Stan State’s Summer of Impact

Stanislaus State remained a hub of innovation, regional impact and community engagement this summer, drawing young learners, professionals and community members to campus while Warriors earned national honors and expanded opportunities across the region.

From youth camps and hands-on learning experiences to professional training, student achievement and new partnerships, the University's summer activities built momentum for the academic year ahead.

Here are some highlights:

• New Leadership: Markel Quarles joined Stan State as vice president for Student Affairs, bringing a student-centered approach shaped by his experience as a first-generation college student. Quarles discussed leadership, belonging and creating opportunities that help Warriors achieve their academic, professional and personal goals. In other leadership news, Sacha Joseph-Mathews was named dean for the College of Business Administration after serving in the role on an interim basis.
  • Read the University News Interview with Markel Quarles
• Virtual Turlock: Stan State computer science students, joined by Associate Professor Daehee "Danny" Kim, presented the Virtual Turlock platform to the Turlock City Council, demonstrating how residents, visitors and businesses will be able to explore the city through interactive digital tours. Council members recognized the students and unanimously approved an agreement providing $5,000 annually to support the platform's continued development.
  • Read about the Virtual Turlock presentation
• Juneteenth Commemoration: Campus community members filled the Library Event Hall for a watch party featuring the California State University Juneteenth 2026 Symposium, gathering for a morning of reflection and connection. President Britt Rios-Ellis shared remarks, and attendees continued the gathering over lunch.
• Future Educators Earn National Honors: Stan State students earned national recognition while representing the University at the Educators Rising National Conference held in June. Alondra Aguilar and Quentin Kelley placed first in the Public Service Announcement: Teacher Recruitment competition, while Maria Marquez Villarruel placed second in the Educators Rising Moment competition conducted in Spanish. The conference connected Warriors with aspiring educators from across the country while supporting efforts to strengthen California's teacher workforce.
  • See the Conference Post on Instagram
• New Musical Recordings: Professor Emerita Deborah Kavasch's composition "Refugee" and "Journeys," a song cycle by her late husband and former Stan State mathematics professor John Marvin, were featured on Juventas New Music Ensemble's album "Throughlines." Kavasch continues to teach, compose and share her music after 47 years at Stan State.
  • Read about Deborah Kavasch's new recordings
• Five Stars for Value: For a third consecutive year, Money.com awarded Stan State five stars in its Best Colleges list. Stan State was among 42 institutions nationwide, 17 public four-year institutions and six CSU campuses to receive the publication's highest rating for 2026-27.
  • About Stan State's Five-star Money.com Rating
• 'VALLE' Supports Incoming Warriors: A $9,000 Adelante Fund grant helped Monarch Scholar Services launch the Valley Access for Latino and Immigrant Education (VALLE) pilot program. The initiative includes a five-day institute designed to help incoming students and their families navigate academic expectations, financial aid, campus resources and the transition to college.
  • Read about the VALLE pilot program
• Joe Ryan Named an All-Star: Former Warrior and Stan State Athletics Hall of Famer Joe Ryan was selected for his second consecutive Major League Baseball All-Star Game. The Minnesota Twins pitcher previously earned All-America and NCAA Division II West Region Pitcher of the Year honors during his 2018 season at Stan State.
  • Read about Joe Ryan's All-Star Selection
• Warriors Excel in the Classroom: Ninety-nine Stan State student-athletes were named to the 2025-26 California Collegiate Athletic Association All-Academic Team. The recognition honors student-athletes who maintained at least a 3.40 GPA while competing in a conference-sponsored sport.
  • View the Student-Athlete Academic Honors Announcement
• Biotechnology Comes to Life: Stan State hosted the inaugural Introductory Biotechnology: Gateway to Learning Opportunities, Research Experience and Advancement (iBGLOREA) workshop Aug. 3-8. The program brought 24 high school juniors and seniors from across Stanislaus County to campus for hands-on biotechnology activities, research and conversations with professionals from academia and industry. The program gave students early exposure to biotechnology and opportunities to explore college and career pathways in STEM and the life sciences.
  • See the Workshop Post on LinkedIn
• Makeila Yancey Goes Pro: Former women's soccer defender and team captain Makeila Yancey signed with FC Gintra, Lithuania's 10-time defending champion, for the remainder of the 2026 season. Yancey is expected to help the club compete for another domestic championship and prepare for the UEFA Women's Champions League qualifying rounds.
  • Read about Makeila Yancey Signing with FC Gintra

Throughout the summer, Stan State also welcomed elementary, middle and high school students for athletics and STEM camps, hands-on programs through the Warrior Fab Lab and Fab Academy and other learning experiences.

These highlights represent just some of the ways Warriors and community members learned, connected and made an impact this summer. We know there's more to celebrate, and we want to hear from you. Share your news with Strategic Communications and Marketing.