinger says.

However, halfway through his junior year at Brigham Young University, an unexpected turn of events arrived to challenge the very ambition and analytical skills that had driven him to this point.

In December 2024, shortly after a workout with his father, Messinger felt a sudden headache unlike anything he had experienced before. With no history of migraines, he assumed it was something minor an inconvenience that would pass on its own. Within days, he was sitting in urgent care awaiting the results of a CT scan.

A nurse came back and told me I had an acute brain bleed and that an ambulance was already on its way, Messinger recalls.

The diagnosis was a brain aneurysm caused by an arteriovenous malformation, a condition he had unknowingly lived with his entire life. The stakes were high with a significant chance of death or permanent disability associated with a first rupture. Messinger underwent emergency surgery soon after. Despite the severity of the situation, Messinger remembers feeling calm.

I don't know why, but I just had a thought that I was going to be okay, he says.

Emergency surgery stabilized the immediate danger, but his journey was far from over. To fully treat the condition, Messinger needed multiple rounds of radiation therapy. While his health required being home in California, his winter semester academic obligations remained firmly in place. Rather than stepping away from school for a semester to heal, Messinger chose to stay the course and logged into his classes via Zoom.

I really dont want to miss a semester of school, he thought. So, Ive got to figure it out, make it work and we did.

Messinger not only finished the semester, but he also excelled, earning top marks in his data visualization course and was later hired as a teaching assistant for the class. He also works as a research assistant for multiple professors and serves as a student fellow at the Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy. Messinger credits both his mindset and the support of faculty, family, and friends for helping him stay on track and clarifying his priorities.

As much as grades are important, relationships with people are much more important than that, he acknowledges.

Outside the classroom, he has been active in the Political Affairs Society, Pre-Law Student Association, and has presented research at the Mary Lou Fulton Mentored Student Research Conference. Looking back, he describes BYU as demanding but worthwhile.

It is very challenging and academically engaging, but also very fruitful and rewarding, Messinger remarks. You get out what you put in.

Now nearing graduation, Messinger is considering several next steps. He has interviewed for a competitive remote position with a policy research organization and is also weighing the option of pursuing an MBA at BYU before applying to law school.

Law school is still the plan, he says. I am trying to figure out how to mesh my interest in law with the research skills I have developed.

That adaptability born from his recovery now advises how he faces open questions in his career. For others navigating similar uncertainty, Messinger points to the perspective that carried him through.

Take a deep breath, trust in God, and trust that just because you do not understand something now does not mean there is not a purpose to it, he shares.

His future remains a work in progress, but his approach has stayed the same from the moment he left urgent care in an ambulance to finishing his senior year: Well figure it out.

The College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences is proud to announce the eight valedictorians representing our undergraduate programs this year. While a 3.75 GPA is the starting point for consideration, these students were chosen for more than just their high marks; they were selected because they have represented their programs with distinction through faculty collaboration, peer leadership, and a deep commitment to the campus community at Brigham Young University.

This years valedictorians will take an active role in Convocation representing their peers by offering prayers and delivering student addresses and we invite you to join us in celebrating their hard work. The college convocation ceremony will be held on Friday, April 24, at 11 a.m. in the Marriott Center. No tickets are needed, but guests should please be seated no later than 10:45 a.m.

Read on to learn more about each valedictorian and congratulations to all of our newest graduates!

Isabel Emery is graduating with an emphasis in cultural and linguistic anthropology and a minor in international development. Her love for people started in high school when she memorized all the countries on a world map. While at Brigham Young University, Emery was able to complete an internship with a non-governmental organization in Malawi, where she evaluated a program that taught business techniques to the NGOs beneficiaries. She completed her anthropology field school research at the Provo Farmers Market and wrote an undergraduate thesis on her findings. Emery is looking forward to continuing her education this fall as she begins a masters degree in public health. She hopes to conduct program evaluations in clinical settings to improve the individual patient experience in healthcare. Emery grew up in Riverton, Utah and is the daughter of Russell and Jennifer Emery. She would like to thank the professors she had the privilege of working with during her time at BYU, as well as her family and friends for their constant encouragement.

Hannah Dahl is graduating with a double major in economics and mathematics. Early in her time at Brigham Young University, she fell in love with economics and the way it uses both math and data to answer questions about the world. She has worked as a teaching assistant for ECON 110 and has taken an active part in the Economics Student Association and Women in Economics subgroup. As a research assistant, Dahl examined the impact of a low-income housing subsidization program on crime rates as well as the accurate measurement of employer mobility in the U.S. economy. She is grateful for wonderful mentorship and support from her professors and for the opportunities to grow and develop while at BYU. Dahl grew up in Provo, Utah, and served in the Uruguay Montevideo West Mission. She is excited to continue learning this fall as she begins a PhD in economics.

Ethan Harris is a geography major with a global studies emphasis and a secondary major in Portuguese studies. After a mission in Braslia, Brazil, Harris realized his interest in diverse landscapes and cultures would fit perfectly with the geography program at Brigham Young University. Harris has worked as a teaching and research assistant for professors of geography, Portuguese, and plant and wildlife sciencesrepresenting disciplines across three colleges. He has especially enjoyed participating in Geography Department field trips, study abroad experiences, and Geography Student Association activities, where he currently serves as co-president. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, exploring new places, and playing the piano and violin. Following graduation, Harris plans to pursue a masters degree in Luso-Brazilian literature at BYU and a career managing public lands. Harris is the oldest of four children born to Sam and Nichole Harris and grew up in the small farming town of Connell, Washington. He would like to thank his family, professors, and amazing friends at BYU for their incredible support and encouragement.

Erik Philip Palmer is a history major with a minor in ancient Near Eastern studies, Hebrew Bible emphasis. Following a mission to Belgium and the Netherlands, Palmer was inspired by great mentors in history and religious education to pursue a career as a professor. For two years, he worked as a research and teaching assistant for Donald W. Parry, editing a new Hebrew textbook and other projects while teaching Biblical Hebrew. He also worked with his mentor, Josh Matson, on Dead Sea Scrolls projects and textual studies. Palmer finds his greatest fulfillment in teaching and service, recently receiving the 2025 Top Accessibility Volunteer award and serving as a bishopric counselor for three years. He has also been involved in interfaith work and leadership in his field. Palmer is most grateful for the example of his mother, Donna, who passed away in December; she and the Savior remain his most formative teachers, showing that true success is found in loving God and serving others. This fall, Palmer will begin a masters program at Harvard Divinity School.

Dallin Bundy grew up in St. George, Utah, as the youngest of three children and served a mission in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Ecuador. Throughout his undergraduate career as a political science major with an emphasis in international strategy and diplomacy, he worked to promote civic engagement. He has been recognized for his commitment to public service by being named a BYU Wheatley Scholar and a 2025 Truman Scholar. He served as co-president of the Political Affairs Society, president of College Republicans, and vice president of activities in the BYU Student Association. Bundy completed internships in Washington, DC, and for the Office of the Governor in Utah, studied abroad in Europe, and worked on numerous political campaigns. He conducted research on polarization and congressional redistricting as a student fellow with the BYU Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy. Bundy will be continuing his studies this fall at BYU Law School. He is incredibly grateful for his parents, Casey and Mikell Bundy, who taught him the importance of education and hard work, and for the amazing students, faculty, and staff at BYU who have instilled within him the Spirit of the Y.

Evelyn Thrasher grew up in Prosper, Texas, and came to Brigham Young University with a curiosity that refused to stay in one lane. After serving a proselyting mission in Eugene, Oregon, and Rosario, Argentina, she returned to campus and built an undergraduate career spanning psychology, Spanish studies, and international developmenta major, a secondary major, and a minor. Her research, conducted alongside beloved mentors Jenae Nelson in the DOCS lab and Melissa Jones in the PPORG lab, contributed to the development of a new BYU sports camp for youth, earned an award-winning poster at the Mary Lou Fulton Mentored Student Research Conference, and demonstrated the efficacy of self-guided therapy workbooks. Outside the classroom, Thrasher volunteered at the Utah State Hospital, taught at the Missionary Training Center, hiked around the world, and served faithfully in church callings. She is now pursuing a career in chaplaincy and will attend divinity school this fall. She is endlessly grateful to her parents, her brother, and the mentors she has found through school, work, and church. She is who she is because they always cheered her on.

After serving a mission to New Jersey and the French island of Guadeloupe during COVID-19, Anna Lemke returned to Brigham Young University and unexpectedly discovered the human development major. It offered a rich blend of medical, psychology, and development courses and she decided to jump in. Little did she know just how life-changing the major would be, revealing her passion for mental and emotional health, healthy relationships, and human flourishing, among other subjects. After a gap year, Lemke plans to pursue a masters degree in social work or occupational therapy. Lemkes BYU highlights include volunteering with BYU EMS; a study abroad program in Europe; working as a first-year peer mentor; and getting as much free food on campus as possible. She was born and raised in Los Alamos, New Mexico, to Terrill and Amy Lemke. As the third of four children, she considers her siblings some of her best friends. Shed like to thank her family, professors, mentors, friends, roommates whove become her college family, and most of all, her Savior Jesus Christ.

After her first year at Brigham Young University, Alexandra Williams served a mission in Belgium and the Netherlands. She then returned to BYU and sociology. She has worked as a teaching assistant for both international development and data analysis courses. She is currently involved in research surrounding adolescent and young adult outcomes of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and child maltreatment. Shes passionate about research and about working with individuals. While working as an intern with the State of Utahs Division of Child and Family Services during her junior year, Williams decided that she wanted a career as a social worker. She will pursue a Master of Social Work beginning this fall. Williams is the daughter of David and Staccie Williams and grew up in Fullerton, California. She is excited to continue her education and is grateful to the mentors shes had at BYU and to her family for their support and encouragement.

Convocation