Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Commencement Ceremony

Graduate Dean's Medalist:

Sara Qadiree
M.S. Plant Science

The Kabul, Afghanistan native is a first-generation college graduate with a 3.7 GPA who conducted her thesis research on creating effective irrigation scheduling for jujube. She developed the first crop coefficient curve for this drought-tolerant, Southeast Asian specialty crop, which is already grown locally by some small-scale farmers. She has also worked full-time for the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR) as a researcher, assisting with its research and grower education programs. She earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Kabul University and an associate degree in information technology from Kabul Polytechnic University. She worked at the federal ministry in Afghanistan to improve food access in one of the world’s poorest countries and later began a master’s degree in agronomy while working full-time with international humanitarian organizations. When the Taliban returned to power in 2021, she and her family fled the country. She then received a master’s degree in horticulture from the Agricultural University of Tirana in Albania, before she came to the U.S. with her family of nine in 2022. She has conducted research locally on long bean germplasm lines, moringa, and drought-tolerant crops, and presented her findings at state and campus conferences. She is also a certified drone pilot; completed coursework in ArcGIS Pro; and served as a judge for FFA citrus and soil contests. Fluent in three languages, she has volunteered locally for organizations that serve children, immigrants, and ministries.

Undergraduate Dean’s Medalist:

Mallory Sutherland
B.S. Agricultural Business

The Bakersfield native earned her B.S. degree with a 4.0 GPA and has been actively involved in the agricultural industry through leadership in student organizations and national competitions. She earned the title of National Agri-Marketing Association individual sales champion and helped lead a team to a second-place finish in the Food Distribution Research Society case study competition as competition teams chair for the Agricultural Business Club. The Smittcamp Family Honors College Scholar has served in the Supplemental Instruction program, starting as a leader for AGBS 100 and later being promoted to SI Mentor. She also served as a student representative on the Learning Center Advisory Board that supports academic engagement and student success. Her professional experience includes internships with AgWest Farm Credit, Grimmway Farms, and Sunview Vineyards of California. Through the Jordan College Honors Program, she conducted research that examined the relationship between food insecurity and fresh produce consumption among college students, as well as research with CSU-WATER on the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. An FFA American Degree recipient, Sutherland is passionate about her community and advocating for agriculture. She will continue her education this fall at UC Davis, where she has been awarded a full-tuition scholarship to pursue her MBA.

Emma Tripp (Undergraduate) 
B.S. Agricultural Education - Teacher Preparation Option

Agricultural Business
JonMichael Silva (Undergraduate)

Animal Science and Agricultural Education
Morgan Jackson (Undergraduate)
Brianna Brazil (Graduate)

Food Science and Nutrition
Paige Ounesavath (Undergraduate)
Shannon Arballo (Graduate)

Industrial Technology
Christopher Court (Undergraduate)
Joel Espinoza (Graduate)

Plant Science
Cristian Gutierrez (Undergraduate)
Kelby Keeling (Graduate)

Viticulture & Enology
Nikoloz Managadze (Undergraduate)