A Word from the President
Interim President Borrego shares her thoughts about what makes Stan State a special place — its people, strong sense of community and phenomenal students — during the second half of the academic year.
Warrior Pride, Countywide
Discover the remarkable impact Stanislaus State alumni in top level municipal roles are making in the Central Valley. Warrior alumni in Stanislaus County’s three largest cities embody the transformative power of education. Read their stories and the role the Stan State has played in preparing them for success.
A True Warrior
Amy Bublak had two goals when she arrived at Stanislaus State in the early ’80s: to play sports and strike out on her own, but the alumna accomplished so much more. Emerging as the epitome of a Warrior, Bublak is currently serving her second term as the mayor of Turlock.
Sounds from the Thunder Room
World-renowned talent and Professor of Music Theory and Composition Deborah Kavasch has created a new work “The Peace of Wild Things: A Reflection,” inspired by a Wendell Berry poem. The piece will be recorded in June by the London Symphony Orchestra, one of the most famous orchestras on the planet.
In This Together
Thanks to a $3 million Title III grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Stan State’s Warrior Re-Engagement Center bolsters the University’s commitment to increasing student retention and re-enrollment. It’s one of several partnerships with individual, corporate and government agencies that allows the University to support and prepare students for the workforce.
The Gift of Scholarship
For students like Jasmin Dominguez Cervantes and Hussein Maatouk, their dream of achieving a career in healthcare took a significant step forward when they received the Pre-Med First-Generation Scholarship established by Dr. Stephanie Brown and her daughters, Lydia and Nelia, both of whom are Stan State alumnae. The scholarship is more than a monetary gift; it’s a catalyst for continuity and community care.
Inspired to Serve the Underserved
After his grandmother died of cervical cancer due to poor access to health care, Dr. George Savage's loss inspired him to become an OB/GYN practitioner and treat underserved patients like her. Now a Stockton resident, Savage is also one of the newest members of the Stanislaus State Foundation Board of Directors.
Nourishing Potential
The University’s Basic Needs program, a critical lifeline for students grappling with insecurities related to food, housing and finances, has become an integral component of Stan State’s strategy to mitigate the detrimental effects of insecurity on student life. Under the leadership of Jen Sturtevant, Basic Needs has flourished, and her team is dedicated to nurturing student welfare and achievement.
Amazing Grace
Despite facing adversity, including homelessness and abuse as both a child and adult, Laurie Grace refuses to be deterred from her educational goals. The mother of six is grateful for the assistance she’s received from Basic Needs, help she never even imagined existed. Discover her incredible story and journey towards a brighter future.
STAN Magazine is published by the Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing in the Division of University Advancement at Stanislaus State.
Interim President
Susan E. Borrego
Interim Vice President for
University Advancement
Senior Associate Vice President for Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs
Rosalee Rush
Director of Alumni Engagement
Tiffany Davis (’13)
Director for Communications
and Creative Services
Kristina Stamper (’06)
Associate Director of Marketing
& Digital Strategy
Mandeep Khaira (’02)
Senior Writer and Content Specialist
Donna Birch Trahan
Content Specialists
Gina Oltman
Lori Gilbert (’91)
Conor Demings (’20)
Andrew Cabrera (’20)
Kimberly Horg
Marketing Specialist
Allison Kincaid-Nervino
Digital Communications Specialist
Sara Balisha (’13)
Web Accessibility Coordinator
Saul Avila (’17)
Senior Graphic Designer
Steve Caballero (’21)
Graphic Designer
Katie Dowling
Photographers
Jas Khaira
Bea Ahbeck Casson
Kayla Lawson
Merri Hansen
Media Production Specialist
Frankie Tovar (’11)