Honorees were nominated by faculty or staff and endorsed by their college’s dean. Here is a closer look at each award recipient:

Alexis Medina, human development

President’s Outstanding Graduate Award

Dean’s Award, College of Education, Health and Human Services

Medina was lauded as an exceptional scholar, mentor and advocate whose achievements reflect the highest ideals of CSUSM and the CSU’s mission of social mobility.

His academic excellence culminated in a 3.97 grade-point average and summa cum laude distinction. But it was his hands-on commitment to advancing student success for others that most distinguishes him.

Across more than 1,200 hours of community-engaged service, Medina has worked directly with K-12 students in under-resourced schools, providing individualized academic support, facilitating small-group instruction and mentoring young learners as they navigate their own educational journeys. In dual immersion classrooms, he leverages his bilingualism, supporting Spanish-speaking students in developing both academic confidence and a sense of belonging in spaces where they are often marginalized. He intentionally creates inclusive learning environments that affirm students’ identities, reinforce their capabilities and encourage persistence in the face of challenges.

Beyond the classroom, Medina extends this impact by guiding high school students, including first-generation and multilingual learners, through college and career exploration, helping them envision pathways that may have once felt out of reach.

Wendy Hardy, linguistics

Dean’s Award, College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences

Hardy, who also has a minor in French and American Indian studies, was praised for leaving a lasting impact academically and culturally across the campus community.

Hardy’s work demonstrates the transformative power of language to build understanding, preserve culture and advance justice. Graduating with a 3.958 grade-point average, she displays academic excellence that's matched by the depth of her applied work, from contributing to the Kawaiisu Language Documentation Project in support of Indigenous language revitalization to advancing research on linguistic justice through faculty-led scholarship. She is also a gifted educator, serving as a teaching assistant in French, teaching at the San Marcos Senior Center, and bringing creativity and care to tutoring and mentoring.

As founder and inaugural president of the Linguistics Collective, president of the French Club and a leader on the CHABSS Dean’s Student Advisory Council, Hardy has created spaces for belonging, professional growth and community that will endure well beyond her time at CSUSM.

Casey Budlong, business administration marketing

Gerevas Family Dean’s Award, College of Business Administration

Budlong has made a difference across many student groups on campus, and she was hailed as a purpose-driven student leader whose academic excellence and professional growth reflect the very best of CoBA.

Graduating with a 3.915 grade-point average, Budlong has distinguished herself as a top-performing marketing student with a strong foundation in both the analytical and creative dimensions of the field. Business professor Kristin Stewart said from her experience working with Budlong through a Professional Sales Center social media micro-internship, along with consistent feedback from her professors, she is repeatedly described as reliable, independent and collaborative. Budlong also was lauded for consistently taking initiative and producing work that is both thoughtful and results-driven.

Beyond the classroom, Budlong has made a meaningful impact on campus and in the broader community through leadership and service, including supporting environmental efforts through the Surfrider Foundation and serving as a volunteer board member for the Huntington’s Disease Society of America San Diego Chapter.

Isabel Serrano, biochemistry

Dean’s Award, College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Graduating with a 3.95 grade-point average in a demanding major, Serrano has distinguished herself through academic excellence and the depth and impact of her research.

In the lab, Serrano has made meaningful contributions to the field, developing novel compounds with potential applications in areas like medical imaging and next-generation technology. Her work has led to a peer-reviewed publication and a patent contribution through her internship with Novartis.

Serrano was lauded for how she brings others along with her. As the founding president of Out in STEM and a leader in multiple student organizations, she has created opportunities for her peers to connect and see themselves in STEM fields. She has helped raise funds so fellow students could attend conferences, mentored first-generation students and built communities where people feel like they belong. Outside of campus, she has carried that same commitment into her community, using her bilingual skills to advocate for others. Serrano’s journey is already opening doors for those around her.

Callie Steppat, biological sciences

Dean’s Award, Graduate Studies and Research

Steppat is completing a master’s degree with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average and will continue her education in a Ph.D. program at Cornell.

In the lab, Steppat has built an extraordinary track record by finishing her degree in one year, an unprecedented achievement in the program. She has led five research projects, contributed to six peer-reviewed manuscripts and introduced entirely new lines of inquiry that will continue shaping the lab’s work long after she leaves, according to biology professor Dennis Kolosov.

Kolosov praised Steppat for being an outstanding teacher and mentor, someone who creates supportive, inclusive spaces where students feel comfortable asking questions and building confidence in science. She has co-mentored undergraduate and graduate students in the lab and the classroom, truly embodying the teacher-scholar model, helping lead them to conference presentations and publications.

Outside the university, she volunteers in her community through beach cleanups, supporting dental care for underserved populations and working with veterans in need.

Nayelie Ortiz, sociology

Dean of Students’ Outstanding Leadership Award

Ortiz has built a strong academic record, but Interim Dean of Students Norma Larios said what stands out most is how Ortiz has used her time at CSUSM to lift up those around her.

Since her first year, Ortiz has been deeply involved with the COMPASS Center, supporting undocumented, mixed-status and immigration-impacted students through mentorship, advocacy and day-to-day care. She has helped students navigate challenges and persist to graduation, often stepping in during moments of real crisis to make sure no one feels alone. Whether organizing support for a peer in need or simply showing up consistently with empathy and encouragement, Ortiz leads in a way that is both powerful and personal.

That commitment to others extends far beyond campus. Ortiz mentors first-generation students, coaches youth soccer and volunteers in community safety patrols to support families in her hometown. Even while facing personal challenges, including the impact of devastating fires affecting her own community, she has remained focused on showing up for others.

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Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Honorees were nominated by faculty or staff and endorsed by their college’s dean. Here is a closer look at each award recipient: 

Alexandria (Alli) Mulqueen, psychological science  

President’s Outstanding Graduate  

Dean’s Award, College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences 

Mulqueen is engaged on campus and in the community, where she demonstrates unique commitment to her passion around disability inclusion, equity and justice. She serves as co-president of the Disability and Neurodiversity Alliance (also known as the CSUSM Best Buddies Chapter), which is aimed at empowering people to become advocates for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and to bringing awareness to the disability rights movement.  

As the only student organization on campus focusing on neurodiversity and disability justice, Mulqueen’s leadership has provided a voice and place for community building, belonging, learning and advocacy for students with disabilities and allies. 

Learn more about Mulqueen. 

Tyler Glasser, business administration 

Gerevas Family Dean’s Award, College of Business Administration 

Glasser was selected for his collective leadership contributions to the college and the student community, including helping to advance the Cougar Fund. Through his leadership and knowledge, the Cougar Fund has enhanced its investment strategy and rebalanced the holdings of the fund’s portfolio.  

The diversification has helped mitigate risk and established a foundation for the financial sustainability of the Cougar Fund. As important, the knowledge and techniques introduced by Glasser will move the Cougar Fund’s chief investment officer position forward, motivating future leadership to new levels of performance. It has also enhanced student hands-on learning, a cornerstone of CoBA degree programs, better preparing Cougar Fund students for their future investment careers.  

Nathan Lenski, master's, public health 

Dean’s Award, College of Education, Health and Human Services 

Lenski has consistently demonstrated exceptional research skills and a deep commitment to improving public health, particularly among vulnerable populations. Additionally, he has taken up the mantel of the department’s student organization, Graduate Organization of Public Health. He has accomplished this over the course of CSUSM’s accelerated Master of Public Health degree program while still employed full time for the County of San Luis Obispo.  

Lenski was lauded for his research capabilities and for being both intuitive and open to learning. His commitment to public health is not limited to his academic work but is also reflected in his actions. He seeks to leverage his research and leadership to create meaningful solutions. 

Maya Qaddourah, biochemistry  

Dean’s Award, College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics 

Qaddourah has shown a remarkable commitment to leading efforts to support and encourage her peers and her community at a time when her peers were consumed by isolation, fear and self-doubt with all that is happening in the world. She did this all while balancing a heavy academic load and performing at an exceptionally high level in the classroom, demonstrating a deep commitment to interdisciplinary biochemical research that resulted in working in multiple labs across campus and bringing her research to the point of publication, almost unheard of at the undergraduate level.  

She also served as a teaching assistant in several advanced courses where it is unusual to have even one of these experiences. Even with such extraordinary academic and research accomplishments, what set Qaddourah apart was her insight into the importance of community and sense of belonging and her exceptional persistence that led her to develop a personal mission of leaving an enduring impact that fosters inclusivity, innovation and career readiness in STEM at CSUSM. 

Kate Carlson, master’s, kinesiology 

Dean’s Award, Graduate Studies 

Carlson’s work ethic, attention to detail, professionalism, communication, reliability, leadership and organization skills are impressive to her peers and professors.  

These qualities were on full display during Carlson’s thesis defense on Feb. 20. Following the presentation, the committee unanimously agreed that it was the most exceptional master’s thesis project, defense and written document they had encountered in their academic careers. One committee member even noted that Carlson’s performance was on par with Ph.D. dissertation defenses from former students who now hold full or associate professor positions at top-tier research institutions. 

Miyah Walker, psychological sciences 

Dean of Students Leadership Award 

Walker’s ability to provide a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment for residents, while promoting wellness, has been a hallmark of her time as a resident adviser. Additionally, she has demonstrated exceptional counseling, mentorship and facilitation skills, leading educational conversations that center on personal development, cultural understanding and co-curricular programming in a diverse learning environment. 

Walker is a rare student who has integrated her studies, co-curricular experiences and embodies a holistic student experience at CSUSM. She has taken what she has learned in psychology and applied it to her RA and peer educator roles. After graduation, in the near term, Miyah intends to become a registered behavioral technician to work with autistic children. Her long-term goal is to earn a doctoral degree and work in underserved communities as a psychologist. 

Learn more about Walker. 

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Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Griffith’s research focuses on the sociology of queer life, cities and human agency. He examines what happens to the collective identity of queer neighborhoods as society's perception of LGBTQ+ people evolves.

“I investigate the material impacts that arise for individuals within these communities,” Griffith writes on the Master of Arts of Sociological Practice website. “By analyzing the genealogies of queer neighborhoods, I aim to understand the consequences of changes to both the physical and social spaces that exist within them.” 

The conference’s theme focused on human rights, policy threats, alliances and community resistance. The keynote speaker was UC San Diego sociology professor Camila Alvarez, who’s speech focused on environmental justice issues.

The mission of the California Sociological Association is to promote the scientific study of society among interested persons within the state of California; to stimulate discussion and encourage cooperative relations among persons engaged in the scientific study of society; and to further the aims of instruction, practice and research in the field of sociology.

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Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs
ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

While not fond of them, Jocelyne musters up the courage to walk past the tarantulas to her lab station where she works with her own animals – caterpillars. 

Although Jocelyne spends multiple days in the lab working with these insects, she has not always felt confident around them. In fact, she was scared of them. Facing her fears, Jocelyne has learned how to thrive, overcoming challenges while striving for a career that will support her family. 

Jocelyne has stood out to her instructors at Cal State San Marcos. A master’s of biological sciences student, Jocelyne was selected this month as the recipient of the President's Outstanding Graduate Award, the highest honor a graduating student can receive. She also received the Dean’s Award for Graduate Studies, which recognizes the accomplishments of one master’s student.

To qualify for the President's Outstanding Graduate Award, a student must show outstanding achievement in multiple areas such as academics, professional and service activities. Jocelyne has gone above and beyond when it comes to these requirements, and her journey, while not easy, has paid off.

Originally from Ottawa, Canada, Jocelyne started her postsecondary education in Illinois at Parkland College where she received an associate degree. Jocelyne moved with her children and then-husband to California, where she started attending CSUSM to pursue her undergraduate in biology.  

Right before starting at CSUSM, Jocelyne and her husband divorced. As a single mother of three kids, balancing being a student and a parenthood has its fair share of challenges. 

“Undergrad is a set schedule,” Jocelyne said. “It doesn’t anticipate parent-teacher conferences or a kid being sick. I don’t have a lot of the freedoms other students have. A teenager has no less energy than a 2 year old but they're still navigating high school and choosing a college and how to buy a car and get a loan. A lot of emphasis is put on having little kids and thinking that once they reach school age you can navigate anything, but it's really not the case.”

Not only did Jocelyne have to learn to anticipate the unexpected, she often went without some things many people in their academic journey had access to.

“Childcare was $30 an hour and I made $14 at the time,” Jocelyne said. “So a lot of times we got free food on campus. There were times where we had to take advantage of something or go without. I didn’t have any resources, so I did most of it solo.” 

Jocelyne said the most challenging part is balancing.

“You've got multiple roles as mom and dad, and there's not a whole lot of positive storylines about single parents,” she said. “Usually the first line of everything is ‘single parent, broken home’ or the story is ‘They've done well, despite growing up in a single-parent household.’ 

“Our house is not broken. We have a ton of fun, but it's a balancing act.”

Not only does Jocelyne have a great relationship with her kids – she has sons who are 22 and 19 and a daughter who is 14 –  but she has gained skills that have transferred over to her journey in grad school and the science community. 

“All the skills I have as a single parent transferred directly into grad school,” Jocelyne said. “Things like multitasking, organizing a schedule, planning ahead and anticipating the inevitable. So, unlike a lot of people, grad school has been a breeze. I love it. I think it's just ideal for an adult who's already had to adult a little bit.” 

Jocelyne credits much of her success to the mentors she met at CSUSM. Not only did professor emerita Linda Pershing play a critical role during Jocelyne’s undergraduate journey, but so does her current adviser, biology professor Dennis Kolosov. 

“He’s just been great,” Jocelyne said. “It’s very much a family in his lab.” 

Jocelyne’s work in Kolosov’s lab has focused on caterpillars. She studies their kidneys, which function much differently than in a human. 

“And caterpillars, I always say, are a lot like my teenagers – they literally eat everything, nothing's toxic,” she said.

Jocelyne also brings her knowledge from the lab into the community around her to inspire young scientists. Her neighbor has a 5 year old who loves science, so Jocelyne and other neighborhood kids go to the park for “Science at the Park” sessions.

Next up for Jocelyne is continuing with her education. Jocelyne was accepted to 12 Ph.D. programs, and involved her kids in the process for every step of the way. 

“I made the decision with them because it was going to involve a move, and they're going to be along for the ride so they have a say,” she said. “We were all in the kitchen together when we clicked the ‘I accept’ button, and we did it together.”

They clicked accept on Vanderbilt’s offer, and she will begin classes in the fall. While there, Jocelyne will begin working with multiple species of animals such as mosquitos, beetles and treefrogs. 

“We struggled for a really long time,” she said. “So it's nice to have something outside of just being a mom that I can do. There's no yearly review for being a mom. You don't get a raise, there's no report card. So sometimes it's nice to have something outside that's tangible. It's been difficult, but I wouldn't have it any other way. They've been phenomenal."

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Honorees were nominated by faculty or staff and endorsed by their college’s dean. Here is a closer look at each award recipient:

Jocelyne Dates, master’s biological sciences 

President’s Outstanding Graduate 

Dean’s Award, Graduate Studies

Dates' work ethic in the laboratory has inspired her peers and instructors, and her research will leave a lasting impact. Dates has mastered and established techniques that require the manual dexterity of a neurosurgeon while participating in the lab. She has impressively designed the lab logo and built custom-made research equipment, which increased data acquisition rate for an intricate bioassay from 50% to 100%.   

Dates has taken the role of a mentor to multiple undergraduate and graduate students and creates a nurturing learning environment. In her role as a Summer Scholars mentor, she provided guidance to 13 undergraduate students and one graduate student, which resulted in a total of 25 conference presentations and several publications prepared.  

Dates’ outstanding scholarship and research contributions are the pinnacle of excellence. Her hard work has led her to be accepted into 12 Ph.D. programs (she’ll attend Vanderbilt this fall) and she has secured over $1 million in external fellowship funding to date. Dates will graduate with four manuscripts and one invited book chapter while having delivered 10 conference presentations and co-authored another 15 conference contributions as a mentor.   

Megan Hosfield, sociology 

Dean’s Award, College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences 

Hosfield has sought out all the opportunities available to her on campus. After she successfully completed Jonathan Trinidad’s statistics course, she volunteered to audit his class. Trinidad quickly saw her deep understanding of the course, and he recruited her as a paid teaching assistant. In this role, Hosfield actively engages with students and provides them with clear explanation and personalized assistance during class and office hours. She has become a role model to students in lower and higher division statistics courses by leading by example and being responsible and reliable. 

In addition to her remarkable work as student teaching assistant, Hosfield leaves an impact on her peers. While in Marisa Salina’s large lecture sociology 311 class, Hosfield shared her own experiences with the intersections of various systems of oppression. It was a powerful experience for Hosfield’s classmates about inequities within public health and social services.

Hosfield’s hard work has led her to be accepted into eight Ph.D. programs in sociology and public health. She plans to study how people with mental health and substance abuse issues begin to rehabilitate socially.

 Jack Norwood, business administration, management 

Gerevas Family Dean’s Award, College of Business Administration 

Norwood works as a programming specialist for Associated Students, Inc., at the Temecula campus where he helps students by developing and managing student-focused programs and initiatives. In this role, he also works with other university student affairs departments and organizations in support of Temecula students.   

Norwood has volunteered his time as an ambassador for the Temecula campus. He has participated in an Extended Learning marketing campaign, outreach events to prospective students, and represented the campus on efforts with community partners and Mt. San Jacinto College. Norwood has also represented the Temecula campus as part of the Business Organization for Student Success, the ASI Student Advocacy Committee, the Extended Learning Student Fee Advisory Committee, and has been the university representative for the Temecula Student of the Month. 

Beyond the university, Norwood has participated in community service activities. He has been a site lead for the Cesar Chavez Day of Service for two years. Beyond his leadership, Norwood explicitly defines the day of service to the volunteers and its comprehensive benefit to the communities served. 

Miranda Grzywaczewski, kinesiology

Dean’s Award, College of Education, Health and Human Services 

Grzywaczewski has shown a consistent and unwavering commitment to the CEHHS mission and vision as well as consistent engagement in community service and leadership activities. Through class discussion and peer assignments, she leads by example with her outside-the-box thinking. The effort and hard work she put into her coursework shows in her 3.94 CSUSM GPA, as she is one of the top-performing kinesiology students. 

Grzywaczewski possesses a certification to do vascular stiffness measurements, which makes her one of four students to achieve this status. This process takes over 30 clinical screenings to perfect these vascular analysis skills.

Grzywaczewski also serves as the CEHHS representative for Associated Students, Inc., where she holds office hours and encourages student engagement. She has a clear passion for service and care toward others. 

Patricia Tulloch, biological sciences

Dean’s Award, College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics 

Tulloch has pushed through barriers and has emerged as a motivated leader who is dedicated to helping underserved communities. She leaves a positive impact while conducting biomedical research as a teaching assistant and working to make a difference in her local and international community. 

Tulloch has been a dedicated researcher in biology professor Julie Jameson's lab for three years. She always brings a positive attitude to the lab, and she was excited to learn about mouse surgery, anesthesia delivery and dissection. Tulloch has shared her findings at the University of Irvine Immunology Fair and received funding to present at the American Association of Immunologists meeting in Chicago. She is committed to the study of skin diseases, diabetic wounds and psoriasis and she is a co-author on a manuscript that is soon to be published.  

In addition to her work in the lab, Tulloch is a dedicated teaching assistant for Molecular Medicine, BIO 456. In this role, Tulloch demonstrates a natural ability to guide students through a team-based learning strategy while they work on case studies focused on medical therapeutics. 

Nick Melanese, business administration, marketing 

Dean’s Award, Dean of Students 

Melanese was recruited to the men’s cross country and track and field team where he became CSUSM’s record holder for the 800 meters, a multi-time California Collegiate Athletic Association champion and an NCAA qualifier.   

Melanese was elected as a Leadership Council Member for track and field, where he oversees and facilitates conflict management, team-bonding, apparel and social media during council meetings. He has also been awarded the Elite 13 Award, which recognizes the athletic and academic achievement of a student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average in their sport.

In addition to Melanese’s athletic achievements, he joined the University Student Union team as a video production student assistant in 2021. Melanese’s creativity and dedication to the USU’s mission and values were quickly recognized, which led him to transition to becoming the USU’s marketing coordinator. 

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“This is critical in getting our students prepared to join the workforce and understand what research really involves and what their career path could be if they go into research,” said Jackie Trischman, interim dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. “The presentation skills that they gain from something like this can be very helpful in every stage of their career from this point forward.” 

The showcase was created more than a decade ago by the Committee for Undergraduate Research (CUGR) to share students’ passion for research while encouraging them to take the next steps in their future careers. This year’s event was presented by CUGR and the Office of Graduate Studies and Research.

“We are a campus that is deeply committed to undergraduate research for multiple reasons,” said Chuck De Leone, interim dean of Graduate Studies and Research. “We know that it's wonderful for our students and we know that it helps our faculty in accomplishing the research goals that they have.” 

There were 19 research posters at the showcase, covering an array of topics. 

Ciara Sanders, a master’s student in biological sciences, used the showcase as an opportunity to spread awareness around climate change. Sanders wanted to explore the effect of extreme weather conditions on horizontal gene transfer among coastal microbiomes. 

“It gives us a really good idea of how it's going to impact antibiotic resistance genes on the coast, which can be been really detrimental to human health because the of the antibiotic resistance crisis that's currently happening,” Sanders said. 

Sanders curated her experiment in the lab of biology professor Elinne Becket, who recently received an award from a state organization recognizing up-and-coming professionals in the life science industry.  

Sanders is hoping to publish her research before she begins a Ph.D. research program next fall. 

Devanshi Upadhyaya, Rosalva Romero and Kasandra Barajas studied the differences of wise reasoning in first-generation and continuing-generation college students under the direction of psychology professor Alex Huynh. Last summer, they were able to collect data from over 200 participants. 

“We're all psych majors,” Upadhyaya said. “We have a realm of amazing professors who have their own labs here. Professor Huynh was our mentor and he guided us through the study.” 

As a first-generation student, Romero was curious to explore the differences.

“I think for me personally, you oftentimes hear a lot of conversations between the experiences and differences between first gen and continuing gen,” Romero said. “I can resonate with a lot that we did with my background. This is just a great way to bring more awareness of these differences between first gen and continuing gen. It's very important.”

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Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Six standout graduates from the Class of 2016 were honored at a special awards dinner for their academic achievements and service to the community while overcoming sometimes seemingly overwhelming challenges.

Honorees were nominated by faculty or staff and endorsed by their college’s dean. Here are their stories:

Jamaela Johnson, B.A. Human Development.

President’s Outstanding Graduate

Dean's Award, College of Education, Health and Human Services

Jamaela Johnson would be the first to tell you that when she arrived at Cal State San Marcos from Vista Murrieta High School in Murrieta, she was a little bit of an introvert. No more. The standout scholar has transformed herself into an engaged community advocate involved in myriad causes on campus and in the larger community.

And our university is a lot better place because it.

Jamaela, who is vice president of Student and University Affairs, helped charter the CSUSM’s first African-American Greek organizations, contributed as a peer educator at the Gender Equity Center, served as vice president of the Black Student Union and as a student representative for Diversity and Inclusion, and helped coordinate the annual Race for the Cure through the Colleges Against Cancer organization.

She also helped coordinate community events as a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Youth Council; volunteers with the Black Coal & Rose’s Society, a K-12 girl’s mentoring program that focuses on interpersonal skills, professional etiquette, career guidance and self awareness; and advocates for sexual assault survivors and other social justice movements as a member of Feminists Unite while working with the group in pushing for CSUSM’s first Sexual Violence Advocate and Educator program.

Jamaela also is a proud member of Kappa Omicron Nu, a national honor society for human sciences. Her name is a regular presence on the annual Dean’s List.

“Jamaela Johnson exemplifies the values of the Human Development Department: civic engagement, social responsibility, and a commitment to helping communities in need,” said Rodney Beaulieu, assistant professor of human development. “In addition, she excels in the areas of academic achievement and campus wide leadership and activism. Her passion for addressing sociopolitical disparities, social justice and improving her own effectiveness as a leader has provided guidance throughout her educational career.”

Jamaela’s professional goal is to take the skills she has honed here and make a difference in world.

“My experience with the various student organizations helped me discover methods for mediating social problems, responding tot the needs of underrepresented groups, promoting social justice and equity, and enacting social change,” said Jamaela.

Petrona Gregorio, B.A. Psychology

Dean’s Award, College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences

Petrona Gregorio is a living reminder that anything is possible.

She spent her early years in the highlands of Huehuetenango in Guatemala, an impoverished country with the lowest literacy rate in Central America. She immigrated with her family to the United States when she was just five years old speaking only her native Mayan language, only to find that life here was hard, too. Petrona at the age of 15 began working full-time to support her family before returning to school a decade later to renew her commitment to learning.

Petrona transferred to CSUSM from Palomar College in 2014 and has been impressing her peers and professors with her scholarly drive, achievements and her promise as a researcher. She has presented her research under the guidance of Psychology Professor Heike Mahler numerous times at student and professional conferences, all while mentoring her seven younger siblings and engaging in volunteer work with with the American Bar Association’s Immigration Justice Project.

“What I value the most is helping out those in need and encouraging young children and adults to pursue a higher education,” she said.

Said Robert Rider, interim dean in the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences: “Petrona is an outstanding psychology graduate whose persistence, commitment, passion and achievement exemplify the values, mission and promise of the Cal State San Marcos learning experience.”

Laureta Koxha, B.A. Business Administration, Global Supply Chain Management

Dean’s Award, College of Business Administration

Laureta Koxha’s journey to the United States began in the spring of 1999 when she and her family were forced to flee their home in Ferizaj, Kosovo, during the Serbian-Albanian War. The family found shelter in a refugee camp before finding a home in San Diego through the Red Cross.

“When we got off the plane, my father was wearing one brown shoe, one black shoe and had only four U.S. dollars in his pocket,” she said.

But Laureta’s parents instilled the importance of a higher education, hard work and perseverance, and today she has a bright future ahead of her. She has excelled at Cal State San Marcos. She has been on the Dean’s List every semester and she has the highest GPA among graduating students in the Global Supply Chain Management option.

“I have always been fascinated by the concept of how things get from one place to another,” said Laureta, who is eyeing a possible career at somehow facilitating the flow of commerce into Kosovo and the rest of Europe.

Laureta also is passionate about contributing to society. She serves as director of communications for the Global Supply Chain Management Society, volunteers at the Escondido Family Resource Center and donates her time as a poll worker for the County Registrar of Voters Office.

German Alberto Mendoza, B.S. Biological Sciences

Dean’s Award, College of Science and Mathematics

German Alberto Mendoza is a first-generation college student who came to Cal State San Marcos after serving four years in the Marine Corps, including one year of combat duty in Iraq.

Now a staff sergeant in the Marine Reserves, German is motivated to become a nurse and has worked in the laboratory of Julie Jameson, assistant professor of psychology, as a research assistant examining how skin cells become dysfunctional in obese and diabetic mice, and the impact that may have on tissue repair and the healing of wounds.

“He has a true knack for science along with a drive that I find truly astonishing for his age,” said Jameson, who added she would place him in the top one percent of all the undergraduates she has worked with, including during her time at The Scripps Research Institute. “He is incredibly reliable and innovative in his work, and I expect amazing things in his future.”

In addition to his laboratory research, German has attended several local and national meetings where he has presented his findings, including the annual UC Irvine Immunology Fair; the La Jolla Immunology Conference; and the Career, Academic, and Research Experiences for Students Symposium at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

“German has represented our university well at scientific conferences and with his service to the military,” Jameson said.

Shelley Dutt, M.S., Biological Sciences

Dean’s Award for Graduate Studies

Shelley Dutt had already earned degrees in both criminology and anthropology from UC Irvine when she began taking Extended Learning courses in the field of biological sciences. Three weeks into an immunology course taught by Professor Bianca Mothe, she was hooked.

“At that moment, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in immunology.”

A short time later, she met with Assistant Professor of Biology Julie Jameson, who was doing immunology research in diabetes, obesity and T-cells. Shelley became the first student at CSUSM to be part of Dr. Jameson’s lab and, in a short period of time, began volunteering on a clinical project to study wound healing in kidney transplant patients – a project being done in collaboration with UC San Diego and the California Institute for Renal Research.

She was accepted as a graduate student in her lab the following academic year and given the opportunity to oversee the clinical project she was assisting in as a volunteer.

Shelly’s love for science reaches beyond the lab. She has worked on recruitment and outreach activities through the STEM Center to interest students of all ages in the sciences, and she developed demonstrations for students to help teach them the basic principles of science and math. Her skill at planning and leading classroom workshops and translating complex scientific concepts and theory into simple and relatable ideas has since prompted her to pursue a career as a teacher at the collegiate level while seeking a doctoral or professional degree so she can have the opportunity to conduct research.

Carolyn Proskow, B.A. Human Development

Dean of Students Leadership Award

Carolyn Proskow’s viewpoint is clear: “Being a campus leader means standing by and for students in their greatest moments of vulnerability,” she said. “Even if I cannot relate to their specific experience, I recognize that healing and recovery begins with the knowledge that others are willing to help.”

Carolyn has been deeply committed to student wellness at Cal State San Marcos, and she currently serves as a senior peer educator in the Peer Advocacy and Wellness Support program at the H.O.P.E & Wellness Center. As a senior peer educator, she has engaged diverse populations of students in important conversations about alcohol and substance abuse, domestic violence, mental health, eating disorders, breast cancer, sexual assault and more. This past summer, she became a certified trainer for Living Works safeTALK suicide intervention program.

“Carolyn has a sincere passion to educate students on emotional and mental health and to eliminate stigma around mental health challenges,” said CSUSM Mental Health Educator Cheryl Berry “Evident throughout Carolyn’s work on these issues is her commitment to improve the mental health and wellness of students through education, prevention and early intervention.”

Carolyn graduates summa cum laude and will pursue a Master of Public Health en route to a career as a health systems manager in the field of geriatrics.