Summer Dunsmore

PROFILE: Summer Dunsmore grew up about two miles from the Pacific Ocean in San Diego. Like most San Diego natives, Summer loves the outdoors and going to the beach. But she loves being a college student just as much if not more. The aspiring journalist hoped to begin college two years ago at a Bay Area-university, but financial constraints prevented her enrollment. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise: she enrolled at San Diego Mesa Community College, where she thrived immediately. Summer became deeply involved in several service projects on and off campus, produced a film her freshman year, and directed a play. On top of that, she was a member of the women’s cross country team, a human rights activist, and graduated with a near-perfect GPA. 

INSPIRATION: While Summer served as an officer of the Mesa Honors Club, she had the pleasure and good fortune of meeting and working with Dr. Alison Primoza, who inspired Summer to aim high and to stay strong. “[Dr. Primoza], is willing to help out any student, and is always available to talk about anything under the sun,” Summer said. “She is a beloved mentor to many.”

ASPIRATION: Journalism is not the only career Summer would like to pursue. There are humanitarian goals she’d like to accomplish too. “My dream is to build schools for women and girls in developing countries, as well as engage in diplomacy to effectively help these women gain the increased rights they deserve,” Summer said.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE:   Summer has achieved many great things: she raised money for a woman's health center, helped save a marine mammal habitat in her community, and at 18, she produced and directed a feature-length film. All were achievements that felt normal because Summer said she “was simply following my passions, and in doing so I was fulfilling a need in myself to do these things.” Yes, Summer is glad she was able to accomplish those things but she is most proud of earning a Foundation scholarship. “To know that through my academic prowess, through all the sleepless and worrisome nights I spent wondering how I would pay for my undergraduate education, to have been awarded this scholarship is the best feeling of all,” Summer said.  “I am proud of my progress and myself.”

ACCOLADES: Summer is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, is a recipient of the Coca-Cola/MTS Scholarship Award, and the Clairemont Art Guild Photography Award.

INTERESTING FACT: Summer wants to someday live in India and while in that general area of the world, she would like to climb Nepal’s Mt. Everest!