Hiba Mirza named Clovis Community College President’s Medal Graduate

Hiba Mirza was honored as Clovis Community College’s 2017 President’s Medal Graduate at the commecement ceremony Friday. The President’s award is given to a student who has demonstrated leadership at the college, given back to the college and community and still maintained high academic achievement during their time at Clovis Community College.

Mirza has been an active student leader during her time at Clovis Community College. She served as a Senator and Public Relations Coordinator for the Associated Student Government. Mirza also started the Muslim Student Association and participated in the Interfaith Club. In these leadership roles, she organized a variety of college-wide activities that helped create a cohesive, caring, collaborative and inclusive college culture.

Her goal is always to create a comfortable, safe environment for students to come together, enjoy each other and learn from each other.

“Hiba is a bright, brave, confident young woman who shows kindness and grace in every situation,” said Clovis Community College president Dr. Lori Bennett. “We are proud of her accomplishments at Clovis Community College, and we wish her all the best as she transfers to Fresno State to pursue her degree in psychology.”

Four students were selected to earn the Dean’s Medal of Distinction. This medal is presented to exemplary students for their academic accomplishments and positive impact on Clovis Community College.

Clovis Community College 2017 Dean’s Medal of Distinction Graduates are:

Jessica Chadbourne, Student Services

Jessica Chadbourne is going to be the first person in her family to graduate from college. Growing up in a family of fourteen children, Jessica knew that she wanted to be a lawyer from a young age. Her desire is to advocate for youth in the Central Valley. During her time at Clovis Community College, Jessica consistently worked 2 jobs (totaling more 40 hours per week) while maintaining full-time student loads every semester. Jessica was also actively involved in Clovis’ Extended Opportunity Programs and Services for the past year. She is earning two Associate’s Degrees for Transfer, one in history, and one in philosophy. When she graduates, she will graduate with over a 3.0 and has been admitted into Fresno State as a history major.

Taylor Prentice Ford; Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Taylor Prentice Ford instantly made an impact as a top student since first taking classes at Clovis Community College in the spring of 2014. His professor noted that Taylor wrote lab reports and project papers that were among the best he has ever have seen in his 28 years of teaching. Mr. Ford earned all A’s throughout the challenging Physics 4 A/B/C progression of courses. Taylor is now enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering program at Fresno State University and hopes to eventually work for in the aerospace industry.

Spencer Shadley, Humanities and Social Sciences

Spencer Shadley is an excellent student and has been the Student Court Chief Justice for the college’s Associate Student Government and a member of Alpha Gamma Sigma. He has also worked as an “excellent” student tutor in the Tutorial Center where he is described as punctual, respectful and a remarkable team player. Spencer will be graduating with an Associate Degree for Transfer from Clovis Community College and has been accepted at the University of California, Berkeley where he will pursue his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science.

Lawrence Young; Career, Technical Education, and Athletics

Lawrence Young is a Bullard High School graduate, a devoted single parent and a U.S. Air Force Veteran. Lawrence has faced numerous challenges along the way in achieving his academic pursuits but through it all he hasn’t given up. Lawrence has been an active member of the Criminology Club and has been a wonderful spokesman for the college. He is receiving his Associate in Science degree in Administration of Justice and will be transferring in the fall to Fresno State where he will be working towards his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology.

This story was originally published May 19, 2017 at 10:49 PM with the headline "Hiba Mirza named Clovis Community College President’s Medal Graduate."