Best friends Anika Glass and Leslie Ducay, both first generation college students will graduate from Pacific Lutheran University this month.

Glass has been an avid leader who advocates for diversity and inclusion efforts on campus and in the Parkland community. She is a two time recipient of the Rieke Leadership Award at Pacific Lutheran University. Glass has also been a mentor and program assistant for Math Engineering Science Achievement. This summer she was chosen to be a part of the 2013 Washington Bus Fellowship, a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization dedicated to engaging young people in the political process. With the Washington Bus, she was a campaign manager for the Seatac Good Jobs Initiative, helping pass the $15 minimum wage for Seatac Airport Workers. Her recent work has been as the outreach manager for Lute Vote, the newly implemented civic engagement organization through the Associated Students of Pacific Lutheran University that worked to register over 300 students to vote this election year. Glass will be receiving a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources Management and Services.

Ducay has been a pro-active student leader, engaging in work on campus and around Pierce County. She is a five-time Dean’s List recipient, recipient of the PLU Division of Student Life Leader of Distinction Award, recipient of the PLU Division of Student Life Ubuntu Award, recipient of the PLU Women’s Center Scholarship, and recipient of the PLU Women’s Center Inspirational Woman Award. Ducay will be receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations and Advertising. After serving as a student leader in various departments on campus for over three years, Ducay has been inspired to pursue a Master’s degree in Student Affairs next fall in order to continue serving students on a college campus.