Rebeca Almeida Earns the Academic Excellence Award

Rebeca Almeida, Woodside High School graduate and now Cal Poly graduate with a bachelor's degree double majoring in Public Health and Ethnic Studies, is recognized with the Cal Poly Kinesiology and Public Health Department Academic Excellence 2019-2020 Award.  

A select few students who achieve outstanding academic performance measured by cumulative grade point average receive the award. Each year academic departments recognize student academic performance with the top-performing students often achieving perfect GPAs of 4.0. 

 Almeida double majored in public health and ethnic studies and minored in women’s and gender studies. For Almeida, the three are an avenue to promote social justice and help vulnerable populations. 

“I take tremendous pride in being the first student at Cal Poly to graduate with a BS in Public Health— such achievement in itself inspires me to go out in the workplace and represent my department as best as I can,” Almeida said.  

Almeida chose the Cal Poly College of Science and Mathematics and the public health department because of its focus on a learn by doing approach. 

“I was able to have incredibly meaningful and in-depth research and leadership experiences,” Almeida said, “I had the opportunity to lead research projects, publish four academic peer-reviewed articles, travel throughout the country to present my research at conferences, and acquire a tremendous amount of practical knowledge.” 

For Almeida, graduating is a landmark for four years of hard work and self-growth.  

“I feel very proud and fulfilled with my Cal Poly experience since it significantly helped shape who I am today and it provided me with an environment to fail, try again, and ultimately succeed,” Almeida said. 

After graduating, Almeida will begin working as a business consultant at Ernst & Young's office in Houston, Texas.  

“My consulting job will allow me to combine my passion for helping others with the ability to solve problems as I help businesses understand, secure, and improve their people agenda,” Almeida said. 

In a few years she hopes to pursue a master's in business administration while continuing to engage in work that promotes social justice.