Alumni Profiles


Once a Sundevil, always a Sundevil! With 2,300+ alumni living and working around the globe, we’re excited to share details from our diverse community.

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Sevilla Durán Class of 2020 Currently working as a researcher at Columbia's Zuckerman Mind Brain and Behavior Institute BS Neuroscience and Behavior with a concentration in Hispanic Studies, Columbia University “Sandia Prep helped me cultivate a strong work ethic that continues to serve me in college. Through exposure to interdisciplinary experiences, I found my love for science and learned to communicate effectively and compassionately with my professors and peers.”
Sevilla Durán Class of 2020 Currently working as a researcher at Columbia's Zuckerman Mind Brain and Behavior Institute BS Neuroscience and Behavior with a concentration in Hispanic Studies, Columbia University “Sandia Prep helped me cultivate a strong work ethic that continues to serve me in college. Through exposure to interdisciplinary experiences, I found my love for science and learned to communicate effectively and compassionately with my professors and peers.”

Sevilla Durán

Class of 2020

Currently working as a researcher at Columbia's Zuckerman Mind Brain and Behavior Institute
BS Neuroscience and Behavior with a concentration in Hispanic Studies, Columbia University

“Sandia Prep helped me cultivate a strong work ethic that continues to serve me in college. Through exposure to interdisciplinary experiences, I found my
love for science and learned to communicate effectively and compassionately with my professors and peers.”

Courtney McKenzie Class of 2020 Enrolled in the University of New Mexico Doctor of Pharmacy program  B.S. in Biology with emphasis in Biomedical Science with Honors at University of Arizona “Mr. Polansky encouraged me to develop study habits that were absolutely essential to my success in college. Mr. Tregembo taught me the importance of creative outlets and was an amazing mentor in supporting my passion for poetry and creative writing. These two teachers taught me that there is room to pursue both science and the arts.”

Courtney McKenzie

Class of 2020

Enrolled in the University of New Mexico Doctor of Pharmacy program 
B.S. in Biology with emphasis in Biomedical Science with Honors at University of Arizona

“Mr. Polansky encouraged me to develop study habits that were absolutely essential to my success in college. Mr. Tregembo taught me the importance of creative outlets and was an amazing mentor in supporting my passion for poetry and creative writing. These two teachers taught me that there is room to pursue both science and the arts.”

Van Butcher Class of 2018 Working on Ph.D in Physics at Georgia Institute of Technology B.S. in Physics and Math with an applied emphasis from W.A. Franke Honors College at the University of Arizona  M.S. in Physics from Georgia Institute of Technology  “Sandia Prep prepared me by building connections during my Senior Capstone that have propelled me in my academic career. I also learned skills of leadership in student government, critical thinking and collaboration from classwork, and growth and communication from classmates during my time at Prep.”

Van Butcher

Class of 2018

Working on Ph.D in Physics at Georgia Institute of Technology
B.S. in Physics and Math with an applied emphasis from W.A. Franke Honors College at the University of Arizona 

M.S. in Physics from Georgia Institute of Technology 

“Sandia Prep prepared me by building connections during my Senior Capstone that have propelled me in my academic career. I also learned skills of leadership in student government, critical thinking and collaboration from classwork, and growth and communication from classmates during my time at Prep.”

Uyen-Phuong “U.P.” Nguyen Class of 2015 Software Engineer, Bose Corporation Computer Science B.S., Brown University “Sandia Prep definitely prepared me for the academic rigors of Brown University. I’m thankful to Prep for introducing me to so many wonderful mentors and experiences I wouldn’t have had otherwise.”

Uyen-Phuong “U.P.” Nguyen

Class of 2015

Software Engineer, Bose Corporation
Computer Science B.S., Brown University

“Sandia Prep definitely prepared me for the academic rigors of Brown University. I’m thankful to Prep for introducing me to so many wonderful mentors and experiences I wouldn’t have had otherwise.”

Taylor (Wolff) Stiff Class of 2014 Dental hygienist at a private practice in Albuquerque, NM B.S. Dental Hygiene, Psychology, and Spanish - University of New Mexico "Prep gave me educational opportunities I did not have growing up in Las Vegas, NM. I will always be grateful for the foundation Prep gave me, as well as the lasting relationships I made."

Taylor (Wolff) Stiff

Class of 2014

Dental hygienist at a private practice in Albuquerque, NM
B.S. Dental Hygiene, Psychology, and Spanish - University of New Mexico

"Prep gave me educational opportunities I did not have growing up in Las Vegas, NM. I will always be grateful for the foundation Prep gave me, as well as the lasting relationships I made."

Lawson Stiff Class of 2012 Attorney, in Albuquerque, NM, specializing in civil litigation B.A. History - Colorado State University J.D. University of New Mexico School of Law “Sandia Prep helped me develop the tools necessary to succeed in college and in my career. Prep taught me how to think critically and encouraged me to ask questions about the world around me — skills that I employ each day.”

Lawson Stiff

Class of 2012

Attorney, in Albuquerque, NM, specializing in civil litigation
B.A. History - Colorado State University

J.D. University of New Mexico School of Law

“Sandia Prep helped me develop the tools necessary to succeed in college and in my career. Prep taught me how to think critically and encouraged me to ask questions about the world around me — skills that I employ each day.”

Brendon Gray Class of 2016 Attending Carnegie Mellon University for Public Policy and Management M.A. Economics B.A. & Political Science B.A. “Above all, Prep made me a strong critical thinker, a skill I’ve applied in every academic or professional responsibility I’ve had since graduating. I found my passion for writing at Prep from my time in the  newspaper class, and I developed a love of reading thanks to a long line of great English teachers.”

Brendon Gray

Class of 2016

Attending Carnegie Mellon University for Public Policy and Management M.A.
Economics B.A. & Political Science B.A.

“Above all, Prep made me a strong critical thinker, a skill I’ve applied in every academic or professional responsibility I’ve had since graduating. I found my passion for writing at Prep from my time in the  newspaper class, and I developed a love of reading thanks to a long line of great English teachers.”

Elena Saavedra Buckley Class of 2014 Senior Editor, Harper’s Magazine Editor at The Drift literary magazine B.A. in Humanities from Yale University “Prep's English program -- especially the rigorous and consistent essay-writing training -- helped me hit the ground running in college classes and start my writing career with a solid foundation.  Prep was always able to encourage me in my interests, whether personal or academic, without coddling or leading me astray. It helped me learn how to benefit from and question my education at the same time.”  

Elena Saavedra Buckley

Class of 2014

Senior Editor, Harper’s Magazine
Editor at The Drift literary magazine
B.A. in Humanities from Yale University

“Prep's English program -- especially the rigorous and consistent essay-writing training -- helped me hit the ground running in college classes and start my writing career with a solid foundation.  Prep was always able to encourage me in my interests, whether personal or academic, without coddling or leading me astray. It helped me learn how to benefit from and question my education at the same time.”  

Joe Martinez Class of 2017 Pilot, Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Geospatial Science, U.S. Air Force Academy “My time at Sandia Prep greatly influenced my time in college by setting the foundation for me to succeed. Prep teachers not only greatly contributed to helping me in academics but also with learning many life lessons, such as how to professionally interact with others and overcome obstacles.”

Joe Martinez

Class of 2017

Pilot, Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training
Geospatial Science, U.S. Air Force Academy

“My time at Sandia Prep greatly influenced my time in college by setting the foundation for me to succeed. Prep teachers not only greatly contributed to helping me in academics but also with learning many life lessons, such as how to professionally interact with others and overcome obstacles.”

Rachel Fleddermann Class of 2014 Medical Student, UNM School of Medicine Biology B.S., University of Wisconsin-Madison “The leadership skills I learned at Prep are still serving me well today as I navigate medical school.”

Rachel Fleddermann

Class of 2014

Medical Student, UNM School of Medicine
Biology B.S., University of Wisconsin-Madison

“The leadership skills I learned at Prep are still serving me well today as I navigate medical school.”

Christina Pacheco Class of 2013 Board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner B.S. and M.S. in Nursing "The critical thinking and study skills I learned while at Sandia Prep helped me excel academically, but my relationships with my fellow classmates and teachers taught me compassion, empathy, curiosity, and drive."

Christina Pacheco

Class of 2013

Board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner
B.S. and M.S. in Nursing

"The critical thinking and study skills I learned while at Sandia Prep helped me excel academically, but my relationships with my fellow classmates and teachers taught me compassion, empathy, curiosity, and drive."

Juhee Patel Class of 2016 Medical student at UNM School of Medicine B.S. in Biology “Sandia Prep gave me the skills of great communication, integrity, and confidence. The safe and nurturing environment of Prep was such a privilege to have as I was growing up.”

Juhee Patel

Class of 2016

Medical student at UNM School of Medicine
B.S. in Biology

“Sandia Prep gave me the skills of great communication, integrity, and confidence. The safe and nurturing environment of Prep was such a privilege to have as I was growing up.”

Samuel Albert Class of 2014 Working for award-winning architecture firms in Finland and Denmark, with a focus on sustainability B.A. in Architecture “As a student at Prep, I was able to try a bit of everything. I’ve taken those experiences into my college education and into my career as a designer and an architect, where I continue to explore my interests in art, engineering, philosophy, and history.”

Samuel Albert

Class of 2014

Working for award-winning architecture firms in Finland and Denmark, with a focus on sustainability
B.A. in Architecture

“As a student at Prep, I was able to try a bit of everything. I’ve taken those experiences into my college education and into my career as a designer and an architect, where I continue to explore my interests in art, engineering, philosophy, and history.”

Rafael Morales Silva Class of 2015 Automotive Clay Modeler and sculptural problem solver at General Motors B.A. in Fine Arts in Sculpture, The Kansas City Art Institute “Waseem Touma's sculpture classes were my favorite. Waseem, who also graduated from Kansas City Art Institute, encouraged me to apply to KCAI and has remained supportive of me and my career endeavors ever since. He is an incredible artist and friend, and he inspired me in many ways to pursue unique creative opportunities.”

Rafael Morales Silva

Class of 2015

Automotive Clay Modeler and sculptural problem solver at General Motors
B.A. in Fine Arts in Sculpture, The Kansas City Art Institute

“Waseem Touma's sculpture classes were my favorite. Waseem, who also graduated from Kansas City Art Institute, encouraged me to apply to KCAI and has remained supportive of me and my career endeavors ever since. He is an incredible artist and friend, and he inspired me in many ways to pursue unique creative opportunities.”

Michayla Paez-Trujillo Class of 2017 Investment banker on Municipal Finance team at RBC Wealth Management in New York B.S. in Finance with a minor in Legal Environment of Business at Penn State “Sandia Prep helped me build the educational background I needed to succeed in college as well as my career. Having such hard courses while maintaining athletics at Sandia Prep (swim and dive team) taught me discipline, and I think in a career like investment banking, having structure is key.”

Michayla Paez-Trujillo

Class of 2017

Investment banker on Municipal Finance team at RBC Wealth Management in New York
B.S. in Finance with a minor in Legal Environment of Business at Penn State

“Sandia Prep helped me build the educational background I needed to succeed in college as well as my career. Having such hard courses while maintaining athletics at Sandia Prep (swim and dive team) taught me discipline, and I think in a career like investment banking, having structure is key.”

Patricia McKenzie Class of 2016 Emergency Room RN B.S Kinesiology Arizona State University BSN, MSN Alverno College “Prep provided me the strong foundation of academic and social confidence to tackle the obstacles that arise with critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication in my personal and professional life."

Patricia McKenzie

Class of 2016

Emergency Room RN
B.S Kinesiology Arizona State University
BSN, MSN Alverno College

“Prep provided me the strong foundation of academic and social confidence to tackle the obstacles that arise with critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication in my personal and professional life."

Alexandra Baldwin Class of 2020 Currently a marketing manager while pursuing a Master’s in Marketing at Vanderbilt University  B.A.A in Business with a concentration in Marketing from the University of New Mexico “Sandia Prep was instrumental in shaping my work ethic and resilience. It taught me to embrace challenges and turn setbacks into opportunities for growth. The supportive community and teachers pushed me to excel, and without that foundation, I wouldn't have developed the perseverance needed to balance a full-time role with graduate studies at Vanderbilt. Sandia Prep empowered me to believe I could achieve anything with determination and hard work.”

Alexandra Baldwin

Class of 2020

Currently a marketing manager while pursuing a Master’s in Marketing at Vanderbilt University 
B.A.A in Business with a concentration in Marketing from the University of New Mexico

“Sandia Prep was instrumental in shaping my work ethic and resilience. It taught me to embrace challenges and turn setbacks into opportunities for growth. The supportive community and teachers pushed me to excel, and without that foundation, I wouldn't have developed the perseverance needed to balance a full-time role with graduate studies at Vanderbilt. Sandia Prep empowered me to believe I could achieve anything with determination and hard work.”