Cal Poly Humboldt's Outstanding Students 2024-25

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A group photo of Cal Poly Humboldt's Outstanding Student Award winners.
Cal Poly Humboldt Outstanding Student Awards are one of the ways in which Humboldt recognizes the incredible contributions that students make every year.
These 2024-25 Outstanding Students Awards recognize the academics and co-curricular excellence and achievements of our students. Congratulations to this year’s winners and nominees!
A photo of Lily Yassemi and Cheyenne Ty

 

Cheyenne Ty, Overall Outstanding Students of the Year (overall)– Academic Contributions

Cheyenne Ty, Computer Science, is an outstanding undergraduate researcher whose contribution to research projects in literature review, machine learning experiments, statistical and computational analysis, and programming has been exceptional.  

Ty conducted research that appeared in two peer-reviewed publications and has presented at multiple scientific conferences. For example, she was the first author of the “Investigation of Computing Transfer Students Success.” Published in the Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges, the research examines different factors affecting the academic performance of transferring Computer Science students and was presented by Cheyenne and others at the Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges-North West (CCSC-NW).

Ty has worked on several faculty projects, including an AI counseling system for underrepresented Computer Science transfer students. She later joined another project that involved introducing K-12 schools in Humboldt County to computer science concepts, hardware, and software.  

In addition to her academic contributions, Ty has been a mentor to her peers, especially newer research assistants. She has also helped promote the Computer Science program at Spring Preview in 2024 and 2025. She led a demonstration of capstone projects and educational games created by seniors for prospective students, creating one of the most impactful experiences for those considering Humboldt’s Computer Science program.

Described as curious, self-motivated, and intelligent, Ty demonstrates excellence as she balances family responsibilities with academics and contributes to multiple research projects on campus, all while creating a positive and inclusive environment for others.

 

Lily Yassemi, Outstanding Student of the Year (overall)– Co-curricular Contributions

Lily Yassemi, Computer Science, is a trailblazer at Cal Poly Humboldt, demonstrating an exceptional ability to balance academic excellence, leadership, and extracurricular involvement. A Humboldt County native, Yassemi has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to Cal Poly Humboldt and the student organizations she leads.  

Seeing a need for greater representation and support for women in STEM fields, she founded and became president of the Society of Women in STEM. In the first week, she raised hundreds of dollars, built partnerships with local professional women in STEM, and expanded the Society’s reach to students at College of the Redwoods. She is committed to growing this new organization to provide a supportive community for women in STEM at Humboldt, ensuring they have the resources and network needed to thrive and stay engaged in their studies, ultimately encouraging the retention of women in STEM fields.

Yassemi is an active member of KRFH Radio Free Humboldt, the student-run radio station where she has been a DJ, the production manager, and the manager of the station’s website since 2022.

Yassemi also serves as President of the Computer Science Club, where she has driven a 100% increase in membership and raised over $10,000 through creative fundraisers. Yassemi has organized industry talks, developed and led technical workshops, and facilitated networking opportunities that have helped students round out their education and build professional connections.  

She also led the club’s participation in the prestigious International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC), a globally recognized competition, where Cal Poly Humboldt achieved a top-10 placement—the first time the University has appeared on the ICPC global leaderboard.  

Yassemi spearheaded the development of the Hackathon for Social Good, an ambitious event that brought students together to solve real-world challenges proposed by local non-profits. The initiatives she has built at Cal Poly Humboldt will continue to benefit students for years to come.

“I’m deeply grateful for the support of my family, professors, peers, and community at Cal Poly Humboldt. This recognition inspires me to keep using my skills to make a positive impact,” Yassemi says.
 

ACADEMIC

Excellence in Academic Discipline Visual & Performing Arts

Thi Samelson, Dance and Kinesiology

Excellence in Arts Humanities & Social Sciences
Samantha Ramos, Geography  

Excellence in Natural Resources & Sciences
Roland Carter, Environmental Resources Engineering

Excellence in Professional Studies
John Mellett, Psychology

 

CO-CURRICULAR

Activism

Al Elpusan Award for Student Activism

Jamilla Hashem, Social Work

 

Excellence in Community Service
Sterling Russell, Geography and Religious Studies

 

Athletics

Excellence in Intercollegiate Athletics

Kealey Scott, Child Development & Family Relationships

 

STUDENT LIFE

 Excellence in Student Employment
Jade Croopnick, Critical Race, Gender & Sexuality Studies 

Excellence in Sustainability

Ethan Glaz, Environmental Studies

Outstanding Contribution to an Associated Students Program
Kayla Dvorak, Forestry 

Outstanding Contribution to a Campus Club, Program or Organization
Penny DellaPelle, Environmental Science & Management 

 

OUTSTANDING STUDENT RESEARCHERS


Rafael Bernard, Biochemistry  

Rosa Cox, Environmental Science & Management  

Priscilla Gamez, Biochemistry  

John Gerving, Computer Science  

Ben Hung, Environmental Resources Engineering 

Zane Husome, Mechanical Engineering

Julian Jensen, Forestry  

Garrett Kitchen, Sociology  

Kamar Little, Film  

Martín Mendoza-Ceja, Data Science  

Abigail Penland, Computer Science 

Isabel Perez-Zoghbi, Chemistry

Megan Pratt, Mathematics  

David Schmitz, Chemistry  

Will Streich, Economics  

Harmony Switzer-Tryon, Psychology  

Cheyenne Ty, Computer Science  

 

PATRICIA O. MCCONKEY OUTSTANDING GRADUATE STUDENT AWARD

Catriona Barr, Natural Resources 

Rebeca Becdach, Wildlife  

Eileen Bell, Social Work  

Camille Burns, Psychology 

Caleb Chen, Public Sociology 

Amparo Hargreaves, Social Work  

Elizabeth Hershey, English