Three CSUMB students honored with special awards before graduation

Three Cal State Monterey Bay students have been honored with special awards for their academic and service accomplishments. Andrew Nielsen has been given the Alumni Vision Award, Sarah Shaw received the Outstanding Senior Scholar-Athlete Award and Anaiz Ruiz is the Outstanding Senior Award for Social Justice recipient.

Nielsen recently graduated with a master’s degree in instructional science and technology, and a 3.965 GPA. A musician, he connected his music industry experience with what he was learning in his coursework and developed a module that used music to teach California high school students about poetry.

Nielsen, who grew up in Carmel Valley, is working at a start-up company in Pennsylvania and pursuing his music career by touring and releasing songs.

Shaw, of Laguna Niguel, came to CSUMB as a freshman and is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in social behavioral sciences and a minor in law, earning a 3.8 GPA. During her time as an Otter, she played for the women’s basketball team. 

She credits head women’s basketball coach Sarah Hopkins-Chery, her mother and her family with giving her the support she needs to be successful.

Ruiz, who is from San Bernardino, was a transfer student from Chaffey College. She is receiving her bachelor’s degree in agricultural plant and soil science, and is planning to pursue a master’s degree.

A native of Guadalajara, Mexico, she is an undocumented student. At CSUMB, she advocated on behalf of others with the same status, working with administrators to find solutions for supporting and providing opportunities for undocumented students.