Phyllis Eudy Watts Award for the Outstanding International Student went to Martha Espitia (MS Rehabilitation Counseling). Martha is from Mexico. She came to Fresno State on a Fulbright Scholarship. In addition to linguistic and cultural challenges, her academic accomplishments are particularly noteworthy because Martha is totally blind, so all classroom printed materials had to be converted to a speaking program by computer. During her studies at Fresno State, Martha published three articles and two rehabilitation protocols. She also volunteered at the Valley Center for the Blind and completed a 5-month internship with the California Department of Rehabilitation. Her professional goals are to establish a rehabilitation center in her home country to help people with disabilities find employment and receive vocational training. Her faculty recommendations are that neither adversity nor international borders have restricted her positive impact on the world. She is truly a role model for others. Congratulations, Martha!
