Major: Biology
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Objects: Card from Uganda and Alpha Alpha Alpha honor cord
Meaning Behind the Objects: When Ashley Diaz ’26 sits at her desk to dig into work, her eyes often wander to two alpacas from her Lehigh Launch Ecuador experience.
“I look at these and I'm instantly transported to that experience and reminded of how fun and amazing it was.”
She said the experience was the perfect way to start her four years of college, and she still misses the time she spent in the country. The two llamas have helped keep those memories close throughout the rest of her journey at Lehigh. She remains in touch with her host mother and plans to send graduation photos after commencement.
As a first-generation student, another object that has been near and dear to Diaz is her Alpha Alpha Alpha honor cord.
“This cord really represents my journey, my educational journey,” Diaz said. “It's something I'm proud of because I am the first in my family to make it this far. Neither of my parents even graduated high school, so making it to college is a huge deal for us.”
She is also fond of a mother and baby print she obtained at an artisanal market in Uganda when she was a Pathways Development Initiative Sustainable Livelihood Intern. On the trip, she spent a lot of time in the maternity ward, witnessing eight live births at a local clinic. The experience solidified the kind of provider she hopes to become, particularly after seeing violence directed toward mothers. The print serves as a lasting reminder of those moments and the impact they had on her.
“Since I want to be a doctor, it was really relevant to that whole aspect of my career.”
The Class of 2026 reflects on the keepsakes, memories and milestones that shaped their Lehigh experience. Through personal stories and meaningful objects, these Future Makers share moments of growth, discovery and connection. Read the stories behind the keepsakes, or view the expanded photo essay.
