Stephanie Deane Diores ’24 named Outstanding Islander Graduate for the College of Liberal Arts
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Excitement on graduation day isn’t hard to find as years of hard work culminate in a grand walk across the stage with a diploma in hand. Stephanie Deane Diores ’24 knows this tradition well, having worked in the Registrar’s Office at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi since 2015 and has assisted in numerous graduation ceremonies. Now, as the Summer 2024 Outstanding Islander Graduate from the College of Liberal Arts, she is preparing for her own momentous graduation day.
“My greatest memories as an Islander revolve around commencement ceremonies,” Diores said. “As an employee, being able to assist thousands of graduates each year as they walk across the stage is incredibly meaningful for me. As a student, I now eagerly await the day I walk across the stage.”
Diores’ journey to the graduation stage is a long and winding one. It begins in the Philippines where she was born. She would later move to Qatar, with the dream of studying at an American university. That dream would bring her to the Island University.
“I chose Texas A&M-Corpus Christi initially because of the university’s picturesque campus and vibrant coastal community that reminded me of home,” Diores said. “As an employee, I have witnessed firsthand how the university prioritizes student success and fosters a supportive environment, which reaffirmed that my decision to attend TAMU-CC was the right choice.”
Soon after arriving on campus as a student, she took a full-time job at the Registrar’s Office and eventually worked her way up from a data entry clerk to a project specialist. When she wasn’t working, she was hitting the books as a mechanical engineering major. That field was a family tradition.
“My grandfathers from both sides of my family were engineers who influenced my passion for problem-solving and innovation,” she said.
A problem would soon develop for Diores that would require a very tough solution. The demands of a full-time job coupled with her mechanical engineering coursework took its toll.
“I was heartbroken when I realized and accepted that I could not continue majoring in engineering,” Diores said. “It was a crushing realization because I felt like everything I had worked for up to that point was an absolute waste. The thought of starting over, or even worse, giving up, scared me.”
After consulting with some of her academic mentors — including Missy Chapa, the University Registrar, and Christie Roberts, the Associate Registrar — Diores’ journey to the graduation stage would take another turn and she switched her major to University Studies. The switch allowed her to keep the majority of her credit hours. As Diores now prepares to don her cap and gown, she has big dreams ahead.
“I have been accepted into the TAMU-CC Master of Science in Data Science program,” Diores said. “I aim to combine my engineering background with data science skills to solve complex problems and drive innovation in technology and engineering. My nine-year journey as an Islander has been transformative, and I am grateful for every challenge and triumph along the way.”
