Commencement

California Attorney General Rob Bonta tells SFSU graduates to stay engaged, get involved

Steve Hockensmith — Sat, 24 May 2025 04:00:00 +0000

California Attorney General Rob Bonta tells SFSU graduates to stay engaged, get involved

Author: Strategic Marketing and Communications

May 23, 2025

Photo Credit: Photos by Kevin Perez

Bonta addressed thousands of Gator grads and their families at Oracle Park May 23

San Francisco State University celebrated the Class of 2025 at its 124th Commencement ceremony Friday, May 23, at Oracle Park. California Attorney General Rob Bonta provided the keynote address, telling graduates to use their skills and energy to “demand and create a better world, now.”

“Across the nation, our rights, freedoms and safety are under attack,” Bonta told the more than 3,500 graduates in attendance. “Now is not the time for silence or blind compliance. The stakes are too high. Everyone has a role to play in shaping the world we all deserve to live in.”

As part of the ceremony, SFSU commemorated honorary doctoral degree recipients Pulitzer Prize-nominated author Tommy Orange and activist, physician and minister Ramona Tascoe (B.A., ’70). In her remarks, Tascoe echoed Bonta’s encouragement to take action.

“We must be vigilant in making certain that progress is not lost, that growth continues and that all of these wonderful students have opportunities to see the same success in their children and their grandchildren,” said Tascoe. “The world will continue to be a better place because of the rainbow of brilliance that emerges from this campus.”

The University also honored the late author and beloved SFSU Professor of History Dawn Mabalon with a posthumous honorary doctoral degree. California State University Trustee and SFSU alumnus Jose Antonio Vargas (B.A., ’04), a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, was on hand to introduce Mabalon’s sister Darleen Bohulano Mabalon, who accepted the honorary degree.

“To receive this honor in one of her favorite places, Oracle Park — home to the beloved San Francisco Giants — and from San Francisco State, the university where she poured her heart into her work, is indescribable,” Mabalon said.

Other Commencement speakers included SFSU President Lynn Mahoney, Associated Students President Brandon Foley, graduate speaker Patra Holmes and undergraduate speaker Belayneh Salilew. Cal State Student Association President Iese Esera, a first-generation college graduate, used his time at the podium to speak to his childhood self — a self who was bullied for being different.

“You might be in pain right now, but someday the pain will subside,” said Esera, who earned a B.A. in Music from SFSU in 2023 and is working toward his Master of Public Administration at the University. “You will use your voice — and your voice will soar. You might feel unwanted right now, but one day your presence and your story will inspire.”

California State University Chancellor Mildred García addressed the Commencement crowd and praised SFSU’s Class of 2025.

“Tonight, graduates: We celebrate you. We celebrate your intellect, your tenacity, your curiosity, your courage to confront and conquer any challenge, large or small, that may have stood between you and your degree,” García said. “And we stand in awe and excitement for all you will accomplish.”

More than 7,000 Gators earned their diplomas from SFSU this spring, and an estimated 31,000 graduates, family members and friends attended Commencement at Oracle Park.

The Commencement ceremony will be made available to view in its entirety on SFSU’s YouTube channel.

Learn more about the University’s 2025 Commencement.

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Speakers share stories of personal transformation at Commencement

Matt Itelson — Sat, 27 May 2023 03:59:17 +0000

Speakers share stories of personal transformation at Commencement

Author: Steve Hockensmith

May 26, 2023

Photo Credit: Paul Asper

SF State ‘can be your rock,’ said Jayshree Ullal, president and CEO of cloud networking company Arista Networks, at the May 26 event

San Francisco State University celebrated the Class of 2023 at its annual Commencement ceremony Friday, May 26, at Oracle Park. More than 4,000 graduates and more than 31,000 people attended the event, which featured technology business leader Jayshree Ullal as keynote speaker. Ullal talked about the challenges she faced coming to the U.S. from her native India to attend San Francisco State in 1977.

“While I was pursuing electrical engineering, I was only one or two of 100 female students in a class of 100,” said Ullal (B.S., ’81), who studied electrical engineering at SF State and went on to become president and CEO of cloud networking company Arista Networks. “This made cutting class difficult, as we were conspicuous by our absence!”

Despite being a trailblazer in a then mostly male field — and a “very shy, quiet introvert” to boot — Ullal said her Engineering professors and fellow students were supportive.

“This great San Francisco State institution shaped me and guided my future,” she said. “And it can be your rock just like it’s my foundational rock.”

Two honorary California State University degrees were also conferred at Commencement: legendary Rolling Stone writer and editor, author, DJ and TV host Ben Fong-Torres (B.A., ’66) was honored with a Doctor of Fine Arts, while activist, filmmaker, author and psychotherapist Satsuki Ina received a Doctor of Humane Letters.

“Actually I didn’t attend my Commencement. Hey, it was the Sixties. We forgot, man,” Fong-Torres joked to the crowd. “But I have never forgotten this university’s impact on me. … I got that [Rolling Stone] gig, I think, because of the freedom that we had to experiment with journalism here at SF State, and the lessons learned from that freedom.”

During Ina’s speech, she encouraged the Class of 2023 to make the world a better place through empathy and action.

“I urge you to bring with you something that has always been inside of you, even before college, and that is your compassion,” she said. “We need all that you bring, and more than ever in this world of conflict, violence, injustice and suffering, we need your compassion. We need you to care and love family and friends, of course, but also the stranger, the other, the foreigner. Reach out beyond your comfort zone, welcome the outsider. It is compassion that can mend the fractures, heal the wounds and bring us together.”

Other speakers included SF State President Lynn Mahoney, Associated Students President Karina Zamora and Associated Students Chief of Staff Iese Esera. Two student hood recipients, among 12 graduates honored for their academic and personal achievements, also shared their stories.

“I began my journey in higher education as a homeless first-generation college student with a baby on my hip and another in my belly. I did not have support, money, guidance or a place to call my own. But what I did have was a dream,” said undergraduate speaker Nicole Bañuelos. “I had a dream that I would earn my degree in Biology and go on to study medicine and save human lives. This dream carried me through my most trying times. I learned how to study through morning sickness and nausea, how to hold a textbook in one hand and a baby in another, how to hold my head up high when I felt like the world was looking down on me. But most of all I learned how to never give up in the face of adversity and that after every dark night there is a brighter day.”

Graduate student speaker Hasti Jafari, who was born in Iran, reflected on the Iranian women’s movement and the important lessons the Class of 2023 can learn from the brave activists there.

“As someone honored to have called both countries home, I encourage you to see their fight as your fight, as the basic rights of women, people of color and the LGBTQ+ and disabled communities are under threat in this country as well,” Jafari said. “And in this deeply interconnected world, none of us are free until all of us are free.”

Learn more information about SF State’s 2023 Commencement.

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12 exceptional graduates to represent SFSU’s colleges at Commencement

Jamie L Oppenheim — Mon, 12 May 2025 19:29:02 +0000

12 exceptional graduates to represent SFSU’s colleges at Commencement

Author: Strategic Marketing and Communications

May 13, 2025

The students will be honored at the University’s Commencement ceremony at Oracle Park May 23

Twelve outstanding graduates will be honored during San Francisco State University’s 124^th Commencement ceremony, to be held at Oracle Park Friday, May 23. They will represent their nearly 7,000 graduating peers in the Class of 2025.

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.

Undergraduate Speaker

Belayneh Salilew
B.A., Social Work
College of Health & Social Sciences

Transnational social justice and human rights work have shaped Belayneh Salilew’s social work. His volunteer experiences in the Bay Area and Ethiopia, where he was born and raised, greatly influenced his trajectory.

As a high school student in Ethiopia, Salilew worked with SOS Children’s Village to run HIV/AIDS awareness-raising programs and programs for orphans and older adults. He also started One Person for One Orphan, a program under the Borderless Charity Association. Since moving to the Bay Area, Salilew has worked as a residential specialist at a foster youth organization and as a service specialist at Momentum for Health, a nonprofit agency providing mental health and substance-use rehabilitation.

After transferring to SFSU in the fall of 2023, he actively participated in both the on-campus and broader community. On campus, he served as president of Phi Alpha Honor Society, Mu Beta Chapter. As a Willie L. Brown, Jr. Fellow, he worked with the San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing to conduct secondary research on unhoused youth to help inform the department’s strategic goals. In the spring of 2024, Salilew participated in the National Association of Social Workers’ (NASW) Legislative Lobby Days in Sacramento to advocate for bills focused on the social determinants of health, reproductive health of incarcerated persons and the CARE Court Scholarship Program Act. This year, Salilew will lead a legislative team in lobbying for bills addressing priority issues for NASW’s California chapter. His achievements have been recognized by the San Francisco Foundation Black Excellence Scholarship.

For his capstone project, he focused on youth homelessness in San Francisco and why some youth choose to stay on the streets rather than use shelters. After graduation, Salilew hopes to pursue a master’s degree and become a licensed social worker focused on both micro and macro social work practices.

Graduate Speaker

Patra Holmes
M.S. Chemistry (Biochemistry)
College of Science & Engineering

A first-generation college student, Patra Holmes exemplifies the transformative impact SFSU can have on an individual. Holmes’ 14-year university journey — marked by determination and perseverance — earned her multiple degrees: first dual bachelor’s degrees (one in Biochemistry, another in Cell and Molecular Biology with a minor in Computer Applications), now a graduate degree in Chemistry with a concentration in Biochemistry and a Graduate Opportunities in Learning Data Science (GOLD) Certificate.

Holmes discovered her true calling in research. She not only excelled as a scientist, but she became a dedicated mentor and advocate for students who did not initially see themselves as scientists. She created inclusive spaces for students through her work with Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) and the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS). She also recruited and trained numerous students in biophysics research. \

In her graduate research, Holmes engineered novel protein probes to investigate how molecular crowding affects protein solubility in cells, offering insight into the molecular basis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. She also advanced tools for studying cellular biophysics by contributing to the development of a laser-based polarization technique for measuring protein diffusion in living cells. While at SFSU, she earned the Data Science and Machine Learning for Biotechnology certificate, participated in the Promoting Inclusivity in Computing program and has been awarded several scholarships and fellowships.

Holmes is pursuing her Ph.D. at Columbia University, and she continues to use her position to positively impact others. She is conducting outreach to local middle schoolers with the Girls’ Science Day Program, represents her cohort in the Graduate Student Council and plans to join the Student Workers of Columbia Union Committee.

College of Ethnic Studies

Undergraduate
Eureka Sapiera Soriano
B.A., Race and Resistance Studies, Sociology

Eureka Sapiera Soriano is a second-generation Filipino American student who transferred to SFSU from Skyline College, where she earned associate degrees in Social Justice Studies and Sociology. She graduates from SFSU with a B.A. in Race and Resistance Studies and Sociology and a minor in Education.

During her time at SFSU, Soriano has been deeply committed to community engagement and student support. She taught Filipino American Studies to fourth and fifth graders at Longfellow Elementary School through the Pin@y Educational Partnerships, helping build meaningful relationships with students and families in the Excelsior District. On campus, she worked as an Access, Relevance and Community peer mentor and teaching assistant, supporting fellow students through academic guidance, leading class discussions and facilitating workshops rooted in social justice and student empowerment.

Navigating higher education as a woman of color from a working-class immigrant family has been a journey filled with both challenges and growth. Through her experiences, especially within the College of Ethnic Studies, Soriano has found healing, love and a strong sense of community that has shaped her academic and professional path.

She hopes to continue giving back by working with youth and serving communities like her own. After graduation, she plans to gain more classroom experience as a substitute teacher while preparing for the social science CSET exam. Her long-term goal is to earn a teaching credential and pursue graduate studies in education and ethnic studies, with the vision of becoming a public high school ethnic studies teacher in San Francisco.

Soriano’s work is guided by a deep commitment to equity, cultural empowerment and educational justice — principles that have grounded her journey and will continue to shape her future.

Graduate
Luseane Anga ae Fonu Tutoe
M.A., Ethnic Studies

In 2023, Luseane Anga ae Fonu Tutoe earned a B.A. in Sociology with a minor in Critical Pacific Islands and Oceania Studies (CPIOS) at SFSU. She returned to SFSU and is now graduating with an M.A. in Ethnic Studies.

A Tongan Pacific Islander scholar, Tutoe grounds her work in the values of an Indigenous Pacific Islander lens. Before coming to SFSU, she struggled to find institutional spaces that supported her full identity as both a Pacific Islander and an academic. Through her experiences in sociology and CPIOS classrooms, she discovered a deep connection to the field of ethnic studies.

Tutoe’s graduate research centers on the navigational wealth cultivated by Pacific Islander students and faculty in the Bay Area, reframing harmful narratives and uplifting the community’s resilience and knowledge systems. Her work challenges stigma and emphasizes the strength found in Pacific Islander educational journeys.

At SFSU, Tutoe has served the campus in multiple roles, including as a CPIOS research intern, a member of Associated Students’ Marketing and Communications Team and a leader in the Pacific Islander Student Association (PISA). She has helped organize events celebrating Pasifika lives, culture and scholarship. Among her proudest moments are planning the AAPI mural celebrations, interviewing students and faculty for the Pasifika in Focus campaign and “getting into good trouble” on the picket lines.

Tutoe was also honored as the 2024 Graduate Student of the Year by the Division of Student Life at the Alli’s Awards.

Tutoe credits CPIOS and its faculty with leaving a lasting impact on her academic and personal journey. She plans to carry that legacy forward through teaching at the community college level and continuing to uplift Pacific Islander communities in all that she does.

College of Health & Social Sciences

Graduate
Manuel Lopez
M.A., Family and Consumer Sciences

A first-generation college student and child of immigrant farmworkers, Manuel Lopez navigated complex academic systems, financial aid, employment and housing without family guidance. Having experienced food insecurity himself, he understands the importance of community nutrition resources and is dedicated to advocating for and increasing awareness of these programs among his patients. His interest in nutrition began when he realized that his parents, who had chronic diseases like diabetes, did not have access to health care and lacked the financial resources and knowledge to access healthy foods.

As a Clinical Nutrition undergraduate at UC Davis, Lopez worked multiple jobs, including as a tutor supporting others’ education and as a College Corps fellow collaborating with initiatives to reduce food insecurity and increase access to healthy foods. At SFSU, Lopez completed a 10-month dietetic internship providing nutrition services to at-risk populations. During this time, he worked with Meals on Wheels, a nonprofit organization reducing food insecurity and health disparities, and a hospital providing care for adults and children. Lopez also worked as a dietetic technician throughout the internship and graduate school.

Despite a heavy academic workload, internship hours and employment, Lopez always performed above expectations in internship rotations and was entrusted with higher-level responsibilities than typically given to interns. Lopez’s work addressed the nutritional needs of premature and high-risk infants in a neonatal intensive care unit. His professors say he exemplifies the successful SFSU student, shown through his work ethic, determination, resilience, calm demeanor, humbleness, empathy and passion for working with the underserved.

After completing his master’s degree, Lopez began working as clinical dietitian providing medical nutrition therapy for hospitalized patients.

College of Liberal & Creative Arts

Undergraduate
Arabella Abad
B.A., International Relations, Chinese, German

Arabella Abad embodies the spirit of multilingualism and multiculturalism like few others. Fluent in three languages, Abad has demonstrated an exceptional enthusiasm for language learning and cultural immersion.

Born to Filipino parents, she spent part of her youth living in Germany and Korea. These experiences shaped her global outlook at an early age. At SFSU, Abad pursued a triple major in International Relations, German and Chinese. In 2021, she was admitted to the highly selective SFSU Chinese Flagship Program, a federally funded honors track for intensive Chinese learning. In 2022, she received the Critical Language Scholarship from the U.S. State Department, enabling her to study Chinese at Dalian University of Technology in China.

Following this, Abad studied for a semester at Heidelberg University in Germany, studying International Relations and advanced Chinese simultaneously. In 2023, she earned another distinguished honor, the Boren Scholarship, funding her participation in a year-long capstone program at National Chengchi University in Taiwan. Additionally, she received the Benny and May Chin Scholarship in International Relations and was recently inducted into Phi Sigma Iota, America’s oldest foreign-language honors society.

Abad has deeply impressed her professors, no matter which language she spoke with them. Her long-term goal is to attend graduate school and pursue a career either in international education or diplomacy.

Graduate
Lorisa-Ann Renee Salvatin
MFA, Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts

Lorisa-Ann Renee Salvatin is a storyteller. While she has the artistry to entertain and perform, her true passion lies in collaborating with others to uncover and curate honest, heartfelt and compelling narratives. At the heart of her endeavors lies connecting meaningfully with others, and she has dedicated her academic and creative practices to understanding how storytelling has the power to shape communities and culture.

As a graduate student, Salvatin has focused on studying the intersections between sonic narratives, aesthetics and sociocultural perspectives. She has been active on SFSU’s student-run radio station, KSFS, hosting several special programs, directing and making other contributions. In addition, she has taught audio production courses in the Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts Department, guiding students in exploring the connections between media theory, hands-on production and their lived experiences.

As Salvatin moves forward in her career in media arts and education, she hopes to continue inspiring students to think critically, create boldly and reflect deeply on the media they produce and consume.

College of Science & Engineering

Denise Louise Steffen
B.S., Civil Engineering

From the moment she arrived at SFSU, Denise Louise Steffen was determined to do more than just earn a degree. She wanted to find purpose, community and a way to give back. She is a first-generation college student earning her undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering and will be continuing as an SF State Scholar to complete her master’s degree with an emphasis in Structural Engineering.

She is working with Associate Professor Jenna Wong on a project investigating the structural dynamics of buildings with vegetated roof systems. This cutting-edge research blends sustainability with structural engineering and pushed Steffen to independently study steel design, learn programs for structural analysis and collaborate with industry advisors. She is also conducting sensitivity analyses to assess the performance of these structures under various natural hazard scenarios. Her outstanding research earned her a spot as an SFSU representative at the CSU Research Competition in Humboldt.

Steffen’s leadership highlights her passion to foster and impact the sense of community on campus. As a student assistant in the Engineering stockroom, she learned the ins and outs of supporting her department behind the scenes. With encouragement from mentors, Steffen became the professional outreach chair for the American Society of Civil Engineers and treasurer for the Engineering honor society Tau Beta Pi, where she has played an integral role in revitalizing the SFSU Alpha Gamma chapter.

Steffen’s story is shaped by her personal journey. She is in long-term recovery from addiction and actively sponsors other women on their path to rebuilding their lives. Her experiences have instilled empathy, determination and responsibility — qualities that influence her relationship with colleagues and her professional passion. Steffen will continue her education in graduate school and hopes to become a licensed structural engineer who contributes to a future where sustainability and resilience are intertwined.

Graduate College of Education

Undergraduate
Priscilly Jireh Medrano
B.A., Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences

Priscilly Jireh Medrano is a proud first-generation college student from the Bay Area and the oldest daughter in her family. As the child of immigrants, she grew up helping her parents navigate complex institutional systems in the U.S. — an experience that sparked her passion for equity and advocacy. This lifelong commitment to supporting others has shaped her academic journey and career goals.

At SFSU, Medrano found a supportive community through the Educational Opportunity Program and participated in the Prep Médico Program, an initiative focused on addressing health disparities in the Latinx community. It was through this program that she was introduced to the field of audiology, inspiring her to pursue a path focused on bridging gaps in hearing health care and communication access, especially for underserved communities like her own.

Throughout her time at SFSU, Medrano has been active in research and leadership. She served as a research assistant in the Gray Matter Lab, where she provided Spanish-language AbSANT therapy to individuals with aphasia. She also contributes to the SFSU-UCSF Auditory Research Lab, studying how speech recognition in background noise affects individuals with both normal hearing and hearing loss. In addition to her academic and research work, Medrano has served as treasurer of the Student Academy of Audiology, helping to build community and raise awareness of hearing health issues.

Medrano graduates with a B.A. in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences and a minor in Latina/Latino Studies. She will continue her studies in the Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) program at Pacific University in Oregon beginning in the fall. She is committed to using her education to advocate for culturally competent, accessible care for all.

Graduate
Rudolph George Herrera
M.A., Equity and Social Justice Education

Rudolph George Herrera has spent over two decades supporting underrepresented students as a college advisor across the San Francisco Bay Area. He serves as the transitional support coordinator for the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) at SFSU. As both an alumnus of the U.S. Department of Education’s Upward Bound college preparatory program and a proud EOP college graduate, Herrera brings a deeply personal perspective to his work, grounded in his own experiences navigating higher education as a first-generation student.

Throughout his career, Herrera has guided countless students in local public schools and actively contributed to community organizations focused on educational equity and access. His dedication extends to the professional sphere, where he has presented at conferences and participated in initiatives addressing student retention, outreach, equity and inclusion in higher education.

Herrera is graduating with an M.A. in Equity and Social Justice Education from the Department of Equity, Leadership Studies and Instructional Technologies at SFSU.

His research examines the factors that influence admission and retention for first-generation college students, offering critical insights into the support systems that enable student success and degree completion.

Through his graduate studies and leadership within EOP, Herrera continues to champion educational access and advocate for systemic change. His work reflects an unwavering commitment to uplifting first-generation students and advancing equity across the educational landscape.

Lam Family College of Business

Undergraduate
Leah Selk
B.A., Labor and Employment Studies

Leah Selk will graduate Summa Cum Laude with a major in Labor and Employment Studies and a minor in Spanish. Since transferring to SFSU, she has designed an interdisciplinary degree with a focus on social justice, equity and diversity. Through SFSU Abroad, she spent a semester in Buenos Aires in 2024, an experience that deepened her international perspective and commitment to global fairness.

Selk received her A.A. at Peralta Community College, then studied at Sonoma State University before transferring to SFSU. At Sonoma State, Selk conducted interviews to design culturally relevant therapy materials for Latina/o couples.

After being diagnosed with autism, Selk became passionate about disability awareness on campus. She connected with disability resources at SFSU, which helped her succeed academically and personally. Selk believes her autism has enabled her to view political and social issues from different perspectives. She has pushed to make educational spaces at SFSU more welcoming to students with learning and other differences.

Selk is a lifelong learner of social justice and actively participates in community events. She understands the significance of community involvement. She has testified before numerous city councils, arguing for a mental health response team and a ban on police holds that cause positional asphyxia, among other things, to better our communities. She remains committed to learning from others. She has also been an LGBTQ activist who has participated in events uplifting the queer community at SFSU and elsewhere through community building and issue amplification.

Consistent with SFSU’s core values, Selk believes that diversity is humanity’s strongest asset. She is guided by her belief in fairness and equity, and after graduation, she plans to work for organizations that promote both labor and housing rights.

Graduate
Phan Quay Su
M.S., Accountancy

Phan Quay Su was born and raised in a small village in Vietnam, where she faced gender inequity. There were limited professional and academic opportunities available to women, especially within higher education. These limitations hindered her growth both academically and professionally. Instead of letting these challenges defeat her, they motivated her to achieve academic excellence, break down barriers and provide greater support to her local community.

As an international, first-generation college student, Su maintained a high grade point average while balancing multiple leadership roles and extracurricular class activities. While at SFSU, she was the treasurer for Beta Alpha Psi (BAP), an international honor society for accounting, finance and information systems. She actively participated in professional events like weekly BAP technical presentations, Meet the Firms and the BAP Annual Meeting in Las Vegas (2023).

She volunteered significant hours to the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for four years, providing free basic tax services to low-income families, individuals with disabilities, the elderly, F-1 and J-1 international students and individuals with limited English proficiency. During her tenure with VITA, she progressed from serving as a volunteer tax preparer to becoming the site manager and site coordinator.

Su was an accounting tutor with the University’s Tutoring & Academic Support Center (TASC), helping students develop a strong academic foundation through effective study strategies. She was the recipient of multiple awards including the International Student/Associated Students Scholarship, the Paul Wiese Memorial Scholarship, the Marcum Student Scholarship Fund and the Martinelli Family Scholarship.

Throughout her time at SFSU, Su developed communication, leadership and organization skills. After completing her M.S. in Accountancy, she plans to obtain a Certified Public Accountant license and work in the area of tax accounting with a public company or nonprofit organization.

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Commencement

State attorney general to deliver keynote address at May 23 Commencement

Jamie L Oppenheim — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 18:35:51 +0000

State attorney general to deliver keynote address at May 23 Commencement

Author: Strategic Marketing and Communications

April 22, 2025

Three honorary doctoral degrees given to an author, activist and Filipino American historian

California Attorney General Rob Bonta will deliver the keynote address at San Francisco State University’s 124th Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 23, at Oracle Park.

The University will also award honorary doctoral degrees to Pulitzer Prize-nominated author Tommy Orange and activist, physician and minister Ramona Tascoe (B.A., ’70). A posthumous honorary doctoral degree will be given to author and beloved SFSU History Professor Dawn Mabalon.

Doors at Oracle Park open at 3:30 p.m. The graduate procession begins at 5:30 p.m., with Commencement starting at 6:30 p.m. Fireworks will close out the event at about 9:30 p.m.

Live updates and photos from the ceremony will be posted to the University’s X, Instagram and Facebook accounts. Graduates and guests can tag their Commencement posts on social media using the hashtag #SFSU2025.

Commencement information is available via the SFSU mobile app. Once you’ve downloaded the University’s mobile app, visit “SFSU’s 2025 Commencement Ceremony, See More Ceremony Info.” Be sure to opt in to the University’s Commencement reminders by selecting “Manage Commencement Alerts” to receive push notifications. Details are also available on the Commencement website.

State Attorney General Rob Bonta

On April 23, 2021, Rob Bonta was sworn in as the 34th attorney general of California, the first person of Filipino descent and the second Asian American to occupy the position.

Bonta’s passion for justice and fairness was instilled in him by his parents, who served on the front lines of some of America’s most important social justice movements. Instilling in him the lessons they learned from the United Farm Workers and the civil rights movement, Bonta’s parents lit a fire inside him to fight against injustice — to stand up for those who are taken advantage of or harmed. It’s why he decided to become a lawyer — to help right historic wrongs and fight for people who have been harmed. He worked his way through college, graduated with honors from Yale University and attended Yale Law School.

In the State Assembly, Bonta enacted nation-leading reforms to inject more justice and fairness into government and institutions. As attorney general, he sees seeking accountability from those who abuse their power and harm others as one of the most important functions of the job. In elected office, he has taken on powerful interests and advanced systemic change — pursuing corporate accountability, standing up for workers, punishing big polluters and fighting racial injustice.

He has been a national leader in the fight to transform the criminal justice system, banning private prisons and detention facilities in California, as well as pushing to eliminate cash bail in the state. He has led statewide fights for racial, economic and environmental justice and worked to further the rights of immigrant families, renters and other working Californians.

Prior to serving in the Assembly, Attorney General Bonta worked as a deputy city attorney for the City and County of San Francisco, where he represented the city and county and its employees and fought to protect Californians from exploitation and racial profiling.

Born in Quezon City, Philippines, Bonta immigrated to California with his family as an infant. He is the son of a proud native Filipina mother and a father who taught him the value of public service to his community. He is married to Mia Bonta, and they are the proud parents of three children: Reina, Iliana and Andres.

Dawn Bohulano Mabalon

Dawn Bohulano Mabalon was the premier historian of Filipino American studies and is believed to be the first Filipina American to earn a Ph.D. in American History from Stanford University. Prior to that she received her B.A. in History with a specialization in Asian American Studies in 1994 and her M.A. in Asian American Studies in 1997 from the University of California, Los Angeles.

In her 2013 award-winning book “Little Manila Is in the Heart: The Making of the Filipina/o American Community in Stockton, California,” she examined the rich and vibrant community in which she grew up and where her family continues to live. She also left behind the children’s book “Journey for Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong,” co-written with Gayle Romasanta and illustrated by Andre Sibayan. The book, published posthumously, chronicles the life of Filipino farm labor activist Larry Itliong.

Along with academic contributions, she was the co-founder and board member of the Little Manila Foundation, where she worked for the preservation and revitalization of the Little Manila Historic Site in Stockton. Through her visionary work and leadership, the foundation saved historic buildings from demolition in 2003, and she inspires a generation of youth in her hometown who will continue her legacy.

In 2004, Mabalon joined the SFSU History Department faculty. Students loved her classes, where they not only learned to love history but they came to love learning. Through her dynamic lectures and interactive discussions, her witty humor and commentary and the food she cooked and baked for her students, she touched hearts, minds and stomachs.

In Mabalon’s last statement, she wrote, “I am an historian dedicated to building bridges between the communities about whom I write (Filipino Americans, Asian Americans, immigrants, workers) and the academy. I have devoted my life’s work to sharing the stories of people and communities at the margins of the American story. … With the humanities and history disciplines under attack, there is no better time to strengthen the work we do as professional historians.”

Mabalon is remembered for the love for Filipina/o America that guided her work and her life. She was a respected historian, author, filmmaker, poet, chef, baker, community leader and activist who leaves behind a far-reaching legacy, grounded in love.

Tommy Orange

Tommy Orange is the New York Times-bestselling author of the 2018 novel “There There” (Alfred A. Knopf), a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. His debut novel chronicled the fictional lives of urban Native Americans living in Oakland. In doing so, his book challenged the monolithic image of Native people. “There There” is a constellation of narratives of 12 characters whose lives all converge at an Oakland powwow and explores themes of identity, authenticity and Native history.

His latest novel, “Wandering Stars,” longlisted for the Booker Prize, was published by Alfred A. Knopf in February 2024. This novel, a continuation of his first, follows three generations of a family all the way back to the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864 and later to the Carlisle Indian Industrial School. His book examines the impact of colonization and forced assimilation through his characters.

His novels have been recognized by several organizations. “There There” won the PEN/Hemingway Award, the National Book Critics Circle John Leonard Prize and the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize and was shortlisted for the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction.

In 2019, he was honored by SFSU’s Department of Creative Writing with the Gina Berriault Award. The award, named after the late author and beloved faculty member, is given to writers who embody Berriault’s love of storytelling and commitment to supporting emerging writers.

In 2004, Orange received his undergraduate degree in sound engineering from Ex’pression College of Digital Arts in Emeryville. He received his Master of Fine Arts degree at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe in 2016. He’s currently a faculty member there.

Orange lives in Oakland with his wife and two sons.

Ramona Tascoe (B.A., ’70)

Ramona Tascoe came to SFSU to pursue a special triple major in Political Science, Sociology and Psychology. But as a result of her fearless commitment to her ideals, she also became an essential part of the University’s enduring legacy.

In 1967, Tascoe took part in campus protests after George Murray, a graduate student and part-time English instructor, was suspended because of his activism and outspoken support for equity and accuracy in higher education. Among the protestors’ demands: that the University rehire Murray and create a Black Studies Department.

The protests grew into the historic student strike of 1968 that would eventually lead to the creation of the College of Ethnic Studies. But before that victory, there were many intense confrontations — and in the midst of one of them, Tascoe became the first of the student protesters to be arrested.

That was a courageous development for a young woman whose protective father often told her, “Don’t talk race … assimilate.” Born in Louisiana, where “Jim Crow” was not a stranger, Tascoe moved with her family to the more hopeful horizons of San Francisco in 1953. Despite her father’s advice, Tascoe joined the rapidly emerging Black Student Union, found her voice and grabbed the baton of civil rights and social justice. In the years since, she’s continued to forge her own independent path.

Tascoe earned her medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco in 1979. And she wasn’t done with higher education there: She later earned both a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of San Francisco and a Master of Divinity degree from Berkeley’s Graduate Theological Union, after which she was dually ordained under the American Baptist and Progressive National Baptist ministries.

Though she’s practiced as an internal medicine specialist in Oakland for decades, Tascoe has also put her unique mix of skills to work on behalf of communities around the world. She’s led medical missions to Kenya, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, India and Sri Lanka. And she’s worked extensively with Haiti’s Ministry of Health and the University General Hospital of Haiti, that nation’s largest public hospital.

In 2018, she was SFSU’s Commencement speaker and urged students to put their passions into action. “I call on each of you to actively care about a cause, commit to a cure, devote your time, your talent and your treasure in good conscience and with courage,” she said. “Because our nation cannot survive on passive citizenship.”

Over the course of nearly 50 years in practice, Tascoe has profoundly impacted the lives of countless individuals and communities by gently illuminating that healing is not merely a science or an art — it is both. She reminds us that within every human experience, there exists a sacred balance between biology and belief, physics and faith, seen and unseen.

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SFSU Commencement to be held May 23 at Oracle Park

Jamie L Oppenheim — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 23:07:48 +0000

SFSU Commencement to be held May 23 at Oracle Park

Author: Strategic Marketing and Communications

December 10, 2024

Gator grads return to the ballpark for the ninth year

Class of 2025, save the date for San Francisco State University’s 124th Commencement, which will be Friday, May 23, 2025, at Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. This is the ninth year the downtown ballpark will host the more than 30,000 graduates, family members and friends anticipated for the celebration.

“I look forward to Commencement each year,” said San Francisco State President Lynn Mahoney. “I love celebrating the success of our students as they embark on their next journey. I stand proudly on the sidelines knowing we’ve prepared them to take on the problems of tomorrow.”

More information about the May 23 ceremony will be shared throughout the year as it becomes available. Keep checking the SFSU Commencement website for updates! Follow SFSU on social media and tag your Commencement posts #SFSU2025.

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Commencement

Commencement honorees encourage graduates to champion ‘a world of fairness and compassion’

Steve Hockensmith — Mon, 20 May 2024 22:37:47 +0000

Commencement honorees encourage graduates to champion ‘a world of fairness and compassion’

Author: Strategic Marketing and Communications

May 24, 2024

Photo Credit: Kevin Perez

Civil rights attorney Walter Riley, actor and activist Benjamin Bratt and DePauw University President Lori S. White all emphasized service and leadership at the May 24 ceremony

San Francisco State University celebrated the Class of 2024 at its 123rd Commencement ceremony Friday, May 24, at Oracle Park. More than 4,000 graduates attended the event along with thousands of family and friends.

In addition to celebrating new graduates, San Francisco State and the California State University (CSU) conferred honorary degrees on three individuals who’ve distinguished themselves with their service to others: actor and activist Benjamin Bratt, attorney and civil rights activist Walter Riley and the late psychologist, activist and educator Joseph L. White (A.B., ’54; M.S., ’58). White’s degree was accepted by his daughter Lori S. White, president of Indiana’s DePauw University. All three acceptance speeches emphasized the importance of activism and encouraged the Class of 2024 to make a difference in the world.

“I accept this recognition of my life’s work in civil rights, against racism, against police brutality, against exploitation of our environment and people for the benefit of the economic and political elite,” said Riley, who received the honorary degree Doctor of Laws. “I acknowledge all those whose work make this campus a place for truth and justice. Through our collective efforts we can move closer to a world where ideals become realities.”

Riley attended SF State in the 1960s and participated in the 1968 student strike that led to the creation of the University’s College of Ethnic Studies. Later he was active in the labor and anti-war movements, and after earning a law degree from Golden Gate University he took his fight for social justice into the courts.

“Every generation needs a purpose,” he told this year’s graduates. “May that purpose be just, creating a world of fairness and compassion.”

In his acceptance speech, Bratt recalled the struggles of growing up poor in San Francisco, one of five children being raised by a single mother who’d emigrated from Peru.

“School proved to be the refuge that I needed,” said Bratt, an award-winning actor and producer best known for roles in “Law & Order,” “Modern Family” and “Traffic.” “I loved school, and it was there that I discovered I was an eager and enthusiastic learner and seeker. More to the point, it was there that I discovered my own creativity and the power of the arts.”

Bratt, who received the honorary degree Doctor of Fine Arts, challenged his audience to use their educations to make a difference.

“If you are receiving your degree it’s because you’ve discovered your own voice and have enjoyed the privilege of someone else’s belief in you, perhaps your teachers, your own family, your community,” said Bratt, a longtime supporter of the American Indian College Fund, Amazon Watch, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Mission Cultural Center and other nonprofits. “The question is: What will you do with that privilege and the power of a prestigious university education? I’ll let you in on a little secret: We’re counting on you to do something spectacular even as you figure it out, because you are the inspiration of our hope.”

White talked about her father’s pioneering work as an educator and psychologist. A two-time graduate of SF State, earning both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from the University, he became known as “the godfather of Black psychology.”

Doctor of Fine Arts recipient Benjamin Bratt.

He returned to SF State in 1968 as a professor of Psychology and later dean of Undergraduate Studies, helping to launch what is now known as the Department of Africana Studies.

“Graduates, I hope you are inspired by my dad’s story and his lifetime and legacy of service to others, of which many of you are direct recipients,” said White of her father, who was granted the honorary degree Doctor of Letters. White added that she hoped graduates would see her father in themselves and, like him, accept that “those who have been so richly blessed have a responsibility to give back to others in meaningful ways.”

Other Commencement speakers included SF State President Lynn Mahoney, Associated Students President Ersa, graduate speaker Genesis Sorrick and undergraduate speaker Eddison Jintalan Contreras. The ceremony will be made available to view in its entirety on SF State’s YouTube channel.

Learn more about the University’s 2024 Commencement.

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A dozen outstanding graduates to be honored at 2024 Commencement

Steve Hockensmith — Mon, 06 May 2024 17:45:05 +0000

A dozen outstanding graduates to be honored at 2024 Commencement

Author: Strategic Marketing and Communications

May 7, 2024

Photo Credit: 2023 Hood Cristina Cabiles and former College of Health & Social Sciences Dean Alvin Alvarez at SF State's 2023 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.

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

Graduate Speaker

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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Save the date: Get ready to celebrate the Class of 2024 at Oracle Park May 24

Jamie L Oppenheim — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 21:12:28 +0000

Save the date: Get ready to celebrate the Class of 2024 at Oracle Park May 24

Author: Strategic Marketing and Communications

November 1, 2023

Gator grads return to the ballpark for the eighth year

San Francisco State University’s 123rd Commencement ceremony will be Friday, May 24, 2024, at Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. This is the eighth year the downtown ballpark will host the more than 30,000 graduates, family members and friends anticipated for the celebration.

“I look forward to San Francisco State’s Commencement each year,” said SF State President Lynn Mahoney. “It’s the culmination of everything students have learned as undergraduate and graduate students — both inside and outside of the classroom. It’s a moment we acknowledge them, knowing they are prepared to tackle the challenges of today with thoughtfulness, resilience and creativity. Celebrating their successes with their loved ones is a joy. ”

More information about the May 24 ceremony will be shared throughout the year as it becomes available. Keep checking commencement.sfsu.edu for updates! Follow us on social media and remember to tag your Commencement posts #SFSU2024.

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Commencement

University to honor 12 outstanding graduates at May 26 Commencement

Jamie L Oppenheim — Fri, 05 May 2023 23:39:39 +0000

University to honor 12 outstanding graduates at May 26 Commencement

Author: Strategic Marketing and Communications

May 10, 2023

Photo Credit: Strategic Marketing and Communications

The students, chosen to represent SF State’s academic colleges, will be recognized at a May 26 graduation ceremony

A dozen outstanding graduates will be honored during San Francisco State University’s 122nd Commencement ceremony, to be held at Oracle Park Friday, May 26. They will represent their more than 7,900 graduating peers in the Class of 2023.

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. More details about the ceremony are available on the Commencement website. Additionally, two of the hood recipients, one undergraduate and one graduate student, will deliver a Commencement address.

Graduate Speaker

Hasti Jafari
MFA, Creative Writing
College of Liberal & Creative Arts

Since coming to SF State from Iran, playwright and theatre artist Hasti Jafari has been extraordinarily active in the Creative Writing Department — whether they are creating a series of zines on the Jina revolution in Iran (also known as the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement), writing comedic plays and creative nonfiction, volunteering or teaching.

Jafari has taken a leadership role in multiple communities to create cross-cultural works and build dialogue. Activities include publishing an op-ed and participating in a campus teach-in on the women’s movement in Iran, presenting a panel on social justice and pedagogy at the Association of Writers and Writing Programs conference, and volunteering in graduate student groups to develop inclusive teaching methods and writing practices. Jafari was also playwright-in-residence at the Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts.

Professor Michelle Carter, Jafari’s thesis committee director, describes their genre-crossing ingenuity: “Students have often marveled, ‘I’ve never seen anything like this.’ Hasti’s bold, original work defies description. Hasti has dazzled us with their inventiveness and offered brilliant, generous commentary to their peers. In diving ever deeper, Hasti creates new forms restlessly, inspiring us with their passionate questioning.”

Undergraduate Speaker

Nicole Bañuelos
B.A., Biology
College of Science & Engineering

Nicole Bañuelos overcame many challenges to complete her Biology degree with highest honors. While an undergraduate at SF State, she worked as a frontline health care worker during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and raised two children as a single mother.

Driven to make a difference in underprivileged communities, Bañuelos joined Associate Professor of Biology Blake Riggs’ research lab to study the toxicological effects of parabens, small molecules commonly found in food and personal care products. Her studies modeling human breast, ovarian and fallopian tube cancers revealed some of the potential dangers of everyday exposure to parabens and how they can impact DNA, fertility, lifespan and more.

Her international presentations, delivered in both English and Spanish, have won awards. In 2022, she earned first place at the SF State Research Conference in the Biological and Agricultural Sciences category, and she won a presentation award at the Annual Research Conference for Minoritized Students. Her list of accolades includes being a Genentech Foundation Scholar for three years and a recipient of the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley Latinos in Technology Scholarship.

Bañuelos is also dedicated to mentorship, particularly of young women interested in STEM fields. Beyond academia, she serves her community as a homeless outreach specialist, domestic violence advocate and peer counselor. She has received a United States Senate Certificate of Commendation, California State Legislature Certificate of Recognition and more for her service work.

Undergraduate Hood Recipients

Michelle Fu
B.A., Accounting
Lam Family College of Business

A first-generation college student, Michelle Fu maintained a 3.94 GPA throughout all four years of college. With her classes, she already met the 150 credit hours required for a CPA license.

Fu is dedicated to serving her community. She volunteered more than 200 hours in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, providing valuable assistance to individuals and families in need of help preparing their tax returns. In 2021, she became a site supervisor for VITA, coordinating the efforts of other volunteers and overseeing the successful operation of the VITA site.

During her time at SF State, she participated in student organizations and held various positions in the accounting honors society, Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) — Beta Chi Chapter. As the group’s director of professional development, she planned and executed the second Virtual Meet the Firms event during spring 2021, which provided opportunities for students to virtually connect with potential employers.

Before graduation, Fu received an offer as an assurance associate for Ernst and Young, where she plans to continue learning and growing as a professional. Her long-term goal is to become an entrepreneur, using the knowledge and skills she gained from her education and professional experience to create a successful business.

Alexiz Ortiz
B.S., Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences
Graduate College of Education

Alexiz Ortiz became interested in the world of audiology during his junior year of undergraduate studies. He found the science behind our hearing mechanism and balance fascinating. But it was also apparent that there was not a lot of diversity in the audiology workforce, sparking concerns in Ortiz about how the field is reaching out to underserved populations. He hopes to create universal resources for patients with diverse socioeconomic, racial and cultural backgrounds.

One of Ortiz’s many contributions while at SF State was joining the Gray Matter Lab — which focuses on serving people who have language disorders like aphasia and come from historically marginalized communities — as a research assistant. He is also a part of the inaugural student group for research in the Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences (SLHS) Audiology Lab. He has served as president of the Student Academy of Audiology over the last year, organizing presentations for all SLHS students and providing mentoring for all students in the program’s audiology courses.

Ortiz will continue his studies in the doctoral program of Audiology (AuD) at San José State University starting fall 2023.

Cassandra Marie Osorio
B.S., Kinesiology
College of Health & Social Sciences

Cassandra “Cassy” Marie Osorio began her academic journey in 2009 at the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay. Unable to focus on school, she left in 2011 and joined the U.S. Navy, where she spent the next eight years of her life. During that time, she was able to try out different roles, including command career counselor, where she advised enlisted personnel on retention and promotion and helped them identify next steps and areas to work on. She was also an assistant command fitness leader, training and educating sailors to meet the Navy’s minimum fitness standards.

She left the Navy in 2019 and decided to return to college to earn an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology. By then she was married with a young daughter. She transferred to SF State from City College of San Francisco in 2021 and maintained exceptional grades while also being a full-time caregiver to her now two children.

Osorio was an undergraduate teaching assistant for two courses and served as president of the Kinesiology Student Association. She is currently exploring careers in occupational therapy and fitness and wellness.

Emily Gómez Urbina
B.A., History/French
College of Liberal & Creative Arts

Emily Gómez Urbina, a perennial Dean’s List honoree, is the first in her family to graduate from a four-year university and is proud of her Mexican heritage. She is passionate about bringing awareness to the deep-rooted Latinx involvement in the culture and politics of South San Francisco, the Peninsula city located 6 miles from SF State.

Urbina’s internship with the Historical Society of South San Francisco was a defining experience in her SF State tenure, giving her the opportunity to research the history of the Latinx community of her second hometown. She dug through the society’s collections, pored over old newspapers and conducted oral history interviews. As an aficionado of local history, she not only loved giving a voice to underrepresented people, but also discovering artifacts, especially vintage baseball uniforms.

Urbina is also an extraordinarily talented student of French. Her diligence and creativity have been an inspiration to all. Her coursework reveals original insights and sophisticated critical thinking.

Her professors describe her as extremely conscientious, smart, thorough and kind. Her capstone project explored the Compromise of 1850 and the question of slavery in California’s bid for statehood. After graduation, she wants to continue museum work, committing to present a non-Eurocentric view of history.

Gladys Maritza Aguilar Vital
B.A., Latina/Latino Studies and Race and Resistance Studies
College of Ethnic Studies

Gladys Maritza Aguilar Vital (they/them) is a first-generation student, activist and community member with a strong commitment to their communities.

Being raised by a farm worker father and a hard-working mother, education became an important tool. They are the first one in their family to graduate from high school and continue onto higher education. Vital draws from their experience as a working-class Xicana English-learner who had to care for their two younger siblings since they were 9 years old and graduated from a continuation high school. This experience has fundamentally informed their work. From building a Smithsonian-supported archive of Bracero labor in Napa Valley and uplifting the voices of farmers within their community to continuing to expand their work rooted in liberation as a student mentor in the College of Ethnic Studies, Vital is committed to creating spaces of healing, resistance, solidarity and transformation.

They are graduating with a B.A. in Latina/Latino Studies and Race and Resistance Studies and a minor in Africana Studies and Political Science with a pre-law certificate and plan to take their skills and passions for community, health care, housing and immigration to the legal field.

Graduate Hood Recipients

William Thomas Brogan
MBA
Lam Family College of Business

With an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology, William Thomas Brogan moved home to the Bay Area and decided to pursue an MBA because he wanted to bridge his knowledge gap between science and business. He decided to pursue an MBA with an emphasis in sustainability.

At SF State, Brogan achieved excellence inside and outside of the classroom, spending much of his time serving the Center for Ethical and Sustainable Business, Net Impact (SF State Chapter) and the SF State Office of Sustainability.

In addition to his MBA, Brogan completed a Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Business. The program included a course specifically designed to develop innovative business strategies to address society’s unmet emerging needs. For his final course project, he explored the social, economic and environmental advantages of a decentralized, locally owned electricity grid. He developed a business plan that would provide low-cost power to remote regions using solar and other renewable sources. The primary goal of his project was to equip local stakeholders with the necessary infrastructure and training for a clean energy transition — ultimately improving community health and economic development while fortifying national energy security.

He currently works in Hayes Valley as a retail lead for the sustainable outdoor brand Cotopaxi. He also volunteers for the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) as a referee and coach alongside his dad.

Cristina Cabiles
M.S., Clinical Mental Health Counseling
College of Health & Social Sciences

Cristina Cabiles brings her lived experience to her training and her work. As a woman of color, she understands the needs of BIPOC communities and approaches them with cultural humility, compassion and exceptional advocacy.

While at SF State she pursued a number of internships, which resulted in structural changes within the organizations. In her first-year internship she served as a behavioral health intern at the Daly City Youth Health Center, providing counseling and resources to students in a school setting. In her second year, she was a wellness counseling intern in the Jefferson Union High School District and provided clinical and employment counseling to students. She is a disability rights advocate and brings a social justice lens to all aspects of her work.

She researched the lived experiences of people with disabilities during the pandemic and presented her findings at an international conference, as well as co-authored a manuscript, soon to be submitted for publication. Her culminating experience paper continued this focus as she explored the following topic: “Application of Family Systems Theory to Transition-Age Youth with Disabilities.”

She’s actively working to diversify the field of counseling by participating in the California Association for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Fellowship Mentorship Program, where she mentors other BIPOC students pursuing mental health counseling careers and counseling licensure.

A “boomerang Gator,” Cabiles earned her undergraduate degree in Health Education from SF State in 2014.

Raymond Leroy LeBeau
M.S., Geographic Information Science
College of Science & Engineering

Raymond Leroy LeBeau is a member of the Pit River Tribe in northeastern California with Cahuilla and Lakota family relations. He says his scientific interests really began when he was exposed to geographic information science as an undergraduate. As a Geographic Information Science master’s student at SF State, he had a personal interest in researching meadow systems.

He joined the University’s Geography department just as it was starting its Red Clover Valley project assessing innovative ways to restore and protect montane meadows in the Sierra Nevada. Beyond its scientific implications, the project could inform how to protect local communities from the impacts of climate change, such as earlier snowmelts. For his thesis, LeBeau led the effort to map a huge field site using high-resolution drone imaging and analyzed changes in cut meadow stream channels after meadow restoration activities.

As a graduate student, LeBeau has been supported by several scholarships including the Cobell Scholarship and American Indian College Fund (AICF) Scholarships. He has been working in a student position with the U.S. Geological Survey and hopes to pursue a doctoral degree in the future.

Edee Moore
M.A., Ethnic Studies
College of Ethnic Studies

Mutual support and care are at the core of Edee Moore’s graduate-school experience in SF State’s College of Ethnic Studies. As a community-engaged scholar, she has played an integral role in creating a feeling of “home” for her peers as well as faculty and staff.

Moore’s thesis, “Third World Liberation Front or The College of Ethnic Studies: The Experience of Students of Color in the Face of a Global Pandemic,” employs archival research to examine how SF State responded to student needs at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and how students responded by forming their own communities of support, mutual care and self-care. The thesis asks questions rooted in the relationships of care that she has committed to building with other master of arts students — these extend beyond her immediate cohort.

Even while working full time, Moore has convened meeting groups of Ethnic Studies graduate students in order to support and mentor one another, study together and write together.

Moore plans to pursue a Ph.D. after completing her master’s degree. Her dissertation will extend her M.A. research findings to examine how the spirit of the Third World Liberation Front of 1968 and 1969 lives on through the relationships of care and mutual support that people develop with one another in the College of Ethnic Studies

Gail Ann Rulloda
Doctorate in Educational Leadership
Graduate College of Education

Gail Ann Rulloda is a loving wife, the mother of two beautiful kids and a lifelong learner of the world. She has found joy in working, co-learning and co-creating with students in early intervention, K - 12 and higher education settings. She enacts social justice and equity in the institutions where she works, in her community and in her home. She is grounded in radical love and disability justice and seeks to resist perpetuating trauma and hurt through healing, learning and finding joy.

A notable feature of Rulloda’s work as a doctoral student, including her dissertation study, is that it was done as part of a unique partnership with San Lu, her life partner, fellow doctoral student and fellow community-engaged scholar. Rulloda’s achievements are linked to San Lu’s and provide evidence for the power of working together to practice authentic caring. Their relationship is a model for how we must work collectively to create long-lasting change in education.

Rulloda is a practitioner in the California community college system, with a life dedicated to supporting students who have been marginalized, specifically students who have been justice system-impacted and those with disabilities. Her dissertation focused on disrupting the dehumanization that justice system-impacted students experience in California community colleges. She has also contributed to the Ed.D. program by working as a graduate assistant supporting three classes. While a doctoral student, she worked on a major program evaluation focused on ethnic studies and helped develop a course for the College of Ethnic Studies that will be part of new requirements for undergraduates and will contribute to the new ethnic studies curriculum for California public schools. She and San Lu presented their developing research findings at the prestigious American Educational Research Association annual conference in 2022 and continue to present their findings at other important professional conferences across the country.

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