Celebrating this year’s achievements in Student Affairs (part 3)

photo by Cary Edmondson

Celebrating the Class of 2024

6,116 students graduated from Fresno State this spring – about 43% of those graduates earning their degrees in just four years, and over 2,200 of them having missed out on their high school graduation ceremonies because of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. 

@drsaulsalinas

#raza #latinos #mexicantiktok #mexicanamerican #mexicanamerican #fresnostate @Fresno State Bulldogs

♬ original sound – Dr. Saul Salinas

“The 2024 college graduating class embodies the spirit of perseverance and triumph,” said Dr. Kent Willis, vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Fresno State. “We are so proud of all of our graduates. They have emerged stronger, wiser and more determined than ever before. Their journey is a testament to the power of resilience, reminding us all that even in the face of unprecedented challenges, the human spirit prevails.”

The university’s Commencement celebrations also garnered national attention, as a clip of the Chicano/Latino Commencement ceremony went viral, gathering millions of views. 

Recognition of our professional and student staff

The accomplishments of the division would not be possible without our dedicated and talented staff members, both professional staff members and student assistants. Throughout 2024, our staff accomplished a number of professional milestones, including:

  • Estevan Parra Guerrero – received the Director of the Year Award from the Central California Chapter of Western Association of Education Opportunity Personnel (WESTOP).
  • Melissa Norris – accepted into the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ Emerging Leaders Program. 
  • Tony Losongco – appointed president of the California Chapter of the College Reading and Learning Association. 
  • Jose Martinez-Galvez – received the Outstanding New SI Leader Award at the International Conference on Supplemental Instruction. 
  • Patricia Yang – whose work as an Academic Success Coach was recognized in Fresno State News as one the university’s ‘Top 24 Stories of 2024.’

Five staff members within the division also earned degrees this year. Amy Allen, who earned her doctorate this spring, said, “The Educational Leadership program has complimented my professional work in student affairs, especially in areas of student engagement, social justice and leadership. I look forward to continuing this research to create more access for our students. I appreciate the support of colleagues throughout the campus and in Student Involvement. Go ‘Dogs!”

Ringing in 2025

The division will kick off the new year with two major projects, in the Learning Center and the Student Recreation Center. 

The Learning Center will complete an expansion project which will allow an additional 1,200 to utilize the space on an annual basis. 

The Student Recreation Center will complete its refresh that is underway, bringing in new equipment and updating branding and flooring. 

Both projects are scheduled to be completed before the start of the Spring semester. 

The division’s Renaissance Scholars program also has plans for the start of the year – continuing its Dress for Success partnership with Macy’s. Students in the program will receive giftcards to use in the store and will have the opportunity to work with a personal stylist to find the best professional attire to fit their personal aesthetics. 

For more information about all programs and services within Student Affairs at Fresno State, visit: studentaffairs.fresnostate.edu.

by MARISA MATA

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Do you have news you would like to share with the community? Let us know! Contact our Communications Coordinator Marisa Mata at 559.278.6560 or marisamata@csufresno.edu to get started!

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