Student of Distinction: Jennifer-Juliette Marissa Riojas – Department of Media, Communications and Journalism

April 6, 2024.Reading time 4 minutes.

“The MCJ department and College of Arts and Humanities have nurtured my creativity, gave me the opportunity to make new lifelong connections and the courage to follow my dreams of becoming a filmmaker.” ~ Jennifer-Juliette Marissa Riojas

Student of Distinction: Megan “MJ” Jaurena – Department of Linguistics

April 5, 2024.Reading time 2 minutes.

“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.

Student of Distinction: Natalie Vasquez – Department of English

April 4, 2024.Reading time 3 minutes.

Natalie Vasquez is an undergraduate student receiving her B.A. in English studies and a minor in Chicano/Latino studies. She is the Dean’s Medal nominee from the Department of English.

Student of Distinction: Bianca Palma – Department of Communication

April 3, 2024.Reading time 3 minutes.

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.

Student of Distinction: Grace Morrow – Department of Art, Design and Art History

April 2, 2024.Reading time 4 minutes.

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.

Student of Distinction: Sarah Theller

April 14, 2023.Reading time 3 minutes.

“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.”

Student of Distinction: Jasmine Ibal-Nolasco

April 14, 2023.Reading time 3 minutes.

“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.”

Student of Distinction: Mia De La Cerda

April 14, 2023.Reading time 4 minutes.

“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.”

Graduate Dean’s Medalist: Mialise Carney

April 14, 2023.Reading time 3 minutes.

“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.”

Student of Distinction: Julia Whelan

April 13, 2023.Reading time 3 minutes.

“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.”