By Marielle Argueza

The select few chosen to receive CSU Monterey Bay’s 2023 Dean’s Medalist awards come from different backgrounds, majors, and life experiences. Some were soft-spoken but provided outstanding leadership when it mattered. Some were parents who showed patience and empathy. And some brought their in-field experience back into the classroom to share with their peers. All are poised to continue cultivating their curiosity and education after graduation. 

Diane Ruiz- Psychology, College of Arts Humanities & Social Sciences

Diane Ruiz completed the accelerated Nursing Program at Hartnell College. She came to CSUMB as a mother to a son and with a nursing career already under her belt. 

That did not hinder her from reaching higher academic heights and immersing herself in the university experience. She eventually served on 12 committees and task forces at the university. 

“My compassion, drive, and devotion to our campus, students, and community have moved me to work past the hours I am allotted and volunteer for the remainder weekly,” she wrote in her nomination letter. 

She was part of a committee that pored over hundreds of resumes in the search for current CSUMB president, Vanya Quiñones. She advocated for and helped distribute hundreds of dollars to the university's neediest students through MyRaft Scholarships. 

“Diane is a devoted mother who is active in her son's life while also always going the extra mile with her classes and student position,” said Otter Cross Cultural Center coordinator, Victoria Gomez.

Assistant Professor Renee Penalver said, “Diane has a bright spirit and is a collaborative leader, and I suspect she will continue to be [so] in her life,” said Penalver.

Upon graduating, Ruiz said she is committed to taking care of people’s needs: “I want to make sure that nobody is left alone regardless of any physical impairment, mental illness or any type of disability.”  

Caitlyn Morgan - Agricultural Plant and Soil Sciences, College of Science

Caitlyn Morgan is not afraid to get her hands dirty. She has volunteered, networked and helped bring the nuances and current practices of the county’s agricultural practices back to her peers. 

As co-founder and co-president of the Plant and Cultivation Club, she invited local industry leaders to speak to the club, connecting members with valuable knowledge and networking opportunities. Through the club, she taught K-12 students about agriculture in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties. 

She has worked several summers with forestry services such as Sierra Pacific Industries, and volunteered with local nonprofits, including MEarth and the Agriculture and Land Based Training Association. 

Her leadership and hard work made her stand out to her nominating professor, biology and chemistry chair Arlene L. Maki Haffa.

“Making these connections with the agricultural industry and students are the types of activities [that] are commonly done by tenure track faculty,” Haffa notes.

Morgan was an asset to her college as a talented researcher and an Instructional student assistant during the tail end of Covid. 

“This was at the time students were returning to campus after having been impacted by Covid,” Haffa said. “Support from students like her really helped to improve the learning outcomes. She also helped to alleviate faculty stress.” 

Morgan plans to pursue a graduate degree.

“I’m better equipped and prepared for my pursuits after graduation, and I strongly feel that I will be successful in graduate school and my career path,” she said.

Andrés Mena - Business, College of Business

Andrés Mena was born and raised in Costa Rica and was the first in his family to attend college abroad. He took great pains to persevere through his educational journey at CSUMB, despite his family hitting hard financial times during the pandemic. 

He never once took his education for granted. He was the Otter Student Union president and joined the Accounting Society. 

“As someone whose life has been affected by external economic pressures, I chose financial planning as my career path to take control of this aspect of my life,” Mena said. “I became passionate about helping individuals who have had similar experiences achieve financial freedom and stability.”

He also took his education into the real world, interning at financial planning offices in both Monterey and Costa Rica. His work in private wealth management outside of campus influenced retired CPA and CSUMB Distinguished Lecturer, Jeffery S. Froshman, to create another internship program with Integris Wealth Management in Monterey. 

“But it was Andres who led the way with the program,” said Froshman. “He has exhibited diligence, intellect, a willingness to work hard and care for his fellow students and the greater community.” 

Haleigh Steiner - Human Development & Family Science, College of Education

Growing up in the Coachella Valley, Haleigh Steiner’s path to education was deeply shaped by her roots. 

“I was inspired to go into education because I grew up in a low-income community and was able to become the person I am today from the amazing educators that helped me realize my potential,” she said. 

She picked CSUMB after finishing her associate degree at College of the Desert because it was in another city that was diverse and challenging in its own ways and is renowned for its welcoming environment to nontraditional transfer students like her. And she made the most of it, joining the Tau Sigma National Honor Society and becoming the secretary of the club in her final year. 

She went on to apply her education to Santa Cruz County, completing various internships. She helped increase outreach at the Live Oak Resource Center and created programs and workshops for the Girl Scouts of the USA. 

Chair of the Human Development and Family Science Department, Professor Rob Weisskirch, said that Steiner was “consistently insightful and well-written,” in her academic work and that,  “she participates in classes by offering contributions that demonstrate her critical thinking.” 

Steiner is grateful for her time on campus and plans on going back to the classroom in more than one way. She is going back to Coachella Valley as a child development specialist at Palm Valley School and plans on working on her master’s degree in education. 

Xabier Espinoza - Kinesiology, College of Health Sciences and Human Service

The average student post-pandemic would probably have a hard time jumping back into social situations, let alone leadership roles. But not Xabier Espionza. The 3.6-GPA holder, soon-to-be kinesiology graduate and student leader and mentor, is surprisingly soft-spoken but was eager to contribute to campus life.

As a student assistant in the kinesiology department, Espinoza helped his peers in class and even did some grading, Professor Lisa Leininger said. Leininger quickly found out that Espinoza wasn’t just helpful in this position but excelled in the Exercise is Medicine-On Campus Program, often learning new software or software functions to assist Leininger after she had “an idea.” 

“He jumps in, learns on his own, and often comes back to me within hours ready to show me how to use features,” she said. “He is a student who I am able to ask to do something once and I know it will not only get done, but be done well.”

Professor Sara Powell says Espinoza demonstrated this initiative in the Kinesiology Club after the pandemic. 

“The club was restarting from a pause amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, and Xabier volunteered to take on the role as president without hesitation,” she said. 
 
His coolness under pressure and eagerness to learn has made a huge impact on the kinesiology department. 

“I believe he will be an excellent instructor due to his ability to manage multiple tasks at once, his impressive organization and leadership skills, and his willingness to continue learning,” said Leininger.