May 14, 2026 —
Fresno City College is pleased to announce the 2026 Dean’s Medallion of Excellence Award recipients. This year, eight graduating students chosen by their division dean will receive the award. The students will receive their medallions at a ceremony on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the Old Administration Building, Room 251.
The award is bestowed each year to Fresno City College students whose academic achievements, service to the community, and general excellence have brought honor to the College and distinction among their peers.
Each recipient will receive a $500 scholarship. One of the students will also receive the Tony Cantú President’s Medallion and an additional $1000 scholarship. This honor is named for former FCC President Tony Cantú who passed away in 2015, FCC President Denise Whisenhunt makes the selection from the group of recipients.
2026 Dean’s Medallion Winners
Allied Health, Physical Education and Athletics Division
Ms. Nelley Guzman-Dominguez
of Madera
Pre-Allied Health and Human Biology (AS)
Applied Technology Division
Mr. Rodys Dykoka Ngolo
of Fresno
Electrical Systems Technology (AS)
Business Education Division
Mr. Joshua J. Slusher
of Fresno
Business Administration for Transfer (AA-T)
Counseling and Guidance Division
Ms. Grace Boone
of Fresno
Business Administration for Transfer (AA-T)
Fine, Performing and Communication Arts Division
Mr. Trinity Iniguez
of Fresno
Communication for Transfer (AA-T)
Humanities Division
Ms. Karina Conde Hernandez
of Fresno
Spanish for Transfer (AA-T)
Math, Science and Engineering Division
Ms. Simran Chahal
of Fresno
Biology for Transfer (AS-T)
Physics for Transfer (AS-T)
Engineering (AS)
Social Sciences Division
Ms. Randi Dunn
of Fresno
Sociology for Transfer (AA-T)
Pre-Allied Health (AS)
2026 Distinguished Alumnus
Commencement Ceremony
Friday, May 22, 2026, 6:30 pm
Save Mart Center 2650 E. Shaw, Fresno
This year’s Commencement speaker and Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient is Paul Calvo, a 2021 FCC graduate and Dean’s Medallion Award recipient. Paul was a former Bulldog gang member who earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Stanford. He spent years in and out of Juvenile Hall, where he learned to be a better gang member. Eventually, the law caught up with him, and he was incarcerated for seven years in a penitentiary. His sister helped him realize his potential and encouraged him to attend FCC.
A Fresno native, Paul was the cover story in the Focus Forward, Stories of Hope Magazine in 2021. At FCC, he thrived in all his math courses and became a math tutor. He eventually branched out and also tutored fellow students in physics, chemistry and engineering while carrying 12-17 units per semester with a 3.9 GPA. He is now a program associate for STEM Advantage, an organization that provides mentorships, career preparation and inspiration to first-generation college students from underserved communities. His on TEDxStanford talk he shares how his community of professors, classmates and family helped him succeed in education after serving time in prison.
State Center Community College District
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