Graduating from the University of San Francisco (USF) was more than just earning a degree but for Cassandra Kimberly Templora, completion of her college course was a milestone shared with her family and friends and the community that supported her as she pursued her education abroad.
Templora graduated with degree of Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in gerontology, the study of aging, becoming the first in her family to graduate from a foreign university. She is now pursuing her medical education at the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery as a freshman student. Her decision to pursue medicine actually grew from a lifelong interest in science.
“Growing up, I’ve always been interested in sciences and whatever biological topics we did,” Templora enthused as she recalled her particular fascination with organisms and how their body systems work together.
And her minor in gerontology was equally personal. Raised in a Filipino culture that places great value on respect and care for elders, Kimberley wanted to better understand aging from both psychological and physiological perspectives.
At USF, Templora was considered by her colleagues and peers as someone who took pride in her roots and culture as a Filipino. She became active in Kasamahan, the university’s Filipino-American student organization where she began as a first-year representative before becoming its community and political affairs co-director.
In that role, she helped organize Pilipino-American History Month activities and Marahuyo, a festival inspired by Filipino fiestas that brought Filipino businesses and cultural performances to the USF campus.
The as a junior, she led the Skit Committee for Philippine Cultural Night, overseeing the writing, auditions and rehearsals for a production that shared Filipino stories with hundreds of students. She also performed in the annual skit throughout her four years in the university.
Beyond Kasamahan, she served as vice president of finance and leadership of the Culturally-Focused Clubs Council. She later became an international student orientation guide, welcoming new students to the university.
