Ayla Mora and Joshua Lor named CAH Dean’s Medalist
Ayla Mora, M.A. in Communication and Joshua Lor, B.A. in Linguistics, were named the 2025 College of Arts and Humanities Dean’s Medalists
Read MoreTag: Arts in Motion
Meet the 2025 College of Arts and Humanities Students of Distinction
It is our pleasure to announce this year’s Dean’s Medal nominees and present our most accomplished and dedicated undergraduate and graduate students.
Read More2024 Arts in Motion: Meet the Students
Arts in Motion will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, April 19, at the Fresno State Concert Hall. During the event, one undergraduate and one graduate student of distinction will be presented as Dean’s Medalist.
Read MoreStudent of Distinction: Tyler Golding – Department of Music
“After graduating from the University of the Pacific with a degree in Percussion Performance in the spring of 2019, I have done my best to contribute to the community that helped raise me.”
Read MoreStudent of Distinction: Jane “Chloe” King – Department of Linguistics
“Chloe has consistently impressed me, along with most everyone else on the faculty, with her initiative and level of achievement.” Dr. Sean Fulop, professor and chair of the Department of Linguistics.
Read MoreStudent of Distinction: Megan “MJ” Jaurena – Department of Linguistics
“She is an excellent student, an outstanding researcher, a community activist and a wonderful representative for the field of linguistics.” ~ Dr. John Boyle, assistant professor of linguistics.
Read MorePowerful ‘Carmina Burana’ performance caps Arts and Humanities Showcase
The weeklong series of events kicks off at 4 p.m. Friday, April 19, with Arts in Motion, a celebration of the College of Arts and Humanities’ top students. The showcase culminates with two live performances of Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana,” an emotional spectacle of music and might, at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 26 and 27.
Read MoreStudent of Distinction: Bianca Palma – Department of Communication
Biance Palma is an undergraduate student receiving her B.A. in communication and minoring in media, communications and journalism and English literature. She is the Dean’s Medal nominee from the Department of Communication.
Read MoreStudent of Distinction: Grace Morrow – Department of Art, Design and Art History
Grace Morrow is an undergraduate student receiving her B.A. in art history and is the Dean’s Medal nominee from the Department of Art, Design and Art History.
Read MoreStudents inspire during commencement season
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 MoreMialise Carney and Lucca Lorenzi named Arts and Humanities 2023 Dean’s Medalist
Mialise Carney and Lucca Lorenzi were named the 2023 Dean’s Medalist for the College of Arts and Humanities during the Arts in Motion ceremony on Saturday, April 15, in the Concert Hall.
Read More2023 Arts in Motion recognizes the college’s top students
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 MoreStudent 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 MoreStudent 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 MoreStudent 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 MoreGraduate Dean’s Medalist: 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 MoreStudent 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 MoreStudent 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 MoreStudent 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
Read MoreStudent of Distinction: Hyfa Alsahybi
“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.”
Read MoreStudent 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.”
Read MoreStudent 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.”
Read MoreStudent 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.”
Read MoreStudent of Distinction: Paulina Mendoza Sanchez
“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.”
Read MoreDean’s Medalist: 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.”
Read MoreStudent 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.”
Read MoreStudent 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.”
Read MoreAudia Dixon and Steven Hensley named 2022 President’s Medalist
Meet the 2022 College of Arts and Humanities Dean’s Medalists and Students of Distinction.
Read MoreWelcome to Arts in Motion Showcase Week!
A festive display of artistic expression and humanistic discipline culminating in a celebration of student excellence.
Read MoreCaleb Charles and Harrison Martin named 2021 Dean’s Medalist at Arts in Motion event
The College of Arts and Humanities’ Arts in Motion is our annual event that exhibits our students’ creativity and reminds us of how our College’s faculty provide an excellent education that transforms lives.
Read MoreDean’s Medalist: Caleb Charles
“From a young age, I have recognized the injustices found in society towards people of color, and this has provided the fuel for my ambition.” ~ Caleb Charles
Read MoreDean’s Medalist: Harrison Martin
“[I]t’s my lifelong goal to continue showing the joys of interconnected humanities to more future young minds in Fresno.” ~ Harrison Martin
Read MoreStandard Bearer: Teya Juarez
“Theatre has always captivated me in the way it holds up a mirror to society and tells the stories of the people within it.” ~ Teya Juarez
Read MoreStandard Bearer: John Spankowski
“No childhood experience left a more positive impression on me than my time in primary and secondary music classes. Music touches people in ways that no other subject does. It exercises our aesthetic being and explores inexpressible human emotions.” ~ John Spankowski
Read MoreGraduate Honorable Mention: Jer Xiong
“For someone like me to be here, there was a lot of luck involved, my own hard work and persistence, timely opportunities, but most of all, the support from family and community. Their care and acknowledgement drive me.” ~Jer Xiong
Read MoreGraduate Honorable Mention: Victoria Cisneros
“[M]y plans for the future include pursuing a career in marketing that is guided by a critical perspective and humanistic values.” ~ Victoria Cisneros
Read More2021 Virtual Arts in Motion
The College of Arts and Humanities’ Arts in Motion is our annual event that exhibits our students’ creativity and reminds us of how our College’s faculty provide an excellent education that transforms lives.
Read MoreStudent of Distinction: Jeffrey LaRose
“I aim to… inspire my students to achieve their impossible, and embrace the opportunities to mentor new teachers who are beginning their journey.” ~ Jeffrey Larose
Read MoreStudent of Distinction: Raquel Romero
“As a graduate student I realized that I wanted to explore how immigration is represented in Mexican literature and for my thesis project I presented an analysis that focuses on the relationship between migration and identity.” ~ Raquel Romero
Read MoreStudent of Distinction: Meesha Ghedia
“I faced many different obstacles. One of the biggest ones was culture shock and getting used to a new country.” ~ Meesha Ghedia
Read MoreStudent of Distinction: Noor Sabharwal
“To ensure I succeeded in my academics and professional career, I went all-in with my schooling and community work and made the most of my fluency in four languages: English, Punjabi, Hindi, and Urdu.” ~ Noor Sabharwal
Read MoreStudent of Distinction: Jeanette Yeboah-Amoako
“After just one day of volunteering in a dual language classroom at [an] elementary school, an interest in teaching that up until then had been latent, suddenly woke up and exclaimed, ‘rise and shine!'” ~ Jeanette Yeboah-Amoako
Read MoreStudent of Distinction: Claudia Amador
“I’ve made a future goal to inspire and encourage each of my students to engage, learn, and enjoy the education that they will be receiving in my classroom.” ~ Claudia Amador
Read MoreStudent of Distinction: Robert Ortega, Jr.
“This is the part of my parent’s dream that I never imagined. I am forever gracious that this is even a tangible reality.” ~ Robert Ortega
Read MoreStudent of Distinction: Erik Escovedo
“As a human being, art has saved my life. As a student, art has given me a path to live that life.” ~ Erik Escovedo.
Read MoreStudent of Distinction: Sadie Gleason
“[S]torytelling is so wonderful because it takes us on a journey with characters and places that are completely made up, yet by the end leaves us with a better understanding of the world and ourselves.” ~ Sadie Gleason
Read MoreArts in Motion to support Dean’s Council to help students affected by COVID-19
The student’s increased needs has prompted the Dean’s Council Annual Fund to broaden the scope of the discretionary fund to include immediate needs for students. To launch the effort, any donations made for Arts in Motion will be used for students’ immediate needs.
Read MoreTop 2020 College of Arts and Humanities students honored in virtual Arts in Motion
Our College of Arts and Humanities students represent everything that gives us hope for a bright future.
Read MoreAnthony Cody and Greyson Canterbury named Dean’s Medalist in virtual Arts in Motion
Our College of Arts and Humanities students represent everything that gives us hope for a bright future.
Read MoreTop 2020 College of Arts and Humanities students honored in virtual Arts in Motion
We all would have all gathered in the Concert Hall at 2 p.m. today to acknowledge the students who have received scholarships this year, thanks to the generosity of our donors, as well as the Students of Distinction selected by each department, two of whom are awarded the Undergraduate and Graduate Dean’s Medals. These students are all so precious because they strive to do their best in every facet of life, and their devotion to excellence and service will surely enhance our Valley and country in the future.
Read MoreUndergraduate Dean’s Medalist | Greyson Canterbury, Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures
“I learned that diversity is something to be celebrated and that a large part of my identity is the path that I choose. I am Chinese and White, and I have chosen to embrace Spanish.”
Read MoreHaley Collins, Department of Linguistics, M.A. Student of Distinction
“Haley Collins is one of those shining stars who not only shines academically but also in terms of selfless service to her peers and to her community.” – Dr. Brian Agbayani
Read MoreMelissa Hernandez, Department of Art and Design Student of Distinction
“I want to grow and learn to love myself as who I am and help others achieve the same thing.”
Read MoreCanceled – Arts in Motion event and showcase
We regret to announce that the Arts in Motion, scheduled for 2 p.m., Saturday, March 28 at the Concert Hall has been canceled. All public events in the Arts in Motion Showcase scheduled for March 22-28 have also been canceled.
Read MoreCanceled – Arts and Humanities hosts inaugural Arts in Motion Showcase
For the first time, the college will host a week-long Arts in Motion Showcase that will allow the community to experience a wide range of the college’s intellectual and artistic pursuits.
Read More2019 MA Student of Distinction Trevor Driscoll heads to MIT
he applied to the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He was accepted to both programs — two of the top schools for Linguistics in the world according to Top Universities.
Read MoreTop College of Arts and Humanities students honored at 2019 Arts in Motion
Congratulations to graduate Mason Lamb and undergraduate Primavera Leal Martinez for earning the College of Arts and Humanities Dean’s Medal award!
Read MoreMason Lamb, Dean’s Medalist
When asked what accomplishment he is most proud of, Mason Lamb didn’t look his many music premieres — including his orchestral concert overture which was played by FOOSA at the Walt Disney Concert Hall — instead, he looked to his daughter.
Read MorePrimavera Leal Martinez, Dean’s Medalist
In her pursuit of excellence, Primavera Leal Martinez has raised the bar of what is possible in an academic environment. As an English major, Martinez has authored eight articles, and presented at eight conferences.
Read MoreCome celebrate ‘Arts in Motion’ with us!
The community is invited to celebrate the College of Arts and Humanities’ top students with an afternoon of performances and recognition on Saturday, April 6, 2019 at 2 p.m. in the Fresno State Concert Hall. The event will be followed by a reception in the Phebe Conley Gallery.
Read MoreLorie Hanoian, Student of Distinction
As a child visiting the Los Angles art museums, Lorie Hanoian fell in love with art. That love led her to attend an apparel design program at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill before getting her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and later a B.A. in Studio Art at Fresno State. Hanoian is currently working to complete her Master of Arts in Art History.
Read MoreBlanca Y. Davila D., Student of Distinction
When Blanca Y. Davila D. was just three years old, her family moved from Mexico to the United States in pursuit of the American Dream. With field work being a part of her family’s daily life, her parents pushed her, and she pushed herself, to succeed in her educational pursuits. “Blanca sees herself as a […]
Read MoreTheresa Lopes, Student of Distinction
For Theresa Lopes, music is a powerful medium which brings people together and improves lives. She has been especially interested in how music can enrich the lives of the handicapped. In her Honors Project through the College of Arts and Humanities Honors Program, Lopes has explored and investigated “The Current Status of Music in Special […]
Read MoreAlyssa Espinola, Student of Distinction
With a passion for helping the underserved and a propensity towards compassion and understanding, Alyssa Espinola has found a human connection with the students in the Valley. As a Graduate Teaching Associate at Fresno State, she has focused on becoming a communication instructor in an institution that serves underprivileged individuals in order to help foster […]
Read MoreVictoria Cisneros, Student of Distinction
A graduate of Selma High School, Victoria Cisneros says she found her home and a place of belonging in the Communication Department. During her time at Fresno State, she has utilized her writing skills as a political reporter for the Collegian and a Communication Assitant for the Alumni Association.
Read MoreMegan Evans, Student of Distinction
Megan Evans, who will complete her M.A. in English with an emphasis in Rhetoric and Writing studies has engaged in advanced scholarship through coining the term “rogue feminism” as a way of naming a rhetorical phenomenon she observed in social media platforms.
Read MoreKrystal Cantu, Student of Distinction
In the Fall of 2018, a serious car accident fractured Krystal Cantu’s spine in three places — challenging her determination to continue her education. In her perseverance, she has continued to thrive in her education — earning further respect from the English department faculty and colleagues.
Read MoreNolan Trupp, Student of Distinction
With a childhood ambition of becoming a teacher, Nolan Trupp knew he wanted to change people’s lives, but didn’t quite know what he wanted to teach until he took an American Sign Language class at Fresno State. He fell in love with the language and the culture knew he had found his way to change the world.
Read MoreTrevor Driscoll, Student of Distinction
In high school, Trevor Driscoll found the study of foreign language fascinating. While pursuing his English as a foreign language degree at Chico State he took a few linguistic courses which invigorated a passion for the structure of language. After transferring to Fresno State he received his B.A. in Linguistics with an emphasis in teaching ESL and is now regarded as the top student his the master’s program.
Read MoreGeorge Garnica, Student of Distinction
By the time George Garnica arrives at Fresno State for class every day, he has already worked a full morning shift at KSEE 24 television. About 22 years ago, his hard work in a Fresno County summer program at Telemundo paid off with a full-time job offer. Unfortunately, that meant he had to stop his education to focus on his work — which he says always bothered him.
Read MoreMario Arias, Student of Distinction
Teaching Spanish to others is more than just a job for Mario Alberto Arias Esquivel. He described the process as sharing a piece of himself, his culture, and giving his students a second soul.
Read MoreJordan Duran, Student of Distinction
For Jordan Duran, philosophy is not just an academic pursuit, it’s a way of life.
Read MoreLia Christine Dewey, Student of Distinction
For Theatre Arts student Lia Christine Dewey, the accolades keep coming as her final semester at Fresno State nears completion.
Read MoreArts and Humanities student excels in France while completing his degree
~ By Nancy Barragan, student writer for the College of Arts and Humanities Though he will return to the United States to participate in Fresno State’s 107th Commencement ceremony on May 19, Leslie Hille has been studying abroad for the past year and a half through the CSU International Program at the Université Paris Nanterre in […]
Read MoreThis month in the Arts and Humanities — an April review
We look back on another eventful month in the College of Arts and Humanities. Here are the top five stories from the month of April.
Read MoreArts in Motion highlights CAH Students of Distinction
The College of Arts and Humanities honored its 16 Students of Distinction at Arts in Motion on Saturday, April 7. At the ceremony, the graduate and undergraduate Dean’s Medalists for 2017-18 were announced. Dean’s Medalists Guadalupe Remigio Ortega (left), who graduated in fall 2017 with a master of arts in English in rhetoric and composition, […]
Read MoreTop 10 stories of 2017
Here’s a look back at our Top 10 Arts and Humanities stories for all of 2017: No. 10: New Faces: Dr. Gina Sandí-Díaz, Theatre Arts No. 9: New Faces: Art and Design welcomes two new professors No. 8: Three from College of Arts and Humanities named 2017 Fulbright recipients No. 7: New Faces: Four new […]
Read MoreArts in Motion celebrates College of Arts and Humanities
~ Video Recap of Dean’s Medalist Nominees: Produced by Kameron Stiffler (lead), Edmer Archilla, Nikki McCabe, Cyrel Mallory, and Raul Reyes of the MCJ Multimedia Production Service At Arts in Motion on Saturday, April 29, the College of Arts and Humanities recognized its students of distinction from all areas of the college in a celebration of creativity and the […]
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The College of Arts and Humanities at Fresno State 