CSU Honors 23 Outstanding Student Scholars

​​​​​The California State University will honor 23 students (one from each CSU campus) who have been selected to receive the 2020 Trustees' Award for Outstanding Achievement. The students will be recognized during a ceremony as part of the CSU Board of Trustees virtual meeting on September 22, which will feature a compilation of self-made videos from each scholar.

As the CSU's highest recognition of student achievement, the awards provide donor-funded scholarships to students who demonstrate superior academic performance, personal accomplishments, community service and financial need. Students receiving the awards have demonstrated inspirational resolve along the path to college success and many are the first in their families to attend college.

“These diverse and distinguished students wonderfully exemplify the CSU's core values of academic achievement and service to the community,“ said CSU Chancellor Timothy P. White. “All of these scholars have overcome unique challenges on their educational journeys, and their stories have left an indelible positive impact on their families, communities and the state of California."

More than 380 students have been honored with the Trustees' Award since the scholarship program was established in 1984 by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation. In 1999, the William Randolph Hearst Foundation partnered with the CSU Board of Trustees to supplement the endowment with contributions from CSU Trustees, CSU Foundation Board of Governors, and private donors. Each student scholarship bears the name of a donor.

Additionally, Ali C. Razi, a CSU Trustee Emeritus and member of the CSU Foundation Board of Governors, endows a scholarship fund to recognize the top CSU Trustees' Award recipient annually. Chico State Student Breanna Holbert was named this year's Trustee Emeritus Ali C. Razi Scholar and will receive a $15,000 scholarship. 

Visit the CSU Trustees' Award for Outstanding Achievement website for bios on all 23 scholars as well as donor information.

The 2020 CSU Trustees' Scholars are:

• Jobelle Abellera, San José State
  Trustee Emeritus William Hauck and Padget Kaiser Scholar

• Thayara Almeida, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
  Trustee Jack McGrory Scholar

• ​Jose Alvarez, Fresno State
  Trustee Emeritus Peter Mehas Scholar

• ​Therese Azevedo, Sonoma State
  Stauffer Foundation Scholar

• ​Allison Cheatwood, CSU Bakersfield
  Ron and Mitzi Barhorst Scholar

• ​Robin Fredeking, Stanislaus State
  Santé Health System Scholar

• ​Skye Harris, CSU Dominguez Hills
  Edison International Scholar

• Breanna Holbert, Chico State
  Trustee Emeritus Ali C. Razi Scholar

• ​Mahdi (Aiden) Jahami, Sacramento State
  Wells Fargo Scholar

• Julia Jones, Humboldt State
  William Randolph Hearst Scholar

• Anthony Lawson, CSUN
  Chancellor Emeritus Charles B. and Catherine Reed Scholar

• Yuri Madenokoji, San Francisco State
  SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union Scholar

• Jayden Maree, Cal State Long Beach
  Relyea Family Scholar

• Celeste Morales, Cal State East Bay
  Chancellor Timothy P. White Scholar

• Kayla Nguyen, CSU San Marcos
  Trustee Emerita Claudia H. Hampton Scholar

• Christopher Ornelas, Cal Poly Pomona
  TELACU Scholar

• Nora Ortega, Cal State San Bernardino
  Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation Scholar

• Deva Reign, San Diego State
  Trustee Emeritus Murray L. Galinson Scholar

• Patricio Ruano, CSU Channel Islands
  Trustee Emeritus Kenneth Fong Scholar

• Natalie So, Cal Maritime
  William Randolph Hearst Scholar

• ​Lessly Tapia Torres, Cal State LA
  Michael A. and Debe Lucki Scholar

• An Thien Le, Cal State Fullerton
  Trustee Wenda Fong and Daniel Fetterly Scholar​

• María Zapata, CSU Monterey Bay
  ​William Randolph Hearst Scholar​