Meet the 2023-24 Dean’s Council Scholarship recipients

The Dean’s Council Annual Fund supports students across the College of Arts and Humanities every year through the endowed scholarship. Your contribution plays a direct role in funding these students’ tuition, freeing them to focus on their studies. As these students graduate and find their place in the community, they are destined to elevate our environment and become an inspiration for life. 

We proudly present some of this year’s Dean’s Council Endowed Scholarship recipients.

Taylor Carillo 

Philosophy pre-law B.A., criminology minor

Taylor Carillo was born and raised in Fresno and is now beginning her fourth and final year at Fresno State as a Philosophy Pre-Law major and Criminology minor. She is the president of the Phi Alpha Delta pre-law fraternity and vice president of the Philosophy Club. Carillo has participated in the department’s annual Voicing Ideas Conference and won the Doumanian Ethics Award for her work in Philosophy. As a member of the College of Arts and Humanities Honors Program, she is working on writing an undergraduate thesis related to ancient philosophy. Following graduation, she will be attending law school. Once finished, she hopes to practice as an attorney. She also plans on pursuing a doctorate in philosophy and becoming published. 

“The College of Arts and Humanities has given me so much throughout my time at Fresno State, and this scholarship has awarded me with the resources necessary to give back to the institution to which I owe so much of my academic success. It is an honor to be considered a candidate for this award and an even greater honor to now be a recipient. It is a promise that this gift will be used to bring my educational pursuits to fruition. I cannot be more appreciative of the Dean’s Council. Thank you so much for the support!”

Taeyo O’Connor

Linguistics M.A.

Taeyo O’Connor is a graduate student in Linguistics with an option in TESOL/SAL. She was born and raised in Shiga, Japan, and immigrated to the United States in 2002 through her marriage. When she was ten, her father gave her a gift box containing English conversation books and cassette tapes. Although she did not know what the English language looked like then, she was curious and came to love learning the language. Since then, she has wanted to be an English teacher for people who learn it as a second/foreign language. After having a hectic life of raising two children, she decided to challenge herself and pursue her goal. She is grateful to the professors in the linguistics department who encouraged her in difficult times and her classmates who have given her advice to be successful in all the courses. 

“I am so pleased with being selected as a Dean’s Council Scholarship recipient. This fund will not only help me pay for my education but also acknowledge my efforts. We are a single-income family, and this scholarship will be a big help. I truly appreciate this generous award.”

Paulina Marin Contreras

Theater B.A. with an emphasis in acting, Spanish minor

Paulina Marin Contreras is a senior majoring in theater with an emphasis in acting and minoring in Spanish. She has always loved performing and hopes to one day perform on Broadway. She continues to be in productions at Fresno State and always looks forward to auditioning and telling as many stories as possible. She is a first-generation Mexican student and hopes to follow in the footsteps of her older sister and attend graduate school. She is also working with the office of New Student and Family programs as a student coordinator and a neighborhood ambassador for off-campus student life. She loves her job and volunteering activities, where she helps fellow students feel comfortable and find the right path for them at Fresno State. 

“The Dean’s Council Scholarship has helped me financially to continue my dreams by providing opportunities my single mother didn’t have, and I get to do for her. She is a cancer survivor, and being the financial provider is a challenge that I don’t think I would be able to continue my studies if it wasn’t for the help of this scholarship.” 

Michael Steiner

Creative writing B.A.

Michael Steiner is a beginning poet studying creative writing at Fresno State. He is particularly interested in the participation of written and spoken word in mystic traditions and the potential for art to access universal human experience. His poem “To a Dog Who Ran His Race Complete” was recently a finalist in the Fresno State Art Song Festival. He is currently working on a poetry chapbook as part of the Arts and Humanities Honors Program.

“Receiving the Dean’s Council Scholarship is a tremendous honor and helps ensure that I can remain committed to my academic pursuits. The community at Fresno State is absolutely amazing, and I am truly thankful to have the opportunity to be a Bulldog.”

Jovita Cancino Ortiz

Spanish B.A.

Jovita Cancino Ortiz is a first-generation college student who started in 2018, intending to pursue a degree in elementary education. However, she decided to change her major to Spanish. Her first language is Spanish, but even with that connection, she felt the classes caused her to fall deeper in love with Spanish literature and the power of language. She plans to get her teaching credential and a master’s degree to teach AP Spanish at the high school level. She looks forward to sharing her passion and love for literature and language. She is grateful to her parents, who have worked hard and supported her.

“I am very grateful to be one of those chosen to receive this scholarship. This award motivates me even more because I know that there are people who believe in me and my potential, and that is enough for me to continue on this journey. This scholarship not only keeps my motivation going, but it will also help me dedicate more time to my education and let go of the stress of having to work and study at the same time. Thank you so much!”

Jasmine Kaur

English literature M.A. with an emphasis in Britain and U.S. Literature

Jasmine Kaur is a second-year graduate student in the English Literature program. Her area of academic focus is postcoloniality, both in Britain and U.S. Literature. She says she is extremely grateful for her dedicated mentors at Fresno State, who have guided her to become a scholar in a field she enjoys. After completing her Master’s degree, she sees herself as an English professor, helping others break generational traumas through the power of reading and writing. Jasmine enjoys watching “Friends,” cleaning and spending time with her grandma, who witnessed the partition between India and Pakistan. 

“I’m extremely grateful to be a recipient of the Dean’s scholarship. I hope to be enrolled in an English literature Ph.D. program next year so I can continue my path to becoming an English college professor. This scholarship will allow me to apply to a few different programs, widening my opportunities.”

Jasmin Diaz

Spanish B.A., psychology minor

Jasmin Diaz is a senior majoring in Spanish and minoring in Psychology. She is from Visalia, CA, and decided to enroll in Fresno State after being admitted to the Smittcamp Family Honors College. Diaz has loved her time here at Fresno State and even got a job working for the Fresno State Learning Center as a Spanish tutor. She had the opportunity to spend a summer studying abroad in Spain through a program led by Fresno State professor Dr. Morillio. Jasmin was accepted into the College of Arts and Humanities Honors College and is excited about this new opportunity. After graduation, she wants to be a high school Spanish teacher. She hopes to stay in the Central Valley and strives to teach future generations about the beauty and importance of the Spanish language and culture. She also hopes to continue her education and teach at the college level.

“I am honored to be one of the recipients of the Dean’s Council Scholarship. Being granted this scholarship helps me feel that my hard work has paid off and that my time at Fresno State was worthwhile. Thank you for this opportunity.”

Devynn Brown

English B.A.

Devynn Brown is a sophomore in the Smittcamp Family Honors Program and majors in English Literature. From Visalia, she is pursuing her dream of becoming a high school English teacher. Brown is heavily involved in her community and helps serve at local fundraisers, schools and her hometown church. At Fresno State, she is involved in the Delta Gamma sorority and her Smittcamp community. Devynn greatly enjoys reading literature and discussing the relevance and beauty of a text with her peers. Devynn has plans to travel to London for a travel abroad class for Humanities. She is so excited to take on more literature classes as well as her travel abroad course so she can help inspire future students.

“I have a great love for serving my community and helping people find their passion. Fresno State has been a supportive home for me, encouraging me to go above and beyond. I am so blessed to be a Bulldog and represent this amazing school! This wonderful scholarship will allow me to focus on my dreams of studying literature and furthering my education.”

Carli Elisa Medina

Media, communications and journalism B.A., English, creative writing minor

Carli Elisa Medina is a Fresno State student majoring in media, communications, and journalism with an emphasis in public relations and advertising. She is minoring in creative writing. Originally from Patterson, this first-generation Latina plans on earning her master’s in public administration. At Fresno State, she has produced content for campus departments and local organizations such as The Collegian, University Marketing and Communications, Fresno State Athletics, and The California Teaching Fellows Foundation. 

“It is such an honor to receive the Dean’s Council Scholarship. I am so thankful and blessed for your support in my education because I now have the opportunity to unleash my potential in and out of the classroom.” 

Alexandra Cota

Music B.A., with an emphasis in vocal performance

Alexandra Cota is a senior majoring in Music with an emphasis on Vocal Performance. As a third-generation Fresno State student, she is extremely excited to graduate in Spring 2024. Despite entering college during the pandemic, she has always felt deeply appreciated and supported by her peers and professors. Throughout her time at Fresno State, Cota has participated in the Fresno State Concert and Chamber Choirs and the Fresno State Opera, where she plays a lead role in the Fall semester. She says the College of Arts and Humanities, particularly the Music Department, has given her countless incredible opportunities to grow as both a performer and a person.

“I am incredibly honored to be a recipient of the Dean’s Council Scholarship. As well as providing me with financial support, it inspires me to continue pursuing my dreams of performing. One day, I hope to inspire other young musicians to share their own gifts with the world.”