By Cynthia Hubert

May 12, 2025

Among Sacramento State’s thousands of spring 2025 graduates are seven who have been recognized for their academic excellence, perseverance and community involvement.

The recipients of the annual Deans’ Awards are Sac State’s top graduates, selected by professors and administrators in each of the University’s seven academic colleges. In addition, one Dean’s Award winner is chosen annually to receive the President’s Medal, Sac State’s top student honor.

The awardees will be recognized during Commencement ceremonies May 16 and 17 at Golden 1 Center.

Each of the recipients has maintained a stellar grade point average while displaying extraordinary commitment to people around them, whether by caring for needy family members, mentoring their peers, or volunteering for causes that are dear to them.

Read their inspiring stories here:

President’s Medal

• Jeffery Benson - Education: Lifelong learner and civil rights advocate Jeffery Benson treads his own path to a degree

Deans’ Award Winners

• Keeley O'Farrell - Arts and Letters: History major persevered through addiction and homelessness to become one of Sac State’s top graduates
• Serena Vu - Business: Sexual assault survivor who founded nonprofit to help other survivors receives College of Business Dean’s Award
• Isabel Santoyo-Garcia - Engineering and Computer Science: Engineering and Computer Science Dean’s Award winner is a role model for Latinas in STEM
• Jesus Nava - Health and Human Services: Health and Human Services Dean’s Award winner honors parents’ sacrifices, aims to help underserved communities
• Nang Sayoon Noi - Natural Sciences and Mathematics: Natural Sciences and Mathematics Dean’s Award winner Noi found her passion for chemistry at Sac State
• Danae Bolton - Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies: First-generation college student wins SSIS Dean’s Award and plans to pursue career in academia

For more information about Spring Commencement ceremonies, visit www.csus.edu/president/commencement