College of Social Sciences Commencement Ceremony

Graduate Dean's Medalist
Robert Cordova

Robert Cordova, of Kingsburg, earned his M.P.A. with a 4.0 GPA. He previously earned a B.A. in East Asian Languages, Cultures and International Relations as a Smittcamp Family Honors College scholar at Fresno State. Cordova focused his master’s thesis on reducing plastic waste in California, analyzing the development of the circular economy within the state. He earned grant funds to create nine California Climate Action Corps Fellowships through a $387,000 grant for the College of Science and Mathematics. As Sustainability Club president, Cordova organized three Campus Earth Day events to engage students in environmental stewardship. As a student representative on the campus Arboretum Committee and ASI Sustainability Committee, he helped replace more than 6,000 square feet of grass with water-conserving landscaping. In 2024, he organized the planting of 4,300 pine saplings to reforest parts of the Sierra National Forest burned by the Creek Fire. After earning his degree, Cordova plans to continue his career in public service, fighting climate change and developing the circular economy in California. 

Undergraduate Dean's Medalists
Jason Raythell Davis

Jason Raythell Davis, of Fresno, earned a B.A. in sociology with a 4.0 GPA. As a student in the Humanics program, he is dedicated to social justice and uplifting marginalized communities, which he plans to do after graduation by founding his own community-based organization in Fresno. He earned the College Corps Legend of Service Award from the Jan and Bud Richter Center for Community Engagement and Service-Learning in 2024 after volunteering more than 650 hours at the Poverello House in Fresno. As a community engagement fellow, he provided essential services to unhoused individuals and organized services that recruited over 290 volunteers and developed relationships with local organizations. Davis also worked as a mentor for students and the community through Project Rebound’s Educating Our Youth Program, as well as the Impact Justice program for incarcerated youth and their families. On campus, he helped write a grant proposal for the Custom Stack program and participated in the Humanics Mentoring Project. As a member of the College of Social Sciences Honors Program, he has conducted research on guaranteed basic income’s effects on employment and poverty. He expects to present his research findings on the Senate floor in Sacramento and in meetings with legislators and government leaders.

Outstanding Project Award

Joshua Taber
M.A. History

Outstanding Thesis Award

Aaron Mejía
M.A. History