CSU Trustees Award winner had long journey to success

By Mark Muckenfuss

Yesel Fernandez was not living the life she had envisioned for herself. She decided things had to change.

“I was on a really bad path, and I was involved with bad people,” she said. “I was just trying to survive.”

The Salinas native was moving from one temporary job to another, trying to support her two young children as a single parent. She often found herself among gang members and drug dealers. 

In May, Fernandez, 41, graduated magna cum laude from Cal State Monterey Bay with a bachelor’s degree in human development and family science. Despite that success, she was surprised when she got the email notifying her that she was the winner of the annual Trustees Award. Each year, a single student is chosen from each of the CSU’s 22 campuses to receive the award.

"Yesel Fernandez made a decision to change her life with the pursuit of a bachelor's degree from Cal State Monterey Bay, and through her capstone project, she focused on how immigrant parents and local high school students can successfully navigate the college pathways in our region," former President Vanya Quiñones, who nominated Fernandez for the award, said in May. "Her dedication to her own education as well as supporting others shows a true Otter Spirit and is exactly why she is deserving of the CSU Trustees Award." 

Since the program’s inception in 1984, more than 500 CSU students have been honored with the Trustees' Award. This year’s awardees are pursuing a range of majors—from business and biology to mathematics and social work—and a gamut of career goals. Many are first-generation college students who have been deeply engaged in community service.

Beyond the recognition, the CSU Trustees’ Award scholars receive more than $200,000 in scholarships collectively, thanks to the generous contributions from past and present CSU trustees and other donors.

Fernandez, who is being named a Hearst Foundations scholar as part of the honors, said she was a bit overwhelmed to receive the recognition. 

“I feel so lucky to have been chosen,” she said. “I was in disbelief. I had to read it again to make sure they didn’t say, ‘Unfortunately …’ Then I took a screenshot and, right away, sent it to my mom.” 

Four years ago, tired of her life, Fernandez had the opportunity to get care for her two young children. She jumped at it and enrolled in Hartnell College. But she was nervous. It had been two decades since she’d been in a classroom. 

“I never thought I would be able to graduate from Hartnell,” she said. “It was hard to go back after almost 20 years. But I passed with A’s”

CSUMB provided a convenient next step. It was close and two of her friends who had graduated from the university told her it had a “good vibe.” But it too was intimidating at first.

“I think I had that ‘I’m lost’ face because people were like, ‘Do you need help?’” she said. “I made a lot of friends and got close to some of my professors.”

She took advantage of some of the on-campus activities, even though she had little time in her work/family/school life. 

“I never missed an Otter Thursday,” she said. “I found out about a lot of things from that that were very helpful to me.”

One of those was the TRIO program, which provides support to students coming from underserved communities. Through the program, she was able to participate in recreational outings with other students. 

“But the biggest support for me was meeting with my TRIO advisor,” she said. “We would check in regularly, and it was really helpful to have someone to talk to about school and life in general.” 

When she decided to return to school, Fernandez initially had the goal of becoming either a preschool or kindergarten teacher. She likes working with children, but her practicum experience convinced her that a different path would be better for her. She found a job with the federal Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs – also known as GEAR UP – at UC Santa Cruz. The program targets underserved and first-generation college students. Her own similar experience, she said, allows her to connect with the people she is serving. 

“I was helping kids and families apply for college,” she said. “I really like working with the families. It’s amazing how many don’t know there are scholarships available to them. I really care about helping people because of my own life experiences.”

Fernandez received numerous scholarships and grants herself. Beyond the traditional federal and state income-based scholarships, she benefited from a Summer Enrollment Grant, a Middle-Class Scholarship 2.0, the Tri-County Vision Scholarship and OtterCare emergency funds. 

In the fall, Fernandez will begin an online Master of Business Administration program with CSUMB. She has grown to love learning so much that she wants to continue her education, although she’s not entirely sure where that will lead her. She would like to continue to be involved in community-based work and perhaps have a restaurant as a side business.

She has few qualms about pursuing her dreams. Receiving the Trustees Award has helped in that respect, she said. 

“I’m definitely more confident in myself,” Fernandez said, reflecting on the award and her CSUMB experience. “Before, I felt kind of shy and I felt very low, like I didn’t really belong. Now, I walk with my head up high. I’m somebody now.”