It is a great pleasure to share with you the 2019-2020 Outstanding Advisor Award Recipients. Though we aren't able to celebrate in-person this year, please know each of you is highly valued and deeply appreciated.

Congratulations to each one of you. The mere fact that students and colleagues made time to nominate their advisor during the early transition to virtual instruction and remote advising, speaks volumes to how much you mean to the students and each other.

Gabriella Encinas, Dream Success Center
“She made me feel like I was the most important person in the world.”

“She not only performs her job at an exemplary level, she demonstrates an extraordinary commitment to her advisees.”

“She is very knowledgeable about scholarships, loans and financial assistance for undocumented students. And is always keeping students and colleagues informed.”

Dr. Dave Goorahoo, Plant Science Department
"He has influenced and inspired many in both their student and professional development.”

“Dr. Goorahoo is one of the most charismatic, dedicated and committed professors I have had the pleasure to learn from.”

He is a “great advisor due to his optimism and compassion for his research which helped keep me engaged.”

Dr. Allison Mandaville, English Department
"She is exponentially knowledgeable, encouraging, inspiring, innovative, caring, understanding and immensely efficient and effective in all that she does.”

“I know that I am in good hands with her and very confident that she is guiding in the best way possible for me.”

“She teaches her students, stands for her students, adjusts for her students and re-energizes them.”

Alondra Martinez, TRIO Student Support Services-Disabilities
“She impacts a lot of students’ lives and has helped many stay who may not have. One student lost her housing, but Alondra helped her stay on campus; as a result, the student remained and graduated.”

“She has gone out of her way to check up on me when I’m having a hard time. I am grateful and have benefited from working with her over the past two years.”

“She builds great relationships with her students and because of her they feel known and supported through their difficult and tragic life events.”

Perla Perez-Maciel, University Advising Center
"She informed me and guided me through the Special Major program and gave me peace of mind and had all the answers I was struggling to find.”

“Mrs. Perez-Maciel’s generous sharing of her knowledge and expertise in advising is not only worthy of mention, but a vivid example of the on-going legacy she is leaving at Fresno State.”

“I am not sure if she saw the worry in my eyes back then, but I have never forgotten how she made me feel. Like I was not another number, rather a student. Someone’s daughter, sister and friend. I have so much gratitude in my heart for Perla.”

Dr. Katy Tarrant, Animal Sciences and Agriculture Education Department
“Dr. Tarrant has always strived to be my support system, and she is always encouraging me to defy expectations. For over three years now, I have had the privilege of working on a research project with the guidance of Dr. Tarrant.”

“As I strive to become a professor, I will seek to make a similar positive influence on my students, as she has done for me. Not only does Dr. Tarrant exemplify the core values of California State University, Fresno, but she also applies these values to make a positive difference in all of her students’ lives.”

“Dr. Tarrant continues to be my invaluable mentor, who constantly provides me with research experience from her own wealth of knowledge and gives me challenging academic tasks to fulfill in order to better myself as a researcher.”

Dr. Rosa Toro, Psychology Department
“She is a rock and always keeps me motivated to continue. She has made a lasting impact on my life and I will forever be grateful.”

“She aids her research teams by expanding their professional development, networking, scholarship opportunities, recruitment weekends and more.”

One student stated that due to her exposure to the McNair and Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Programs, she feels better informed and prepared for graduate school. Recently this student was accepted to a summer research at Portland State because “Dr. Toro goes above and beyond for her students."