Meet the 2024-25 Dean’s Council Scholarship recipients

The Dean’s Council Annual Fund annually supports students across the College of Arts and Humanities through the endowed scholarship. Your contribution directly funds 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.

The Day of Giving is March 26, 2025! When you give to the College of Arts and Humanities, you are supporting the Dean’s Council (a fund for College of Arts and Humanities excellence).

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

Celeste Jones

Celeste Jones is a multi-media artist and writer from Fresno. Before moving to the city, she spent her childhood growing up alongside the conifers of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Her work often explores the complexities of growing up queer, piecing together narratives that reflect the journey of self-discovery and the nuances of sexuality. Celeste is pursuing a B.A. in media, communications and journalism with a minor in creative writing. She is a Smittcamp honors scholar, president of the Women’s Alliance, and a Richter Center student leader. Her recent achievements include studying abroad in London and receiving an honorable mention for the Fresno Fiction Prize (2024) and Larry Levis Poetry Prize (2023). She was also recently featured at the 2024 Fresno Writers Summit.

“I am honored to be a recipient of the Dean’s Council Scholarship. Beyond providing crucial financial support, it inspires me to continue pursuing my studies with dedication and to focus on writing my honors thesis. This scholarship is a significant boost to my academic journey and creative ambitions.”

Conor Youhei Hustedde

Conor Youhei Hustedde is a junior majoring in philosophy with minors in peace and conflict studies and Japanese. A student in the Smittcamp Family Honors College, his interests include intercultural studies, political science and foreign languages. Through the College of Arts and Humanities, he has had the opportunity to attend premier conferences across the country. Over the summer, he participated in a government policy program at Stanford University. After graduation, Conor plans to complete a postgraduate degree in global studies and work in foreign relations, possibly between the United States and Japan. He is fluent in Japanese, proficient in Spanish and has recently started learning Russian.

“I am so thankful for the opportunities provided by the College of Arts and Humanities. Having received this honor (scholarship?) and other invaluable opportunities crucial to my studies, I continue to be grateful for the support given to myself and my fellow students.”

Dakota Dean

A third year as a film major, Dakota Dean is a Fresno native and a Smittcamp Family Honors College member. He works on campus for the MCJ department’s multimedia production service, creating videos for various departments and programs at Fresno State. In his spare time, Dean freelances as a photographer and videographer. After graduation, he plans to continue freelancing while working full-time as a media producer.

“I’m immensely grateful for the opportunities offered to me at Fresno State, especially in the College of Arts and Humanities. The professors in my department have played a crucial role in supporting my hands-on learning. Here, I’ve taken tangible steps toward building a lasting, enjoyable career. This scholarship will allow me to continue creating projects that drive change in our community.”

Faith Van Hoven

Faith Van Hoven is a senior majoring in Philosophy and the current ASI President. At Fresno State, she has participated in Speech and Debate, the Philosophy Club, the Filipino Club and the Honors Program. Through Fresno State, she attended Oxford’s Consortium for Human Rights, was a panelist on the Global Ethic at the Parliament of the World’s Religions and was a national finalist in debate. She taught taekwondo at Break the Barriers, volunteered with the Marjaree Mason Center and used to work at a local law firm. After graduation, Faith hopes to get her master’s in philosophy and then her juris doctor.

“The Dean’s Council funds are critical to helping take off part of the financial burden that tuition brings. With the tuition increase this year, it was even more of a burden, and that is why I am so thankful for receiving the scholarship!”

Hope Vang

Hope Vang is a second-year English master’s student with an option in literature. Her research interests include children’s literature, gothic literature, psychoanalysis and mother-daughter relationships. In addition to being a student, Hope is a teaching associate for English 5A/5B and the social media manager for Hmong American Ink & Stories (HAIS). After graduation, she intends to apply for English Ph.D. programs to be an English professor.

“I am so grateful for being selected as a Dean’s Council Scholarship recipient because this scholarship affirms my hard work and keeps me motivated to continue pursuing higher education. I cannot thank everyone enough for believing in and supporting me.”