By Jennifer K. Morita

September 21, 2026

Sacramento State alum Lisa Sanchez was in the third grade when her parents went to prison.

But the most difficult time in her life gave Sanchez her greatest strength.

“It changed my life and who I was,” she said. “It helped me realize I can be a strong leader and be somebody who is kind to other people. A lot of times, we don’t know what’s going on in someone else’s life, or what they’ve gone through.

“... I have a lot of empathy for people and their situations. It’s one of my greatest skills.”

Now studying for her master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, Sanchez wants to work in higher education and help college students succeed and feel like they belong on campus.

Sanchez was selected for the 2026 Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement, the highest recognition of student accomplishment within the CSU.

“I need help supporting my college career, but I was not expecting to get anything,” Sanchez said. “I was extremely shocked, but happy shocked.

“My heart felt like it was beating out of my chest when they told me.”

Every year, the CSU recognizes students from each of the system’s 22 campuses, honoring those who demonstrate superior academic performance, personal accomplishments, community service, and financial need.​​​​

“Being able to mentor students and help them find their own sense of belonging and understand themselves and how to navigate college is really important to me … especially first generation students. As a first generation student myself, I’d love to pour back into that community.” -- CSU Trustees' Award winner Lisa Sanchez

Awardees were recognized during a special ceremony at the CSU Board of Trustees Sept. 22 meeting in Long Beach.

“The Hornet community is extremely proud of Lisa, not only for her accomplishments as a scholar and a leader and role model, but for her compassion and dedication to helping other students adjust to college life and achieve success,” said Sacramento State President Luke Wood.

Sanchez grew up in Hollister near Monterey. When her parents were incarcerated, she and her five brothers went to live with their grandparents.

“They’re a second set of parents to me,” she said. “I lived with my grandparents my whole life. We struggled with being low-income as well, so we just ended up living with my grandparents all the way through high school.

“... They really helped me overcome that hiccup in life. It took me a while to be okay with my parents being gone for so long.”

Sanchez, a first generation college student, grew up in a big family with lots of younger cousins she often took care of. It sparked the idea of becoming a teacher.

“I love being around kids and helping them grow and doing fun things with them,” she said.

When she graduated from high school during the COVID-19 pandemic, she chose to go to Sac State, sight unseen. Sanchez lived in student housing, becoming friends with other Hornets while socially distancing through Discord groups.

Sanchez also joined the Sigma Kappa sorority and served as one of the Academic Advising Center’s peer mentors, helping first-year students navigate academic requirements and connect with resources on campus.

“I know how hard it was for me my first year,” Sanchez said. “Being able to mentor students and help them find their own sense of belonging and understand themselves and how to navigate college is really important to me … especially first generation students. As a first generation student myself, I’d love to pour back into that community.”

While she was Sigma Kappa’s vice president of philanthropy, Sanchez raised more than $7,000 in emergency funding for members. Now a Sigma Kappa advisor, she’s active with the sorority’s foundation, which helps fund Alzheimer’s research.

CSU Trustees’ Awards scholars will receive more than $200,000 in scholarships collectively this year.

Sanchez juggled work at Old Navy and Starbucks with being a peer counselor and other campus leadership activities to pay for her own education.

She has been named the Dr. José A. and Catherine Gómez Scholar and says the scholarship means she won’t have to take out any more student loans.

“It’s important for students to know they can achieve what they set their hearts out to achieve,” Sanchez said. “Keep doing what makes you passionate. Don’t just settle for anything. Go for what your heart desires.”