Finalists for Homecoming Court Announced
The winning 2015 SDSU Homecoming royals will be crowned during halftime at the Homecoming football game.
San Diego State University Student Life and Leadership has revealed the Top 10 finalists for 2015 Homecoming Court, showcasing the range of talented, exceptional student leaders at SDSU.
Nominated by student groups such as the Afrikan Student Union, Honors Council and Alpha Gamma Delta, this year’s SDSU Homecoming Court finalists highlight a diverse array of student leaders from across campus. Each year, students applying for Homecoming Court undergo a rigorous, merit-based selection process, demonstrating their commitment to academics, service, and student life and leadership. Applicants must have a 2.5 GPA or higher, complete 90 units by the time of application and are required to submit a resume and personal statement.
Randall Timm, dean of Students and member of the Homecoming Court Selection Committee, said the finalists embody the passion and enthusiasm for leadership that SDSU student leaders are known for. “This process is really about looking about the students’ transformation at State and how the Aztec Experience has shaped their lives,” Timm said.
Service project success
Last year’s Homecoming King Brandon Ishikata was nominated by the SDSU Ambassadors, and the Homecoming Queen Sara Roldan was nominated by the College of Science’s Student Council. Together they hosted their successful Homecoming Service Project “A Kaleidoscope of Abilities” last spring, which helped spread disability awareness and art appreciation on campus.
Assistant Director of Student Life and Leadership Michele Whalley said the Homecoming Service Project is a big component of the application. She said the projects are usually connected to causes students are passionate about and inclusive of all members of the SDSU community.
“The service project that Sara and Brandon did last year was such a successful event that Student Disability Services decided to turn it into an annual event," Whalley said. "That is essentially what we hope these service projects turn into, giving the students an opportunity to leave their legacy at SDSU.”
In addition to Timm and Whalley, those serving on this year’s Homecoming Court Selection Committee include Assistant Dean of Student Affairs Patricia Lozada-Santone, Aztec Student Union Assistant Director of Operations Kyle Zive and Associate Director of Residential Education Edwin Darell.
Finalists selected as the 2015 SDSU Homecoming Royals will be crowned during halftime at the Homecoming football game on November 14.
2015 Homecoming
Andrea Byrd, advertising major
Nominated by: Afrikan Student Union
Andrea is the Associated Students’ vice president of university affairs and Alpha Kappa Psi’s former vice president of public relations. She also served as the public relations officer for the Afrikan Student Union.
Brenna Culliton, political science major
Nominated by: Alpha Gamma Delta
Brenna is president of the SDSU’s Alpha Gamma Delta chapter, Associated Students’ chief justice, and secretary of the Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society.
Brian Levett, kinesiology major
Nominated by: Student African American Brotherhood
Brian is a Harambee Scholars’ mentor and the Afrikan student excellence council coordinator for the Afrikan Student Union. He also belongs to the Mortar Board National Senior Honor Society.
Dezmon Monroe Robinson, interdisciplinary studies major
Nominated by: Phi Beta Sigma (Lambda Iota chapter)
Dezmon is president of the Phi Beta Sigma Lambda Iota chapter. He has also held leadership positions with the Black Student Science Organization and the Avid Alumni Association.
Emmanuel Uwakwe, finance major
Nominated by: Black Business Society
Emmanuel is a member of the SDSU Business Honors Program and an Aztec P.R.I.D.E. student representative. Last year he served as the Associated Students’ College of Business representative.
Jennifer Reyes, health science major
Nominated by: College of Health and Human Services College Council
Jennifer is the president of the College of Health and Human Services’ student council, president of the Students for Public Health Organization and is a mentor with EOP Success, Opportunity, Academics, Relationship.
Angela Risi, English and psychology major
Nominated by: Honors Council
Angela Risi is the current vice president for community service for the Honors Council and served as its director of community service last year. She has also held leadership positions with Phi Eta Sigma and Phi Beta Kappa.
Samantha Olivas, English and speech, language and hearing sciences major
Nominated by: SDSU Ambassadors
Samantha serves as vice president of training for the SDSU Ambassadors. She is also a member of the Aztec Literary Review and the National Student Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences Association.
Keaujahn’e Polk, psychology major
Nominated by: Student African American Sisterhood
Keaujahn’e is the president of the SDSU chapter of Delta Sigma Theta and vice president of the Student African American Sisterhood. She is also a member of the SDSU ROTARACT Club.
Shaan McGhie, psychology major
Nominated by: Mortar Board National Senior Honor Society
Shaan is the executive vice president of the SDSU chapter of the Mortar Board National Senior Society. She also serves as chief of marketing for PsyMore — the Psychology Mentoring, Outreach and Education Program.
