Commencement
- Commencement
- Graduation Ceremonies
- Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology
Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Commencement Ceremony
Friday, May 15 • 4:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. • Save Mart Center
Dear graduates,
As we eagerly anticipate this joyous occasion, our faculty, staff, University President, and Provost are honored to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our students. This milestone represents not only the completion of a degree and years of dedication, perseverance, and hard work. It is our sincere hope that each graduate fully embraces this significant accomplishment.
On behalf of our faculty and staff, thank you for choosing to continue your education at Fresno State and within the Jordan College. Today’s ceremony recognizes the successful completion of a university degree. This is an achievement that opens countless doors and creates meaningful opportunities to make a lasting impact in the world.
To the families, friends, and loved ones who have supported our graduates along the way, we extend our heartfelt appreciation. Your encouragement, sacrifice, and belief in their potential have helped make this moment possible. Thank you for entrusting us with their education and for joining us in celebrating the beginning of their next journey beyond the university.
Sincerely,
Dr. Rolston St. Hilaire
Dean, Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology
Dr. Steven Rocca
Associate Dean, Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology
The Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology
Commencement Ceremony 2026
National Anthem and Alma Mater Vocalist
Laurel Machoian
Mace Bearers
Dr. Annette Levis and Dr. Todd Lone
Dean’s Address
Dr. Rolston St. Hilaire
Dean, Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology
Associated Students, Inc. Remarks
Camalah Saleh
President, ASI
President’s Address
Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval
President, California State University, Fresno
Recognition of Jordan College Dean’s Medalists
Recognition of Jordan College’s Outstanding Thesis and Project
Recognition of Jordan College Honors Cohort Members
Presentation of Graduates by Department Chairs/Coordinators
Dr. Srinivasa – Department of Agricultural Business
Dr. Annette Levi – Department of Animal Sciences and Agricultural Education
Dr. Erin Stafford Dormedy – Department of Food Science and Nutrition
Dr. Arun Nambiar – Department of Industrial Technology
Dr. Jacob Wenger – Department of Plant Science
Dr. Sonet Van Zyl – Department of Viticulture and Enology
Conferral of Degrees
President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval
Dr. Rolston St. Hilaire
Dean's Medalists
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.
Outstanding Project
Brianna Brazil
Animal Sciences and Agricultural Education
Outstanding Project
Kelby Keeling
Plant Science
Standard Bearers
Emma Tripp (Undergraduate)
B.S. Agricultural Education - Teacher Preparation Option
M.S. Agricultural Science
Department Outstanding Graduates
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)
Jordan College Honors Cohort 11 Research Projects
Christopher Court
(Agricultural Systems Management, Mechanized Agriculture Minor, Mentor: Dr. Athanasios
Alexandrou): Research Prospectus: The Application of Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) Plasma
in the Sterilization of Almonds at an Industrial Scale
Joshua Young
(Pre-Veterinary, Mentor: Dr. Fabio Iared): Comparative Analysis of Varying Equine Semen Extenders
Erick N. Verduzco Anaya
(Agricultural Business, Mentor: Dr. Jason Liang): From Efficiency to Sustainability Governance: A Bibliometric and Critical Review of
Precision Agriculture’s Economic and Policy Impacts
Crystal Horta Alvarez
(Pre-Veterinary, Mentor: Dr. Katy Tarrant): Broiler Welfare Management and Production: The Impact of Age on Activity State in
Broiler Chickens
Zoie Gavel
(Nutritional Science, Mentor: Dr. Shabnam Pooya): Adiposity Genetic Risk is Associated with Variation in Triglyceride Response in Fresno
State Students with Overweight or Obesity
Nikoloz Managadze
(Viticulture and Enology, Mentor: Dr. Kristy Sun): Comprehensive Analysis of Georgian Qvevri Wine: Chemical Composition and Sensory Evaluation
Victor Ilias Fraga
(Plant Science & Agricultural Business, Water Minor, Mentor: Dr. Serhat Asci): Economic and Agricultural Feasibility of Reverse Osmosis (RO) Irrigation Treatment
Jonmichael Silva
(Agricultural Business, Mentor: Dr. Annette Levi): Assessing Heat Stress Impacts on Dairy Cattle at the Fresno State Dairy Unit
Sienna Rose Davies
(Pre-Veterinary, Mentor: Dr. Amanda McKeith): Retrospective Analysis of Heat and Precipitation Stress on Dairy Cow Productivity
in California’s Central Valley
Habeba Yaaqob
(Human Nutrtion, Physical Sciene Minor, Mentor: Dr. Erika Ireland): Knowledge, Attitudes, and Confidence Regarding GLP-1 Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
Programs: A National Cross-Sectional Survey
HONORS
***Summa Cum Laude
Red/Blue/Gold Cords
3.90 - 4.00 GPA
**Magna Cum Laude
Red/Blue/Silver Cords
3.70 - 3.89 GPA
*Cum Laude
Red/Blue Cords
3.50 - 3.69 GPA
Master's Degree With Distinction
3.9-4.0 GPA
- Aguilar, Kylie
- Alvarez, Bryson
- Babshoff, Presley
- Baca, Jesus
- Baltazar Aldana, Margarita
- Baxter, Preston
- Beal, Mason
- Beckett, Rocky*
- Berbena, Mariah
- Berberian, Diego**
- Biglow, Madisen*
- Black, Luke
- Brar, Joshwinder
- Brooks, William
- Cantrell, Hannah**
- Cardoza, Joseph
- Carrillo, Miyah*
- Castillo, Raul Austin
- Cayetano Albino, Yuliana
- Clark, Kellie
- Clemons, Nicholas
- Cockrum, Mark*
- Contreras, Nolberto
- Craig, Scott
- Craighead, Emilee
- Davis, Brooklynn
- DeLeon, Jobanny
- Donich, Dawson***
- Espinoza, Ivan
- Esquivel Jr, Miguel
- Ferguson, Ryley*
- Frates, Rilee
- Frey, Kassidy
- Freyler, Jackson
- Fritz, Jake
- Gonzales, Thomas
- Gonzalez Ruelas, Edgar
- Benjamin
- Guerrero Madrigal, Miguel
- Guerriero, Dominic
- Hansen, Grant
- Harwell, Devin
- Hoffman, Benjamin*
- Jimenez-Olivares, David*
- Lara, Bryan
- Loza, Sebastian
- Lynch, Dylan
- Madriz Alcaraz, Lesly
- Maine, Cheyenne
- Majors, Devin**
- Maldonado Alfaro, Ernesto
- Mancebo, Odette
- Marra, Julian
- Matthes, Spencer***
- McVay, Luke
- Mendoza-Schmidt, Rebecca
- Minguela, Gerardo
- Morales-Mateo, Ismael*
- Nevarez, Estevan*
- Paper, Branden
- Pareira, Henry
- Phillips, Anthony
- Pieretti, Rylan
- Plascencia, Benjamin*
- Pulido, Ulysses
- Rios, Samantha
- Rodriguez, Yvonne
- Rolston, Campbell*
- Ross, Dustin
- Rowlett, Jacob
- Ruiz Rodriguez, Jesus*
- Ruiz, Christian***
- Ruvalcaba, Allison***
- Sahagun, Savannah***
- Sema, Meron**
- Serna Jr, Marco
- Shows, Caden
- Silva, JonMichael***
- Silva, Trace
- Solorio, Moises
- Sutherland, Mallory***
- Travioli, Mary
- Valenzuela, Andres
- Van Unen, Katherine
- Vasquez, Pablo
- Vasquez, Rodrigo
- Verduzco Anaya, Erick***
- Weber, Kristina
- Whaley, MaryJane
- Zarate Zepeda, Montserrat
- Zavala Leon, Maria
- Alvarez, Arriella***
- Aquino-Bautista, Alondra*
- Araiza, Madison
- Arellano-Aguirre, Sergio**
- Avila, Amanda
- Bair, Drake
- Barnett, Dillania
- Bianchi, Kassidy
- Bigall, Kayla
- Bolton, Justin***
- Bors, Grace
- Bowe, Bridget
- Bracamontes, Juliana
- Brant, Jadyn
- Brown, Destiny
- Cabrera, Jaqueline
- Canada Rendon, Alejandra Renee
- Cano, Ashley
- Cano, Carlos**
- Cantrall, Caitlyn***
- Castro Martinez, Yulesa
- Cervantes, Salvador Manuel
- Chargoy Velasco, Celeste
- Chavez Perez Jr., Roberto
- Cibrian, Cristabel**
- Correia, Savannah
- Crutcher, Cameron
- Cruz, Briza
- Cuevas Garcia, Celia Itzel
- Cuevas Martinez, Jairo Steven
- Day, Taylor
- DeCoite, Cadence***
- Dempsey, Jade
- Dowell, Jake*
- Ellison, Jessica*
- Faria, Blain
- Fernandez, Lillianna
- Flores, Ava
- Flores, Peyton
- Flores, Sheccid
- Frachou, Julianna
- Gomes, Daniel
- Gomes, Shayln
- Gomez, Annalysia
- Gonzalez, Isela
- Gray, Donnel**
- Guardanapo, Georgia
- Gutierrez, Corrina
- Gutierrez, Erik
- Harper, Karizma
- Hatton, Morgan
- Hernandez Duenas, Ana
- Hernandez, Ashley
- Hernandez, Leslie Colin
- Hernandez, Stephanie
- Heupel, Alison
- Hinton, Kendall***
- Hjelmstad, Taylor
- Holcomb, Taylor
- Horton, Joslyn
- Iniguez, Guadalupe
- Ivy, Cameron***
- Jackson, Alexis
- Jackson, Morgan
- Jobe, Anabelle**
- Johnson, Abbey
- Jorge, Allison
- Jula, Lily
- Kelso, Kylee
- Kwock, Kirsten
- Lai, Evie
- Langpaap, Isaiah
- Levchenko, Grace
- Li, Kailie
- Lopez Morales, Monserrat
- Lopez, Izabella**
- Lopez, Sonia
- Loucks, Sydney
- Lucas, Gabriella**
- Madrigal-Madriz, Elizabeth
- Mancebo, Gina***
- Manning, Peyton*
- Martin, Megan***
- Martinez, Alonso
- Mascorro, Savana
- Medina, Aubrey
- Melgosa, Taylor
- Mello, Elizabeth
- Mendoza, Alyssa*
- Moreno, Claudia Jaqueline
- Mulvaney, Allison
- Navarro, Emma
- Olivares, Diego
- Orozco Salaza, Betzaida*
- Padgett, Alexis
- Palomo, Kaylah
- Panossian, Jacqueline*
- Parsons, Haley***
- Partner, Alyssa**
- Prado-Delgado, Dulce
- Prentice, Melanie
- Quinones Martinez, Jeanette
- Ramirez Carrasco, Keilen
- Ramirez, Alexis
- Ramirez, Aurora
- Ramirez, Garrett
- Ramirez, Jocelyn
- Rangel, Brittany***
- Rangel, Viviana
- Renteria, Wendy
- Rhoades, Courtney**
- Richardson, Kelsey
- Robles, Dayra
- Rodriguez-Ramirez, Ruben
- Rodriguez, Diego**
- Ruiz, Adrian
- Ruiz, Jasmin
- Salcido, Yliana
- Sanchez Pedraza, Daniel***
- Sanchez, Emily
- Sanchez, Jada**
- Santana, Jena
- Savas, Kross
- Short, Sierra*
- Silva, Macie
- Solano, Joel
- Sousa, Ethan*
- Sousa, Taylor
- Spradley, Hailey
- Strunk, Timber
- Swope, Faith
- Tabarez, Yolanda
- Thao, Serenity
- Tiburcio, Noralee
- Toro, Rebekah
- Tripp, Emma***
- Turrubiartes-Chavez, Alexis
- Valencia, Julianna
- Vander Poel, Alexa
- Vargas Mayo, Jose
- Vargas, Adam
- Velasquez, Natalie
- Walker, Devaughn
- Walker, Emmie
- Walker, Vanessa
- Wheeless, Kadin*
- White, Kaitlyn
- Wikoff, Ashlen
- Wyant, Breanna
- Yepez-Saenz, Anahy
- Young, Joshua**
- Zaragoza, Mia
- Zepeda, Destyni
- Zhao, Melissa**
- Zhou, Chunxiao
- Brazil, Brianna+
- Gonzalez-Esparza, Ivana+
- Hernandez, Katya+
- Litchfield, Emma+
- Reitz, Jordan+
- Trujillo, Ivan+
- Alshugaa, Amena
- Azevedo, Brody*
- Bedolla, Anna*
- Bernal, Lorena***
- Brandt, Isabella
- Enomoto, Kent
- Evans, India**
- Fernandez, Andrea
- Garcia, Jaline
- Gavel, Zoie***
- Haros-Perez, Ashley*
- Holguin, Margarita
- Kampfe, Natalie**
- Kerney, Nova*
- Laskey, Clara
- Leos Welch, Aris**
- Miguel-Miguel, Sandra
- Mohammed, Seba
- Mora, Ruby***
- Munoz, Fernando
- Nguyen, Kyle
- Ounesavath, Paige***
- Porterfield, Joan*
- Radliff, Shelby*
- Romero, Lynnsey***
- Ross-Castro, Kiana
- Salacup-Hernandez, Javen
- Shiohara, Koko*
- Stewart, Molly***
- Tolmachoff, Susanna
- Wasem, Kelsie**
- Yaaqob, Habeba**
- Zaragoza, Marcos
- Zavala, Gisela*
- Alva Melgarejo, Marco
- Alvarez Ocegueda, Fabiola+
- Arballo, Shannon+
- Delgado, Evelyn+
- Fakhari Rad, Abbas
- Gomez Tortoledo, Alondra+
- Goodacre, Megan+
- Grant, Erica+
- Hernandez, Hernan+
- Johnson, Morgan
- Kemble, Brianna+
- Sandoval, Juan+
- Xiong, Li+
- Bajwa, Bilal
- Benigno, Robin Albert***
- Brennan, Shane**
- Court, Christopher***
- De Silva, Nimeth*
- Duffy, Riley*
- Fernandez, Edilberto
- Gil, Javier Jr.
- Guevara Gutierrez, Carlos*
- Howard, Joshua
- Jenkins, Bradly***
- Marmolejo, Benjamin
- Martinez, Esteban
- McAvoy, Brody
- O'Neill, Teegan
- Powell, Richard
- Singh, Leonard***
- Suzuki, Timothy
- Vang, Eric
- Almaraz, Efrain
- Eesa, Shiva Rama Raju
- Espinoza Ruiz, Joel Alejandro+
- Khartchamadze, Luka
- Mareedu, Nagasai
- Singh, Harshdeep+
- Solanki, Pratipalsinh+
- Varaganti, Karunakar
- Adams, Brittany
- Alvarez, Jaime
- Analla, Trevor**
- Arellano Rodriguez, Fatima
- Baker, Krystina
- Barajas, Damian
- Baranzini Rebeil, Pedro
- Barraza, John
- Bauman, Troy**
- Bermudez, Fernando**
- Chavez, Adan
- Contreras-Cisneros, Andrea*
- Corley, Danielle**
- Correia Jr, Warren
- Crosson, Braden
- Curutchet, Clay
- Delao Bautista, Ector
- Diaz Ruiz, Aidan
- Dugo, Jacob**
- Fernandes, Luke*
- Gilbert, Taylor
- Gutierrez III, Antonio
- Gutierrez, Cristian***
- Heywood, Joseph
- Kevorkian, Kody
- Kloy, Arman
- Lara Rodriguez, Santiago
- Melena, Enrique
- Mendoza Torres, Bryan*
- Meza, Jose**
- Mora, Christobal
- Paez, Ethan
- Peden, Daniel*
- Perez-Garcia, Mariela
- Ponce Gutierrez, Lucero**
- Ramirez-Guerra, Pedro
- Rocha, Bryce**
- Saenz, Paola
- Sanchez Sanchez, Fabian
- Sanchez, Fernando
- Santillan, Erik*
- Silva, Isaac
- Soria, William
- Tamayo, Alberto
- Vega Lara, Carlos
- Vega Lara, Jean
- Viau, Sean
- Washburn, Jacob
- Wilbourn, Austin
- Willis, Samuel
- Cantu, Guillermo
- Keeling, Kelby
- Mattson, Keahilele Kauluwena+
- Medina Garcia, Bianey
- Navarro, Idalia
- Peden, Daniel
- Qadiree, Sara
- Shoeyb, Lida
- Singh, Manjot+
- Valdez Herrera, Jennifer
- Williams III, Donald
- Wofford, Andreas+
- Acosta Espitia, Jose
- Gutierrez, Andrew
- Guzman Torres, Edgar
- Lopez, Juan
- Managadze, Nikoloz**
- Manriquez, Kaylee
- Nevarez, Natalie
- Ortega, Kayla
- Ruvalcaba-Alcaras, Ariana
- Saldivar, Marco*
Special thanks to all who made this event possible:
Commencement Committee Members
JCAST Commencement Volunteers
Rolston St. Hilaire, Dean
Steven Rocca, Associate Dean
University Marketing and Communications Staff
College Mission Statement
The Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology at Fresno State is shaping the future of one of the world’s most productive agricultural regions by developing global decision-makers in food and agriculture.