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CSUB announces 2021 outstanding graduates

10 students earn top awards

By California State University, Bakersfield

May 20^th, 2021

Over 2,400 students are graduating from California State University, Bakersfield in spring and summer 2021. This includes 2,007 students earning their bachelor's degrees and 419 students receiving graduate degrees.

Nearly 2,800 graduates from the classes of 2020 and 2021 are safely participating in three days of commencement ceremonies at CSUB this year. These bright graduates join an esteemed group of nearly 60,000 alumni — the majority of whom remain in our region after graduation to live, work, lead and solve our Valley’s complex problems.

Ten outstanding students are honored by CSUB’s Antelope Valley campus and the university’s four schools: School of Arts and Humanities; School of Business and Public Administration; School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering; and School of Social Sciences and Education. Two of these students were chosen by President Lynnette Zelezny as the top undergraduate and graduate students.

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

This year's outstanding students are:

EMILY OLIVER – B.S. IN MATHEMATICS

PRESIDENT'S OUTSTANDING UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT

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

Emily Oliver began taking college courses as a senior at Frazier Park High School. While a sophomore at Taft College, she began taking upper division math courses at CSUB through its STEM Pathway Project. She commuted to CSUB twice a week for her math courses and to Taft twice a week to tutor college students in math and physics. She also volunteered in her mother’s sixth-eighth grade classroom. When she graduated from Taft College, she was one of only four students with a 4.0 GPA — and the only STEM major with a 4.0 GPA. At CSUB, Oliver investigated the Fibonacci Sequence for a senior seminar presentation, and ultimately graduated from CSUB with a 3.99 overall college GPA. In addition to her academic achievements, Oliver raised money to create care packages for sailors on the USS McCain, in honor of both of her grandfathers and father, who served in the Navy. Oliver also cared for her older sister, who was diagnosed with epilepsy when Oliver was a young child. After graduation, Oliver plans to work as a mathematician at Navair, a Naval Weapons Facility located in China Lake that develops software for planes and missiles.

VANESSA CHICAIZA – MPA (MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION)

PRESIDENT'S OUTSTANDING GRADUATE STUDENT

Outstanding Graduate Student for the School of Business and Public Administration

Vanessa Chicaiza completed her MPA with a 4.0 GPA. In addition to her excellent academic performance, Chicaiza has served as the 2020-21 Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) president. In this role, she served as an advocate and leader of CSUB’s student body during multiple social justice movements and the COVID-19 pandemic. Her master’s paper was aimed at benefitting CSUB students and was entitled, “An Analysis of Alternatives for Long-term, Sustainable Funding Source for the Computer and Hotspot Lending Program at California State University, Bakersfield.” Chicaiza’s other accomplishments include: being named as the Outstanding Undergraduate Student for the School of Business and Public Administration in 2020; making the CSUB Dean’s List in fall 2018, spring 2019, fall 2019 and spring 2020; being a legislative intern scholar through the Kenneth L. Maddy Institute and serving in the Office of Assemblyman Rudy Salas; participating in the Panetta Leadership Seminar through Panetta Institute for Public Policy; and becoming a candidate for the U.S. Congressional Fellows Program. 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.

Chicaiza said: “In 2007, my mom earned her MPA as a single mother ... I remember how proud she was to graduate with distinction. Education is the one thing that nobody can take away from us. My mom was and forever will be my guiding star. When she passed away in 2018, I knew I had to continue our legacy ... for me, my community and future generations.”

Read more about her story here.

President Zelezny, Emily Oliver, and Provost Harper

Emily Oliver, President's Outstanding Undergraduate Student

President Zelezny, Vanessa Chicaiza, and Provost Harper

President Zelezny, Emily Oliver, Vanessa Chicaiza, and Provost Harper

Vanessa Chicaiza, President's Outstanding Graduate Student

MADELYNNE HEISS – B.A. IN MUSIC EDUCATION

Outstanding Undergraduate Student for the School of Arts and Humanities

Madelynne Heiss graduated with her bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.96. Professors have praised Heiss for her sharp intellect, well-developed music skills and strong work ethic. She served as student conductor in the CSUB treble singers, an honor bestowed on the most accomplished students. “As a member of our choral ensembles, she consistently demonstrated professional behaviors despite medical and personal challenges,” said Dr. Angel Vázquez-Ramos, director of choral and vocal studies. Her academic accomplishments also include: completing a full solo voice recital of the highest quality under pandemic conditions; programming 45 minutes of challenging repertory from 17th century to the present with texts in English, French, Italian and German; participating as a soloist in CSUB’s Opera Theatre; and producing a sophisticated paper interpreting a song cycle by 19th century Austrian composer Franz Schubert. In addition to academics, Heiss served as librarian for the university’s choral ensembles, building an online catalog and entering over 1,000 choral compositions. She volunteered for an array of events that interface with music students in the region, served as secretary for CSUB’s collegiate chapter of the National Association for Music Educators, worked as a peer tutor, and earned a highly-competitive position in Meridian Voices, an independent professional choir, all while battling personal health challenges and taking on caregiving responsibilities for her mother. She plans to teach music for Panama-Buena Vista Union School District, pursue her teaching credential and ultimately attend graduate school.

Heiss stated: “If the stars align, I would love to eventually get a master’s degree in vocal pedagogy, specifically to study the changing voice of transgender individuals undergoing hormone replacement therapy. This is not only of interest to me because of my fascination with the mechanics of the voice, but also because I feel that the current lack of study on this topic is unacceptable and contributes to the exclusion of transgender people in the choral experience.”

KENNETH JACOBS – M.A. IN HISTORY

Outstanding Graduate Student for the School of Arts and Humanities

Kenneth Jacobs earned his master’s degree in history with a 4.0 GPA. Jacobs undertook six graduate reading seminars spanning a range of regional, thematic and temporal topics. These include seminars on the American West, the ancient Mediterranean world, modern China and the Atlantic world, as well as a seminar examining historical research methods and historiography. Jacobs advanced his professional development through serving as a leader in two undergraduate courses. As a graduate teaching assistant, he actively engaged a course from start to finish through the transition to virtual learning in March 2020. He also held a formal graduate research assistantship in the Historical Research Center, working closely with librarian Chris Livingston in preparing CSUB archival holdings for presentation. In addition to these achievements, Jacobs was active in the History Club and its events, including History Movie Night, and served as a tutor for undergraduate students studying world history. Jacobs plans to pursue a career teaching at the college level.

Madelynne Heiss - Outstanding Undergraduate Student for the School of Arts and Humanities

Kenneth Jacobs - Outstanding Graduate Student for the School of Arts and Humanities

ANTHONY PONCE – B.S. IN ECONOMICS

Outstanding Undergraduate Student for the School of Business and Public Administration

Anthony Ponce double majored in economics and mathematics, earning a GPA of 3.8, and graduated at the top of his class in economics. He was one of only two from the university to be awarded the Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Scholarship, which provides unique opportunities to prepare undergraduate students for doctoral education. As a student, Ponce worked with Professor Nyakundi Michieka on a paper exploring the effect of golf course location on housing, which earned local media attention. In addition, Ponce served as a data science for all/empowerment program fellow at Correlation One, was part of the Economics Honor Society, was a Beta Gamma Sigma inductee, served as an economics tutor and mentor, was an officer in the Economics Student Association and has been on the Dean’s List since 2015. Furthermore, Ponce was selected by the American Economics Association for the prestigious Summer Scholars Program at Michigan State University, earned the citizenship award from the American Economics Association’s Summer Scholarship Program, earned a conference travel scholarship from the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, was a President’s Associates Student Research Scholar, and earned the Audrey Bender Scholarship for top economics students. After graduation, Ponce will begin a Ph.D program in economics at Cornell University.

CSUB announces 2021 outstanding graduates

CSUB announces 2021 outstanding graduates

JAYCIE FICKLE – M.S. IN BIOLOGY

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

Jaycie Fickle graduated with an M.S. in biology with a 3.93 GPA. She was admitted to CSUB as a fellow for the Center for Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST), a highly competitive program. Fickle completed cross-disciplinary research projects with scientists in the fields of biology, geology, mathematics and engineering. Her thesis research examined stem and root structure and function of woody plants occurring along an elevation-driven moisture and temperature gradient in the southern Sierra Nevada mountains. In addition to completing her thesis research, she assisted in the completion of several other projects within the Jacobsen Research Laboratory. In all of these studies, she contributed substantially to experiments, analyses and writing. Several of these projects have already been published, with Fickle as co-author. Fickle also served as a teacher’s assistant, was active in student clubs and served as president of the Graduate Student Fellowship Club. Faculty mentor and Professor Anna Jacobsen called Fickle “incredibly talented academically” and a “highly capable student and scientist.” Fickle was accepted into a Ph.D program at the University of Utah.

Jaycie Fickle - Outstanding Graduate Student for the School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering

JACOB WATSON – B.A. IN PSYCHOLOGY

Outstanding Undergraduate Student for the School of Social Sciences and Education

Jacob Watson graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and has been accepted into at least five Ph.D programs in neuroscience. Of those, he has been awarded three presidential fellowships. At CSUB, Watson was a Student Research Scholar working with faculty mentor Dr. Amy M. Gancarz-Kausch. Their research focused on the impact of drug exposure on animal models, which Watson said is important to the greater community in understanding how such drugs impact humans. Watson earned a number of achievements while at CSUB, including being rewarded the MARC U-STAR scholarship for students interested in behavioral and biomedical sciences, earning the Scholastic Achievement Award for holding the highest GPA in Delta Zeta Tau, earning the ASI Student Scholarship, being awarded the CSU Sally Casanova Predoctoral Scholarship, and being accepted into the Summer Training for Research Success at UC San Diego. Watson also earned first place in the behavioral and social sciences category at the CSUB Student Research Competition. He volunteered at a number of events while a student at CSUB, such as the Thanksgiving food and clothing drive for the homeless in Bakersfield, Kern Regional Center’s carnival for individuals with special needs, trash pick-up in Bakersfield community parks and Visalia Unified School District’s clothing drive. He is a member of a number of professional associations, such as the International Society for Neuroscience, British Neuroscience Association Member and Western Psychological Association.

Watch a video about Watson here.

CARMEN LORENZO BAKER – M.S. IN COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY

Outstanding Graduate Student for the School of Social Sciences and Education

A first-generation college student, Carmen Lorenzo Baker earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from CSUB and was a Student Research Scholar who worked with her faculty mentor, Dr. Richard Zamora. Her research focused on exploring reflections of parent-child communication surrounding mental health. Baker interned and trained at CSUB’s University Counselor Training Clinic, where she also served as manager. Additionally, Baker was a research assistant and collaborated with colleagues, leading to eight publications. Baker is a member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, has attended multiple professional conventions, assisted her department with its events, and supported fellow counseling psychology students. Baker is able to serve the community by providing clinical services in both English and Spanish and is interested in pursuing a Ph.D. Dr. Zamora called Baker a “strong clinician and researcher in the field of counseling psychology.”

Carmen Lorenzo Baker, Outstanding Graduate Student for the School of Social Sciences and Education

Jacob Watson, Outstanding Undergraduate Student for the School of Social Sciences and Education

KELLY GALERO – B.A. IN CHILD, ADOLESCENT AND FAMILY STUDIES

Outstanding Undergraduate Student for CSUB Antelope Valley

Kelly Galero is a high-achieving graduate who completed her bachelor’s degree in child, adolescent and family studies. Before arriving in Antelope Valley, Galero received an associate degree in business administration from her home country of Colombia. Then, she earned an associate degree in early childhood education from Antelope Valley College before transferring to CSUB’s Antelope Valley campus (CSUB-AV). While English is not her first language, her faculty nominators Drs. Elain Correa and Alexander Reid stated that she “addresses her classes with confidence and assurance when communicating thoughts and ideas to fuel class discussions.” Galero has been involved in a number of extracurricular activities, such as helping children aged 3 to 5 through the Jumpstart AmeriCorps Program; serving as an ambassador for K-Four, a nonprofit organization that aids and support homeless and displaced children; mentoring high school seniors transitioning to college by helping them register for classes and find opportunities for involvement in the campus community; and serving on the Student Life Advancement Committee (SLAC) leadership team member at CSUB-AV. Between classes and volunteering, Galero also works as a bilingual special education instructional aid for K-8 classrooms in Palmdale School District. Galero plans to pursue a teaching credential at CSUB and hopes to continue helping children with special needs and low-income families.

MELISSA GOLDOVSKY – M.A. IN SPECIAL EDUCATION

Outstanding Graduate Student for CSUB Antelope Valley

Melissa Goldovsky completed her bachelor’s degree, two education credentials and her master’s degree in special education from CSUB-AV. Faculty member Diane McNett called Goldovsky an “excellent teacher” and “consummate professional.” Goldovsky has been eager to learn the best research-based strategies to serve students with disabilities. During her master’s program, Goldovsky researched the relationship of fetal alcohol syndrome and special populations, effective education programs for students with autism, and research-based strategies to increase concentration on academic tasks. Goldovsky plans to continue teaching students with disabilities. She also wants to further her education and learn American Sign Language to better engage students using multiple modalities.

Kelly Galero, Outstanding Undergraduate Student for CSUB Antelope Valley

Melissa Goldovsky, Outstanding Graduate Student for CSUB Antelope Valley

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Footnotes

Story edited by Dr. Esra Hashem, interim director of marketing and communications; Video by Juan Rodriguez, photographer/videographer

FootNotes

Story edited by Dr. Esra Hashem, interim director of marketing and communications; Video by Juan Rodriguez, photographer/videographer

© 2026 California State University, Bakersfield

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