The Commencement Awards celebrate outstanding grads from our undergraduate schools and graduate programs, who have made exceptional academic and service contributions to Saint Mary’s College. Learn more about our awardees below.
Brandon is a Justice, Community, & Leadership major with a double minor in Law & Society and English. He is fervently dedicated to social justice and constantly emphasizes the importance of storytelling. At SMC, he served as executive commissioner of the Honors Program and the recruitment coordinator for the Office of Admissions. He thanks his family and friends for their support!
Bianca is an English major with a passion for community-building and advocating for equity. While on campus, Bianca was the president of La Hermandad, a student representative on the Seminar Governing Board, the lead organizer of the first and second ever English Colloquium centering BIPOC voices, and a lead adviser at the Center for Writing Across the Curriculum (CWAC).
Grace is a Politics major with a minor in Theatre. Through her Saint Mary’s education, Grace has developed a strong interest in social justice, democratic values, and human rights—interests she intends to pursue both within the legal profession and through her work as an artist. Grace is also passionate about sustainability and combating the global climate crisis, and has been part of the student coalition to bring about sustainable change at Saint Mary’s. In her spare time, Grace enjoys writing and plans to publish a book one day.
Mackade is graduating with degrees in Economics and Mathematics- Computer Science Track. Mackade enjoys providing guidance to fellow students through his work as a SEBA peer mentor, while also serving as the president of the Saint Mary’s rugby team. Mackade will go on to work for KPMG as a Strategy Associate this summer.
Ellie is from Davis, CA and is graduating with a BS in Biochemistry. She does research on campus, volunteers at John Muir, works as a Resident Advisor for Aquinas hall, and is part of the honors program. After graduation she intends to pursue a masters in nursing and later become a nurse practitioner.
Shilei is a Psychology and Sociology split major born and raised in Wisconsin. In her time at SMC, Shilei has served in Associated Students, Southern Asian Society, psych club, Cummins Institute Committee, and the Black Student Union. She’s also worked in the Intercultural Center, Office of Admissions, and Residential Experience. Directly following graduation, Shilei will be presenting at NCORE before she begins the road to law school.
Dominique is an English Subject Matter Preparation major, with a minor in Justice, Community, and Leadership on the 4+1 Single Subject Teacher Education track. At SMC, Dominique served as vice president of cultural engagement for the Asian Pacific American Student Association, and as a Lasallian animator for the Mission and Ministry Center. After graduation, Dominique will be attending the Kalmanovitz School of Education to pursue a master's degree in Education. She is continuously humbled by the work she gets to do, and is thankful to the many paths that have paved the way for her success.
Natalie will be graduating in May with a degree in English. During her four years at Saint Mary's, she has been extensively involved in and worked for the Mission and Ministry Center, Office of Admissions, and Honors Program. After college, Natalie plans to work in higher education administration before pursuing a career in publishing.
Sofia is an Economics major with a double minor in Mathematics and Environmental Science. She is a pitcher on the SMC softball team, and after graduation, plans on attending Boston College to pursue a master's in applied economics.
Seb is a German-born New Zealander who has studied Business Administration at SMC for the last four years. He captained the Division 1 soccer team that, for over three years combined, held the highest winning percentage of any team in the nation. After graduating, Seb has committed to playing soccer at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and will pursue a one-year master's program. He prides himself on working at a local restaurant as an 'underwater ceramic technician.'
Samuel is an Integral major and is in his 8th year of receiving a Lasallian education. He is passionate about bringing justice, service, and advocacy to the SMC community. At SMC, he served as a Lasallian Peer Minister in the Mission and Ministry Center and performed in the Intercultural Center's Cultural Nights. After graduation, he will be honored to live in community with De La Salle Christian Brothers in the Bronx, New York and serve as a coordinator of the academic experience of three formerly incarcerated college students at Manhattan College. He thanks his friends, family, and mentors for their love and support!
Shawn has has served in the MMC for the past three years, where he has been a constant presence of servant-leadership, joining the Lasallian Living Learning Community as a leader and mentor. Shawn has also served as a facilitator for the majority of SMC Liturgies for the past three years. Shawn is also co-founder of the Running Club, president of the Club Tennis team, and member of the Academic Honor Council.
Lucy is from San Diego and is receiving her undergraduate degree in Sociology. She has had an amazing time at Saint Mary’s College and is proud of her growth as a student and individual. She would like to share a special acknowledgement to her professors, advisors, and most importantly her mother, who all played an important role in her success and betterment.
Oona is an Art Practice major from Pleasanton, California. Oona has had a love of drawing starting in early childhood, but since coming to Saint Mary's College, her practice has expanded to include photography and installation art. Oona tackle a range of feminist issues in her art, from body image, to narratives around motherhood, to violence against women.
Joseph is from Oakland, California. He's graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in the Integral Program of Liberal Arts. On campus, Joseph was an executive for the D20 club and a tutor at TASC. He plans to work for a year after graduation while he discerns whether he will pursue a graduate degree.
Betsy is graduating with a BS in Economics with a minor in Law and Society. At Saint Mary’s, she served as president of the Economics Society, an Economics tutor, and a Collegiate Seminar Governing Board student representative. After graduation, she is pursuing a ten-month program for her Masters of Science in Quantitative Economics at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.
Ellon is graduating with a BA in Communication and a Digital Studies minor. At SMC, she was as a WOWie, an executive of Women’s Club Lacrosse, a founding member of the FIshing Club, a tutor, a KSMC 89.5FM DJ, and an Athletics production assistant. She is now a legislative aide at a lobbying firm and a proud Gael alumnus!
Mariko is a Biology major who is from Millbrae, California. She served as the secretary and president of the Women in Science and Engineering club. After graduating, she is planning on working as a research assistant before heading off to continue her education in forensic pathology.
Kyle is a graduating Kinesiology major with an emphasis in Exercise Science, and will be receiving his Bachelor of Science this May. After graduation, Kyle plans on becoming NASM- and CSCS-certified during his gap year before attending a master's program in athletic training. He hopes to become an athletic training assistant for a university or professional sports team.
Maya was raised in Sacramento, California. At Saint Mary’s, they majored in Dance and Anthropology: Archaeology and have pursued their passion for Indigenous studies in both majors. Their plan is to continue liberation work towards dismantling systems of oppression that stifle clear thinking, creativity, artistry, and effective communication. They will focus on forest archeology, rematriation efforts, and movement practices.
Graduating from Saint Mary's with a degree in History, Kainoa strongly embodies the motto, "Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve." Kainoa will be attending the KSOE master's program to become an educator in a high-need school district. Kainoa would like to thank his family and friends for always being there for him during every part of his life.
Makenna is an accounting major from San Ramon, California. At SMC, she served as an Accounting tutor and peer mentor for the School of Economics and Business Administration. She is excited to start working as an audit associate at Sensiba San Filippo in the fall. She thanks her family, friends, and professors for their support!
Brooke is from Sacramento, California, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. During her time at Saint Mary’s, she endured a vast journey of personal growth, contributing her time to on-campus organizations and building lifelong relationships with those around her. Upon graduation she will pursue her CPA licensure while beginning her career in Assurance at Ernst & Young.
Jordan is a Health Science major, pursuing her passion of becoming a pediatric speech-language pathologist. At SMC, she is the secretary of the Mental Health Club and a member of National Society of Leadership and Success, as well as Phi Kappa Phi. Jordan spends her time volunteering at speech pathology clinics and has applied to SLP graduate programs.
Lucy is a Psychology major and Women's and Gender Studies minor. At SMC, she was the vice president of the Mental Health Club and worked at the Center for Women's and Gender Equity. After graduation, she will attend Drexel University to earn her MS in psychology. She is grateful for the support of her friends, family, and SMC faculty!
Sydney graduated from Saint Mary’s in January of 2022 with a BA in Politics. Sydney is passionate about humanitarian aid and mental health. She has recently taken a job with the International Rescue Committee, a non-profit organization that serves refugees. In her free time, Sydney enjoys running, rock climbing, and playing with her golden retriever, Sophie.
Jack is a Politics major and Law and Society minor from San Francisco. He began his undergraduate studies in Massachusetts before transferring to SMC in February 2020, where faculty and fellow students helped him thrive. Jack’s SMC experiences have helped him secure a position on a statewide campaign, where he is directing operations and outreach.
Mark is from Salt Lake City, Utah. He is a Biochemistry major and a Psychology minor with a passion for food and running. Mark has been the resident advisor for De La Salle Hall for three years, participated in the Summer Research Program studying under Dr. Sigman, and founded the SMC running club. He is currently applying to medical school and is looking forward to exploring the medical field.
Daniela is a Business major with a concentration in Marketing. At SMC, she served as president of Gael Women in Business and a peer mentor for the School of Economics and Business Administration. After graduation, she is excited to join Salesforce’s marketing team. She thanks her family, friends, advisor, and professors for their unconditional support!
Juan René is a Politics and Spanish and Latin American Studies double-major. He is passionate about the study of world languages and the cross-cultural dialogue that is necessary for a more equitable world. After graduation, Juan René hopes to spend time in Latin America and Spain to expand his knowledge in Hispanic language and culture before pursuing graduate-level studies.
Steven is a Philosophy major with a Classics (Latin) minor. He is from Hayward, CA, and while at Saint Mary’s, he was a member of the Philosophy Club. He is very thankful for his family, friends, and professors, for their support and encouragement on his academic journey. After graduation, he plans to continue studies in philosophy with future hopes of teaching.
Ben is a Physics major and Applied Math minor. Outside of the classroom, he has made the most of campus life from leading the Applied Sciences Club, to traveling with the rugby team. Through his research with Dr. Alice Baldridge, he has become a part of the NASA RISE2 project. After graduation, he will be pursuing an MS in engeering management from Purdue University.
Maleena is a first-generation college student and a proud Latina. The best part of her college experience has been her community engagement through CILSA. She is happy to become a special education teacher and pursue a Master of Arts in Teaching.
James is a Pure Math major. He has served as a news reporter for the Saint Mary’s Collegian. He enjoys chamber music and ten-pin bowling. James is also an avid chess player. After graduation, he plans on attending graduate school and then working in industry.
Graduating with a double major in Women's and Gender Studies and Dance: Performance and Choreography, Willa Clare is eager to continue her pursuit of a professional career in dance post-graduation. Throughout her four years at SMC, Willa Clare performed with the Saint Mary’s College Dance Company and plans to return home to Portland, Oregon following graduation.
Sydney is graduating with a BA in Global and Regional Studies and a BS in Economics with a minor in music. At Saint Mary’s, she has proudly served as a Guyette Leadership Fellow, vice president of Economics Society, and volunteered at multiple nonprofits. After graduation, she is pursuing an MA in European History, Politics, and Society from Columbia University.
Brett is from Pismo Beach, California. Brett graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Theology and Religious Studies, and a Bachelor of Science in Business. He will attend Duke University this fall to pursue a Master of Divinity. After Duke, Brett plans to work with nonprofits while pursuing a PhD in Theology in order to instruct at university one day.
J. is a Performing Arts major graduating from the Liberal Education for Arts Professionals (LEAP) Program. J. is passionate about political ideologies, progressive public policy, and government leadership. In the fall, he will be attending the Goldman School of Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley in pursuit of a Master of Public Policy.
Marta is completing her Masters of Fine Arts in dance and is passionate about showing her culture through the language of dance. Born and raised in Miami, Florida her roots are tethered into all things she does. Studying dance at Saint Mary’s has built her confidence of who she is and how much she can impact her community.
Esther focuses on improving outcomes in language and literacy for emergent bilingual students. A bilingual educator for over 30 years, she received her BA from Stanford and teacher certification from San Jose State University. Future plans include follow-up research and establishing a literacy non-profit. She thanks her chair, committee members, family, and friends for their ongoing support.
Isabella is a graduate student from San Gabriel, California. During her time at Saint Mary's she has been a member of the Graduate Student of Color group, ALLIPAS, and a Lasallian Educator Fellow. She will be graduating with a Master of Arts in School Counseling with a PPS Credential. After graduation, she plans to move back to Southern California to work as a middle school counselor.
Joanne is a Moraga native and graduate of UC Davis and SMC's credential program. While student teaching, she experienced Waldorf and Montessori educational methods, which inspired her to join SMC's Montessori program. Having recently retired from the Kindergarten classroom, she anticipates using her master's work to promote the child's right to have formal play and choice in learning.
Stacey is a long-time data professional with a passion for learning. Her pursuit of continuous professional development and personal growth drew her to the Masters in Business Analytics Program at Saint Mary’s. With the new degree, she is planning for a successful career transition into the tech industry, where she can leverage her newly acquired skills as a business analyst.
Geoff is a professional chemical engineer (P.E.) with a strong background in analytics, manufacturing, operations management, and process engineering. By leveraging over a decade of experience in the industry, Geoff has successfully brought to bear the capabilities of data science and analytics in solving problems in energy and manufacturing.
Bruce, vice president of sudyco™ LLC, joined the Masters in Business Analytics Program to learn how to better analyze and interpret the 25+ years of data collected by sudyco™ from thousands of construction projects. He had previously earned an MBA degree from Saint Mary’s College in 1991 (where he met his wife).
Fion was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and earned her undergraduate degree in Human Development at UC Davis. An unforeseen job opportunity in accounting arose shortly after graduation and unexpectedly changed her entire career trajectory. Support from various colleagues and mentors ultimately led her to pursue a formal accounting education at Saint Mary’s. Currently, Fion continues to work in public service accounting and hopes to build better communities through improved municipal financial management and accountability.
Austen was awarded the Highest GPA SEBA Dean’s Award for 2021-2022 in the Master of Science Accounting Program. Before attending Saint Mary’s, he received his undergraduate degree in Economics/Accounting from the University of California Santa Barbara. He is excited to see how the completion of this master’s program will position him for success in the future.
Kaajal is a graduate Accounting major and is impassioned about being a first-generation student and a representative of her Fijian-Indian community. At SMC, she served as the Graduate Business Students Advisory Council Member and was employed as an Accounting Analyst at Allstate/Esurance. After graduation, she jumpstarted her career in public accounting with Deloitte. She is forever grateful to her family and friends for their consistent support and love!
Andrew grew up in Visalia, California in the heart of California’s Central Valley. Andrew currently works for City National Bank as a Private Wealth Analyst, and resides in Concord, California with his wife and daughter. Andrew wants to use his Professional MBA degree to further his career in financial services. When free, Andrew spends time with his family.
Alejandra is a Bay Area native and first-generation graduate. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a minor in Sociology at San Diego State University. Alejandra is a product manager for Rich’s Corporation. She looks forward to utilizing the business fundamentals gained from her MBA experience to propel her and her team’s work forward.
Noah has a bachelor's and master's in Accounting from Saint Mary's with highest honors. He earned summa cum laude and was a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society and Beta Sigma Gamma Society. He is currently a fund accountant at SS&C Technologies. He is ever grateful to his family and friends for their company and support!
John is a SEBA graduate student in the Professional MBA program. Finding purpose in serving his community, John is a decorated former Oakland police officer who is passionate about helping others. After graduation, he is excited to re-enter the private sector and explore new opportunities. He is also planning on pursuing a PhD in a related field to further his education. John thanks his wife, Chelsea, his mother, Linda, and his family for their support.
Krystal completed her EMBA with a Data Analytics focus. She is passionate about leadership, data, and education. She is the first in her family to receive a graduate, undergraduate, and high school degree. She has overcome great difficulties as a previous foster kid and has now achieved the highest GPA Dean's award! During her spare time, she sits on a Koinonia Family Services Foster Care Agency executive board. They have over 500 foster families, adoption services, and short term residential programs.
Frank holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from NYIT. He has 27 years of business development experience in energy and leads a sales team for Western North America. Armed with an MBA, he’s eager to solve our country’s more critical energy problems. Frank is grateful for the support he received from his wife and children during his MBA journey.
Gilbert’s career has spanned 30 years in the networking industry. His expertise is in telecommunications engineering and engineering management. His desire to have a multiplier effect impact by mentoring and positively influencing others was the impetus for enrolling in an MBA program late in his career. He is grateful for the support of his wife, Laura, and three children.
Born and raised in Germany with a passion for sports and capital markets, Fabian graduated with a Master of Science in Finance. During his time at SMC, he represented the school as part of the tennis team. After graduation, he moved back to Germany and joined KPMG as an associate in their equity capital markets team.
Kimaya is a graduate student in the MS in Management and Technology program and was a member of the SMC women’s soccer team. Prior to SMC, she received her BA in Sociology from Harvard University and grew up in Sacramento, California. After graduating, she plans to stay in the Bay Area and work in the financial technology industry. She is grateful for her family and friends’ love and support!