New Faces: Juan Berríos

New faculty member Juan Berríos poses for the camera. He is leaning against a black light pole and is wearing a white dress shirt and a grey suit jacket.

The College of Arts and Humanities is excited to welcome Dr. Juan Berríos to the Department of  Modern and Classical Languages and Literature.

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New Faces: Kathy Luo

Ke Lou, a new faculty member for the Theater and Dance Department. She is wearing a red, sleeveless shirt and is holding up and stacking them.

The College of Arts and Humanities is excited to welcome Kathy Luo to the Department of Theatre and Dance. Luo is a local Dance Artist and Choreographer and will be teaching Modern Dance, Pilates, and University Dance Theatre.

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New Faces: Juan Carlos Mantilla

Juan Carlos Mantilla

The College of Arts and Humanities welcomes new faculty Juan Carlos Mantilla to the Department of English. Dr. Mantilla is an Ecuadorian scholar of the art histories and comparative literatures of early modernity.

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New Faces: Michele McConnell

Michele McConnell in front of a green background.

The College of Arts and Humanities welcomes new faculty Michele McConnell to the Department of English. Dr. McConnell specializes in literacy studies, adolescent literacies, critical literacy, and collaborative and participatory writing practices.

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Kudos to Fresno Writers – Summer 2023

Alumna Roda Avelar, left, won a prestigious Ruth Lilly poetry fellowship. Alumnus Brian Turner published his first of three new poetry collections this year.

Celebrating the professional accomplishments of students, alumni, and faculty in Fresno State’s Department of English and Creative Writing Program.

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New Faces: Brenna Womer

Brenna Womer with a big smile on a light green background.

The College of Arts and Humanities welcomes new faculty Brenna Womer (she/they) to the Department of English.

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15 college success tips from faculty and staff with a little help from ChatGPT

Students stand in front of a light blue backdrop with "Fresno State" in large white, blue and red script lettering. Two young ladies are holding a small sign that says "Welcome to Fresno State Fall 2023"

Welcome, Students! It’s your first week of the 2023-24 year at the College of Arts and Humanities at Fresno State, where your academic journey is our utmost priority. In an effort to enhance your college experience, we asked our esteemed faculty and staff members two questions: We then took their responses and fed them into […]

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CineCulture brings free movie screenings back to campus

Drawing of a young woman falling through red wavy lines as part of the movie poster for the film "Aurora's Sunrise"

Those looking for Friday evening plans this fall can discover an enriching experience with CineCulture, as complimentary screenings of independent films are presented nearly every week throughout the school year. The screenings are back in person after being virtual since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The series will feature thought-provoking movies, each accompanied by […]

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In Memoriam: Dr. Eugene Zumwalt

Professor Emeritus Eugene Zumwalt. Photo by George Johnson

Dr. Eugene Zumwalt, a Fresno State professor emeritus of English, passed away on July 27 in Tollhouse, California. He was 99.

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Students inspire during commencement season

Graduate Dean's Medalist Mialise Carney, Dean Honora Chapman and Undergraduate Dean's Medalist Lucca Lorenzi in full regalia on the Fresno State campus.

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.

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For several Theatre and Dance majors, Fresno State is only the beginning

Cecilia Fisher adding gold paint to a prop bell. She is wearing a. blue shirt.

Fresno State’s Department of Theatre and Dance takes pride in its talented and dedicated students, who consistently demonstrate exceptional skills and passion for their craft. These graduates are eager to continue their artistic development and expand their knowledge through advanced studies.

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2023 Arts in Motion recognizes the college’s top students

Arts in Motion - Celebrating Student Excellence. Photos of the 2022 President's Medalist Audia Dixon and Steven Hensley along with a bass drummer in the Rose Parade, a painter working on a mural and actors on stage.

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.

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Student of Distinction: Sarah Theller

Student of Distinction: Sarah Theller

“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.”

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Student of Distinction: Jasmine Ibal-Nolasco

Student of Distinction: Jasmine Ibal-Nolasco

“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.”

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Student of Distinction: Mia De La Cerda

Student of Distinction: Mia De La Cerda

“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.”

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Graduate Dean’s Medalist: Mialise Carney

Student of Distinction: Mialise Carney

“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.”

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Student of Distinction: Julia Whelan

Student of Distinction: Julia Whelan

“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.”

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Student of Distinction: Laura Cortez

Student of Distinction: Laura Cortez

“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.”

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Student of Distinction: Jordan Pulido

Student of Distinction: Jordan Pulido

“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

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Student of Distinction: Hyfa Alsahybi

Student of Distinction: Hyfa Alsahybu

“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.”

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Student of Distinction: Melissa Tejeda

Student of Distinction: Melissa Tejeda

“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.”

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Student of Distinction: Lindsay Norton

Student of Distinction: Lindsay Norton

“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.”

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Student of Distinction: Icarus Bailey

Student of Distinction: Icarus Bailey

“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.”

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Dean’s Medalist: Lucca Lorenzi

Student of Distinction: Lucca Lorenzi

“I had not won an unlucky lottery, but rather, a second chance at life and an opportunity to spread the healing power of creativity.”

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Student of Distinction: Jego Canlas

Student of Distinction: Jego Canlas

“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.”

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Student of Distinction: Omar Perez

Student of Distinction: Omar Perez

“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.”

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Student of Distinction: Sunshine De Castro

Student of Distinction - Sunshine De Castro

“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.”

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This week on Fresno State Focus…

Fresno State Focus reporter Viviana Hinojos with a camera.

Anchors Athena Clayson and Karina Guevara will tell you how to get involved in I Heart Fresno State Week and show you where students can meet, and talk with University President Saul Jimenez Sandoval face-to-face.

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This week on Fresno State Focus

Vote Here

Anchors Janis Tatum and Adjoa Atkins will speak with an employee from Cal Fresh about how students can get over $200 a month to spend on groceries.

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The 2023 Arts and Humanities Showcase

Arts and Humanities Showcase

The Arts and Humanities Showcase offers a unique opportunity, through various performances, exhibits, lectures and workshops, to immerse yourself in the creativity and cultural diversity of Fresno State’s talented students.

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In Memoriam: Dr. Toni Wein

Dr. Toni Wein, a Fresno State professor emerita of English smiles while sitting at her kitchen table.

Dr. Toni Wein, a Fresno State professor emerita of English, passed away on Dec. 17, 2022, after a bout with brain cancer. She was 70.

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Four top jazz artists assemble for ‘Jazz Camp’ concert

Damion Reid holds a snare drum, Brandon Eugene Owens plays his base guitar, Gerald Clayton and Keyon Harrold plays a trumpet at Sunset.

The Fresno State Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of Richard Giddens, Jr., will perform along with the ensemble “Jazz Camp,” featuring four widely recognized jazz musicians, Keyon Harrold, Brandon Eugene Owens, Gerald Clayton and Damion Reid.

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This week on Fresno State Focus…

Fresno State Focus television studio

This edition of Fresno State Focus will air live Wednesday, November 2nd at 4 p.m. on Fresno State Focus YouTube, at 6 p.m.on Comcast Channel 94 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99

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Webinar for journalists examines first-amendment topics

Silhouetted photographer holds a camera in front of a green screen with two journalist ready to be filmed.

Led by First Amendment experts, the program covers key laws and legal limits on topics such as filming police in public, recording broadcasting public meetings, accessing disaster scenes and protests, and the legal protections for journalists

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Papazian to give talk on Muslim and Alevi Armenians lecture

Dr. Hrag Papazian

The lecture will be devoted to the officially Muslim and hence legally “non-Armenian” citizens of the Republic of Turkey who, drawing on their Armenian ancestors, Islamized or Alevized generations earlier, identify as Armenians today.

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Meet our 2022-23 Italian Studies Scholarship Recipients

Top (left to right): Abigail Olguin-Serna, AnnMarie Kornele, Audra Burwell and Kathy Franco. Bottom row (left to right): Monica King, Nayeli Guerrero, Regina Rivera and Valerie Kurylo.

We proudly present some of this year’s Italian Studies scholarship recipients. Your support plays a direct role in ensuring these students’ success. As they graduate and find their place in the community, they are destined to elevate our lives and become an inspiration for life.

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CineCulture returns with virtual films for the fall semester

Alba Rohrwacher (Alice) and Wajdi Mouawad (Joseph) star in ‘Skies of Lebanon’ film.

Attention film buffs! Experience groundbreaking films from artists worldwide through CineCulture at Fresno State. The course allows the public three to five days to screen the weekly movie at their leisure, then join in a discussion about the film at 5:15 p.m. on Friday evenings during the fall semester.

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