At the end of the academic year, each department in the Craig School of Business at Fresno State selects a graduating senior to receive the department’s Outstanding Student Award. The Craig School’s Undergraduate Dean’s Medalist is chosen from these exceptional students. 

For 2026, that was Jordan Rodriguez of the Department of Real State and Business Law. All of these outstanding students have blazed unique trails to success, changing their paths from what was expected of them to what they truly cared about. These students demonstrate the most important part of college is finding one’s own path.

Esteban Lopez: The power of family and community

Esteban Lopez, the outstanding student from the Department of Accountancy, is graduating magna cum laude. As the valedictorian of his high school and a Junior Olympian for shot put, he had many choices for college, and he chose Fresno State.

“I had the opportunity to go to the University of Chicago and New York University with scholarships, but I still had to pay out of pocket for living expenses,” Lopez said. “I was going to be better off staying local, not only for the education, but for helping with the family business.”

Lopez’s father owns a construction business, and Lopez has been helping since he was 12. Lopez said the example of hard work and dedication set by his father taught him important lessons.

“I quickly understood that my father does so much for us, providing for the family,” Lopez said. “I saw the sacrifices that parents make, more than we can see. I went through all of middle school and high school working alongside him, and it hit me in high school that I have to learn and apply myself. By working with my father I understood that your work ethic means a lot, and I try to carry that throughout my whole education.”

Lopez’s goal has always been to make a contribution to his father’s business. When he first started college, he wanted to major in construction management. His parents told him why he should set out on his own path.

“My dad told me, you will learn construction on-site with me and the guys,” Lopez said. “My mother told me, go to school for something that none of us know. Because you’re going to benefit from that, regardless whether you apply it to our business or work for someone else.”

Lopez chose accounting as the best way to make a strong contribution to the family business. As an accountancy student, Lopez has thrived. He has served as president of Beta Alpha Psi, the honor society for finance students, and successfully worked internships with FFB Bank and Baker Tilly, all while earning a 3.7 GPA and continuing to work in his father’s business.

Lopez has applied what he has learned at Fresno State to improving processes in the business, and even founded his own firm, E.N.L. and Associates, to provide accounting and support for small businesses. He also bought his first investment property, and is now pursuing his CPA license.

Looking back at how far he has come, Lopez is determined to give back to the community that has nurtured him.

“I thought I was a common Esteban out of Selma,” Lopez said. “I thought I was going to work in the construction industry my whole life. “But I learned that everyone is special. I’m special. I need to create a legacy for myself. Being able to help out the community is important to me, because if I didn’t have the resources I had, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I want to become wealthy to the point where I can disperse it to the community and give the next Esteban the opportunity he needs.”

Jarrett Chow: From electrical lineman to studying electricity markets

Jarrett Chow, the outstanding student from the Department of Economics, is graduating summa cum laude. A re-entry student, Chow has moved from blue collar work as a utility contractor to an economist interested in studying utility markets.

“When I got out of high school in 2016, I honestly didn’t know what I wanted to do,” Chow said. “I went to a trade school, Northwest Lineman College, because I thought, ‘I want to work with electricity. Everyone needs electricity.’” I then worked for subcontractors maintaining PG&E’s electrical grid. That was pretty cool, because I was young, and I got to work with helicopters, climbing and hiking into the mountains.”

Chow developed a habit of asking questions about the technology, the utility infrastructure and how it related to the everyday reality of power usage and power bills.

“I was asking a lot of questions, and there was a point where it made sense that I should go to college and try to understand this,” Chow said. “So now I’m interested in understanding how electrical markets work, the supply and demand of who is generating electricity, where and why.”

Chow is interested in finding the larger contexts in which systems operate, and he praised the Department of Economics for integrating broad social questions into its curriculum.

“I took economics in high school, and, at the time, it seemed uninspiring,” Chow said. “I didn’t know how deep the iceberg goes. At the lower levels, they teach mainstream economics. In this department, they’ve taken a more pluralistic approach. You can’t just stuff humanity into a mathematical box. You also have to think about altruism and the general well-being of the community.”

Chow has been an active member of the Economic Students Association and has worked as a research assistant to economics professors Dr. Ahmad Borazan and Dr. Abhilasha Srivastava. He recently completed a senior research project on the economy of Fresno’s nightlife and entertainment sectors.

Chow maintains his interest in electricity markets and is interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in economics and working in industry, education or for a policy institute. Above all, he is interested in understanding and improving economic systems.

“You analyze economic systems, and along the way, you come to learn you can shape how the future looks,” Chow said. “How do we make an economy so that our lives are sustainable? I want to look at systems like healthcare and understand the laws behind it, and see how we can have it work for people.”

Leo Rojas: The power of humility

Leo Rojas, the outstanding student from the Department of Information Systems and Decision Sciences, is graduating summa cum laude after completing his bachelor’s degree in just three years. Rojas said the most important thing he learned in college was to stay humble and appreciate other people’s talents.

“I’m very glad that early in my college career I participated in a case study competition,” Rojas said. “I got to meet a lot of talented people. I quickly realized that I wasn’t the smartest, most talented person in the room. I got humbled very quickly. But with all of these very talented people, I was able to bring it all together. I learned in my management classes that utilizing different skill sets is a management tool. And that’s something I really applied in the case studies I did.”

Rojas followed his intellectual interests across several different disciplines. He began college studying logistics, he switched to computer information systems, and in his final semesters took accounting classes.

“I really like the idea of making things more efficient,” Rojas said. “My gravitation toward efficiency hasn’t changed. It’s more of an expression of, ‘what do I want to get out of college and how does that translate into a career?’ I always knew I wanted to do something impactful. I don’t like doing things that don’t matter.”

As a Craig Business Scholar, Rojas volunteered to work at Central California Food Bank, the Bulldog Pantry and the Povarello House.

“That definitely humbled me and made me grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given,” Rojas said. “It taught me that once you make a step forward in your career and socioeconomic status, you should turn around and help those who are less fortunate than you.”

In addition to being a Craig Business Scholar, Rojas is a Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar, and a Deloitte Foundation Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Scholar. He has worked as a tutor for the Fresno State Learning Center, an IT intern for the California Teaching Fellows Foundation and an accounts receivable specialist for Ag Water Chemical. He will intern this summer with Baker Tilly, and he is preparing for his CPA exam.

Rojas believes the key to success is connecting with other people, recognizing their value and creating conditions where people work together.

“The most important thing I’ve learned in college is to make connections up and down and neutral,” Rojas said. “It’s great to connect with people who may hire you, but it’s equally important to connect with people whom you may hire or may be working with.”

Saiya Sohal: Love for the Central Valley

Saiya Sohal, the outstanding student from the Department of Management, is graduating summa cum laude, completing her bachelor’s degree in three years. When she first started college, Sohal had her path all laid out — she was studying biology at UC Irvine and she was going to become a doctor. Then a class in pre-law business changed her mind. She moved back to Clovis, enrolled at Fresno State and studied management with the goal of becoming a lawyer.

“Going to Fresno State is probably the best decision I’ve ever made,” Sohal said. “The faculty here is just so amazing. I’ve gotten to know a lot of my classmates and strengthen a lot of relationships here. And it was so nice to come back to the Central Valley.”

Sohal has a track record of excelling in many fields. At Buchanan High School in Clovis, she took AP classes while playing on the volleyball and softball teams. She also served as Miss City of Fresno Teen. She credits her busy schedule in high school with teaching her the importance of managing her time.

“I was a varsity sport athlete, so I have never known what it’s like to not be busy,” Sohal said. “Playing volleyball and softball, I was never just in a specific season. It’s really year-round because of club, travel, fall ball, you never really get a break. Being an athlete taught me how to time manage and get things done. My logic is that if I keep pushing and striving to be the best version of myself, I can’t really limit myself.”

Sohal realized that her intense schedule ran the risk of burnout, so she did what any 17-year-old would do — she started her own nonprofit organization to address the problem. She is the founder and executive director of United Student-Athletes, which advocates for student-athletes and counsels them on nutrition, mental health and avoiding burnout.

Sohal works as the youth engagement coordinator for the Clovis Memorial District, applying what she learned in the business classroom to her work.

“I enjoy learning about business and implementing [things] in my day-to-day job and my life,” Sohal said. “Learning about business and HR practices and being able to implement them in my work life was eye opening. You don’t realize how much you can apply in college, unless you actually do it with experience.”

Sohal said there was no question about her favorite part of college.

“Oh my gosh, I love Fresno State football games,” Sohal said. “I am such a sports fanatic. I love watching football, basketball, softball and all sports. Fresno State has such a great stadium and such a great student and spirit life.”

After graduation, Sohal is pursuing an MBA and a law degree. She hopes to apply her business management skills to running her own partnership. No matter what happens, she wants to stay close to home.

“I really do love the Central Valley,” Sohal said. “I plan to come back after law school and start a family and open my own firm here. I think we need to recognize the Central Valley for the talent we have here, and make sure that people understand that this is a great place to live.”

Kirsten Martinez: The power of involvement

Kirsten Martinez, the outstanding student from the Department of Marketing and Logistics, is graduating cum laude. Martinez has served as Associated Students, Inc. senator for the Craig School, vice president and outreach coordinator of the Marketing Club, associate vice president of public relations for the Hispanic Business Student Association and founding president of Club FSR Underground. 

She has also worked on campus as a social media student assistant for the Jan and Bud Richter Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning and for University Marketing and Communications.

Despite her depth of involvement on campus, Martinez said she was originally a shy person.

“In high school, I was shy, I lacked a lot of confidence, I didn’t get involved,” Martinez said. “When I was a freshman here at Fresno State, I saw an opening for the homecoming committee, and I actually applied. That was the start of everything for me here on campus. My parents say all the time that Fresno State gave them a whole new daughter.”

Martinez said two early experiences helped her find her path in life. An indifferent student in high school, Martinez discovered she had a talent for social media in a marketing class at Clovis Unified’s Center for Advanced Research and Technology. At Fresno State, she realized how she could use social media for good.

“At the Richter Center, I found my life’s purpose,” Martinez said. “Not social media, but working for organizations that contribute to a greater cause. I really fell in love with service. I’m really big on volunteering. When I go into the real world and do marketing, I would like to work with organizations that are making a positive impact in the world.”

Martinez believes her marketing skills will give her a strong platform for making a difference and improving people’s lives.

“People like to believe that marketing is Super Bowl commercials and selling you lip gloss, but I really believe that there’s something powerful with marketing that can be a tool for good. I believe that I can use what I’ve learned to deliver positive messages and be a positive influence.”

Martinez has been an active member of the first cohort of the Gender and Leadership program, where she formed tight bonds with business community mentors and met her friends Faith Bither and Kennedi Campell-Caldwell, with whom she led a student movement to revive the Peters Building fountain.

Martinez’s future plans include working at a marketing agency or nonprofit, pursuing an MBA and continuing to volunteer.

“It feels good to help people,” Martinez said. “I have a firm belief that if everybody does just one good deed, that’s thousands of good deeds, and you’re making impacts on so many people. You put a little work into it, and you’re already making a huge difference in someone else’s life. That’s beautiful to me.”