Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable fall 2023 graduates.
ASU’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has selected Callie Danks, a Spanish and Biology double major (biology and society), as the fall 2023 College of Liberal Arts and Cultures Dean’s Medalist.
Callie Danks, photo courtesy
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Danks started taking Spanish lessons when she was 11 years old and enjoyed learning the language so much that she decided to continue with it. She even had the opportunity to serve in a Spanish-speaking mission for her church as she lived in Idaho for a year and a half. During this time, Danks spent significant time on potato farms with migrant farmworkers, which helped her enhance her Spanish speaking skills in addition to taking Spanish classes in college.
Danks always wanted to attend Arizona State University because it was close to home and offered a variety of classes that interested her. She was particularly interested in the Barrett Honors College, which gives students additional opportunities to further their education at ASU. She was also interested in the Department of Languages at Arizona State University.
“The foreign language department here at ASU is really good, so it’s very easy to take classes from there because it’s a lot of fun,” she said.
Last year, Danks had the opportunity to participate in the Policy Design Studio and Internship Program at Arizona State University for one semester in Washington, D.C., an experience she described as “incredible.” According to ASU’s internship website, students of all majors have the opportunity to role-play the US embassy, discuss events in real time, come up with solutions and meet with different experts, such as military officers and senior diplomats.
“I’ve learned a lot about how to advocate for myself, which sounds interesting, but when you’re in Washington and there are these senior people around you, you definitely have to figure out your own path,” Danks said. “It was a huge learning experience. I’ve never been in that position before where I had to advocate for myself like that.”
Danks is currently applying to law school with hopes of using her Spanish speaking skills to make a difference in the Arizona community.
“I really hope I can use my Spanish in my legal career. Especially in Arizona, there are a lot of people who need access to legal services who don’t speak English,” she said.
Read more about her college experience at ASU below.
Question: What is the biggest lesson you learned in college?
Answer: I’ve had a lot of experiences where I tried too hard and the results weren’t successful, which was frustrating, but I’ve learned that if I think I can do something and I fail, I can’t let that happen. He. She. I have to come back and keep trying. I realized that I would have integrity in myself and I believed I could do this. So I got up and pushed and pushed and pushed. I didn’t try new things because I was afraid I’d be bad at them, but now I feel like I’m willing to work through the “being bad” phase until I get where I want to go.
Q: What advice would you give to first-year students just starting out at ASU?
a: My advice is to try anything that interests you. In terms of extracurriculars and coursework, ASU has many different opportunities because it is a large university. There are a seemingly endless number of clubs and courses, and you don’t have to limit yourself to the courses on your main map. ASU leaves you free to take other courses that interest you. I feel like I’ve learned how to take advantage of everything ASU has to offer, and I think every student needs to learn how to do that because you’re only in college once. This is a time where you have 24/7 access to all kinds of different interests, hobbies, and friends, and I feel like anyone would be doing themselves a disservice if they didn’t explore that.
Q: Can you tell me about a professor who inspired or influenced you in some way?
a: Sofia Fernandez was one of the best professors ever. This is the class I probably remember the most, and I probably took it a couple of years ago. Her teaching will always stand out to me. He was my other teacher Cesar MedeirosHe teaches the Portuguese language. He is the most encouraging professor you will ever meet. I don’t think there was a single day that I went to class that he didn’t say to me, “You guys are doing a good job. You’re learning a lot.” This method is quite similar to basic Portuguese. I was learning how to say “cat” and “dog” and build basic sentences, but he always made sure we knew he was very proud of us and he could see our effort, and it made you want to learn. It makes you want to try hard. He was also a very interesting professor.
Q: If I gave you $40 million, what would you do with this money?
a: I want to be successful in my career because I want to be able to give back to people. I came to ASU on a scholarship, and that’s the only way I could afford this education. Even being in state, it’s still too expensive for me. This is the case for university education. And so I didn’t know how I was going to manage it, but I was lucky enough to find a scholarship donor (ASU President’s Scholarship and the Boss Family Scholarship) who believed in me and my abilities. From that I gained this appreciation. I didn’t have to work full time while I was in school because I knew my school was taken care of, so I could focus on my grades and exploring college. This is something I am very grateful for and I really want to give others the same experience I had because I know that very few people can go to college without having to take out a loan.
Q: What is your fondest memory from your time here at ASU?
a: My husband and I started dating here at ASU and we would ride our longboards around campus at night. This is something I will always remember. It’s just when it’s quiet and dark outside and we’ve been studying all day and then we decide to go out and ride longboards when it’s cold and you’re outside with someone you love and having a good time.
Q: What is the proudest moment of your college career?
a: I think I’m about to graduate. I’m very proud of that. But there was one semester that was very difficult and I had a lot going on. I was planning my wedding and was training and was away from home. To then come home and get good grades that semester, have my wedding go well and finish my internship, I was so proud of what I learned juggling all those different responsibilities.
It is often said that passion and determination can lead to remarkable achievements, and this couldn’t ring truer for [Recipient’s Name], the deserving recipient of the prestigious Dean’s Medal. Throughout her academic journey, [Recipient’s Name] has embodied a true love for the Spanish language and a relentless drive to excel in her studies. From her humble beginnings as a language lover to now an accomplished Spanish graduate, [Recipient’s Name] has shown unwavering dedication and commitment to her craft. As she reflects on her journey, it is evident that her hard work and unwavering passion have paved the way for her success.