California State University, Stanislaus

12 California State University, Stanislaus students were named 2023-24 McNair Scholars. The Stan State McNair Scholars Program helps prepare students for graduate studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities. McNair Scholars are first-generation and low-income students and students ethnically underrepresented in graduate school who have demonstrated academic potential and interest in graduate programs.

Until she began Stanislaus State's Master of Social Work program in fall 2023, Estefania Hernandez Luna had never received a scholarship before. When she started the two-year program, she received an award from Health Force Partners. Now, Hernandez Luna, a 4.0 student, has earned one of the California State University's most prestigious scholarships: the Trustees' Award for Outstanding Achievement. Hernandez Luna was awarded the William Randolph Hearst Scholarship and was honored during the CSU Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 24.

Jasmin Dominguez Cervantes recalls her parents' hesitation to seek medical treatment from doctors. When they did, they struggled to connect with them. "They lacked confidence and trust in the healthcare system," said Cervantes, whose parents hail from Mexico. "Whenever they went to doctors, they felt as if they were not being heard, and they were not able to have a trusting relationship with their physicians." Seeing her parents' experiences strongly influenced the Modesto native's desire to become a physician and eventually establish a medical practice where patients trust and confide in her. Her dream of achieving a career in healthcare took a significant step forward when she received the PreMed First-Generation Scholarship, which supported her educational pursuits at Stanislaus State. Established by Dr. Stephanie Brown, alongside her daughters, Lydia and Nelia, both of whom are Stan State alumnae, the First-Generation Pre-Med Scholarship is more than a monetary gift. It's a catalyst for continuity and community care. "The gift of scholarship is an opportunity to serve and nurture future generations by providing students with educational opportunities that my own children had at Stanislaus State," Brown said. It encourages graduates to plant their newfound skills in local soil by remaining in the Central Valley once they graduate and lessen the stark shortage of healthcare professionals in the region. The family has donated $300,000 toward the fund, which supports nursing and pre-med students, each year gifting up to $12,500 to support. Ten students have been awarded the scholarship since the fund was first established in 2020. Each of the scholarship recipients was born and raised in the Valley, is bilingual and carries a story of ambition and resilience.

As a Stanislaus State student studying biology and pursuing a minor in chemistry, Hussein Maatouk recently found inspiration and motivation when he was awarded a First-Generation Pre-Med Scholarship. Maatouk began his studies at Stan State in fall 2020, and he is looking forward to graduation in spring 2024.

As they prepare for careers in education, law enforcement and business, six Stanislaus State students have been selected as the 2023 Mary Stuart Rogers Scholars.

The California Pre-Doctoral Program has supported the doctoral aspirations of California State University (CSU) students for more than three decades. This year, the advisory committee from the CSU and the University of California reviewed 156 student applications and picked 76 recipients to receive the program's Sally Casanova Scholarship including Stanislaus State student Isabel Hernandez.

Legacy Health Endowment Foundation and Golden Valley Health Center Foundation Fund Scholarships, Supporting Next Generation of Medical Professionals in Central Valley.

Colin Bethishou, of Turlock, is one of 23 students selected by the California State University (CSU) to receive the 2023 CSU Trustees' Award for Outstanding Achievement. Bethishou and his peers -one from each CSU- will be honored during a ceremony as part of the CSU Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 12. The CSU Trustees' Award for Outstanding Achievement, which is the highest student distinction within the university, grants students scholarships based on academic achievements, financial need, excellence in community service and personal hardship. "The life stories of these extraordinary students who have triumphed over personal hardships to stand among the university system's most distinguished scholars are a testament to the transformative power of public higher education," said CSU Interim Chancellor Jolene Koester. "Through donor support, the CSU is able to provide students who have faced educational barriers the opportunity to pursue a college degree and apply their life experiences and classroom knowledge to elevate their communities and our great state."

Five Earn Alumni Association Scholarships of $1,000 Each.

Aspiring teachers, artists and other professionals have been selected as the 2022 Mary Stuart Rogers Scholars. The awards, in their 32nd year, honor upper-division students and credential candidates who have overcome challenges to achieve success and demonstrate hope for the future.

Two Stanislaus State nursing students are among five Central Valley recipients of the Golden Valley Health Center Foundation's annual Flora R. Martinez Nursing Scholarship.

On June 16th, Golden Valley Health Centers Foundation presented a total of $25,000 in scholarships to five deserving college students pursuing degrees in nursing and health care.

Jimena Mojica-Camarena is one of four Stan State students to receive a President's Central Valley First-Generation Scholarship from the University for the 2021-22 academic year. The $12,500 award covers tuition, fees and other expenses for a year and includes a new laptop computer.

We are pleased to announce two STEM Ambassadors have been selected to receive STEM Scholarships for their work in our Science in the Community Program. Under the leadership of Mark Grobner, professor of Biological Sciences, our Science in the Community Steering Committee, the Office of Service Learning and the CSU STEM VISTA leadership team at the Chancellor's Office, students, Cecilia Alvarez and Kassandra Garcia have received scholarships of $250 each. The scholarship was open to STEM Ambassadors who are part of the Science in Our Community program. We are more than proud of Ms. Alvarez and Ms. Garcia and the work they have done in our local community. Cecilia Alvarez is a third-year biology major at Stan State. She enjoys teaching and helping students through the STEM Ambassador program and Learning Commons. Cecilia joined the STEM Ambassador program in 2019. She has volunteered for numerous activities and has led multiple Junior Scientist activities where she taught fourth graders at local Turlock schools about science. Her goal is to attend graduate school and teach biology either in high school or college. Kassandra Garcia is also a third-year biology major. Kassandra joined the STEM Ambassador program during the fall 2021 semester and has shown her support by volunteering for Junior Scientist activities and helping students learn the importance of science education. After getting her bachelor's degree, she plans to attend physician assistant school with a focus on family medicine and make a change in her community. Without the support of our Stan State STEM Ambassadors and student volunteers, we would not be able to provide activities for underserved and underrepresented K-12 students in the surrounding campus community. We are greatly appreciative and thankful for their drive to make a difference and volunteer their time and passion for science, education and working with students.

MacKenzie-Childs has selected Stan State student, Kayla Crawford as one of four winners of the second annual MacKenzie-Childs Black Lives Matter Scholarship for Design.

Working parents, immigrants and first-generation college students are among the members of the 30th class of Mary Stuart Rogers Scholars honored Oct. 15, during a virtual ceremony. Seventeen students in all were recognized with 13 receiving the Rogers Scholars ring presented to first-year recipients.

On Monday, Sept. 13, the California State University Office of the Chancellor announced Tonya Hensley as the 2021 Trustee Emeritus Ali C. Razi Scholar Award winner.

Three Stanislaus State students who each were awarded a $10,000 Dale M. Schoettler Scholarship for Visually Impaired Students.

Six Stanislaus State credential candidates with student teaching assignments in San Joaquin County are the first to receive scholarships from the University's recently established Ocella Riley Memorial Scholarship Fund.

JC Aguirre is one of six students to receive the first President's Central Valley First-Generation Scholarships from the University. At $12,500 each year for four years, Aguirre's scholarship will cover tuition, fees and other expenses at Stan State. In addition, he will receive a new laptop computer and ongoing support from dedicated professional and career mentors.

President's Central Valley First-Generation Scholarship recipient Guadalupe Marquez pursues her education to provide a better future for herself and other first-generation college students.

After 20 years, first-gen scholar Melana Cook renews quest for college degree. She is one of six students to receive the first President's Central Valley First-Generation Scholarships.

Demonstrating pride in serving first-generation students from the region, Stanislaus State announced the inaugural cohort of Stanislaus State President's Central Valley First-Generation Scholars. The first recipients are: Jose Aguirre III (Atwater), Melana Cook (Modesto), Harman Kooner (Turlock), Guadalupe Marquez (Atwater), Alexis Martinez (Los Banos) and Nathan Rohani (Turlock). The six recipients represent two counties - Stanislaus and Merced - within the six-county region served by Stan State.

Stanislaus State hosted a luncheon on campus on Friday, Nov. 1 to honor the recipients of this year's Mary Stuart Rogers Scholarship, including 19 undergraduate students and one teaching credential student. The students were recognized for their outstanding academic performance, dedication to personal growth and desire to serve others.

Six California State University, Stanislaus students were named 2019-20 McNair Scholars. Students will be paired with faculty mentors and design, complete, publish and present research projects. They will also attend conferences and visit campuses to meet with faculty at prospective graduate schools. Named for Ronald McNair, the physicist/astronaut killed in the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, the program's primary objective is to place more first-generation/low-income and historically undergraduate students in master's and Ph.D. programs.