Cali Papez
Graduation year: 2026
High school: St. Charles East High School
Hometown: St. Charles, Ill.
Majors: Biology (pre-physical therapy); Spanish
Minor: Chemistry
Activities: Varsity women's basketball, Búhos ESL Tutoring Club, Campus Ministries, Sports Medicine
Internship: STEM internship in Costa Rica
Post-grad plans: WashU Medicine Program in Physical Therapy
Why Augustana?
I chose Augustana because it gave me the opportunity to pursue my dream of playing collegiate basketball while offering a fantastic education. At Augustana, I knew I wouldn’t have to compromise my academics to participate meaningfully in athletics and extracurriculars.
What really caught my attention was the great biology program since I knew I wanted to pursue a career in health care. Everyone I met at Augustana was incredibly welcoming, and I could see myself succeeding here with their support.
Are you where you thought you'd be when you first came to campus?
Yes and no. I fulfilled many of my dreams at Augustana by playing four years of collegiate basketball, double majoring in biology and Spanish, and studying abroad in Costa Rica. But I never imagined I would be a two-year varsity captain. I also thought I wanted to be a vet, but now I have decided to pursue a career in physical therapy! I also didn’t imagine being the president of Búhos Club, which teaches free English as a Second Language lessons to Spanish-speaking members of the community.
Who helped you get to where you are now?
I have so many people to thank! Augustana surrounded me with an army of supporters who helped me achieve my goals and get me where I am today. First, I praise God for blessing me with the opportunity to attend Augustana and all the amazing people He put in my life. Thank you to my family who made my education possible and supported me every step of the way.
At Augustana, my coaches and teammates were my biggest supporters. Coach B and Coach Marquisha never stopped believing in me and pushed me to become a stronger and more confident leader than I thought possible.
On the academic side, my advisors Professor Kennedy and Professor Rockwell helped me navigate both academic and personal challenges and helped me determine what career I wanted to pursue.
And a huge shoutout to Beth Ford! She guided me through countless grad school, job and scholarship applications, always with a big smile on her face. I could not have finished those without her.
Peak experience?
My peak experience was traveling to Spain with my basketball team during the summer before my senior year. As a Spanish major, I had always dreamed of visiting Spain, and it was the trip of a lifetime to go with a group of my closest friends and my family.
We played three games against local Spanish teams, and traveled to Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona. My favorite part was visiting the Sangrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona, which merged my Catholic faith with my love of Spanish culture.
What surprised you?
I was surprised by how diverse the student body at Augustana is. I had the opportunity to play basketball with teammates from a variety of backgrounds, including several different countries. The diversity of my classmates also helped me consider different perspectives and significantly enhanced my education.
How did you use your Augie Choice?
I used my Augie Choice to complete internships in two health care clinics in Costa Rica. I got to stay with an amazing host family who immersed me into Costa Rican culture and cuisine. This experience was pivotal in my decision to pursue physical therapy, and in improving my Spanish skills.
What will you miss the most?
The people! I have built so many amazing relationships at Augustana: my roommates, teammates, friends, coaches and professors. I will miss seeing them every day and walking through life with them. My roommates have become my support system, and my teammates are my second family. My professors and coaches have become my mentors. This community at Augustana has carried me through the highs and lows of college, and I am forever grateful to have met such amazing people.
Advice for the Class of 2030?
Don’t be afraid to fail. If you’re investing yourself into something meaningful, it’s going to be challenging and you’re not going to do it perfectly every time. But don’t let fear of failure hold you back from trying something worthwhile.
"Cali has been a blessing to the Augustana community. She is a wonderful young woman who has strong moral values, a drive to succeed and a work ethic to make it happen. Whether on the basketball court, in the classroom or in life, Cali consistently lives by these principles, which has allowed her to achieve multiple years of All-Conference, Academic All-Conference and the grad school of her choice. She has left an amazing imprint on our community, and she will be missed by many."