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CSUB announces 2020 outstanding graduates

Ten students earn top awards

By California State University, Bakersfield

May 20^th, 2020

Over 2,000 students are graduating from California State University, Bakersfield in spring and summer 2020. This includes over 1,700 students earning their bachelor's degrees and nearly 400 students receiving graduate degrees.

Though the spring 2020 commencement ceremonies have been postponed, these bright graduates will continue on their academic and professional journeys – becoming our region's leaders for years to come.

Seven outstanding students are honored by President Lynnette Zelezny and CSUB's four schools: School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering; School of Arts and Humanities; School of Business and Public Administration; and School of Social Sciences and Education. In addition, three students are honored by the CSUB Antelope Valley campus.

These students were chosen for their academic achievements and impact on the community.

This year's outstanding students are:

LUKE KIM – B.S. IN BIOLOGY AND B.A. IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES

PRESIDENT'S OUTSTANDING UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT

Outstanding Undergraduate Student for the School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering and the School of Arts and Humanities

Luke Kim has excelled in his double majors – biology and religious studies, with a minor in chemistry. He has been recognized on the dean’s list each semester, as well as the Helen Hawk Honors Program and the Alpha Chi Honors Society. He was an active research assistant in the Keller ecology lab, resulting in an external grant from Sigma Xi, as well as a participating in the Emergency Medicine Research Associate Program at Kern Medical Center. He has presented his research to multiple diverse audiences and has been a co-author on two publications through Kern Medical Center.

Kim has been called a “brilliant young man” by the School of Arts and Humanities; his class essays have been deeply researched, remarkably insightful and consistently on time. He is known to be articulate, a clear thinker, and offers intelligent insights. He is motivated to become a physician by an energetic intellectual curiosity about both science and the humanities, and by a deep altruism that drives his worldview. Kim has volunteered throughout the community, as a kitchen assistant at the Bakersfield Homeless Center, a reading partner in an assisted living facility, and during a weekend spent with a medical brigade in Mexico. After graduation, he will be begin medical school at one of the top programs in the world, at the University of California, San Francisco.

Read more about his story here.

GLENDY ARDON – M.S. IN EDUCATIONAL COUNSELING

PRESIDENT'S OUTSTANDING GRADUATE STUDENT

Outstanding Graduate Student for the School of Social Sciences and Education

“Brave,” “heroic” and “inspirational” is how Dr. Yvonne Ortiz-Bush describes Glendy Ardon. A student in the educational counseling program, she is a first-generation college student who has overcome major obstacles to achieve her educational goals and dreams. At the age of 18, she lost both parents and raised her three younger siblings. Ardon also overcome personal health challenges on her journey, surviving stage IV Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

The School of Social Sciences and Education described Ardon as passionate about education, and about empowering Central Valley students to expand their educational worldview. Ardon has contributed to her peers’ education through thought-provoking, reflective comments in courses. She has been the recipient of scholarships, including one specifically for students pursuing careers in counseling, and one that supported her travel to the annual conference of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.

CSUB announces 2020 outstanding graduates

CSUB announces 2020 outstanding graduates

CSUB announces 2020 outstanding graduates

CSUB announces 2020 outstanding graduates

CSUB announces 2020 outstanding graduates

LAYLA VASQUEZ – B.A. IN PSYCHOLOGY

Outstanding Undergraduate Student for the School of Social Sciences and Education

Layla Vasquez was nominated as outstanding undergraduate for the School of Social Sciences and Education by Dr. Isabel Sumaya, who has mentored her over the past two years. With Dr. Sumaya’s mentorship, Vasquez has been a student in the competitive MARC U*STAR program, for undergraduates who show promise to enter doctoral programs in the behavioral sciences. Vasquez is also a Sally Casanova Predoctoral Scholar and a CSUB Student Research Scholar. An award-winning researcher, some of Vasquez’s work has implications for Alzheimer’s disease. A first-generation college student, Vasquez has been accepted into the doctoral program in neurosciences at the University of Southern California.

Layla Vasquez is the 2020 Outstanding Undergraduate Student for the School of Social Sciences and Education.

JAYMEE HASTY – B.A. IN HISTORY

Outstanding Graduate Student for the School of Arts and Humanities

Originally from Fresno, Jaymee Hasty moved to the Kern River Valley in 2009 to work as an archaeologist while pursuing her studies at CSUB, where she enjoyed taking courses ranging from the Ottomans in the Mediterranean to the history of the Portuguese Empire overseas. She said she loved being part of the history program. She took great pleasure in seminars, looked forward to reading the material and loved group discussions and how they made her think about things in a different light. Hasty’s master’s thesis is focused on prostitution and vice reform of Bakersfield’s red-light district in the Progressive Era. She has always been interested in knowing more about women that live in the margins of society. After graduation, Hasty hopes to continue her work as an archaeologist, volunteer in preserving and restoring historical structures, and travel the world beyond Paris, where she recently was in search of her ancestral roots.

LINH DANG – M.S. IN NURSING OUTSTANDING

Graduate Student for the School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering

Living in Lancaster, Linh Dang is a full-time registered nurse, has two small children and maintained a high GPA at CSUB. The School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering described Dang as a “bright and happy individual” who has always remained attentive and goes beyond her duties as a student. She has experienced firsthand the disadvantages of being an ethnic minority female but has overcome linguistic, cultural and financial barriers in order to reach this point in her academic career. Dang has expressed interest in obtaining a doctorate degree in nursing within the next five years, though her main goal is to become a local family nurse practitioner serving her community. Dang aims to give back to the community by supporting the underserved population in managing and improving chronic illnesses, and implementing treatments to improve lives.

VANESSA CHICAIZA – B.A. IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

Outstanding Undergraduate Student for the School of Business and Public Administration

Vanessa Chicaiza completed her B.A. in Public Administration with a 4.0 GPA in the major and a 3.72 GPA overall. In addition to her excellent academic performance, she is committed to using her education to improve her community. She is a volunteer at CSUB's Food Pantry, working with fellow students to meet a critical need by addressing food insecurity. She has been a leader in Associated Students, Inc. and was recently elected as the incoming student body president for the 2020-2021 academic year. She is a strong advocate for public higher education. She is a Maddy Institute fellow currently working in the office of California assembly member Rudy Salas. Chicaiza plans to pursue leadership roles in public administration and public policy, and will use her education to improve the lives of marginalized groups in the Central Valley.

Vanessa Chicaiza (left) with fellow students at CSUB event. Chicaiza is the 2020 Outstanding Undergraduate Student for the School of Business and Public Administration.

MEGAN MATICE – M.S. IN HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION

Outstanding Graduate Student for the School of Business and Public Administration

Megan Matice, a resident of Bakersfield, is receiving an M.S. in Health Care Administration after earning a B.A. in Public Administration from CSUB in 2018. Matice was described by the School of Business and Public Administration as an “excellent student” who found time to mentor fellow students. She applied her learning while employed as a project manager at Kaiser Permanente in Kern County. Matice is also a wife and mother of two young children. Her thesis research project was titled “From My Space to My Chart: What the Health Care Industry Can Learn from Social Media Networks.” Matice entered the CSUB Student Research Competition in spring 2020 and was awarded second place in the Business, Economics and Public Administration category for exemplifying how student research impacts our community.

MORGAN GRIFFIN – B.A. IN INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES

Outstanding Undergraduate Student for CSUB Antelope Valley

Morgan Griffin has been described as an exceptional student, teaching assistant and researcher. She worked effectively with the diverse student body at the Antelope Valley campus. Griffin participated in the Heroic Ambassador’s Program, an interdisciplinary group of faculty and students who are learning to apply relevant principles of social psychology to strengthen students’ capabilities to be resilient and independent learners. She participated in trainings and worked with Dr. Anne Duran on "Imposter Syndrome" as part of the Western Psychological Association (WPA) Symposium. She also presented with Dr. Phillip Zimbardo, faculty and students at WPA in April 2019. Dr. Allison Evans described Griffin as being "in the top 5% of my students that I have had over my 21 years of teaching at CSUB.” In fall 2020, Griffin will present again at WPA.

Chiharu Verrett – B.A. IN SOCIOLOGY

Outstanding Undergraduate Student for CSUB Antelope Valley

English is Chiharu Verrett's second language, but that has not stopped her from an outstanding performance in the sociology program. She has significant responsibilities outside of her role as a student, but made time to assist fellow students. Verrett has been a teaching assistant in quantitative analysis, and has been known to show determination and professionalism while inspiring other students to succeed. After graduation, Chiharu aims to earn her master's degree in social work, with the ultimate goal to make a difference in vulnerable communities.

JILL CLIFTON – M.A. IN SPECIAL EDUCATION

Outstanding Graduate Student for CSUB Antelope Valley

Jill Clifton has been described as an "extraordinary graduate student and educator." From her first class in the special education program, faculty recognized that Clifton set herself apart by her diligence, work ethic and compassion. In her coursework, Clifton excelled and was an encouragement and support to other students in her classes. Clifton has been known as an "outstanding" teacher who implements research-based strategies to help students succeed. After graduation, Clifton aims to be involved in special education leadership so she can become an advocate for teachers and students.

Morgan Griffin is the 2020 Outstanding Undergraduate Student for CSUB Antelope Valley.

Chiharu Verrett is the 2020 Outstanding Undergraduate Student for CSUB Antelope Valley.

Jill Clifton is the 2020 Outstanding Graduate Student for CSUB Antelope Valley.

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Footnotes

Story edited by Esra Hashem (assistant director of public affairs and communications) and Shelby Parker (public affairs coordinator)

FootNotes

Story edited by Esra Hashem (assistant director of public affairs and communications) and Shelby Parker (public affairs coordinator)

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