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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.”

Read More

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.”

Read More

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.”

Read More

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.”

Read More

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.”

Read More

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.”

Read More