Two CSUMB students named Provost Award winners

By Roger Ruvolo

Two of Cal State Monterey Bay’s top students will receive this year’s Provost Award for Exemplary Academic Achievement. Both have built impressive records of service to fellow students, as well. 

Graduate winner Jianshan Chen Khalsa, who earned an education specialist degree in school psychology, has enriched her study by volunteering, to cite only a few, as a peer mentor, orientation leader, graduate studies mentor, special education aide and note-taker for disabled students. She’s also vice chair of the Otter Student Union, where she and her colleagues work to make the college experience better for fellow students. 

Undergraduate winner Sarina Regis, a biology major, also has found time to give back. Regis mentors students as a writing fellow at the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Center. 

Andrew Lawson, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, said both students exemplify the best of CSUMB.

"Jianshan Chen Khalsa has shown exemplary academic achievement, earning a perfect 4.0 GPA in her Ed.S. program as she works towards transforming the educational experiences of underserved students,” Lawson said. “She has been a mentor to other students, and a role model who has overcome personal obstacles to excel, and her research on trauma-informed practices in K-12 will improve support of students who have experienced adversity.

"As an undergraduate student in biology with a minor in chemistry, Sarina Regis has an exceptional track record as a researcher and presenter,” Lawson continued. “In addition to her academic and research accomplishments, she has also served as a UROC Peer Writing Fellow, and has increased awareness of the Science Student Success program at Cal State Monterey Bay."

Regis was also the outreach coordinator for a CSUMB program intended to help high school seniors and undergraduates pursuing STEM degrees. 

“I see a lot of myself in them,” said Regis, of those she works with. “A lot of students are first-generation in college. You have help, but you have to figure out a lot of things on your own.” 

Regis knows those ropes well. Her German father and Thai mother have supplied immense support, but had no experience to go on.  

“They did not attend college, but they backed me all the way,” Regis said. 

She initially took an interest in Cal State Monterey Bay for two reasons – soccer and biology. 

“I wanted to play soccer,” she said. “(CSUMB) made an offer, and I saw they had a biology major, so I took it.”

Regis eventually gave up soccer to focus on her studies. She’d always been a top student – she graduated from high school in the top 10 – and used the extra time to excel at Monterey Bay. 

“Monterey Bay has opened up so many doors for me,” Regis said. “I’m so grateful.” 

Come the fall, Regis will pursue her advanced degree at Virginia Commonwealth University. 

“This is a really big move for me,” she said. “I’m really excited.”

Chen Khalsa has been doing her graduate work closer to her Soledad home, and is on schedule to graduate next month with a master’s degree in psychology. 

The academic road for Chen Khalsa has been nothing short of spectacular. In 2022 she was dean’s medalist in the school of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences and was student speaker at the college’s commencement; the next year, she was named Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Scholar, and last year she won the CSU Trustees Award for academic achievement – the highest honor CSU awards for academic excellence. 

And in all her seven years of study at CSUMB, Chen Khalsa has maintained a 4.0 grade-point average. 

Even at that, the Provost’s Award was unexpected. 

“I was actually pretty surprised.” Chen Khalsa said. “We have eight graduate programs on campus, so we’re competing against many others, as well.” 

As she’s done her entire career, Chen Khalsa combines studies with work. She’s trying to reach 1,200 hours for her student-teaching internship and just passed 1,100 hours.

“I’m almost done. I can’t wait,” Chen Khalsa said. “I’m very excited. During those seven years, I concentrated so much on my studies but also worked pretty much full time.”

Chen Khalsa’s road has been challenging. Growing up in a fishing village in China’s Guangdong Province, she quit school to help support her family. During that time, she met an American man online who later became her husband.

When she moved to the United States, she said, “I focused completely on English. I had only a kindergarten-level ability.”

Now 37, Chen Khalsa has gained command of English with the same passion she brought to her subject area. She plans to pursue a career helping students with disabilities and behavioral challenges.