COURAGE AND COMMITMENT: MEET THE 2025 MICHELLE COMBS AWARD WINNERS

ISAAC FLATER

Marketing Specialist

Clara Jaffee

When Clara Jaffee arrived at the U of A from Florida, she immediately immersed herself in a myriad of activities and opportunities that captured her interest. As a 1st year student, Clara’s dorm was a designated “Outdoor Adventures Living Learning Community’” affording her opportunities to explore and learn about unique natural sites across Arizona and beyond. Whether it be paddleboarding in a lake, hiking in the mountains, visiting lush hot springs, or even taking a yoga class with goats, Clara has been open for it all!

To finish off her first year at the U of A, Clara’s insatiable thirst for adventure took her abroad where she spent a month over the summer in Verona, Italy, taking a hands-on Nutritional Sciences course, exploring Mediterranean cuisine and agriculture.

Jennifer Hansen, Clara’s Student Support Specialist at the SALT Center remarks, “One of the things that continues to impress me about Clara is that she has embarked on many of these excursions on and off campus, even if she doesn’t know anyone else that is involved. This takes a lot of courage for a 1st year student who is living so far from home. Clara has a positive mindset and shows up because these activities and opportunities are interesting and important to her.”

Aside from her whirlwind travels, Clara is equally committed to her studies and giving back to the community. She works off-campus as a gymnastics coach for young children and spent last spring volunteering as a student aide in a local kindergarten classroom. Clara also recently began a position at the SALT Center as a Peer Mentor, where she hopes to connect with other students to help them be courageous, curious, and seek out new opportunities.

Clara says, “The SALT Center is my favorite place on campus. I’ve made friends just by sitting in the student lounge. I go to all the events.” She adds, “Even though I’m very far from home, I can still go to my Support Specialist, Jennifer, when I need anything. It’s my little safe space here.”

Clara was recently admitted into the Honors College and is working toward her goal of completing a degree in Early Childhood Education, a path that seems a logical fit for this caring, adventurous and unique young woman.

Natalie Hurtado

Natalie Hurtado is a senior in the Eller College of Management, majoring in Marketing. Over her college career, she has won numerous case competitions, excelled academically as a part of the W.A. Franke Honors College, and been very active on campus and in the community.

Natalie is grateful to her Student Support Specialist, Lupe Thompson, for helping her navigate university life and explore opportunities that have helped her grow and develop.

Natalie says, “Nearly 10 years ago, I learned of the SALT Center and knew I would find people who would help me be successful in my collegiate studies; however, what I didn’t know then was that the SALT Center would give me so much more than just tools to help my education.”

She continues, “Lupe is the reason I am able to do what I love every day for work as a member of the SALT Center marketing and communication team. My parents have even bestowed the nickname ‘Mama Lupe’ to her - and it’s fitting to say the least!”

Lupe helped Natalie learn about and prepare for her marketing job, a position that allows her to directly apply the skills she is learning in the classroom, all while giving back to the program that has been critical to her success. Lupe also helped Natalie prepare for her last campus job with the U of A’s Disability Cultural Center, where she helped students with disabilities feel welcome and conducted presentations on ableism and disability rights.

In her spare time, Natalie runs half marathons, bakes, and operates a digital shop on Etsy. She is also a talented photographer and uses that skill to benefit the SALT Center, as well as the occasional wedding or college graduation. She also works with high school students as a leader with Young Life and recently travelled to Costa Rica as part of a service trip.

Lastly, Lupe Thompson notes that, “Natalie is an incredible advocate for herself and others. She meets with every professor and explains her learning challenge and needs. She follows up if she is having difficulty. Her spirit is unquenchable, her goals are wonderful, and her energetic personality is unparalleled.”

Michelle Combs Award:

Each year the SALT Center awards two exceptional students with the Michelle Combs Award. Michelle was a U of A student who passed away in a tragic motorcycle accident in 2005. Her family and friends created the award to honor her memory and recognize other students at the SALT Center who share Michelle’s adventurous, energetic, and goal-oriented approach to life.

To learn more about Michelle’s inspiring life, past award winners, or how to contribute to the Michelle Combs Endowed Fund, please visit salt.arizona.edu/michelle

NEXT ARTICLE >>