The spirit of generosity and belief in education that defines Mary Stuart Rogers’ legacy continues to flourish at Stanislaus State.
On Friday, Oct. 10, the University celebrated a new class of Mary Stuart Rogers Scholars during the annual luncheon, which recognizes students who exemplify academic excellence, resilience and a deep commitment to serving others.
Since 1991, the Mary Stuart Rogers Scholarship Program has supported more than 600 Stan State students — future teachers, nurses, scientists, advocates and leaders — through the ongoing generosity of the Mary Stuart Rogers Foundation.
“The Rogers family has truly shaped the soul of Stan State and what we are becoming,” said President Britt Rios-Ellis. “Their belief in our students and investment in their potential has created a legacy that continues to blossom with every single scholar they invest in. When generous partners like the Rogers family invest in Warriors, the return is powerful and measurable.”
Rios-Ellis also commended this year’s honorees for their leadership and purpose.
“To our Rogers Scholars: You are leaders in the making,” she said. “You represent the very best of what public higher education can catalyze: excellence, perseverance and purpose rooted in community. Your success is not just your own. It belongs to your families, your mentors and those who came before you. This moment is a reminder that when we lead with cariño and believe in each other’s potential, the pulse of possibility becomes unstoppable.”
Col. John Rogers, son of Mary Stuart Rogers and president of the Foundation, shared words of encouragement for this year’s honorees and their families.
“We’re here to validate the effort you’ve made,” he said. “Remember your college — when you graduate, you’re an alum, and your scholarship in many ways comes back to you from the University. Support them, stay connected and know that as long as we’re able, we’ll be here to honor you, your families and the scholars who follow.”
Janet Rogers, daughter of John Rogers and a member of the Mary Stuart Rogers Foundation board, also personally congratulated the scholars and expressed the family’s pride in their perseverance and purpose.
“We are so proud to be part of your journey,” she said. “When times are tough, remember that the Rogers family believes in each one of you.”
Each year’s class of scholars reflects the Foundation’s belief in the transformative power of education and community. Their journeys — marked by perseverance and purpose — continue to honor Mary Stuart Rogers’ vision of uplifting others through opportunity.
The 2025 Mary Stuart Rogers Scholars:
Kira Baxter
An art history major and chemistry minor at Stanislaus State, Baxter is pursuing a career in art conservation, where she hopes to work with museums and archaeologists to preserve and restore cultural artifacts.
“Working to conserve the art from a culture consequently conserves the culture itself,” Baxter said. “It will be an honor to be a part of that work.”
Her academic plan to combine art and science was intentional to strengthen her skills and prepare her for the multifaceted needs in the artwork preservation field.
“Studying chemistry will provide me with the knowledge to properly assess and treat the artwork to reduce the risk of future damage or need for repairs,” she said.
Baxter transferred from Modesto Junior College, where a conversation with her art history professor inspired her to pursue this career path. “Her course confirmed for me that I wanted to study art history, but I wasn't sure what I could do with my degree aside from teaching,” Baxter said. “As she described the detailed, hands-on quality of art conservation, I became more interested. It sounded like the perfect blend of art history and hands-on involvement with art.”
Her academic drive is matched by persistence. When faced with a job search that brought repeated rejections, she learned to stay patient and determined. “It reaffirmed for me that persistence and patience will lead to success eventually,” she said.
Now with a 3.96 GPA, Baxter looks forward to opportunities like attending the College Art Association Conference and a summer art conservation program to deepen her skills.
“There’s always more behind an artwork than the material or the aesthetics,” Baxter said. “Artworks tell stories about daily and cultural experiences. It's part of the way that we are able to connect with each other and learn more about ourselves. The conservation of art also preserves a culture’s history — and I want to be part of that work.”
Benjamin Diaz
Benjamin Diaz is an accomplished Stanislaus State senior with plans to turn his knowledge and experiences into service, both for the country and the local community.
A business administration major with an emphasis in computer information systems, Diaz hopes to help small businesses, like the one his father recently started after more than 30 years of painting houses.
“I aim to become a business systems analyst, where I can leverage my skills to bridge the gap between business needs and technology solutions,” Diaz said. “I intend to donate time and funds to Stanislaus County as thanks for giving me the support I needed to fulfill my goals.”
First though, he plans to serve as an officer in the Air Force, hopefully using his technology knowledge in service to the country.
Diaz’s dedication in the classroom is not surprising, given his high school experience. At Patterson High School, he wanted to participate in athletics and went out for the track and field team.
“I was a freshman who had never run an entire mile in his life,” Diaz said. “The first day, I ran so much I thought I would pass out and never return. For some reason, I stayed.”
His coaches told him later they had originally expected him to quit, but Diaz kept working. His teammates admired his resolve and as a senior, he was named his team’s most valuable player.
He had the same dedication in the classroom, passing three advanced placement exams to enter Stan State with 21 college credits. His academic success grew from there.
“To me being a Warrior means you commit to bettering your mind and soul by engaging in the academic rigor of the college experience,” he said.
Outside of the classroom, he relaxed with music and dancing, which he loves. He also devoted time to an afterschool program for elementary school students, helping them discover the joy of learning and volunteered at Patterson track and field meets.
Gloria Duran
For psychology major Gloria Duran of Modesto, resilience isn’t just a trait — it’s a way of life.
“Growing up, my mom’s resilience taught me what strength truly looks like,” Duran said.
The oldest of seven children and a proud mother of four, Duran works full time as a medical assistant and volunteers at a hospice facility, where she provides companionship and Spanish medical interpreting. Her life has been shaped by overcoming challenges, from a difficult childhood to losing her first husband at 23, yet she continues to turn pain into purpose.
“The pain of that loss could have broken me, but instead, it became my reason to rise,” she said. “Through my children’s struggles, I found my purpose — to understand pain, to heal what feels unfixable, and to give families hope when life shatters unexpectedly.”
That calling led her to major in psychology at Stanislaus State, where she’s inspired by professors like Dr. Esteban Montenegro, who helped her gain confidence in her studies. “He taught me to see research not just as numbers, but as experiences,” she said.
Duran’s goal is to become a psychiatrist and advocate for trauma-informed care in underserved communities. “I want to help families who feel invisible, like mine once did, find hope and healing before it’s too late,” she said.
To her, being a Warrior means resilience with purpose. “Being a Warrior means living through things that others may not survive,” Duran said. “It’s carrying pain, yet choosing love.”
Her message to others is simple: “You are not your pain. Even in the darkest places, light can grow.”
Ava Holland
Sonora native Ava Holland has long been inspired by her mother’s compassion as a nurse. Now, the Stanislaus State nursing major is following that same path with purpose and pride.
“My interest in becoming a nurse stems from my mother,” Holland said. “Hearing how she would help patients always inspired me, and I wanted to pursue the same compassionate career.”
A 4.0 GPA student and member of the Honors Society, Holland serves as the class representative for the Student Nurses Association. She also participates in intramural soccer and futsal and has volunteered at the campus flu clinic, administering flu and COVID-19 vaccines to students and staff.
“To me, being a Warrior means being a part of something bigger than myself,” she said. “It means feeling empowered by those around me, knowing that my efforts serve a purpose in the community.”
Her sense of teamwork deepened after joining the tight-knit nursing cohort she’ll study with for three years. “Nursing school is incredibly difficult,” she said. “But we all bond over the fact that we’re going through the same struggles together. Anytime I find myself in a slump, I know I have an entire community behind me.”
A former soccer standout, Holland’s perseverance was tested when she tore her ACL in high school. After nine months of recovery, she returned stronger and was named the Most Valuable Player of her league.
That resilience continues to guide her as she works toward her goal of becoming a nurse practitioner and providing compassionate care for others.
“Our triumphs and our struggles are shared,” Holland said. “It’s in this mutual support that we find the strength to make a lasting impact.”
Joseph Kamber
Ceres native Joseph Kamber has always had a head for numbers and a heart for service. A business administration major, with a concentration in accounting, Kamber plans to earn his CPA license and work in public accounting before returning to Stanislaus State as a professor to guide the next generation of accounting students.
“I plan to use my Stan State education to make a difference by using my future CPA certification to provide companies and individuals with essential accounting services,” he said.
Kamber is active in the Finance & Accounting Society and the Assyrian Aid Society at Stan State, where he connects with peers who share his professional and cultural interests.
“In my perspective, being a Warrior means being a student who is proud of his University,” he said. “As students, we must all have pride for our school because it builds our education, relationships and ourselves individually.”
Kamber’s internship with G3 Enterprises proved to be a turning point in his education. Working in tax and compliance, he focused on audit readiness, verified export documentation and assisted with sales and use tax reconciliations — an experience that solidified his goal of becoming a CPA.
He credits his Financial Accounting Professor Debbie Olson Diaz for inspiring his passion for the field.
“She really made me passionate about accounting,” Kamber said. “After attending her course, it really made me respect my choice of concentration and desire to continue my learning.”
Guided by faith and fueled by ambition, Kamber embodies the spirit of a Warrior — dedicated, humble and ready to serve.
Zaila Kayhan
For Stanislaus State nursing major Zaila Kayhan, being a Warrior means perseverance and gratitude — even in the face of tremendous loss.
“Being a Warrior means never giving up when faced with a challenge,” Kayhan said. “It means showing up for myself and my classmates with a smile on my face because I am grateful to have the opportunity to get my degree.”
A first-generation college student from Tracy with a 3.914 GPA, Kayhan has persevered through the passing of both her parents while helping to care for her younger twin brothers and managing her own health journey with thyroid cancer.
“My parents both valued education, and I know they would be extremely upset if I quit school,” she said.
Now serving on the Student Nurses Association Board of Directors as membership chair, Kayhan channels her resilience into helping others and supporting her peers.
“I chose nursing because I got to see how nurses advocate for their patients,” she said. “I realized I wanted to be this person — to help others who are in their most vulnerable state.”
Kayhan hopes to work in either the NICU or adult ICU and one day pursue a nurse practitioner degree.
“With my education, I will be able to provide high-quality care while caring for the patient as a whole, not just a diagnosis,” she said. “I hope to lead by example and inspire others to follow in similar footsteps as mine.”
Jazmine Ramirez
For Jazmine Ramirez, being a Warrior means more than pursuing a degree. It means facing challenges with courage, compassion and love.
“As a first-generation college student, I was overwhelmed at first,” she said. “But I found a community of students and faculty who supported and inspired me. Being a Warrior is about taking on challenges and treating others with love, respect and dignity.”
A liberal studies and ethnic studies double major with a Spanish concentration, Ramirez discovered her calling in teaching and advocacy.
“Education has always been crucial in my life,” she said. “Coming from a family that faced educational barriers, I wanted to be the teacher who made every child feel safe, loved and respected.”
Her outlook on education deepened through ethnic studies courses, which she said, “truly changed my life.” Professors Arturo Nevarez and Juvenal Caporale encouraged her to embrace her voice and pursue her passions.
“They made me feel intelligent, capable and important,” Ramirez said. “They taught me to trust myself and the knowledge I possess.”
Ramirez, who maintains a 3.991 GPA and participates in Tri-Alpha First-Gen Honors Society, Phi Kappa Phi and the California Aspiring Educators Club, hopes to use her Stan State education to work with incarcerated and underserved youth.
“I want to show them how powerful, intelligent and worthy they are through their education,” she said. “I hope my students feel that school is their second home, a place where they belong.”
Through her love of learning and commitment to others, Ramirez embodies the Warrior spirit — strong, compassionate and ready to make a difference.
Farishta Roshan
Mountain House native and psychology major Farishta Roshan found her life’s purpose close to home — through the experience of watching her younger brother grow and thrive despite the possibility of early developmental challenges.
“My choice to major in psychology has been deeply personal,” Roshan said. “Watching my brother defy expectations has been a profound inspiration. His journey sparked in me a passion to understand child psychology and mental health.”
That passion has guided her toward a future in child neuropsychology or clinical psychology, where she hopes to help children express themselves and feel truly understood.
“What drives me is the belief that every child deserves to feel understood,” she said. “My passion lies in helping children express themselves without fear of being judged and helping others learn how to truly listen.”
At Stanislaus State, Roshan found both community and challenge. A member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, she learned to balance a full academic load, work and leadership responsibilities. “I learned that asking for help is a strength,” she said. “That experience shaped me into a more resilient student and gave me the confidence to handle more than I thought was possible.”
For Roshan, being a Warrior means living with persistence and purpose. “Being a Warrior means embracing resilience and commitment in my journey toward building a better future,” she said.
As a 2025 Rogers Scholar, Roshan plans to continue her studies in graduate school and dedicate her career to helping children and families thrive — inspired by the same compassion that began with her brother’s story.
Ashnil Singh
Lathrop High School and Delta College graduate Ashnil Singh envisions a world where technology is dependable, accessible and easy for everyone to understand.
That’s what the computer science major seeks to do as a software/website designer.
“Reliable and intuitive applications reduce people’s frustration with technology,” Singh said, indicating he appreciates that not everyone easily adapts to 21st century technology.
He understands what it’s like to face new challenges.
For him, taking advanced placement calculus in high school pushed him to excel. Because of an encouraging teacher, he said he was able to understand the concepts and pass both portions of the year-end exam. It not only gave him college credit, but it gave him confidence and a solid foundation for his Delta calculus classes.
While in high school, Singh took piano and participated in the music department’s fundraising talent show. It was one form of community service he was delighted to offer. Singh has a unique perspective on community service.
“Supporting one another through inspiration, to help each other achieve the goals we wish to accomplish as a team together, is a form of community service,” Singh said. “The greatest power that an individual has is the power of influence. A community doesn’t exist on its own. It’s made up of individuals that cooperate with each other who have a common interest. This common interest is the need for inspiration to succeed, and we can definitely provide this to one another.”
That philosophy is also what he said makes him a true Warrior.
“Being a Warrior means having an intrinsic drive to pursue your goals, as well as supporting one another with inspiration to succeed,” he said.
Miguel Yañez
For Miguel Yañez, a love of science began early — inspired by his mother, who encouraged him to explore the world with curiosity. But when she passed away when he was 15, Yañez lost both direction and motivation.
HIs journey shifted several years later when he joined a geology field study across the American Southwest. “That trip changed my life,” said Yañez, a Stanislaus State geology major from Modesto with a 3.95 GPA. “It was there I met Professor Garry Hayes, whose passion for geology and teaching helped me see the beauty of the world again.”
As a first-generation college student, Yañez finds purpose in helping others discover that same passion. He drives for the Geology Department on field trips and volunteers at community science events, introducing families and students to the wonders of geology.
“While I’m not a teacher, I share my perspective as a geology major, answer questions when I can, and make sure students are safe on the road and in the field,” he said. “Introducing others to geology and sparking their curiosity about the world has been a rewarding experience.”
Yañez plans to pursue a career in environmental conservation or water infrastructure, where he can protect natural resources and improve systems that sustain communities.
“I’ve always wanted to leave a legacy, not by name, but through action,” he said. “All I want is to leave the world better than I found it.”
