Congratulations to recipients of Alfred A. Cave Scholarships for 2025
Campbell Al-Khafaji is a senior pursuing two majors in Sustainability Studies and Women’s Studies and two minors in American Indian and Indigenous Studies and Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. Through interdisciplinary lenses, Campbell is exploring threats to environmental justice from unsustainable resources extraction, including fatal consequences for Indigenous women. Campbell has also embraced the value of Traditional Ecology Knowledge is developing sustainable alternatives to modern land use. Upon graduating this Fall, Campbell plans on pursuing graduate education in Environmental Policy.
Julie Gonzalez is a History major pursing pre-professional tracking for medical school with the aim of pursuing a dual MD/PhD program with an emphasis on the history of medicine. Julie is researching how colonialism explains the prevalence of diabetes among people of Native American heritage, as well as the emergence of government programs designed to address health disparities. A member of the Miskito tribe of Nicaragua, Julie hopes to spend time in the future with her native community to foster greater capacity for traditional healing practices. Julie currently serves on the executive board of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society.
Bobbi Leonard is pursuing a BA in Business Administration in preparation for law school and her commitment to Indigenous studies at UF reflects her intent to focus on the legal challenges Native communities endure as a consequence of colonialism. With heritage in the Lumbee tribe of North Carolina, Bobbi is motivated to fight for Native rights throughout the country in matters of sovereignty, protection of Native land, and greater representation in government. We are grateful to Bobbi for resuscitating the Indigenous American Student Association here on campus through her leadership and vision.