Academic Award: College of Arts & Letters

Jeremiah L. Kennedy

For much of my life, I never thought of college as an option. From financial and health issues, to raising three children as a stay-at-home parent, to my early life setting me on a path that involved entering the workforce and volunteering at church rather than pursuing higher education, I faced many challenges.

However, I never let go of my dream of getting a degree. Despite the adversity I faced growing up and into my adult life, I was finally able to enter college as a first-generation student at the age of 47 in 2022.

I graduated from American River College with Highest Honors and a cumulative 4.0 GPA in May 2024. I earned five associate’s degrees, including three transfer degrees in Anthropology, History, and Theatre. While at ARC, I served as director of finance for the Associated Student Body, president of the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society and as a peer mentor and clerk in the People, Language, and Society Homebase.

I am currently in my final semester at Sac State as a double major in Anthropology and History. I serve as director of Arts & Letters for Associated Students, Inc., president of the Phi Alpha Theta History Honors Society and the History Club, and treasurer for the Clio History Journal. I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in History with a goal of becoming a tenure-track professor at a university.

Academic Award: College of Business

Kyen Gilfranc Canchico

As an immigrant from the Philippines, I arrived in the U.S. with faith, discipline, and a determination to build opportunity from nothing. I’m the first in my family to pursue a degree in this country. I’ve balanced work and college as a Business Finance major and Army ROTC Cadet Battalion Executive Officer, a role in which I directly apply my business education.

Nationally, I ranked 22nd out of over 5,500 ROTC cadets and have received the George C. Marshall Leadership Award. I am also the 2023 USAR Soldier of the Year for the 2nd Medical Brigade. These honors reflect the discipline and leadership development strengthened through Sacramento State’s College of Business.

Additionally, I am a local Secretary, District Sports Committee, and KADIWA officer in the Iglesia Ni Cristo. I also serve as a detail lead for Funeral Honors Missions for fallen Veterans across Northern California.

In 2020, I enlisted as a Combat Medic to accelerate my path to citizenship and to serve the United States. Balancing military duties, full-time work for Amazon, and academic rigor required sacrifice and discipline. Rather than viewing hardship as limitation, I treated it as preparation for greater responsibility.

After graduation, I will commission as a Signal Corps officer in the Army Reserve with long term aspirations of serving in the Active Guard Reserve program. My goal is to combine financial expertise, military leadership, and community service into a career defined by impact.

Academic Award: College of Education

Mayelli Gonzalez Munoz

I am a first-generation student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Child and Adolescent Development with a minor in Counseling. Obtaining my degree is a true accomplishment as a Mexican American woman whose parents dedicated themselves to building a better life for me and my siblings.

As a second-language English speaker, I faced academic challenges and was not always supported in school. However, I persevered to become bilingual in English and Spanish, and I want to help and support youth in similar situations.

As a three-time Dean’s Honor student, working in an after-school program unlocked my passion for working with youth and led to much success for me. I gained experience through courses that required completing fieldwork and engaging in various types of research methods, which enabled me to think critically about issues in child development.

Additionally, I train and compete in kickboxing and Muay Thai, and that has supported both my mental and physical well-being. I had my first fight in January, and the experience was both challenging and transformative.

After I graduate, I plan to take a gap year to explore my career options. My goal is to support children and adolescents, whether in education, health care, policy, or counseling. I also plan to get my master’s in school psychology, social work or counseling. I am grateful that Sac State has provided a diverse learning space and community where we can all learn from one another and share our unique experiences and knowledge.

Academic Award: College of Engineering & Computer Science

Somaya Faruqi

As a child, I spent many Fridays in my father’s car repair shop. Most people didn’t understand why a girl would want to be there, but it was where the world made sense. If something broke, you could open it, ask questions, understand it, and repair it. I later joined the first Afghan girls’ robotics team, which competed internationally and developed engineering solutions.

After leaving home over safety concerns in 2021, I eventually enrolled at Sac State to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering and rebuild my path. I launched the #AfghanGirlsVoices campaign to amplify the voices of girls left behind and I worked directly with girls in Afghanistan to enable continued education despite limited infrastructure.

Additionally, I am currently leading a sewing workshop for women banned from working. After training, each participant graduates with a sewing machine to support her family from home.

I pursued these efforts because I know what it feels like to lose access to opportunity. My work has been recognized globally, including features in Forbes and Vogue, being named among BBC’s 100 Women and sharing my story through the film “Rule Breakers.” These experiences are not just personal achievements; they represent the voices of those I carry with me.

It’s not easy to be a woman from Afghanistan, and it’s even harder being an engineer who’s often told she doesn’t belong. I am committed to using my education to promote and advocate for women in engineering, ensuring more girls have the opportunity to pursue STEM fields.

Academic Award: College of Health & Human Services

Tegan Marie Reynosa

As a first-generation Latina college student and Educational Opportunity Program scholar pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology, my academic journey is deeply connected to my lived experiences.

As a domestic violence survivor, a mother, and someone who has faced financial challenges, I understand firsthand how systems can either protect or fail vulnerable individuals. These experiences have shaped my commitment to justice, advocacy, and reform.

My studies in criminal justice have strengthened my understanding of law and institutional systems, while my sociology minor has expanded my awareness of inequality, race, gender, and structural barriers. Together, these disciplines have shaped my understanding of crime not simply as individual wrongdoing, but as behavior influenced by social context, power, and opportunity.

In addition to maintaining strong academic performance, I serve as the Standards and Evaluations Director for Alpha Phi Sigma, the national Criminal Justice Honor Society. I remain actively engaged in conversations surrounding restorative justice, survivor advocacy, and systemic reform. My experience navigating legal and social service systems informs my academic interests and reinforces my belief that justice must balance accountability with compassion.

After graduation, I plan to pursue a master’s degree in Criminology to strengthen my research and policy knowledge before attending law school. I am committed to advancing evidence-based criminal justice policy and expanding access to justice for vulnerable communities.

Academic Award: College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics

Emily Lam

The path to a degree always seemed vast, confusing and disorienting. Growing up in a competitive social environment with immigrant parents who did not attend college, I was quite aware of the prestige of academic success. Chinese culture emphasizes filial piety—the Confucian virtue of honoring your elders—so I felt immense pressure to make sacrifices for my family. I used this pressure as motivation to turn myself into someone of whom I can be proud.

As a Chemistry student, I was able to constantly push myself out of my comfort zone in pursuit of growth. I had the opportunity to participate in multiple regional and national presentations, win awards, and spend a summer at UC Santa Cruz. Serving as a Peer Assisted Learning facilitator and Instructional Student Assistant allowed me to learn and enhance the understanding of our diverse student population through peer mentorship, and to grow as a person.

Next, I plan to obtain a Ph.D. in Chemistry at UC Davis. My goal is to become a professor in chemistry focused on environmental remediation to give back and mentor underprivileged students.

Academic Award: College of Social Sciences & Interdisciplinary Studies

Quinn O'Connor

My struggles have shaped me as a person and a student. Returning to school to finish my bachelor’s degree in Psychology following a stroke seemed insurmountable. But following years of prior adversity, I had already committed to success. I chose to follow through and doing so changed my life.

Sacramento State has provided me with inspiration, motivation and academic confidence through support, community and many opportunities, including serving as treasurer for Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology; joining the Psychology Society; and working in the research lab with Dr. Garcia Peraza and my fellow research assistants.

My years of dealing with personal struggles have provided ideas for future research. I’ve volunteered with Sacramento’s WEAVE, and I believe I can contribute to developing intimate partner abuse resources targeted towards specific cultural groups. I’ve also balanced multiple jobs to fund my education, including the SAGE Center, where I’ve assisted my peers with the resources they need to succeed in their academic plans.

As an awardee of the Sacramento State Alumni Association Life Member Scholarship, not only have I earned my degree, but I have also proven to myself that I can overcome any obstacle. Achieving it is just the start of my academic journey, and I am excited to see where it takes me.

University Housing Services' Award: Outstanding Graduate Assistant

Alejandro Poblano

My name is Alejandro Poblano and I am currently a graduate student in the Industrial-Organizational Psychology program, planning to finish in the fall. I completed my bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Chicano Studies in Spring of 2024.

I was raised in the city of San Pablo by my lovely parents Jorge and Maria Poblano. Currently, I am an Assistant Residence Hall Coordinator for University Housing in Riverview Hall. I have worked for Housing for four years in various positions.

I have always wanted to pursue a career where I can make a positive impact on others. I hope to continue to do so in Residential Education. My long-term goal is to focus on and contribute to occupational health and training in the field of I-O Psychology.

University Housing Services' Award: Residential Community Connector

Leila Berina

My name is Leila Berania and as a dedicated student leader at Sac State, I am actively involved in the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) and I serve as a Resident Advisor. I’m passionate about building inclusive communities, fostering student engagement, and creating meaningful campus experiences that leave a lasting impact.

This year, I transitioned from my role as Vice President to leading my own organization, strengthening my leadership skills. I take great pride in all that I’ve accomplished and I am committed to empowering others and enhancing the residential experience for all students.

University Housing Services' Award: Residential Student Advocate Award

Jesus Nava

I am a proud first-generation Mexican American student. By the maximum efforts, dedication and sacrifice of my Mexican-immigrant parents in their field labor occupations, I am able to attend this institution.

I come from Soledad in Monterey County, which is part of the Salinas Valley. I am giving it my all, in mind, heart and soul in my studies and professional ventures. That includes my efforts in my Pre-Credential History Education major with a minor in Spanish. I intend to pursue and make an impactful teaching career in high school World History. Currently, I am a Resident Advisor in Sac State's residence halls while also employed as a tutor for the Twin Rivers Unified School District.

Finally, when I am a successful Latino and ballin’ with my teacher’s salary, I plan to live it up in my mansion with my future husband, our bunnies, chickens, dogs, fish, ducks, birds and our 10 kids.

SO&L Awards: Sport Club Athlete of the Year

Mickey Nelson, Women’s Rugby

I’m grateful to be part of this community and to be recognized alongside so many dedicated individuals. As a Kinesiology major and rugby player, a lot of my growth has come from both the classroom and the field. Studying how the body moves and performs has given me a better understanding of my sport, while rugby has taught me discipline, resilience, and the value of teamwork.

Whether I’m playing forward or back, rugby has pushed me to stay consistent, work through challenges, and trust the people around me. Those experiences have shaped how I approach my goals and continue to motivate me to improve.

Moving forward, I’m focused on continuing to grow as both an athlete and a student and finding ways to apply what I’ve learned to make a positive impact.

SO&L Awards: Sport Club Officer of the Year

Adrian Amador, Esports

I started playing video games as a child. They acted as a way for me to form relationships—first with my family when I was young, then with my friends as a teenager, and now as an adult at Sac State.

I initially joined the Esports club at Sac State because I wanted to keep playing the games I loved while attending college. But it has turned into a passion that has driven my future aspirations, and it has become a place for me to build community.

As a member of the Esports club, I knew that there was so much untapped potential in the club, especially to become a more active part of Sac State. I was not the only one who felt this way. I worked to become president so I could be the voice for all our members and their dreams for the club. As president, I have worked to have more community events, and for the club to become a more integral part of the Sac State community. That is especially true in the club’s work to host Sac State’s very first intercollegiate Esports tournament with the Hornet Cup, which took place on April 24.

In the future, I will keep Esports and gaming as the center of my life. The community it has brought me has been a significant part of who I am, and I want to give back not only through continuing to be a part of it but by helping push it forward to the global stage.

SO&L Awards: Sport Club Leader of the Year

Gabriel Maples, Men’s Soccer

My name is Gabriel Maples and I am a second-year International Business student at Sacramento State. I have been a member of the Men's Soccer Club for the past two years and have served as president for one year. This experience has helped me grow both in responsibility and in building meaningful connections on campus.

After graduation, I plan to remain in Sacramento and pursue a career in the business field while continuing to play soccer. I am grateful for the support of my teammates, coaches, and family who have helped me throughout this journey. I would like to give special thanks to Cody York and Gustavo Kilgore for their guidance and support.

SO&L Awards: Faculty/Staff Advisor of the Year

Sarvenaz Sobhan, American Society of Mechanical Engineers

I am an assistant professor of Mechanical Engineering and the director of the Advanced Renewable/Thermal Energy (ART-E) Laboratory at Sacramento State. Prior to joining Sac State, I served as an associate professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and I earned my Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2017.

My research focuses on renewable and solar energy systems, computational fluid dynamics, and hybrid numerical modeling, with an emphasis on thermal and energy analysis and advanced thermal management system design. I have had the opportunity to serve as a Principal Investigator on several federally and nationally funded projects, including work supported by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

I am also actively involved with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, where I serve in several national leadership roles. These include serving as an Executive Committee Member of the ASME Power Division, Chair of the ASME Power Symposium, Technical Program Chair for the ASME Energy Sustainability Conference, and Chair of the Renewable Energy and Energy Conversion Technical Committee.

At Sacramento State, I am deeply committed to mentoring students through professional engagement, leadership development, and hands-on learning. I strive to create an inclusive and collaborative environment where students feel supported in building connections, gaining real-world experience, and growing both academically and professionally.

Looking ahead, I remain committed to strengthening student pathways and preparing future engineers to address complex global challenges.

SO&L Awards: Student Leader of the Year

Raden Kayla Zilvia, Future Business Leaders of America

Leadership does not start when you feel ready—it starts when you are willing to take ownership when nobody else does. You must be willing to be the first one to stand up.

That was exactly what I did when I founded Future Business Leaders of America and Wall Street Society at Sacramento State. I saw an opportunity and acted. What started as just an idea has grown into an amazing community—one that has become one of the most meaningful parts of my journey.

Stepping into these leadership roles has taught me so much about taking full responsibility, lifting others up, and believing in myself even when the path wasn't clear.

I want to give a shoutout to my teams from the Student Economics Association, Wall Street Society, and Future Business Leaders of America. Thank you for being part of this journey and for believing in me as your president. This award belongs to all of us.

I am deeply honored to be the recipient of the 2025–26 Student Leader of the Year Award.

SO&L Awards: Organization of the Year

Caribbean Student Association

Caribbean Student Association (CSA) started as a small idea between my best friend, Saraity, and me, Alani. We wanted to create something bigger than ourselves, a space where people at Sac State could feel seen, connected, and proud of who they are, without any regrets. Watching CSA grow into a community that celebrates Caribbean culture while welcoming everyone has been one of the most meaningful experiences. 

As the president and cofounder, I see CSA as more than just an organization. It’s a family—a place where culture, identity, and community come together. A space where students can show up as their true selves, without judgment. Every event, meeting, and moment, big or small, has been about creating something people can feel, not just attend. 

This recognition means so much to CSA—not just to me, but to everyone who has poured their time and energy into it. It reminds us that what we’re building truly matters, no matter the attendance or the outcome of an event. What truly matters is that we create, and will continue to create spaces where people belong and feel seen.

Looking ahead, I see so many great things in store for CSA and everyone who joins us. We want to keep doing this work—bringing people together, building community, and creating safe, inspiring spaces for as long as we can. CSA will always be a part of Sac State, and as a club, we’re truly humbled by all the amazing possibilities ahead.

This is just the beginning.

Student Performers -  Mariachi Los Avispones 

Mariachi Los Avispones at California State University, Sacramento is a student-led ensemble dedicated to preserving and celebrating traditional Mexican music. We were founded in Fall of 2025 to add to the university’s diverse campus organizations. Our group provides students with an opportunity to engage in mariachi performances while promoting Latino heritage and identity.

Our ensemble’s mission centers on producing mariachi music that uplifts student voices and fosters cultural appreciation within the campus community. Through performances, rehearsals, and campus involvement, we create a space where students can express themselves while connecting with their cultural roots. Our ensemble features a range of instruments such as violins, trumpets, guitars, vihuelas, and the guitarrón which contribute to the distinctive sound of mariachi music.

Beyond music, our organization plays an important role in building community. We welcome students of various backgrounds and skill levels, encouraging collaboration, inclusivity, and cultural exchange. By participating in events and performances, our members not only develop their musical abilities but also help educate others about the significance of mariachi as a cultural tradition.