At SF State, education goes beyond the classroom—it’s rooted in connection, collaboration, and service. At the 2025 Civic & Community Engagement Awards, we proudly recognized the individuals and organizations who have strengthened campus–community partnerships and created transformative experiences for our students.
Photos of the event will be posted shortly.
Student Award for Excellence in Community Engaged Learning
SF State students are at the heart of our mission. This year, we’re proud to recognize six outstanding students whose commitment to community engagement, service, and leadership truly reflects the values of civic responsibility and hands-on learning. Each of these students has made a meaningful impact in their communities—applying what they’ve learned in the classroom to real-world action.
Adrianna Fa'agau-Noa is a Pacific Islander student leader who has worked to support her community through SPEAK (Sustaining Pasifika Engagement, Advocacy, + Knowledge) and the Samoan Community Development Center. As a District 10 Youth Commissioner, she has advocated for youth representation and addressed challenges impacting Pacific Islander communities. At SF State, she is actively involved in Oceania Scholars, where she promotes visibility, advocacy, and leadership development for Pacific Islander students.
Isabella Rodriguez has contributed extensively to recreation, wellness programs, and civic engagement initiatives. Through partnerships with BORP, The Healing Well, PODER, and the Golden Gate Parks Conservancy, she has helped expand adaptive recreation programs, led community wellness initiatives, and supported civic engagement efforts serving underserved communities.
Franchesca Cu-Pyun is a dedicated environmental educator whose work with the Planet Bee Foundation has helped expand the Pollinator Habitat Program and support BIPOC farming communities. She has also contributed to corporate sustainability initiatives by designing educational workshops that engage diverse communities in ecological stewardship and environmental justice.
Hollie Garrett III co-developed a community-based learning curriculum for CJ 300: Criminal Justice – An Interdisciplinary Perspective, integrating experiential learning into coursework. He also co-produced four podcast episodes highlighting community-based organizations connected to the justice system and developed a workbook to support incarcerated fathers, providing accessible educational tools for students and the public. Beyond curriculum development, Hollie has strengthened partnerships between SF State and community organizations, expanding opportunities for student engagement. His work addresses critical community needs while offering open-access learning materials that enhance public awareness and academic exploration of justice issues.
Jannet Martinez Reyes has been a leader in student advocacy and representation. She co-founded the Latinx Queer Club, revitalized the La Raza Student Organization, and worked to increase Latinx and LGBTQIA+ student visibility in leadership roles. Jannet has played a key role in sustaining cultural events, mobilizing student leadership, and expanding student engagement in equity-focused initiatives.
Kristel Carla Dabandan has combined environmental education with grassroots community advocacy. She has worked with the Planet Bee Foundation to promote pollinator conservation and sustainability education, while also supporting Filipino families through advocacy and community organizing at the Filipino Community Center. Her work includes leading sustainability workshops, volunteering with senior care programs, and supporting immigrant communities.
Faculty Award for Excellence in Community Engaged Learning
SF State faculty play a vital role in shaping students’ academic and professional journeys. Some go even further—integrating community engagement directly into their teaching and mentorship. This year, we’re proud to recognize two faculty members whose commitment to community-engaged learning has made a lasting impact on their students, our campus partners, and the broader Bay Area.
Professor, Department of Jewish Studies | College of Liberal & Creative Arts
Marc Dollinger integrates community engagement into his teaching by connecting students with public history, social movements, and identity studies. Through partnerships with cultural institutions, archives, and advocacy organizations, he creates opportunities for students to engage in historical research, public discourse, and civic engagement. His courses challenge students to critically examine race, activism, and historical narratives, applying their learning to community-based projects and efforts in historical preservation.
Professor, Department of Recreation, Parks & Tourism | College of Health & Social Sciences
Pavlína Látková integrates service learning and community engagement into her teaching in recreation, parks, and tourism. Through long-standing partnerships with organizations, she connects students to hands-on opportunities in sustainable tourism, conservation, and community planning. Her courses include structured service-learning components that promote cultural awareness and professional growth, while her leadership as Internship Coordinator has expanded career pathways for hundreds of students.
Russell Staff Award for Excellence in Community Engagement
At SF State, staff are essential to student success and strong community partnerships. This year, we proudly recognize three staff members whose dedication to engagement, mentorship, and collaboration has made a meaningful difference. We’re especially excited to introduce the Russell Staff Award for Excellence in Community Engagement, renamed in honor of Jill Russell, who retired in 2024 after 17 years as ICCE’s Operations Coordinator. Jill’s behind-the-scenes leadership and commitment to community engagement continue to inspire. This award celebrates staff who, like Jill, exemplify outstanding dedication to community-engaged work and its enduring value.
Reclaiming Nature Project, SF State
Genievive del Mundo Mendieta has demonstrated exceptional leadership in community-engaged research through her role with the Reclaiming Nature project. She led innovative outreach and recruitment efforts with Bay Area organizations to engage youth of color and trained Student Insider Researchers (SIIRs) to conduct culturally grounded, community-based research. Her work has been presented nationally and continues to shape SF State’s commitment to healing in nature. Now developing a Nature Rx program rooted in student experience, Genievive remains a powerful advocate for nature-based wellness and equity in research.
Faculty Lecturer, Department of Computer Science, SF State
Joseph Hui, a retired software architect and instructor in Computer Science, supports the community through his leadership with Adopt-A-Family-Bikes, a charity that refurbishes and redistributes bicycles to students and families in need of transportation support. He regularly brings repaired bikes to campus and offers them free of charge to students—enhancing mobility and access for those who commute. In the classroom, Joseph draws on his industry experience to empower students to succeed in tech. His generosity and commitment have made a lasting impact on the lives of many.
Associated Students, SF State
Nic Gyolai has played a vital role in enhancing the student experience at SF State through her leadership in event production and community engagement. From Kick-Off and Casino Night to the Arts & Crafts Fair, Nic has helped create inclusive, high-impact events that foster student belonging and engagement. Her coordination of logistics, vendor relations, and volunteer teams—paired with strategic outreach efforts—has significantly increased student participation. A collaborative and adaptive leader, Nic continues to strengthen partnerships across campus while centering student voice and feedback in every aspect of her work.
Community Partnership Award for Campus Collaboration
This year, we proudly honored six community partners whose work has made a lasting impact on student learning and engagement. Representing diverse sectors—from environmental justice to education and workforce development—these partners help expand learning beyond the classroom. Together, they exemplify the powerful role of community partnerships in shaping student experiences and future career pathways.
The Arab Resource and Organizing Center (AROC) has strengthened SF State’s connection to grassroots organizing and social justice advocacy. In collaboration with faculty, student organizations, and advocacy groups, AROC provides students with mentorship, training, and hands-on experience in community organizing and coalition-building. Through programs like Arab Youth Organizing and a long-standing partnership with SF State’s Race and Resistance Studies department, AROC has created pathways for students to engage in policy advocacy, movement-building, and leadership development. Their work continues to equip students with practical organizing skills and political education, fostering deeper engagement with community-driven social justice efforts.
Planet Bee Foundation
Jamie Chan, through her leadership as Executive Director at Planet Bee Foundation, has partnered with SF State to provide hands-on environmental education and sustainability initiatives. She has collaborated with faculty and students to integrate urban beekeeping, pollinator conservation, and climate education into service-learning experiences, connecting scientific research with real-world environmental challenges. Her work has helped students develop skills in environmental advocacy, community outreach, and STEM education—fostering a deeper understanding of ecological sustainability while strengthening SF State’s engagement in environmental stewardship.
Save the Redwoods League
Leslie Parra, through her leadership at Save the Redwoods League, has expanded opportunities for SF State students to engage in conservation, environmental justice, and public land access initiatives. As a key partner in the Reclaiming Nature project, she has helped connect students and faculty with culturally relevant experiences of healing in nature, increasing access to outdoor spaces for historically excluded communities. Through collaborations with faculty and student organizations, she has provided hands-on experiences in forest conservation, environmental education, and advocacy—introducing students to career pathways in environmental policy and sustainability. Her work continues to advance inclusive and impactful environmental engagement.
Big Bus Tours
Nicole Ritthaler has been a dedicated partner in connecting SF State students with the tourism and hospitality industry through her work at Big Bus Tours. Since 2017, she has collaborated with faculty to provide internships and industry networking opportunities, helping students gain hands-on experience in operations, customer engagement, and tourism management. Her commitment to student success is reflected in initiatives like the Tourism Professionals & Student Mixer and Big Bus Tours' sponsorship of key university events. By facilitating real-world learning experiences and career guidance, she has strengthened professional pathways and expanded industry connections for SF State students.
Youth 1st
Renard Monroe, Executive Director and founder of Youth 1st, partners with SF State to provide mentorship, professional development, and hands-on learning through College Corps, community-based work-study, and service-learning programs. His initiatives engage students in youth mentorship, after-school programming, and advocacy work—preparing them for careers in education, social work, and nonprofit leadership. His deep ties to the Lakeview/Oceanview–Merced Heights–Ingleside (OMI) communities have strengthened SF State’s connection to the broader community. His leadership in the OMI/Lakeview Holiday Extravaganza Toy Giveaway, Family Day, and the Invest Black initiative reflects a strong commitment to equity, youth empowerment, and community-building.
The San Francisco Education Fund has been a long-standing partner to SF State, supporting aspiring educators while strengthening San Francisco’s public schools. Each year, the organization helps SF State teaching credential candidates fulfill their required classroom experience by placing them in San Francisco Unified School District classrooms, while also advancing STEM education by providing paid tutoring opportunities for math majors. Beyond the classroom, SF Ed Fund offers hands-on experiences that foster civic engagement and professional development. Through this enduring partnership, SF Ed Fund plays a vital role in building a diverse pipeline of future educators and expanding access to equitable education across the city.