Students

Business students bring TEDx talk to SFSU

Student-organized event featured guest speakers from public, private sectors 

As the only public university in one of the world’s most forward-thinking cities, San Francisco State University is a vital nerve center for new ideas and burgeoning talent. This makes our campus a prime location for a student-organized TEDx talk, bringing over 300 people to the Student Life Events Center on Nov. 15.  

TEDx is a grassroots initiative of Technology, Entertainment, Design (TED), the distinguished nonprofit that presents live speaking events worldwide. Master of Business Administration (MBA) student Neil Sterud submitted an application for SFSU to host a TEDx talk. More than 20 additional students volunteered to help put on the event. For Sterud, organizing a TEDx event at SFSU is more than a career-building endeavor. It is a way to give back to the campus community. 

“This is hands-on project management leadership. It’s a massive, very complicated deal,” said Sterud, who also serves as a second-class petty officer for the Navy Corps of Engineers. “It’s a feather in the cap. That’s another thing that I wanted for students, and that’s what I was telling people. I said, ‘Hey, jump on with this. Help out because brands on our resume matter. If you could put on your resume that you helped with an event like this, it could help with employers, and you shouldn’t wait until you’re out of college to try to get some experience.’”  

The free event, themed “Seas of Change,” explored innovative, resilient and courageous responses to the uncharted waters in today’s society. The eight speakers spanned Bay Area nonprofit leaders as well as faculty from SFSU and the Cal Poly Maritime Academy covering topics such as addressing the housing crisis by building tiny homes, labor unions, artificial intelligence, branding, mental health and restorative justice. Magician Mike Toy (M.A., ’11) served as emcee. 

Volunteers included Liza Kucherova, a senior in Marketing who implemented a multichannel marketing campaign and created the event’s web page. MBA student Alson Cheong played recruited other student volunteers and led a team that secured RSVPs and ran the check-in table. 

“One of the main reasons I wanted to get involved is to serve our community and bring TEDx to San Francisco State. I also want to get valuable experience in event planning,” said Cheong, who serves as a Lam Family College of Business ambassador and is also studying for a Pre-Law certificate. “This experience really helped me see all the procedural steps that it takes to get an event like this done.” 

The “TEDx at SF State” was made possible in part through the support of SFSU’s Lam-Larsen Student Engagement Initiative and sponsored by SFSU’s Lam Family College of Business (LFCoB). LFCoB staff also provided behind-the-scenes support to the LFCoB student ambassadors.

“LFCoB was delighted to sponsor the event,” LFCoB Dean Eugene Sivadas said. “Our college is global in aspiration and reach, but draws its strength from the communities we serve. It was a pleasure to bring interesting and diverse viewpoints for the benefit of our students and the larger community we serve.” 

Learn more about SFSU’s Lam Family College of Business. 

Janet Wright stands next to a table with a tablecloth showing the text "TEDx SF State" while giving her talk

Janet Wright, Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office investigator

 

SFSU partners with SFUSD and CCSF to guarantee admission for eligible students

The partnership ensures eligible local high school, community college students a clear path to SFSU

SAN FRANCISCO — Oct. 23, 2025 — San Francisco State University (SFSU) is finalizing a partnership agreement with the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) and City College of San Francisco (CCSF) to create a guaranteed admission pathway for local high school seniors and community college students who meet eligibility requirements. The new program eliminates the uncertainty of the application process and expands opportunities for students seeking an SFSU degree. The partnership represents a major expansion of the long-running SF Promise initiative, the University’s commitment to creating educational opportunities for families in the City and County of San Francisco.

“SFUSD, CCSF, and SFSU are deeply committed to providing S.F. residents with high-quality education and access to upward mobility. Together, we fuel the workforce, innovation and success of the City and the Bay Area,” said SFSU President Lynn Mahoney. “This agreement will strengthen our commitment to San Francisco students and families by guaranteeing that higher education — and the opportunities it creates — remains within the reach of all.”

“This partnership is an incredible opportunity for our students,” said SFUSD Superintendent Maria Su. “By knowing in advance that they have a guaranteed path to SFSU, our graduates can plan with confidence and focus on their academic success.”

“We are excited to offer our graduates a guaranteed pathway to SFSU,” said CCSF Chancellor Kimberlee Messina. “This agreement provides CCSF graduates with the certainty of admission, ensuring they can continue their educational journey seamlessly and achieve their goals.”

The new initiative is part of SFSU’s ongoing efforts to remove barriers for prospective students. The University already guarantees admission for eligible military veterans and foster youth via the Guardian Scholars Program.

"For San Francisco to be a world-class city, we need a world-class education system. Our residents and families deserve that," said San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie. "I am proud to announce this initiative that will transform the path to higher education for thousands of San Francisco students. This program is the result of true collaboration, and I want to thank the leadership at SFUSD, City College of San Francisco and San Francisco State for coming together with one goal in mind: our students' success."

To qualify for guaranteed SFSU admission, SFUSD graduates will need to complete the required A–G high school courses with a grade of C or better and earn at least a 2.5 GPA in those courses taken in grades 10–12. Transfer students from CCSF will need to complete at least 60 transferable units with a minimum 2.0 GPA across all colleges attended and finish the “Golden Four” core courses — Oral Communication, Written Communication, Critical Thinking and Math/Quantitative Reasoning — with a grade of C- or better.

SFSU is a public university in the California State University system committed to preparing students for meaningful careers and bright futures. SFUSD is the seventh-largest school district in California, serving more than 50,000 students across the city. CCSF is one of the largest community colleges in the nation, providing affordable and accessible education to more than 40,000 students each year. Together, these three women-led institutions are strengthening access to higher education for San Francisco students.

Visit the SFSU Guaranteed Admission website for more information.

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About San Francisco State University

San Francisco State University is a public university serving students from the San Francisco Bay Area, across California and around the world, with nationally acclaimed programs that span a broad range of disciplines. About 20,000 students enroll at the University each year, and its nearly 300,000 graduates have contributed to the economic, cultural and civic fabric of San Francisco and beyond. Through them — and more than 1,900 world-class faculty members — SF State proudly embraces its legacy of academic excellence, community engagement and commitment to social justice. For more information, visit sfsu.edu.

About SFUSD: San Francisco Unified School District is the seventh largest school district in California, educating over 50,000 students every year. San Francisco is both a city and a county; therefore, SFUSD administers both the school district and the San Francisco County Office of Education (COE). This makes SFUSD a “single district county.” Visit: www.sfusd.edu. 

About City College of San Francisco

Since 1935, City College of San Francisco has offered instruction opportunities, serving more than 40,000 students annually at six locations throughout San Francisco. The College offers an affordable opportunity to earn associate degrees, prepare for transfer, pursue career and technical education, and personal development and enrichment. Visit: www.ccsf.edu. 

Major expansion of Presidential Scholars Program launches at SFSU, honoring Maryam Mirzakhani

A gift from alumna Neda Nobari expanded the Presidential Scholars Program to specifically support STEM students’ part of the program. Pictured is the inaugural cohort.

SFSU alumna Neda Nobari’s gift expands Presidential Scholars Program to support first-gen STEM students, honoring Maryam Mirzakhani

SAN FRANCISCO – Sept. 22, 2025 – San Francisco State University (SFSU) has announced the start of a major expansion for the University’s Presidential Scholars Program (PSP), which supports first-generation, low-income students with high GPAs from the San Francisco Bay Area by covering the costs of tuition, housing, books and more for four years. This expansion creates a cohort of Maryam Mirzakhani Scholars named in honor of the late distinguished and internationally recognized mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani, who was the first woman and first Iranian to earn the prestigious Fields Medal. Iranian American businesswoman, community leader, philanthropist and alumna Neda Nobari (B.S., ’84) gave a gift to PSP to specifically support STEM students and to honor Mirzakhani’s inspiring legacy. The inaugural cohort started this fall 2025 semester. 

“Neda’s enduring commitment to San Francisco State has had a profound impact on our campus,” SFSU President Lynn Mahoney said. “We are truly thankful for her generosity, which opens doors for countless students — particularly those overcoming financial challenges as they pursue brighter futures.”

Graduating from SFSU with a Computer Science degree, Nobari has a profound passion for helping STEM students like she once was. “My hope is that these scholarships will prioritize students pursuing careers in STEM, fields close to my heart as one of the few women in my computer science cohort over 40 years ago,” Nobari said. “My goal is that these scholarships can further diversify STEM fields, benefitting students who have tremendous ability to make a difference and to honor the legacy of Professor Mirzakhani’s extraordinary accomplishments.”

About Neda Nobari

As a proud SFSU alumna and lifelong advocate for education, Nobari has a deep connection with the University and has served many roles on the SFSU Foundation Board since its inception.

“Having served as an inaugural director, chair of its investment committee and board chair during its strategic planning process, I have developed a clear understanding of the University’s priorities and the growing challenges our students face. By repurposing my endowment, I am putting our students first,” Nobari said. “SFSU is very dear to me. I spent some of my most transformative years there, and because of its impact on my life, I want to continue giving back to the University and, most importantly, to the students.”

In 2020, Nobari was named the SFSU Alumna of the Year and was inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame. She also established in 2022 the Azar Hatefi Graduate Student Fellowship in Iranian Diaspora Studies, honoring her late mother’s legacy. 

Additionally, Nobari was pivotal in founding the Student Sustainable Investment Fund to provide students hands-on experience in sustainable investing and funding scholarships for students participating in that program. This transformational investment in PSP is also the culmination of her long trajectory of consistently supporting student fellowships and scholarships at SFSU.

About Maryam Mirzakhani

Maryam Mirzakhani was the first woman to win the prestigious Fields Medal, the highest honor in mathematics, and the first Iranian to be so honored. Admired by her peers as a brilliant and fearless scientist who took on the most challenging questions, Mirzakhani’s legacy continues to inspire generations of young women in STEM to pursue their dreams. 

While attending an all-girls high school in Tehran, Mirzakhani earned gold medals in consecutive years as the first female to compete on Iran’s International Mathematical Olympiad team. Mirzakhani went on to earn her Ph.D. in mathematics from Harvard University and spent four years as an assistant professor and Clay Mathematics Institute Research Fellow at Princeton University. During that time, she was named one of Popular Science’s “Brilliant 10” extraordinary scientists.

Mirzakhani served as a professor of mathematics at Stanford University from 2009 until her death in 2017 at the age of 40. In 2018, the International Mathematical Union, in collaboration with the Women’s Committee of the Iranian Mathematical Society, established Mirzakhani’s birthday, May 12, as International Women in Mathematics Day to celebrate her inspirational life and legacy. 

About the Presidential Scholars Program

PSP, supported by the Division of Student Life, promotes exceptional learning and adheres to the highest standards of academic quality in the spirit of inclusive excellence. Each year, scholarships are awarded based on academic merit to an entering freshman cohort. The program not only provides financial support but also fosters a sense of community among the scholars through various events and cohort-building activities. 

Founded in 1995, the program currently serves about 20 students per year, with about four to five students in each class at any given time. With the additional funds from Nobari, the program will serve 30 more students.

Learn more about the Presidential Scholars Program.

Prestigious CSU scholarship goes to SFSU grad student advocating for prison reform

Gabriel Singer (B.A., ’25) turned life around after incarceration to pursue career as professor, change system from within 

Gabriel “Gabe” Singer is the epitome of higher education’s transformative power. In 2006, he was sentenced to 22 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter that occurred during a fight between street crews. The experience forced him to confront the consequences of his actions and rethink the path his life was taking. 

Singer participated in restorative justice opportunities and completed as many community college courses as he could while in prison. When he was released early in 2022, the college credits he earned allowed him to transfer to San Francisco State University (SFSU), where he’s been working hard toward his life mission: to become a criminal justice studies professor and reform the prison system. Along the way, he also earned the highest recognition of student achievement granted by the California State University (CSU). 

That award is the CSU Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement, which provides a donor-funded scholarship to students who demonstrate superior academic performance, personal accomplishments, community service and inspirational goals for the future. The awardees have shown a powerful determination to making a positive impact on their generation as well as those who come after them. 

“Gabe’s story is of a long comeback,” SFSU President Lynn Mahoney said. “He has emerged from incarceration with a deep commitment to inspiring others to believe in the power of education.” 

Singer transferred to SFSU through Associated Students' Project Rebound, an academic support program that helps formerly incarcerated people enroll and succeed. Since he first started at SFSU, Singer has demonstrated a strong dedication to his education, being an active member of the campus community and advocating for prison reform. 

“It’s an honor to receive this award. But it’s also just as importantly an honor to receive this award in representation of an organization called Project Rebound that I am very supportive of,” Singer said. “I think it just shows when someone gets support — in academics or the workforce or in any anything — anyone can thrive and shine in the spaces that they’re trying to be in.” 

Singer received his undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice Studies with a minor in Reentry Services from SFSU in spring 2025 and was honored with his department’s Distinguished Student Award. He returns to SFSU this fall to earn a graduate degree in International Relations, which will help him contextualize carceral practices in the U.S. with those beyond our borders. 

Singer also taught a course in restorative justice practices through the University’s Experimental College, which he plans to offer again. He also served as a cognitive behavioral therapy coach for Getting Out by Going In, a program that offers participants a framework for making positive, productive decisions in their lives. Singer has also served as a staff member for Project Rebound. 

“I first met Gabe when he was an undergraduate student at SFSU. I noticed he was a dedicated student who showed up to campus faithfully with brilliant ideas for civic engagement and the betterment of our legal system,” Project Rebound Executive Director C. Jason Bell said. “I often speak with him about his in-depth analysis of various social justice issues and respected his views so much that I eagerly advocated to embrace him on our Project Rebound efforts on campus, and welcomed him as new staff.” 

Learn more about Associated Students' Project Rebound at SFSU. 

A bright outlook for the year ahead at SFSU

Faculty and staff join in community at annual Opening Convocation ceremony 

With a new school year about to begin, the outlook at San Francisco State University is bright. Our faculty and staff joined in community on Aug. 21 for the Opening Convocation, a traditional academic ceremony celebrating each new academic year. The event took place in McKenna Theatre and was streamed live.  

In his speech, Associated Students President Brandon Foley talked about his appreciation for the dedication of our Gator faculty and staff, encouraging a continued focus on the wellbeing of our students.  

“While we continue our advocacy and fight for justice and a better San Francisco State in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., never underestimate the good you can do in a single day right here on campus,” said Foley, a graduate student in Electrical and Computer Engineering. “The extension you give to a student because they’re going through a rough patch in life might be the reason they stay enrolled next semester. That office birthday celebration — which by the way, if you’re thinking of doing it, definitely do it — could be the highlight of someone’s day. The resources you decide to share, even though if it’s not specifically a part of your job, could be someone’s lifeline, for real. These choices you make aren’t just kindness — They’re changing lives one step at a time.” 

In SFSU President Lynn Mahoney’s annual address on the state of the University, she discussed opportunities to prepare students for careers that will require skills in artificial intelligence and strategies to boost enrollment. 

“We will lean into what makes SFSU distinctive, in ways that the purpose-driven young people of today and tomorrow can relate to,” Mahoney said. “A university that embraces its responsibility for post-collegiate outcomes. A university that transforms lives and promises upward mobility. A university where equity, innovation and community meet.” 

Other speakers included California Faculty Association chapter President Brad Erickson, CSU Employees Union chapter President Christine Hintermann, Staff Council President Dylan Mooney and Academic Senate Chair Jackson Wilson. Administrators welcomed the four new tenure-track faculty members joining the Gators this year. 

Convocation also featured an awards ceremony honoring our distinguished faculty and staff:  

  • Excellence in Service (Staff): Myla Adeva, senior credential analyst in the Graduate College of Education 
  • Excellence in Teaching (Lecturer): Daniel Ciomek, lecturer faculty in Information Systems 
  • Excellence in Teaching (Tenured): Rama Ali Kased, associate professor of Race and Resistance Studies 
  • Excellence in Professional Achievement (Tenured): Anthony Pahnke, associate professor of International Relations 
  • Excellence in Service (Tenured): Jackson Wilson, professor of Recreation, Parks and Tourism; president of the SFSU Academic Senate  

Foley, the Associated Students president, ended his speech with a rallying call to get things going: “Now let’s make it matter. Thank you so much and go Gators!” 

Visit the Academic Senate website to learn more about the Opening Convocation.  

Jackson Wilson speaks from a San Francisco State University lectern while wearing a suit and tie

Jackson Wilson, Academic Senate president 

Future Gators coming to campus for Explore SF State April 5

The day-long event offers admitted students and their families the chance to explore campus, learn about financial aid and academics and start making connections

San Francisco State University (SFSU) is rolling out the red carpet for its newly admitted students with a special event designed to give them an inside look at life as a Gator. Explore SF State: Admitted Student Day will take place on Saturday, April 5, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., offering a day packed with opportunities to tour the campus, engage with faculty and get crucial financial aid guidance. The event serves as an introduction to the University’s academic and social community, helping students and their families make informed decisions about their future at SFSU.

A Day of Discovery and Celebration
The day’s schedule includes multiple ways for students to explore their new academic home. Student-led campus tours will provide an overview of SFSU’s facilities, while prospective residents can take a housing tour to see inside a residence hall.

Attendees will also have the chance to engage directly with faculty members through academic showcases, lab and studio tours and info sessions tailored to specific majors. For students still deciding on a major, the event provides the perfect opportunity to explore different academic departments and meet with advisors.

Financial aid can often be a key factor in choosing a university, and SFSU aims to make the process more accessible by offering one-on-one consultations with financial aid counselors. With more than half of SFSU undergraduates receiving financial aid, new students are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to get guidance on their next steps.

Another highlight of the event is the Celebration Station, where students can officially commit to SFSU by accepting their admission offer. After doing so, they can ring the University’s celebration bell to mark the occasion and receive a free gift.

Building Community and Winning Prizes
Beyond academics and logistics, Explore SF State is about building connections. New students will have the chance to meet current students, staff and faculty to learn more about campus life and resources that support student success.

A little fun is also built into the day — students will receive a complimentary swag bag upon check-in, and those who complete the event check-in process ahead of time will be entered into a drawing for tickets to a San Francisco Giants game.

“Explore SF State is a fantastic opportunity for students to experience the University firsthand, meet their future professors and start building their support network before classes even begin,” said Director of Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment Camille Rieck-Armstrong. “We want every student to feel prepared and excited for their next chapter.”

Register to attend SF State: Admitted Student Day.

A man gestures to a tour group in front of the SFSU library

A dozen outstanding graduates to be honored at 2024 Commencement

The student hood recipients will represent their academic colleges at the University’s 123rd graduation ceremony May 24

A dozen outstanding graduates will be honored during San Francisco State University’s 123rd Commencement ceremony, to be held at Oracle Park Friday, May 24. They will represent their more than 7,300 graduating peers in the Class of 2024.

As part of a longstanding tradition, each of the University’s six academic colleges selects an undergraduate and a graduate student to represent their classmates and wear their college’s academic hood during the ceremony. Additionally, two of the hood recipients, one undergraduate and one graduate student, will each deliver a Commencement address.

More details about the ceremony are available on the Commencement website. 

Graduate Speaker

Genesis Sorrick

Genesis Sorrick

M.A., Philosophy

College of Liberal & Creative Arts

In September 2020, amidst the chaos of COVID-19, the eerie orange sky from raging wildfires and the protests against police brutality, Genesis Sorrick gave birth to her first child. Bringing a human into the world during this time was incredibly daunting. Sorrick responded with her characteristic strength, integrity and clear-sighted optimism. Inspired to understand the world better and envision a brighter future for her daughter, she decided to return to college and complete her B.A. in Philosophy at SF State.

Later, during Sorrick’s first semester as a Philosophy grad student at SF State, she began to experience excruciating pain and debilitating neurological symptoms. Nevertheless, she refused to let desperation consume her. She channeled her energy into understanding her experience and found solace in her academic studies.

She excelled in her courses, writing brilliant research papers, contributing insightfully to discussions and the life of the department, working conscientiously as a teaching assistant and maintaining a 4.0 grade-point average (GPA). Living with chronic pain led Sorrick to her M.A. thesis: a remarkably original, meticulously researched and highly persuasive account of medical gaslighting.

“Philosophy allowed me to ground myself in something other than my pain and focus on envisioning a better world for my daughters,” she said.

Sorrick’s journey has been shaped by additional obstacles. She is a Mexican-born woman and the first in her family to complete a college degree. Also, as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, she came out to friends and family in high school in a primarily right-wing, conservative town. Rather than dissuade her from pursuing her dreams, these experiences helped Sorrick develop the strength and tenacity she has needed to thrive at SF State, raise her children and live with chronic pain. She is a remarkable person, with a strong commitment to enacting positive change, both as a philosopher and a mother.

 

Undergraduate Speaker

Eddison Jintalan Contreras

Eddison Jintalan Contreras

B.A., Social Work

College of Health & Social Sciences

Eddison Jintalan Contreras’ social work journey was shaped by his own personal experiences of adversities and witnessing systemic inequities in different systems that he worked in. He is an Air Force veteran from a Filipino immigrant household and a member of the LGBTQ+ community. As a young airman, he worked under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He felt the tension between embracing his true self and serving the country. While working at a large health care provider, Contreras saw all forms of oppression embedded within the health care system. All these fueled Contreras’ passion for social justice and inspired his educational goals.

During his tenure at SF State, Contreras contributed to both the campus and broader community. He assumed leadership roles within Social Work Advocates for Visions of Empowerment (SWAVE), was the SF State representative to the 23Strong Council — comprising 23 accredited social work programs across California — and was a founding member of the University chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success. Notably engaged in policy advocacy, Contreras led legislative teams during the annual National Association of Social Workers’ legislative lobby days in Sacramento. He also supported policy initiatives addressing police brutality in the Antioch community.

He is doing a capstone project exploring the correlation between recidivism rates and the mental health diversion program at the Contra Costa Public Defender’s Office, where he serves as an intern.

Contreras is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work magna cum laude. After graduation, Contreras aspires to pursue a Master of Social Work. His goal is to become a licensed social worker specializing in holistic methodologies for mental health care within marginalized communities. Additionally, he’ll continue engaging in macro-level and political social work initiatives contributing to systemic change and advocacy.

 

Undergraduate Hood Recipients

Headshot of Jazz Hudson

Jazz Monique Hudson

B.A., Africana Studies

College of Ethnic Studies

Jazz Monique Hudson, an Oakland native with over 15 years of expertise in youth development, educational arts, social justice and organizational change, epitomizes resilience and commitment to societal transformation. Despite the challenges she faced early in her life as a former foster youth and teenage mother, Hudson has overcome them and is now dedicating her life to being an advocate, artist and educator.



For example, Hudson was involved with organizations like the National Black Women’s Justice Institute, Black Youth Project 100 (where she was a founding member) and the Guardian Scholars Program. She was also a program director and founding member of the EMERGE Reentry Program, which focuses on supporting young women of color reintegrating into society after incarceration and academic pushout. Additionally, Hudson was a victim advocate for the San Francisco District Attorney and has had residencies, workshops and performances at universities like UC Berkeley and Princeton.

Serendipitously, her son’s 17th birthday coincides with the SF State 2024 Commencement, which Hudson says is a reminder of the strength and resilience found in the journey of motherhood. After graduation, she plans to pursue SF State’s Pre-Health Professions Post-Baccalaureate Certificate program, which will help her take the next step toward pursuing a career in health care as an osteopathic doctor specializing in allergy and immunology.

 

Devora Jimenez Domingo

Devora Jimenez Domingo

B.S., Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences

Graduate College of Education

Devora Jimenez Domingo, originally from Guatemala, moved to the United States at a young age. Witnessing her Latinx community’s struggles due to language barriers, Jimenez Domingo has dedicated her work to assisting those with limited English proficiency, especially after recognizing the privilege she had being trilingual in English, Spanish and Mayan.

To support her community, Jimenez Domingo enrolled at SF State to pursue a degree in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences with minors in Education and Special Education. During her time at SF State, she has actively contributed to the Gray Matter Lab, facilitating language therapy for Spanish speakers and promoting inclusivity in educational settings.

Jimenez Domingo also held leadership roles in various student clubs, advocating for cultural and linguistic diversity within the field of speech pathology.

Now preparing for graduate school to become a licensed speech pathologist, she aims to serve marginalized communities, particularly Black, Indigenous and People of Color, by ensuring their identities and linguistic backgrounds are acknowledged and respected in standardized testing and therapeutic practices.

 

Zen Lewis

Zen Lewis

B.A., International Relations/Political Science

College of Liberal & Creative Arts

In 2019, Zen Lewis’ journey to SF State began with her emigration from Serbia with the vision of achieving the American dream. As an 18-year-old in a new country with no financial support, she faced daunting challenges with housing and food insecurity, while attempting to find full-time employment with limited English fluency and work experience.

Today, Lewis is graduating with a double major in International Relations and Political Science with the highest honors, accompanied by Sigma Iota Rho and Pi Sigma Alpha societal honors. She represents the will and determination of young immigrant women who hail from war-torn nations to forge a new path, both for themselves and their home countries, so that those wars never occur again.

Lewis is a force of nature who speaks three languages, works full time in the wedding industry and serves as managing editor of the International Relations Journal. While earning the Migration and Refugee Studies certificate, she has demonstrated an exemplary work ethic, enthusiasm for global politics and resilience in the face of obstacles.

As president of the International Relations Student Association, Lewis has been a driving force, encouraging her fellow students and others in her community to get involved in domestic and international politics. She has represented SF State at Model United Nations and Model European Union conferences, where she received the Outstanding Head of Government Award. 

Lewis won the David Jenkins Scholarship for Political Activism for her impactful advocacy of student rights in a political uprising. She used her senior thesis to expand the discussion and analysis of new regime changes, using Serbia as a case study. Off campus, she has organized pop-up events for local artists and fundraisers for nonprofits.

After graduation, Lewis plans to seek a full-time position in San Francisco municipal government and pursue a law degree.

 

Meliza Matute

Meliza Matute

B.S., Business Administration (Decision Sciences/Finance)

Lam Family College of Business

Meliza Matute is a first-generation Salvadoran American student. Her parents came to the U.S. with very little money but impressed on her the importance of hard work and education. Those would be the keys to a successful life, they told her. Growing up in East Palo Alto, she became acutely aware of the differences in the level of safety, quality of education and scarcity of resources between her town and its affluent neighbors Menlo Park and Palo Alto. Thanks to a school transfer program, Matute experienced firsthand just how stark the differences were, filling her with a desire for a more equitable world.

Later, Matute moved to Tracy and was committed to attending SF State despite the distance. She traveled six hours a day on public transportation to complete her degree. She started out as a Finance major to increase her financial literacy. By her second year, she decided to also major in Decision Sciences. She graduates with a 3.94 GPA.

Outside of the SF State classroom, Matute spent her time educating young people about decision sciences. She volunteered with incoming high school freshmen, showing them the real-world application of math in business and how companies use math to make business decisions. She also worked as a student instructor/facilitator for the “Operations Management Supplemental Instruction” course, to deepen student understanding of difficult concepts.

Matute’s education and experience at SF State inspired her to choose a career that will benefit the common good. Knowing that one’s strength reflects that of their community, she aspires to use her financial and data analysis skills to better her community.

 

Loan My Tran

Loan My Tran

B.A., Mathematics (Mathematics for Teaching)

College of Science & Engineering

Childhood experiences with mathematics, particularly those with her grandfather, made a lasting impact on Loan Tran. Her family emigrated from Vietnam. Growing up, she’d stay with her grandparents while her parents worked. Her grandfather taught her math and made worksheets for her. She’d happily memorize multiplication tables and enjoyed playing strategy games like Connect Four. Surrounded by so much math, she naturally gravitated towards STEM and Mathematics at SF State. In addition to majoring in Mathematics, she completed a minor in Computer Science. She is the first in her family to graduate from college.

Tran conducted original research as an undergraduate even though she initially didn’t know anything about math research. In 2022, she participated in the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute Undergraduate Program. She set out to answer neuroscience-motivated math questions related to discrete math, geometry and computational algebra. For her academic achievements, Tran won the C.Y. Chow Memorial Scholarship, the Pamela Fong Scholarship in Mathematics, the David Meredith and Friends Scholarship and the Halmos Scholarship.

Interested in education, Tran volunteered as a tutor at Mastery Learning Hour and helped students with elementary school to high school-level math. She was also proudly a student assistant in the Department of Mathematics office. In her first “real” job, she enjoyed building relationships with professors and using her problem-solving skills in a new setting. Working there for two years, she even wrote the operations guide for other student assistants.

Next, Tran will pursue a Ph.D. in Mathematics to further explore her field and conduct more research. However, she still has an interest in a possible career as a high school math teacher.

 

Graduate Hood Recipients

Sabreen Imtair

Sabreen Imtair

M.A., Ethnic Studies

College of Ethnic Studies

Sabreen Imtair is a seasoned organizer and a prominent figure in the activist community. Throughout her time at SF State, she has also demonstrated being a dedicated scholar in the College of Ethnic Studies.

For example, Imtair serves as a youth organizer with the Arab Resource and Organizing Center, actively participating in movements such as the K – 12 ethnic studies campaign. Over the past six months, she has also played a pivotal role in organizing, mobilizing and fostering community engagement in support of ceasefire in Palestine.

Hailing from a Palestinian family with Bay Area roots, Imtair is a proud product of the region’s public school system and holds the distinction of being the first in her family to attain a college degree.

Her graduate thesis delves into the intricacies of community mobilization and organization within the Arab and Muslim communities in the Bay Area.

 

Joanna Liyi Huang

Joanna (Liyi) Huang

M.A., Education (Secondary Education)

Graduate College of Education

Joanna Huang has had a full circle moment: She’s now teaching at the same school district she graduated from.

At age 13, Huang moved from China to San Francisco, graduating from Francisco Middle School and Washington High School, part of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD). That’s where she participated in English Learner programs, finding solidarity and community among immigrants from around the world.

After earning a degree in Managerial Economics with a minor in Education from UC Davis, Huang received her single-subject credential in Math from SF State in 2022.

Huang is now back at SFUSD for a different reason: She’s in her second year of teaching seventh grade at James Denman Middle School. This school has served as the site for her field research study, which looked at math participation among seventh graders. The study was partly inspired by her experience getting her credential at SF State, which allowed her to see that students who do not yet feel confident in mathematics can experience greater engagement, confidence, fun and learning through groupwork.

 

Son Hai Nguyen

Son Hai Nguyen

MBA

Lam Family College of Business

Son Hai Nguyen earned an undergraduate degree in Economics from the National Economic University in Vietnam and gained extensive experience working in the banking industry as a financial analyst and corporate credit manager. In 2017, she relocated to the Bay Area from Vietnam with her spouse and their two young children. Wanting to continue her education, she enrolled in City College of San Francisco (CCSF) and completed an associate’s degree in Finance while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. She served as a member of CCSF’s Associated Students. Later, she decided to pursue an MBA at SF State.

She is “the top-performing student,” according to one of her professors at SF State. Another said she was “extremely prepared, positive and a cheerleader for her classmates.” Her classmates commented on her dedication to her studies, often studying without pause. Nguyen would often take on more than her share of responsibilities during group projects. She provided feedback to teammates to help ensure that their work was of the highest quality.

Throughout her MBA studies, Nguyen actively participated in various activities. In 2023, she joined the Lam Family College of Business Student Ambassador Program. Almost immediately she became a leader among the other ambassadors. She organized and co-hosted events specifically tailored to graduate students, creating an inclusive community with plenty of opportunities for networking.

Nguyen participated in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program at SF State, where she served as an IRS-certified volunteer tax preparer and quality reviewer, assisting individuals with low incomes on their tax returns. Additionally, she was a research/teaching assistant for Management Professor Smita Trivedi and volunteered at the college’s Women’s Emerging Leadership Forum. She has actively supported and engaged in activities of the San Francisco chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG), fostering connections, collaboration and investment between Vietnamese and American businesses.

 

Su Ilayada Ozcan

Su Ilayada Ozcan

M.S., Chemistry (Biochemistry)

College of Science & Engineering

Su Ozcan wants to develop new treatments without side effects. It’s a passion that stems from her early exposure to her grandfather’s battle with cancer. As an undergraduate in Turkey, she explored innovative therapies and gained two years of professional experience working with pharmaceutical companies. With women being relegated to the background and the value placed on science decreasing in her country, Ozcan decided to leave Turkey and pursue her academic goals in the United States.

As an international student at SF State, Ozcan focused on groundbreaking research in enzymology and medicinal chemistry to develop a novel side effect-free treatment for tuberculosis. She published these discoveries in scientific journals. She demonstrated her commitment to making a positive impact beyond the lab by serving as a teaching associate for two years. Accolades for her academic performance and commitment to science include the Henry Bertin Jr. Scholarship, the Agents of Change Build Merck Scholarship, the Bill Plachy TA (teaching assistant) Award and the CSU Trustees Award.

After SF State, Ozcan’s next step is to begin a Chemistry Ph.D. program at the University of Southern California, where she’s already been offered a graduate fellowship. Looking ahead, Ozcan is excited to continue her quest to develop new therapeutics and treatment strategies that will make an impact. She is eager to translate her academic research into practical applications and hopes to eventually establish a pharmaceutical company. Beyond medicine, she aspires to continue being a teacher and create educational opportunities for underprivileged children. She also hopes to provide financial and moral support for others, especially women in science.

 

Monique Scott

Monique Scott

MPH

College of Health & Social Sciences

Monique Scott decided to pursue a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree at SF State after seeing structural and systemic health disparities affect her community. She began her career as a social worker, caregiver and care coordinator, assisting people navigating governmental and nonprofit assistance programs and managing medical conditions.

During the pandemic, she became a resource navigator and case manager for individuals exposed to COVID-19. Seeing how disparities impacted marginalized residents, she wanted to make a larger impact. She became interested in the social determinants of health and how prevention programs could more effectively help communities. 

At SF State, she explored her passion for research with the Health Equity Institute. Her assessment of participation of food establishments in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP) in urban university settings significantly influenced a statewide campaign to enhance access to SNAP benefits at CSU campuses.

She also published research on navigating nutrition inequities among pregnant and postpartum mothers and children in BIPOC communities. The Oakland native’s projects also included studies on how urban agriculture can use mutual aid practices and how built environment contributes to the adverse health outcomes of environmental injustices.

While at SF State, she was a Climate Action Fellow, a Graduate Equity Fellow and a President’s Leadership Fellow. She authored, published and presented her research at multiple local and national conferences. She also participated in the University’s Earth Week 2024.

After graduation, she will continue learning and applying her skills in research, writing and coordination to address health equity in the Bay Area. She plans to continue participating in strategies for community and policy-level interventions for marginalized communities of color. She is grateful for the SF State connections that contributed to her accomplishments.

 

Thousands of new Gators come to campus for Explore SF State

The University’s annual introduction to campus life was held Saturday, April 20

On Saturday, April 20, San Francisco State University welcomed thousands of newly admitted students and their families to campus for a taste of Gator life. The daylong introduction to the University community, Explore SF State, featured campus tours, financial aid workshops, a student research showcase and opportunities to meet with admissions experts, faculty members and current Gators.

During the course of the day, dozens of future San Francisco students accepted their admissions offers.

“I accepted my offer today because I really want to do bio here at SF State,” said Shannah Kwan, who’s finishing the Middle College program at College of San Mateo.

Kwan — who also hopes to get involved in musical theatre at SF State — says she’s looking forward to making new friends who share her interests. For Emily Underwood, the chance to live in the Bay Area was a big draw.

“I’m really excited to live in San Francisco,” said Underwood, who’ll be coming to SF State from San Diego. “I love the area, and the school itself just feels like a good community. So I’m excited.”

SF State students, faculty and staff were on hand to welcome Underwood, Kwan and the other newly admitted Gators to campus. The day also featured musical performances, open houses, a student life and organization showcase and a free doubleheader for SF State’s softball team.

“It was great to welcome admitted students and their families to campus on such a beautiful day and show off everything that SF State has to offer,” said Camille Rieck-Armstrong, the University’s director of Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment. “The event had a celebratory atmosphere, and it was a joy to see the students being drawn into a genuine sense of community and belonging. I am so excited for them to write the next chapter of their lives here at SF State!”

Learn about SF State academics, housing, aid, admissions and more.

A crowd walks across the SF State campus near the Quad

SF State and Braven provide students with career accelerator course at second CSU campus

SAN FRANCISCO — April 10, 2024 — San Francisco State University (SF State) and Braven, a national nonprofit organization, have signed a five-year memorandum of understanding (MOU). This new partnership between SF State and Braven will serve 4,400 sophomores, juniors and transfer students over the first five years, providing them with a two-part career-accelerating experience.

“We take pride in providing SF State students, many of whom are Pell Grant recipients or first-generation students, a clear path to strong jobs or entry into graduate school, “SF State Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Amy Sueyoshi said. “We are glad Braven also shares that same vision and look forward to working with them to help students achieve upward mobility.”

The experience begins with a three-credit undergraduate course (AU 220: SF State and Braven Career Accelerator). Students, who Braven calls Fellows, complete weekly online modules on Braven’s online platform and then apply that content through weekly virtual Learning Labs in a cohort of five to eight peers led by a volunteer professional called a Leadership Coach. Fellows complete assignments to grow their leadership in five professional competencies: operating and managing, problem solving, working in teams, networking and communicating, and self-driven leading.

Upon completion, Fellows receive continued access to the online portal, periodic events and/or programming, including a regular jobs newsletter and a one-to-one professional mentorship program.

In Fall 2024, about 300 SF State students are expected to take the course, joining a growing network of over 8,600 Braven alumni nationwide. Already in partnership with San José State University in San José, Calif., Braven’s partnership with SF State will be its second site within the California State University system, demonstrating the potential for creating a systemic solution for the college-to-career pipeline.

"Braven is thrilled to partner with SF State to empower students to seamlessly transition from college to fulfilling careers, enabling them to apply their hard-earned degrees to make a meaningful impact," said Aimée Eubanks Davis, Braven’s Founder & CEO. "This partnership would not be possible without the unwavering support of exceptional champions like Tipping Point and Crankstart, who have played a pivotal role in establishing our new San Francisco location."

Nationwide, Braven is showing promising results. Braven Fellows have outpaced the national average for strong job attainment before and amid the pandemic. Within six months of graduation, 60% of Braven’s 2023 graduates secured quality full-time jobs worthy of their bachelor’s degree, and or enrolled in graduate school (17 percentage points higher than their peers nationally). In addition, Braven Fellows have achieved a 91% on-time graduation rate. By comparison, about 7 in 10 of their peers nationally graduate college on time. Furthermore, 64% of Braven college graduates have at least one internship during college compared with 48% of all college graduates and 41% of students from similar backgrounds.

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ABOUT SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY

San Francisco State University is a public university serving students from the San Francisco Bay Area, across California and around the world, with nationally acclaimed programs that span a broad range of disciplines. More than 23,000 students enroll at the University each year, and its nearly 287,000 graduates have contributed to the economic, cultural and civic fabric of San Francisco and beyond. Through them — and more than 1,900 world-class faculty members — SF State proudly embraces its legacy of academic excellence, community engagement and commitment to social justice. For more information, visit sfsu.edu.

ABOUT BRAVEN

Founded in 2013, Braven empowers promising, underrepresented young people—first-generation college students, students from low-income backgrounds, and students of color—with the skills, confidence, experiences, and networks necessary to transition from college to strong first jobs. Braven is embedded within large public universities and partners with employers to build cutting-edge career education into the undergraduate experience for low-income and first-generation college goers and provides students with a network of supporters and a sense of belonging. Braven Fellows are persisting in college and achieving exciting levels of internship and job attainment. For more information about Braven, visit bebraven.org.

United Way Bay Area opens new SparkPoint program at San Francisco State University

SF State Director of Food+Shelter+Success Christopher Lujan kicked off the SparkPoint launch event with opening remarks.

The latest SparkPoint program is the first located on a four-year university campus

SAN FRANCISCO — March 19, 2024 — Leaders with United Way Bay Area (UWBA) were joined today by San Francisco State University (SF State) officials, faculty and students for the opening of a new SparkPoint program on the college campus. SparkPoint is a cornerstone in UWBA’s poverty-fighting efforts where clients create pathways to long-term financial prosperity by working with free, expert financial coaches to set goals, create financial plans and learn new strategies for long-term financial success. 

SF State students and members of the community will access financial coaching and wrap-around services through the new SparkPoint program, which marks the 24th SparkPoint program throughout the region powered by United Way Bay Area, and the first at a four-year institution of higher learning. Expert financial coaches work with students to set goals, create long-term financial plans and teach new strategies for long-term financial success. SparkPoint centers also provide a variety of free resources such as one-on-one career coaching, tax preparation and credit counseling.

“United Way Bay Area is thrilled to open this SparkPoint program at SF State, and we’re excited to see the impact these services and resources will have for the students and families who need them the most,” said Nicole Harden, Vice President of Economic Success for United Way Bay Area. “These scholars are doing the work to create pathways to prosperity for themselves and their families, and we are happy to be here cheering them on and providing the wrap-around services needed to support them through our SparkPoint program.” 

In addition to financial coaching and resources, students and families can also receive resources to meet basic needs like food, housing and utilities. SparkPoint services are provided at no cost. Institutions of higher learning often serve as the venue where people begin their path out of poverty and start the journey toward financial security and prosperity.

“We take pride in helping our students achieve upward social mobility and this new SparkPoint program will ensure more students can attain that,” SF State Associate Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Miguel Hernández said. “That’s because when students have their basic needs met, they are more likely to perform well academically and ultimately graduate.”

According to research, students who cannot consistently meet their basic needs — like food and housing — often cope with these challenges by dropping classes, working more hours and even skipping semesters, all of which makes them less likely to complete their degrees or skills training. 1 in 4 students at community colleges regularly can’t afford three meals per day, and many are the first in their families to enroll in school. 

According to quantitative research released by United Way Bay Area, the SparkPoint program measurably improves student persistence and advancement compared to students not receiving support through the program. Students who participated in SparkPoint were 127% more likely to remain enrolled in college. 

The new SparkPoint program at SF State is located at Centennial Village, 750 Font Blvd., Suite 5000, San Francisco, CA 94132.

Students and families can visit the SparkPoint program during normal operating hours, or email basicneeds@sfsu.edu for further information and assistance. 

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About United Way Bay Area

United Way Bay Area (UWBA) mobilizes the Bay Area to assist people living in poverty and to dismantle the root causes of poverty. One of the most respected and highly effective philanthropic organizations fighting poverty, UWBA supports workers and students seeking employment and better careers, helps families struggling to meet basic needs, supports our neighbors toward achieving their financial stability goals, and advocates for housing justice for all Bay Area residents. Learn more at www.uwba.org.  

About San Francisco State University

San Francisco State University is a public university serving students from the San Francisco Bay Area, across California and around the world, with nationally acclaimed programs that span a broad range of disciplines. More than 23,000 students enroll at the University each year, and its nearly 287,000 graduates have contributed to the economic, cultural and civic fabric of San Francisco and beyond. Through them — and more than 1,900 world-class faculty members — SF State proudly embraces its legacy of academic excellence, community engagement and commitment to social justice. For more information, visit sfsu.edu.

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