Fresno State’s eight schools and colleges, along with the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, each selected an outstanding student to honor as part of the class of 2022 Undergraduate and Graduate Deans’ Medalists.

The deans selected an undergraduate and graduate medalist based on academic excellence, community involvement and other achievements.

In mid-May, one medalist will be announced as the President’s Medalist, the University’s top academic honor for an undergraduate student.

This year’s medalists are:

Noorjot Kaur, College of Social Sciences Undergraduate Dean’s Medalist

Noorjot Kaur, of Fresno, earned her B.A. in history with a 4.0 GPA in three years. When her parents’ restaurant fell victim to the Great Recession in 2008, Kaur and her sisters were sent to live in India for several years. She said she had no choice but to do well academically in India and rose to be one of the top five students in each of her grade levels. She continued that strong academic streak when she returned to Fresno, despite not remembering how to speak English, and graduated summa cum laude valedictorian from Bullard High School. She came to Fresno State with the goal of becoming a lawyer after watching a mock trial in high school. She interned at Singh Ahluwalia Immigration Law Firm three days a week while attending classes and working in her parents’ new restaurant. She made the President’s List for three semesters while at Fresno State and was hired by the law firm to work as a legal assistant. She plans to attend law school.

Tania Castillo, College of Social Sciences Graduate Dean’s Medalist

Tania Castillo, of Fresno, earned her M.S. in criminology with a 4.0 GPA. She previously earned her B.S. in criminology at Fresno State. Castillo came to the United States from Mexico seven years ago to pursue higher education and better life opportunities. She aspires to serve and give back to the community. Her exposure to criminal justice systems in other countries and its effect on vulnerable populations led her to study criminology. At Fresno State, Castillo serves as president of Alpha Phi Sigma, a criminal justice honors organization that participates in community service events, academic conferences and provides networking opportunities for its members. She volunteered with the City of Fresno’s Citizens’ Public Safety Advisory Board and serves as a fulltime immigration liaison at the Mexican Consulate. Her goal is to become a criminology professor and to conduct research that informs evidence-based policy.