By Daniel Wilson

May 13, 2024

The deans of Sacramento State’s seven academic colleges have selected this year’s recipients of the Deans’ Awards, given annually at Commencement to honor students who stand out academically, professionally and personally.

Recipients of the Deans’ Awards, among the University’s highest honors, are considered the top graduates in their respective college. Awardees are selected by professors and administrators, who assess the students’ academic and community contributions.

President Luke Wood has also selected one of the honorees to receive the President’s Medal, which recognizes the University’s top graduate. This year’s recipient is Sofía del Pilar Roca Castro, the Dean’s Award winner from the College of Arts and Letters.

The seven recipients will be recognized during their respective Commencement ceremonies, May 17-19, at Golden 1 Center in downtown Sacramento.

These students exemplify what it means to be a Hornet, making an impact in the classroom, on campus, in the community and in their personal lives.

Ahead of this year’s Commencement, read each of the honorees’ stories:

• Arts and Letters/President’s Medal: Sofía del Pilar Roca Castro aims to use her degree to support music programs back home in Peru
• Business: Accounting major Sukhleen Kaur bucked tradition to leave India to pursue her degree
• Education: Through thick and thin, Deaf Studies graduate Taylor Longmire is dedicated to her cause
• Engineering and Computer Science: Civil Engineering and Mathematics graduate Anna Babchanik found a formula for success through community
• Health and Human Services: After a long and challenging journey, Manar Tayeh graduates as one of Sacramento State’s top students
• Natural Sciences and Mathematics: Persistence, determination paid off for Eileen Garcia-Fuentes
• Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies: Destiny Nash uses education and research to overcome anxiety

For more details about Commencement, visit csus.edu/commencement