Meet Our 2024 Outstanding Graduates
The San Diego State University College of Education is proud to introduce the students who earned the title of Outstanding Graduate from the Class of 2024, as selected by their department, school or program. Follow @sdsucoe on Instagram to watch video spotlights on our top grads, Commencement highlights and more.
Cindy Acosta
Outstanding Graduate for: School of Teacher Education
Program: M.A. in Reading and Literacy Education
Most Influential Faculty Members: Katherine Sciurba, Associate Professor, and Mónica Baldonado-Ruiz, Assistant Professor, School of Teacher Education.
"Reading opens up a lot of things — you can read about science, you can read about history. By focusing on that development we are opening (students') minds to other areas. I want to use books that are relevant to them but also promote consciousness and critical thinking, no matter the age."
Danny Avitia
Outstanding Graduate for: Department of Administration, Rehabilitation and Postsecondary Education (undergraduate)
Program: Leadership Studies major
Most Influential Faculty Member: Lisa Gates, Director, Leadership Studies program and Lecturer, Administration, Rehabilitation, and Postsecondary Education
“I'm really passionate about positive change in the community. There's so much negative in the world that I think that we need some change makers. We need some people that are willing to challenge the process and really inspire others to become leaders themselves.”
Renz Mark Cabrera
Outstanding Graduate for: Liberal Studies
Program: B.A. in Liberal Studies
Most Influential Faculty Member: Michael E. Love, Lecturer, School of Teacher Education
“I recently got accepted into the PELSA program here at SDSU. So after the two years of the program I want to help support students, uplift them and support them in their academic journeys."
Kimberly Magat
Outstanding Graduate for: Department of Administration, Rehabilitation and Postsecondary Education (graduate)
Program: M.S. in rehabilitation counseling
Most Influential Faculty Members: Toni Saia, Assistant Professor, and Charles Degeneffe, Chair and Professor, Administration, Rehabilitation and Postsecondary Education
"I'm hoping to make a difference after graduation by becoming a change agent for the disability community. As a future DSPS counselor, I hope to break down a lot of those barriers that our students with disabilities face and just create a more equitable higher education experience."
Maria Martin
Outstanding Graduate for: Department of Special Education
Program: M.A. in special education, mild/moderate support needs
Most Influential Faculty Member: Paul Luelmo, Associate Professor, Special Education
"I hope that with everything that I've learned, I can maybe one day start implementing and developing programs that we can bring into schools and (say), 'This is how you should teach a student who is bilingual and also has disabilities.'"
Jazzlyn Matthews
Outstanding Graduate for: Department of Counseling and School Psychology
Program: Community Based Block Multicultural Community Counseling and Social Justice Education
Most Influential Faculty Member: Juan Camarena, Assistant Professor, Counseling and School Psychology
"I identify as a Black woman and I think therapy and counseling has been historically pretty inaccessible to my community. So, I hope to make a change by being a therapist in communities of color, being representation and making therapy accessible and relatable for people in other marginalized communities.”
Naomi Ramirez
Outstanding Graduate for: Joint Ph.D. Program in Education with Claremont Graduate University
Most Influential Faculty Member: Marva Cappello, Director, JDP and Professor, School of Teacher Education
"A lot of people think that a Ph.D. is impossible for them, but I want to be that reminder for them. I want them to see that people like me can make it and give them that encouragement. I definitely want to be a professor, tenure track, hopefully here at San Diego State University."
Sandra Diaz Raudales
Outstanding Graduate for: Department of Dual Language and English Learner Education
Program: M.A. in Education, Critical Literacy and Social Justice specialization
Most Influential Faculty Member: Sera Hernandez, Chair and Associate Professor, Dual Language and English Learner Education
"I'm considered an immigrant and a Dreamer, so being recognized as an Outstanding Graduate is a big deal — not only for myself and my family, but also for representing students who identify like me. Being an educator, having a job and doing this, it's a huge impact on the community. … I'm really thankful for the opportunity."
Alexandria Rivas-Blackwell
Outstanding Graduate for: Department of Child and Family Development (graduate)
Program: M.S. in Child Development
Most Influential Faculty Member: Idara Essien-Wood, Associate Professor, Child and Family Development
"I've always been very passionate about working with children and in the education field. I believe that education is one thing that no one can take away from you. My goal is to spread the knowledge that I've been given with this degree."
Erin Rivera
Outstanding Graduate for: Department of Educational Leadership
Program: M.A. in educational leadership
Most Influential Faculty Member: Lila Jenkins, Lecturer, Educational Leadership
"I'm passionate about creating an environment that allows students to feel safe, accepted and enthusiastic about their learning every day. And I'm passionate about creating opportunities for them to acquire academic skills, as well as personal skills, and use those to go forward with their life, finding success."
Emma Torres
Outstanding Graduate for: Liberal Studies, ITEP Pathway
Program: B.A. in Liberal Studies plus ITEP
Most Influential Faculty Member: Christopher Brum, Liberal Studies Program Coordinator and Associate Professor, Special Education
"I hope to make a difference in the education system with my special education students. I hope they learn to be confident, comfortable and I hope that I can make a change in their lives."
*The undergraduate honoree for the Department of Child and Family Development chose not to be publicly recognized.
