Graduates named Deans’ Medalists for outstanding achievements

Every year CSUMB honors exceptional graduating students with university-wide and Dean's Medalist awards. This is one of a series of stories about this year’s winners. For information about graduation ceremonies, go to the commencement webpage.

By Sophia Huang McKenzie

The deans of CSUMB’s five colleges select one outstanding graduating senior each year for the Dean’s Medalist award. Recipients must carry a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, have made significant contributions to students or the university, and shown leadership as a positive agent for innovation and action. This year's winners are:

Karla Montano Acosta, College of Education

Karla Montano Acosta graduates with a degree in human development and family science. She came to the United States when she was 7 years old with limited English language skills. She started at CSUMB as a member of the College Assistance Migrant Program for students from migrant and seasonal farmworker backgrounds. 

She worked as an academic intern with the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness in Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) in Watsonville. The program supports first-generation and low-income students in pursuing higher education. She also volunteered at the Castroville Public Library where she tutored K-12 students. Acosta intends to pursue a master’s degree in school counseling to advocate for students and increase their learning and achievement. 

Jianshan Chen Khalsa, College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

Jianshan Chen Khalsa is a first-generation college graduate, earning summa cum laude academic honors. She transferred to CSUMB from Hartnell College in 2020 and will continue her education as a graduate student in CSUMB’s School Psychology Program. She grew up in a remote farming village in Guangdong Province, China, where she dropped out of high school to support her family. 

She moved to California in 2016 to pursue her dream of becoming an educator. She plans to become a school psychologist to help diverse student populations receive the services they need to help them thrive and succeed.

Misha Zmuda-Arnold Moseley, College of Health Sciences and Human Services

Misha Zmuda-Arnold Moseley is a Collaborative Health and Human Services graduate passionate about nutritional health. She interned with CSUMB’s Basic Needs Initiative for the past three semesters, serving as a nutritional advisor. 

Moseley says it was an amazing opportunity to support the health of CSUMB students while pursuing her professional goals in dietary education. She is enthusiastic about sharing the benefits of healthy eating with others to promote holistic well-being for all communities.

Ethan Quaranta, College of Science

Ethan Quranta is graduating summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in environmental studies. His minor is environmental health policy through the science for sustainable communities concentration. 

He has been active with student government at various levels of governance and served as a key voice in the CSU Fossil Fuel Divestment movement. He also currently serves as a leader in the community as a member of the executive and political committees, and chair of the energy committee for Sierra Club, Ventana Chapter. He will pursue a career in urban planning or state legislative affairs.

Miranda Sampson, College of Business

Miranda Sampson is graduating from the College of Business with a concentration in agribusiness. Sampson earned an associate's degree in business administration at Cabrillo College and transferred to CSUMB in Fall 2020 in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although Miranda’s start at the university was completely virtual, she was determined to make the most out of her college experience. 

She joined the Agribusiness Club and became club president after two semesters. She completed internships at the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership and CSUMB’s Tanimura and Antle Family Memorial Library. Sampson lived on campus, went to school events, met fellow students, and engaged with inspiring professors. She says she is unbelievably grateful for the support of professors, supervisors, and mentors during her time at CSUMB.