Student
Celebrating 31 Years of Connecting Students through Inclusive Engagement
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Student
Senate and Integrity AWARDS
Guest Speaker
Sgt. 1st Class William Cartagena-Vazquez
Sgt 1st Class William Cartagena, “Will,” a native of Barranquitas, Puerto Rico, enlisted in the U S Army in April 2004� He attended the English as a Second Language program at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, before completing basic combat training and advanced individual training as an engineer at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri� He later reclassified as an infantryman at Fort Benning, Georgia�
Cartagena’s extensive military education includes multiple leadership and command courses, training in combat and tactical operations, environmental and terrain-specific training, and technical and safety training� His civilian education includes 49 credits from the Interamericana University of Puerto Rico with a major in electrical engineering
He has deployed overseas multiple times� From 2008 to 2009, he served in Iraq as a heavy construction equipment operator and as an operations sergeant in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom He deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from 2011 to 2012 as an infantry squad leader and in 2014 as a rifle platoon sergeant� He again deployed to Afghanistan from 2020 to 2021 in support of the retrograde mission of coalition forces as a rifle company first sergeant and the J3 sergeant major for the security forces at the U�S� Forces Afghanistan and Resolute Support at Bagram Airfield and Operation Freedom Sentinel�
Cartagena has received the Bronze Star Medal for Valor, Bronze Star Medal (three awards), Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, and Army Commendation Medal (five awards)� His service and achievement medals include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal (seven awards), Army Good Conduct Medal (six awards), and National Defense Service Medal, as well as service ribbons for National Defense, Army, Non-Commissioned Officer, and Overseas�
His service continues as an instructor in PennWest Clarion’s ROTC Department of Military Science
Cartagena resides in Shippenville, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Judaliz Villanueva, also a native of Puerto Rico They have four children: Alexa, 17, and 10-year-old triplets Blake, Ethan and Shawn
-PRESENTATION OF THE 2025 EQUITY AWARDS-
Outstanding Community Award
Outstanding Supporter Award
Outstanding Employee Award
Outstanding Student Award
Special Group Award
Presidential Award
Special Integrity Award
-STUDENT SENATE-
Caleigh Aigler
Aislinn Bentley
Raechel Braun
Sequoya Brawner
Daysia Brown
Abby Callender
Allison Callender
Logan Carll
Mason Derosky
Aiden Engle
Logan Hanscom
Timothy John
Reagan King (sabbatical)
Gary Larner (sabbatical)
Bethany Morrow
Karlee Renninger
Liz Traugott
-STUDENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE-
Daysia Brown
Abby Callender
Tori Ochs
Liz Traugott
Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest California, PennWest Clarion, PennWest Edinboro, PennWest Global Online) is committed to equal employment and equal educational opportunities for all individuals regardless of gender, gender identity, race or color, ethnicity, national origin or ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, religion or creed, genetic information, affectional or sexual orientation, veteran status, or other classifications that are protected under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other pertinent state and federal laws and regulations Direct inquiries to the Executive Director of Compliance and Title IX, 423 Becht Hall 16214-1232; Email asalsgiver@pennwest edu or phone 814-393-2109 Inquiries may also be directed to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, Department of Education, 330 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20201 110325