Media Contact: Javier Rojas, javier.rojas@csun.edu,  (818) 677-2130

Of the approximately 3,700 graduates invited to take part in California State University, Northridge’s Honors Convocation on Saturday, May 10, six individuals will be singled out for special recognition as outstanding graduating students.

Among those being recognized will be Cristian Rodriguez, this year’s Wolfson Scholar, the top award given to a graduating senior. It is presented each year in memory of CSUN’s first vice president, Leo Wolfson. Not only must the student have an exceptional academic record, but he or she must also have made significant contributions to CSUN or the community through co-curricular and extracurricular activities.

“It’s an incredible honor to be chosen as this year’s Wolfson Scholar and it’s something that I never would have imagined when I came to CSUN,” Rodriguez said. “As a first-generation college student from a family of Mexican immigrant farmers, this means the world.”

Rodriguez’s journey is a testament to perseverance, academic excellence and a commitment to service.

At CSUN, his passion for research was first sparked during the U-RISE Molecular Biology Bootcamp. Rodriguez then joined biology professor Mariano Loza-Coll’s lab, contributing to two projects involving fruit flies: the first on inheritance of ethanol resistance and the second on intestinal stem cell dynamics. 

Rodriguez’s talent earned him a spot in the prestigious California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) Bridges program, where he conducted cutting-edge spinal cord regenerative research at UCLA in neurobiology professor Samantha Butler’s lab. There, he is a part of breakthrough research by helping develop novel human stem cell differentiation protocols with profound therapeutic implications. 

“This type of work is personal to me, as my father and brother both have severe arthritis. So, this type of work hits home,” Rodriguez said. “I want to help people who have diseases and don’t have straightforward treatments. My goal is to do something about it and change people’s lives like my family.”

His research contributions have led to multiple national and international conference presentations, co-authorship on a peer-reviewed publication in Cell Reports and will be the first author on two additional publications. Despite his demanding coursework and research, Rodriguez made time to give back to his community, mentoring underserved youth through C5LA, the organization that helped launch his own academic career.

Originally aspiring to become a firefighter to support his family, Rodriguez’s journeys at CSUN and UCLA redefined his personal promise to “do great things” into a commitment to translational medicine. With plans to pursue a Ph.D. in regenerative medicine, he aims to pioneer therapies that restore sensory and motor function for patients suffering from spinal cord injuries and neurodegenerative diseases.

“I have big dreams, and I have so many people to thank for guiding me through my years here at CSUN that helped make many of my aspirations come true,” Rodriguez said. “I’m not here today without the support of family, professors and mentors who shaped who I am today.”

Rodriquez will be taking part in the Honors Convocation ceremony at 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, on the lawn in front of the University Library, located in the heart of the CSUN campus at 18111 Nordhoff St. in Northridge.

The other students being recognized at Honors Convocation are:

Jon Crain, recipient of the 2025 Nathan O. Freedman Memorial Award for Outstanding Graduate Student

After overcoming the adversity of navigating academia as a first-generation college student, former foster youth and veteran, Crain is set to graduate from CSUN with a master’s degree in social work.

As a graduate student, Crain maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA throughout a rigorous three-year program that not only shaped his perspective but fueled his passion for advocacy and social change.

As an employee of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), Crain assisted the EOP Milt and Debbie Valera Resilient Scholars program in supporting the higher educational aspirations of current and former foster youth college students.

Additionally, the research of his capstone graduate project explored the experiences of foster youth college students in relation to barriers that challenge retention. As an alum of the EOP Milt and Debbie Valera Resilient Scholars Program, Crain has overcome the challenges of this data and devoted himself to supporting his peers’ experiences. In doing so, Crain was invited to join the discussion of programming and support for current and former foster youth scholars at the statewide EOP 55th Anniversary Conference at Sonoma State University.

“Here, I not only shared my experiences servicing this community but also learned from the expertise of established leaders of this sector,” Crain said.

As a social work intern with the Minority Male Mentoring (M3) program at CSUN, Crain also volunteered with Mentoring for Academic and Professional Success (MAPS), a non-profit organization dedicated to helping young adults with lived experience in foster care succeed in applying for advanced degrees.

Crain has also operated in various roles within the CSUN Student Housing and Residential Life Department while pursuing graduate study. As the former advisor for the department’s affinity group, Black Male Initiative, he developed programs and social engagements that demonstrated the values of service and academic excellence while providing spaces for inclusion.

“Throughout my academic journey, I have successfully navigated barriers in the educational system that many students in our society do not successfully overcome,” Crain said. “I aim to reciprocate this knowledge in practical ways that cultivate healthier spaces for the learning of vulnerable students in academia.”

Crain recently received admission into the Educational Leadership Doctoral Program at CSUN.

Outstanding Graduating Senior — Gurnoor Kaur

Arriving in a new country 10,000 miles from home, Kaur began her academic journey at CSUN with unmatched drive and ambition. Her father, a farmer in rural India, bid her farewell from their home with a simple request – “Go to CSUN. Make it count.” And that is exactly what she did.

Despite working up to 50 hours a week across multiple jobs and internships, Kaur maintained a 3.85 GPA in the demanding field of computer science. Her accomplishments include an internship at FOX Corporation, a research fellowship through NASA’s ARCS Foundation, and an impressive record of servant-leadership on campus and beyond.

At CSUN, Kaur served as a peer mentor, a notetaker for students with disabilities and a tutor in advanced mathematics. She has led engineering outreach as events coordinator for the Society of Women Engineers, public relations officer for Girls Who Code and currently serves as secretary of the leaders in Engineering and Computer Science Club. Kaur also led the development of Vision Assist, a mobile application that uses machine learning to help blind and visually impaired users navigate their surroundings — earning her praise from mentors and users alike.

Kaur’s service is rooted in early lessons from her mother, who taught her the meaning of the words “selfless service.” That spirit led her to found the Ambassadors of Hope campaign in her hometown, which still provides medical support and health education under her long-distance leadership. At CSUN, she has continued that ethos through projects like SafeHere, which helps protect students from phishing scams, and by contributing to accessibility-focused software design.

Her numerous academic accolades include the Presidential Scholar Award, the University Scholar Award, the Dianne F. Harrison Student Leadership Award and three consecutive Women in Science and Engineering Awards.

Outstanding Graduating Senior — Kayla Merritt

Merritt graduates from CSUN with a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre and a minor in Jewish studies, earning cum laude distinction and a 3.52 GPA. But her story is far more than grades or accolades — it is one of remarkable resilience, purpose, and service.

Merritt arrived at CSUN as a transfer student after facing extraordinary life challenges. Denied access to schooling in her youth and enduring housing instability, trauma, and systemic neglect, she was forced to rebuild her life from the ground up. Merritt credits a moment of clarity, support systems and her own courage as the turning points that led her to higher education. She is a published scholar, a campus leader, and a vocal advocate for equity and inclusion.

Merritt’s academic achievements include publication in G’Vanim, a peer-reviewed Jewish studies journal, and awards such as the Jewish Studies Department Scholarship, the Owen W. Smith Theatre Scholarship and Dean’s List recognition every semester. Her research includes explorations of Jewish theatre in Nazi Germany, gender variance in Jewish history, and the cultural impact of productions like “Fiddler on the Roof” and “The God of Vengeance” — each project a fusion of her passion for storytelling and social justice.

On campus, Merritt held multiple leadership roles in her sorority, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi — including vice president, new member educator and community service chair — where she led service events for children with special needs.

Merritt performed in several campus theatre productions and interned with Beth Chayim Chadashim, the first LGBTQIA+ synagogue in the world, as part of a Jewish studies community engagement project.

Although she battled PTSD and was recovering from injuries sustained in a recent car accident, Merritt remained steadfast in her academics and leadership.

“Despite everything, I’ve turned my life into one of defiance, not tragedy,” Merritt said. “My journey reflects my mission to live authentically, with strength, service, and relentless determination.”

Outstanding Graduating Senior — Leslie De La Cruz

As a first-generation and transfer student, De La Cruz arrived at CSUN with determination and a deep sense of purpose. Today, she graduates with a 3.88 GPA in health administration and induction into Upsilon Phi Delta, the national honor society for healthcare leaders.

De La Cruz’s academic excellence is the product of years of self-discipline and transformation. Once a student who doubted her own abilities, she spent years developing study strategies, building academic confidence, and committing to long hours of independent learning.

At CSUN, her hard work paid off — she earned straight A’s every semester, received consistent Dean’s List recognition and was celebrated by faculty for her analytical insight and group leadership. Her professors described her as one of the best students they have ever taught.

Equally committed to service, De La Cruz has volunteered more than 200 hours at skilled nursing facilities, including Montebello Care Center, where she worked alongside her mother supporting elderly patients and families during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. She continued this calling in her internship at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, where she led patient satisfaction surveys and took part in rounds on patients, supported cross-departmental care, and analyzed quality data to improve hospital performance.

On campus, De La Cruz worked as a student assistant supporting both the undergraduate and graduate health administration programs. She contributed to data visualization, admissions outreach, and program communications. She also served as a representative for Upsilon Phi Delta’s 2025 cohort, presenting research projects and mentoring peers as part of her department’s community of scholar-leaders.

Behind these achievements lies a deeply personal story. In her first year at CSUN, De La Cruz’s grandfather was deported and she was called on to make weekly trips to Tijuana to help support him while balancing full-time studies and caring for her siblings. From border crossings to her biostatistics assignments, she remained committed to her goal — to become the first in her family to earn a college degree.

“Although having to overcome the guilt of my grandfather and family in Mexico from my privileges here, they push me mentally to continue bettering myself,” De La Cruz said. “Not only has this long journey of overcoming made me realize my potential, but my determination led me to achieve straight-As despite the circumstances as a student who was not able to excel academically in the past.”

Outstanding Graduating Senior — Jesus Gonzalez

Graduating with a near-perfect 3.97 GPA, Gonzalez has distinguished himself through academic excellence, public service and transformational leadership at CSUN. A political science major with a minor in business law, he exemplified the power of perseverance, purpose and profound character.

A first-generation college student and the son of immigrants, Gonzalez first began working in his father’s landscaping business at the age of fourteen. In his first semester at CSUN, his father fell gravely ill with a life-threatening illness, forcing Jesus to step-in and manage the family business while continuing his studies full-time. It was a time of overwhelming responsibility, but he refused to let go of his academic goals or the wellbeing of his family. That same year, he earned the Marino J. Riccomini Family Scholarship — his first public recognition for academic promise.

Gonzalez has since flourished into one of CSUN’s most celebrated students. He has earned consistent Dean’s List recognition, joined the university’s Pre-Law and Political Science Student Associations and conducted research on constitutional law, public opinion and policy. As co-captain of CSUN’s Mock Trial Team, he earned accolades for his courtroom advocacy, leadership and case analysis. He also completed a prestigious judicial internship, observing and reporting on courtroom proceedings in civil, criminal, and family law.

Beyond the classroom, Gonzalez’s contributions to campus life are equally impactful. He served as an orientation leader for New Student Orientation and quadrant leader for commencement. He is also a co-founder of La Familia De CSUN, a student organization that fosters inclusivity, cultural expression and Latinx student success through mentorship, academic workshops, service projects and social networking events.

Gonzalez has demonstrated unwavering commitment to academic rigor, community service and institutional impact. As he prepares to pursue a legal career, he leaves behind a legacy of leadership grounded in humility, excellence and service.

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