Gina Bustamante, part-time lecturer in the School of Nursing, was awarded the Service to Women Veteran of the Year Award by Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula, for her longtime service as regional nurse lead for the American Red Cross.

Venita Blackburn, professor, English, interacted with Meredith College students at a writing workshop.

Dr. Lisa Bryant, professor, political science, was a recent briefer for the New York Foreign Press Center’s 2022 U.S. Midterm Elections Series focused on voting rights.

Dr. Nupur Hajela, assistant professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, published “Feasibility of a self-reported digital fall risk assessment compared with the traditional functional balance and gait assessments performed during student led balance screening: A pilot study” in the International Journal of Physiotherapy and Research.

Dr. Jaymin Kwon, associate professor in the Department of Public Health, was featured in The Atlantic, where he talked about his recent publication “Land Transitions and Dust in the San Joaquin Valley” and his perspectives on climate change and water shortage in the western United States. In addition, Kwon presented at both the Clean Air International Forum hosted by the United Nations Environmental Programme, in Suwon, Republic of Korea, Sept. 5-7 and the California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health, 67th Annual Conference Sept. 26-30.

Dr. Felipe Mercado, assistant professor in the Department of Social Work Education, received the "Best Paper Award" at the International Organization of Social Sciences and Behavioral Research Conference for his presentation "Wise-Compassionate Framework: A Leadership Guide to Educational Equity." In addition, he has partnered with Madera Unified School District to train principals and vice principals in the district on how to build compassionate leadership styles and how to create a compassionate school culture. He also recently offered his Compassion Cultivation Training to the members of the San Joaquin Valley Public Health Consortium. Mercado is the only Compassion Cultivation Trainer located in the Central Valley.

Dr. Adrian Ramirez, associate director, Career Development Center, was recognized as the CENCAL chapter friend of the year.

Dr. Ranjit Riar, assistant professor, Plant Science Department, was the South Valley Western Region Certified Crop Adviser Faculty Honorarium Recipient.

Dr. Pa Nhia Xiong, assistant professor in the Department of Social Work Education, and Dr. Christina Luna, assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership, received the "Best Paper Award" at the International Organization of Social Sciences and Behavioral Research Conference for their presentation "Social Justice: Honoring Hmong-American Sacrifices and Contributions to the United States - A Historical Perspective."

Faculty and staff from the Department of Recreation Administration won big at the Fresno Fair, including lecturer, Karen Markland, who earned 2nd place for her "Love is Love" table scape and "Judge's Choice" for her traditional Christmas tree decor, both of which honor her loved ones.

Michele Falk, administrative support coordinator, placed in 20 out of 24 categories, including five 1st place entries in the crafts and baked good/candies categories. She also received one "Best in Show" honor!