Selena Portillo (left) with Entomology Department Head Dr. David Ragsdale. Photo by Susan Kilpatrick.
Congratulations to senior Forensic and Investigative Sciences major Selena Portillo as she received the 2017 Senior Merit Award from the College of Agriculture and Life Science during its annual Spring Convocation on Saturday, April 8.
A native of San Antonio, Texas, Portillo is an active member in the Aggie Forensic and Investigative Sciences Organization and the Gates Millennium Scholarship Organization. She also has been a member of the Kappa Phi organization from January to April of 2016 and served as secretary for the Greater Texas Foundation from May 2015-May 2016.
Since 2010, Portillo volunteered at the Harlandale Christian Church, where she has helped with arts and crafts during the church’s Vacation Bible School and prepared weekly communion, as well as set up tables during special events.
In 2016, Portillo worked at two summer internships at the Randall County Sheriff’s Office and the San Antonio Police Department. At Randall County, Portillo assisted deputies by going out to various crime scenes to assist in the investigation process and processed evidence for fingerprints using Ninhydrin, black and magnetic powders.
During her internship with San Antonio PD, she worked with specialty units including the Traffic Investigations, Homicide, and Criminal Divisions. She also helped with processing vehicles for fingerprints and taking photographs.
Portillo received numerous awards and honors during her career, including the Distinguished Student Award in January 2016 and the Gates Millennium Scholarship in 2014. She also received her Forensic Technician certification from the Texas Engineering Extension Service in May 2016.
The Senior Merit Award is the highest award that is given to an undergraduate by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. To be eligible, students must be projected to graduate during the 2017 calendar year.
Portillo is expected to graduate in May 2017.