The California State University will recognize CSU Bakersfield student Allison Cheatwood on Sept. 22 with the 2020 Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement, the top recognition of student excellence conferred by the largest system of public higher education in the nation.
Cheatwood is pursuing a teaching credential and currently teaches special education at Standard Middle School in Oildale, where she grew up.
“I’m so blown away and humbled,” Cheatwood said. “I represent a tree of brilliance at CSUB and to get to be the star on top, at least for now – I just can’t believe it. One thing I would say to other students is that CSUB cares. They pay attention. I’ve been paid attention to, and I’m so grateful.”
The honor, which comes with a donor-funded scholarship of $6,000, is awarded to one student from each of the 23 campuses in the system. Recipients must demonstrate superior academic performance, personal accomplishments, community service and financial need.
CSUB President Lynnette Zelezny offered her congratulations to Cheatwood on the honor.
“I’m so happy for Allison, who has overcome many obstacles on the path to excellence,” Dr. Zelezny said. “But in her perseverance, Allison represents the resilience and heart of the `Runner community. She will change so many lives as a teacher in Kern County classrooms. Bravo, Allison!”
A video compilation of the winners will be shown during the Sept. 22 CSU Board of Trustees virtual meeting.
“These diverse and distinguished students wonderfully exemplify the CSU’s core values of academic achievement and service to the community, “ said CSU Chancellor Timothy P. White. “All of these scholars have overcome unique challenges on their educational journeys, and their stories have left an indelible positive impact on their families, communities and the state of California.”
Cheatwood was drawn to teaching by CSUB psychology professor Dr. Isabel Sumaya, who saw a natural leader and educator in her student.
“I’m the product of a lot of wisdom from Cal State Bakersfield. Dr. Sumaya was one of them,” said Cheatwood, who earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from CSUB in 2019. “Special education is a process. Special education is not a place. I believe completely it’s not that we can’t learn; it’s just that we have to find a way to be creative to get to the pathway that allows children to learn. It’s not easy. It’s the hardest job I’ve ever loved.”
Cheatwood's success at CSUB and as a teacher are all the more impressive given the tremendous health challenges she's had to tackle along the way, according to a profile the university's Office of Alumni Engagement published in July when she was awarded an alumni scholarship to help fund her graduate studies. Cheatwood has Chron's disease; her treatment has included more than 20 surgeries endured while working and going to school.
More than 380 students have been honored with the Trustees' Award since the scholarship program was established in 1984 by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation. In 1999, the William Randolph Hearst Foundation partnered with the CSU Board of Trustees to supplement the endowment with contributions from CSU Trustees, CSU Foundation Board of Governors, and private donors. Each student scholarship bears the name of a donor.
Visit the CSU Trustees' Award for Outstanding Achievement website for bios on all 23 scholars as well as donor information.
The 2020 CSU Trustees' Scholars are:
- Jobelle Abellera, San José State
Trustee Emeritus William Hauck and Padget Kaiser Scholar
- Thayara Almeida, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Trustee Jack McGrory Scholar
- Jose Alvarez, Fresno State
Trustee Emeritus Peter Mehas Scholar
- Therese Azevedo, Sonoma State
Stauffer Foundation Scholar
- Allison Cheatwood, CSU Bakersfield
Ron and Mitzi Barhorst Scholar
- Robin Fredeking, Stanislaus State
Santé Health System Scholar
- Skye Harris, CSU Dominguez Hills
Edison International Scholar
- Breanna Holbert, Chico State
Trustee Emeritus Ali C. Razi Scholar
- Mahdi (Aiden) Jahami, Sacramento State
Wells Fargo Scholar
- Julia Jones, Humboldt State
William Randolph Hearst Scholar
Chancellor Emeritus Charles B. and Catherine Reed Scholar
- Yuri Madenokoji, San Francisco State
SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union Scholar
- Jayden Maree, Cal State Long Beach
Relyea Family Scholar
- Celeste Morales, Cal State East Bay
Chancellor Timothy P. White Scholar
- Kayla Nguyen, CSU San Marcos
Trustee Emerita Claudia H. Hampton Scholar
- Christopher Ornelas, Cal Poly Pomona
TELACU Scholar
- Nora Ortega, Cal State San Bernardino
Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation Scholar
- Deva Reign, San Diego State
Trustee Emeritus Murray L. Galinson Scholar
- Patricio Ruano, CSU Channel Islands
Trustee Emeritus Kenneth Fong Scholar
William Randolph Hearst Scholar
- Lessly Tapia Torres, Cal State LA
Michael A. and Debe Lucki Scholar
- An Thien Le, Cal State Fullerton
Trustee Wenda Fong and Daniel Fetterly Scholar
- María Zapata, CSU Monterey Bay
William Randolph Hearst Scholar