The College of Health and Human Services at Fresno State will celebrate eight alumni for their impactful contributions to their profession and to the greater community during the 15th annual Health and Human Services Hero Awards, which will be held virtually at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 20, via Zoom.
The awards celebrate those making a difference in the fields of health and human services through their work, service and advocacy on behalf of individuals and communities in the Central Valley and beyond. Each honoree was selected by an academic department, school, center or institute within the college.
“We are so grateful for the compassionate and important work that each of our eight heroes accomplish every day,” said Dr. Kara Zografos, dean of the College of Health and Human Services at Fresno State. “As alumni, they represent the very best of Fresno State and we are so honored to celebrate their individual and collective contributions to our region.”
The 2025 Health and Human Services Heroes are:
Rufi V. Alday: By combining his clinical expertise and philanthropic spirit, Alday has been able to serve many in the community through his leadership roles in sports medicine, outpatient rehabilitation care, senior living care and real estate. A proud Bulldog, he continuously gives back to Fresno State and serves as president of the Fresno State Physical Therapy Alumni Chapter.
Marc Boswell: With more than four decades of experience advancing industrial hygiene, environmental health and risk management at the local, state and federal levels, Boswell also gives back his time to higher education, having taught at Fresno State, West Hills College and UCLA, among others. His support and mentorship of public health students reflects his commitment to the future of environmental health and safety professionals.
Lilia De La Cerda: As director of the Health Careers Opportunity Program at Fresno State, De La Cerda has been instrumental in transforming the futures of nearly 500 students annually, all of whom come from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds. Under her direction, students are provided with vital academic support, mentorship and resources that help them overcome barriers to entering health care fields.
Isac Hermosilla: As the lead park ranger for the Pine Flat Dam and Lake with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hermosilla is responsible for protecting and managing public lands through education, community connections and conservation. Each year, he provides internship opportunities at the lake for recreation administration students, offering them hands-on experiences to better prepare them for careers in public land management.
Richard Marshall Lindsey: As a recent graduate of the family nurse practitioner program, Lindsey has already made a formidable impact as a guest lecturer and mentor to nursing students. Outside of the classroom, he serves in the emergency medicine clinical setting at Adventist Central Valley Network and Madera Community Hospital.
Shelby Lozano: As a physical education teacher, Lozano promotes and champions the well-being of hundreds of students at Granite Hills High School in Porterville. Her care for the profession extends to Fresno State, where she actively remains involved as a guest lecturer and mentor, providing feedback and advice to future educators in the field.
Maelyn McCarty: Utilizing her strong background in vocal performance and expertise as a speech-language pathologist, McCarty fills a unique need in the Central Valley, providing voice rehabilitation to singers, teachers, local newscasters, clergy members and lecturers. She frequently lends her services to both the Department of Music and Department of Communicative Sciences and Deaf Studies at Fresno State.
Dr. Lisa Mitchell: In her role as executive director of the African American Academic Acceleration Department at Fresno Unified School District, Mitchell is dedicated to creating a culture that celebrates both the academic and social-emotional well-being of her students. Her advocacy and care extends to the greater community, where she serves on numerous boards that champion underserved individuals and families.
The Health and Human Services Hero Awards is a free, online event and is open to the public. Since the very first Hero Awards were held in 2011, 141 individuals have been honored for their leadership and commitment to their respective professions.
For more information, contact Beth Wilkinson at bwilkinson@mail.fresnostate.edu.
