President’s Award winners focused on making a difference locally

By Mark Muckenufss

Both of this year’s presidential award winners are examples of how CSUMB impacts the surrounding community. 

Gerson Orellana Prudencio, recipient of the President’s Award for Exemplary Student Achievement, and Desiree Kua, who was awarded the President’s Graduate Award for Exemplary Regional Stewardship, say they intend to work in the Monterey area and apply the skills they acquired while earning their degrees. 

"Each year, we honor outstanding students at our awards luncheon, an event filled with pride as we celebrate exceptional students and their contributions to our Otter Raft and community," said President Vanya Quiñones. "I am especially honored to celebrate the President's Award recipients who exemplify the Otter Spirit, demonstrate stellar academic achievement and have left a lasting mark at our university." 

Kua, who will graduate in May with a master’s in speech-language pathology, has already accepted a job working with children in a local school district.

“I decided to stay local at least for another year,” said Kua, who is from Diamond Bar. “For sure, I’ll be sticking with pediatrics. I really enjoy working with kids. I enjoy their young and silly energy.”

During her time at CSUMB, Kua was involved in such organizations as Monterey Bay Walk & Roll to Cure ALS, the California Speech Hearing Association, and served as fundraising chair and a board member of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association.

Locally, she organized the Augmentative and Alternative Communication Fair, an event designed to create a free and accessible community event where anyone could attend and learn about alternative modes of communication.

In her letter nominating Kua for the award, social work Professor Lisa LaSalle said Kua was an “exemplary” student.

“She strengthens CSUMB through sustained student leadership, enhances the professional culture of the program, and supports the broader community through clinical preparation and engagement,” LaSalle wrote.

Receiving the president’s award, Kua said, was a pleasant surprise.

“I think this is the first award I have received in my speech career,” she said. “I was so excited.”

For his part, Orellana called the award “one of the highest honors I’ve ever received.” 

A collaborative health and human services major, Orellana plans to stay in his hometown of Monterey for the foreseeable future, although he has plans to pursue a master’s degree at some point.

“I plan to be active in the city council and be active in local government,” he said. 

He’s had some experience with campus governing organizations, serving as a senator for the College of Health Science and Human Services with Associated Students. Orellana also served on the Dean’s Student Advisory Committee, the Committee of Colleges – handling scholarship allocations – and as secretary to the HSI Student Advisory Board. 

As a student worker, he was involved with the founding of EL Centro, the Latine success center. He was also a member of College Corps, focusing his volunteer work on Central Coast Hospice.

In his letter of nomination for the president’s award, CHSHS Dean Phillip Post called Orellana a “well-rounded” student who has exhibited remarkable leadership. 

“He demonstrates a sophisticated grasp of systems-level change and works to strengthen institutional practices that benefit the broader campus community,” Post said, referring to Orellana's work on the Dean’s Student Advisory Committee. He went on to call him “an outstanding scholar, an impactful student leader, and a principled advocate whose contributions have strengthened Cal State Monterey Bay.”

Orellana credits his family, particularly his mother, as his inspiration. But his time at CSUMB has also made a big impact on him.

“It empowered me to be the student I am today,” he said. “It allowed me to rediscover myself and gave me new meaning and purpose. I’m appreciative of everyone here who supported me. I’m super grateful for the people that I met on my journey who made me stronger.”