The College of Arts and Humanities “Arts in Motion” is our annual celebration of student excellence and reminds us of how our College’s faculty provide an excellent education that transforms lives. We are excited to acknowledge the achievements of our College’s most accomplished students. From the creative artists to the humanists, every scholarship winner and Student of Distinction reflects the experimentation, compassion, and curiosity that Fresno State fosters.
The Arts in Motion event is at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 15, at the Fresno State Concert Hall. A reception will follow in the band room. During the event, one undergraduate and one graduate student of distinction will be named Dean’s Medalist. While attendance to this event is by invitation only, we invite the community to enjoy the fruits of our students and faculty during the Arts and Humanities Showcase.
2023 Arts in Motion Program
NOTE: Please download PDF for the accessible version
Dean’s Medalists
Lucca Lorenzi – Department of Media, Communications and Journalism
“I had not won an unlucky lottery, but rather, a second chance at life and an opportunity to spread the healing power of creativity.”
Student of Distinction: Mialise Carney – Department of English
“I grew up silenced and sheltered from society, but through education, community and art, I’ve discovered a place in a world I didn’t believe had space for me.”
Standard Bearers
Lindsay Norton – Department of English
“My ultimate goal is to earn a Ph.D., eventually teaching at a university while contributing to the emerging field of Indigenous-focused environmental humanities.”
Sunshine De Castro – Department of Theatre and Dance
“As I enter the entertainment industry as an early career professional, I am committed to emphasizing diversity and inclusion in my work. I strive to be a voice to move the entertainment industry forward to include the perspectives and stories of many.”
Graduate Dean’s Medalist Honorable Mentions
Student of Distinction: Mia De La Cerda – Department of English
“At Fresno State, I, for the first time in my life, felt accepted and found a sense of belonging. I was encouraged to write poetry about the experience of farm laborers, tell the story of my grandparents and delve into topics that have been underrepresented.”
Sarah Theller – Department of Art, Design and Art History
“I seek to address how the effects of trauma and limited scopes of personhood shape identity. In both my studio work and thesis scholarship, I investigate what it means to be ‘human’ across time.”
Undergraduate Students of Distinction
Hyfa Alsahybu – Department of Art, Design and Art History
“My ultimate goal is to create an art school for children in Yemen. For them, art can serve as a means of escape, a symbol of hope, a form of self-expression, and even therapy.”
Melissa Tejeda – Department of Communication
“I will take all the skills obtained in my communication degree and strive for social justice and inclusivity among my peers, not only in my career but wherever life takes me.”
Icarus Baileyy – Department of Linguistics
“I am grateful for all the skills and education I have gained here. I am excited to use those skills to give back to our community in a deeply meaningful way by preserving our Central Valley languages.”
Paulina Mendoza Sanchez – Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures
“I aspire to a master’s degree in linguistics and then a doctorate because I am interested in never stopping learning so as to never stop teaching.”
Jego Canlas – Department of Music
“Finding it within myself that I want to be a teacher and mentor to students and make such an impact on them that my directors and professors have made on me is what I thrive for.”
Omar Perez – Department of Philosophy
“A key takeaway from ancient philosophy is the idea that philosophy is not only a form of study; rather, it is a way of life. [D]espite facing adversities, one is still able to bloom.”
Graduate Students of Distinction
Jasmine Ibal-Nolasco – Department of Communication
“I plan to be the first person in my family with ‘Ph.D.’ after her name. I am hopeful for the new relationships that I will make in my future, and I am grateful that it has all started within the space of Fresno State.”
Julia Whelan – Department of Linguistics
“My goal is to utilize both my linguistics and TESOL degrees to further our understanding of autism from the perspective of both linguistics and education.”
Laura Cortez – Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures
“Juggling work, school, marriage life, experiencing an ectopic pregnancy and commuting two hours to attend classes while also maintaining a 4.0 GPA has been a challenge. However, in a few months, I’ll be the first one in my family to graduate with a master’s degree, and I couldn’t be prouder of myself.”
Jordan Pulido – Department of Music
“Jordan is very passionate about his art and has a strong desire to share that passion with not only his current colleagues but future music students.” ~ Dr. Cari Earnhart.
The College of Arts and Humanities at Fresno State 