Christina Soliz wasn't always the most likely student to get involved. In high school, her plan was to stick with schoolwork.
Now, though, she has joined a growing list of University of Michigan-Dearborn transfer students who are making the most of their college experience—and who are getting recognized for it.
Soliz recently became the fourth consecutive UM-Dearborn student to earn a scholarship from Tau Sigma National Honor Society, the honor society for transfer students.
Soliz joined Tau Sigma as a way to "break out of her shell" after transferring from another college.
"Being a transfer student on a commuter campus, I didn’t think I’d have the opportunity to get to know people," she said. "But Tau Sigma was a chance to get involved and make friends."
Soliz, a sociology major, didn't waste time getting involved.
Since joining Tau Sigma last year, she has become the chapter's vice president, coordinated a service project to Gleaner's Food Bank, helped plan the upcoming induction ceremony and presented at a conference with Maureen Linker, associate professor of philosophy, and Neam Alazawi, chapter president.
"This is a great chapter. Ever since we were founded in 2009, a UM-Dearborn student has earned a Tau Sigma scholarship," Soliz said. "It's a good legacy to be a part of."
Previous UM-Dearborn scholarship recipients were Meghan Liwienski, Timothy Fitch and Menas Houstoulakis.
Soliz hopes to use the $2,000 scholarship to help fund her Global Intercultural Experience for Undergraduates (GIEU) trip to Vietnam this summer.
