University of the Pacific honored seven remarkable women with Women of Distinction Awards as part of the university’s annual celebration of Women’s History Month.

They were selected for their positive impact on the community. This year’s recipients include:

• Pamela Gibbs ’92, president of the Pacific Alumni Association
• Olivia Nash, associate vice president of enrollment strategy
• Roxanne Galdos ’26, student in McGeorge School of Law 
• Nancy Gonzalez St. Clair ’26, student in Benerd College
• Anaiza Villaseca ’26, student in the College of the Pacific
• Roshanak Rahimian, professor in the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy
• Nicoleta Bugnariu, dean of the School of Health Sciences

Pam Gibbs exemplifies mentorship 

Gibbs, is a 1992 graduate of the College of the Pacific and current president of the Pacific Alumni Association. She was recognized with the Champion for Change Award, which honors a dedicated advocate whose efforts have significantly influenced policies, practices, or initiatives that promote gender equity and social justice.

Gibbs’ work reflects a deep belief in the power of education and mentorship to transform lives.

“Many of the women of distinction that I know were my favorite professor, a best friend, other women who are courageous student leaders that I remember working with and mentoring, and also student community leaders who inspired so many of us today,” Gibbs said. “I look at our honorees with pride and even a sense of renewed purpose, knowing that I can join them and continue our efforts to inspire generations of future women. It's not easy asking for change. It's not easy to step up and serve. So for these reasons, I celebrate all of the women who are being honored today.”

Gibbs’ influence extends to the statewide level, where she has helped shape education policy aimed at protecting vulnerable students and advancing equity in schools. By providing expert testimony and championing legislation, she has worked to promote safer learning environments and expand opportunities for all students.

Olivia Nash melds inclusion and leadership

Nash, associate vice president for enrollment strategy, also received the Champions of Change Award. Her leadership style centers on uplifting colleagues and modeling equity-focused leadership across the university, helping to foster a culture of shared purpose and progress.

Earlier in her tenure, Olivia built the university’s Graduate Admissions and Recruitment operation from the ground up. Under her leadership, the effort expanded across three campuses and supported the launch of 12 new programs, creating more accessible pathways for a diverse population of graduate students.

In her current role, Olivia continues to guide enrollment strategy with empathy and intentionality. 

Roxanne Galdos advocates for breaking barriers 

Roxanne, a third-year student at McGeorge School of Law, was honored with the Excellence in Innovation award, which recognizes people who have driven innovation, broken barriers or made outstanding contributions in their field or community while fostering inclusivity and opportunities for women.

Galdos was recognized for her leadership in expanding access and mentorship within the legal profession. Through her student-centered leadership and lived experience, she has worked to foster a culture of belonging and empowerment, creating supportive spaces where women and gender-diverse students feel seen, valued and encouraged to pursue careers in law.

“To me, innovation isn't something that is abstract,” Galdos said. “It looks like creating spaces where people feel like they belong, and especially in places where they've been historically left out. As a first-generation law student of Peruvian and Filipino immigrants, I know how intimidating it can be to walk into a space without a proper roadmap, and that experience has shaped how I lead and why I care so deeply about both mentorship and access.”

As co-president of the Womxn of Color Collective, Galdos has strengthened the organization’s reach and impact through innovative programming. Among these efforts is the annual EmpowerHER Legal Mixer, which connects women, women of color and first-generation students with legal professionals, helping them build networks and see meaningful representation within the field.

Nancy Gonzalez St. Clair strives to develop the next leaders 

Gonzalez St. Clair, a student in Benerd College focused on K-12 educational leadership, is recognized with the Leadership and Advocacy Award, which honors someone who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and advocacy in empowering women.

Through her leadership, Nancy empowers young women—particularly Latina and first-generation students—by promoting leadership development and college readiness. She supports scholarships, mentorship opportunities and youth conferences that help elevate voices historically underrepresented in higher education and leadership spaces.

“I've seen what happens when people come together with purpose,” Gonzalez said. “Voices rise, communities lead. Change begins not in a grand moment, but in a quiet, consistent act of showing up. Because change does not happen on its own. We make it happen. We make it happen when we choose courage over comfort, when we choose action over indifference, when we believe that even the smallest act of kindness can ripple onward.” 

Anaiza Villaseca advances LGBTQ+ inclusion 

Villaseca, a sociology major in the College of the Pacific, is also recognized with the Leadership and Advocacy award. 

Villaseca has demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing LGBTQ+ inclusion across the university. She has helped organize LGBTQ+ Town Halls and contributed to the creation of the LGBTQ+ Summit, efforts designed to elevate queer and trans voices in campus equity conversations. 

In addition, she played a key role in developing the university’s first comprehensive guide to publicly accessible gender-neutral restrooms, made available through the Center for Identity and Inclusion.

“As a first-generation student, leadership and advocacy have never been just titles to me. They are responsibilities,” Villaseca said. “They mean showing up for others, creating spaces where people feel seen and heard and continue to push forward, even when systems make that difficult, and in a time when we're seeing rights challenging communities, especially immigrant communities, fighting to be seen, protected and valued.

“It's especially important to recognize the women who are navigating systems not built for them, who are advocating for their families, and who continue to lead within strength despite so much uncertainty. They are a constant reminder of why this work matters.”

Roshanak Rahimian advocates for women’s health 

Rahimian, professor of pharmacology in the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy, was honored with the Mentorship and Empowerment Award which celebrates an individual who has made a lasting impact by mentoring, supporting and uplifting women in their academic, personal, or professional growth.

“I am truly, truly honored to receive this Women of Distinction award in mentorship and empowerment,” she said. “Mentorship has been always at the center of my work, and this recognition indeed is because of all those inspiring students and colleagues that are sitting there, and because of you, I am receiving this award. I am very grateful to be part of this supportive community. Thank you all.”

Rahimian has also strengthened women’s representation and impact in biomedical science through her internationally recognized research on sex-specific cardiovascular and metabolic mechanisms. Her work has contributed to important advancements in understanding health differences among women, including research that supported FDA-submitted data on therapies for postmenopausal women.

Nicoleta Bugnariu motivates through visionary leadership 

Bugnariu, dean of the School of Health Sciences, has provided visionary leadership since the school’s launch in July 2020. 

As its founding dean, she has guided the school’s rapid growth with a focus on collaboration, compassion and a strong commitment to supporting women across its programs and community. 

"I am honored to be recognized alongside so many amazing women who lead and do meaningful, important work," she said. "Mentoring women and seeing their journeys and careers flourish is a true joy, and our collective work in education is a powerful way to uplift and empower entire communities.

She was also awarded the Mentorship and Empowerment Award. She is known for fostering long-term professional and personal development among staff across the university’s three campuses. 

In addition to overseeing 10 academic programs, she dedicates time to coaching, problem-solving and career development, helping women build confidence, navigate challenges and pursue leadership opportunities within the health sciences and higher education.