2021 Justice Studies Scholarship Recipients

Daniel P. Lomio Memorial Scholarship 

Recipient: Clarissa Punla 

Graduation Date: May 2022 

I plan to pursue a Criminal Justice or Criminology PhD and eventually become a university professor and researcher. 

 would like to express my deepest appreciation to the Lomio Family for the financial support to help me pursue my educational and career goals. I would also like to thank the Justice Studies Scholarship Committee for selecting me as the recipient of this scholarship

Willard “Huck” Schmidt Memorial Scholarship

Recipient: Isabella Mahan (She/Her)

Graduation Date: May 2022

Following the completion of my master’s degree at SJSU, I seek to obtain my PhD in Political Science. Developing an interdisciplinary lens through the perspectives of Justice Studies and political science, I intend to work in researching women’s equity, particularly focusing on the experiences of sex workers to build tangible solutions to protect and support those diminished and objectified due to their gender or sexuality.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to the Schmidt family and donors for their immense generosity in developing this scholarship. Their support greatly decreases the financial pressures during my final year at SJSU, allowing me to put greater focus and energy into my research pursuits and engaging with my local community. 

Kristofer Boaz Claspill Memorial Scholarship

Recipient: Kristine Welcher

Graduation Date: Spring 2022

After I complete my bachelor's degree, my goal is to continue my education by obtaining a master’s degree in justice studies and enter law enforcement. I am inspired to serve my community in whatever capacity that I can and hopefully make an impact.  

I am honored to be the recipient of the Kristofer Boaz Claspill Memorial Scholarship and I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Claspill family for their continued support of students like me who need it most. I am humbled that I was chosen as a recipient and will do my best to represent their son’s legacy with honor.

Theresa Edel Memorial Scholarship 

Recipient: Anna E. Gonzalez

Graduation Date: December 2021

After graduation I will be preparing for law school for Fall 2022 admission, with a focus on criminal law, and interest in juvenile justice and public health. 

I extend the utmost gratitude to Theresa’s family and the donors to this scholarship. Receiving this award has allowed me the opportunity to complete my education free of financial worries as I follow in the footsteps of a someone as motivated as Theresa. I am inspired by her example and hope to accomplish as much as she did in her career. I am so grateful to be able to focus primarily on my academic achievements rather than financial challenges thanks to the generosity of those who have donated to this scholarship.

Theresa Edel Memorial Scholarship 

Recipient: Kristine Welcher

Graduation Date: Spring 2022

After I complete my bachelor's degree, I plan to continue my education and then work in law enforcement. I hope to give back and serve in my community by assisting returning citizens and providing them the resources to move forward in life so they can become the better versions of themselves. 

I am honored to be awarded the Theresa Edel Memorial Scholarship. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the donor of this scholarship for giving me this award and believing in my future. With this award, I am able to keep setting higher goals for myself and push harder. 

Shelby B. Brewer Memorial Scholarship 

Recipient: Anna E. Gonzalez

Graduation Date: December 2021

After graduation I will be attending law school part-time, while still working as a full-time Paralegal for the county. My interests include criminal law, specifically that of the juvenile division and enhancing public safety opportunities. 

As a recipient of the Shelby B. Brewer Memorial Scholarship, I share Shelby’s passion for reducing recidivism in juvenile crime. Like Shelby, I hope to be the voice in the criminal justice system for those who are underage and under-represented.  It is a great honor to be selected for this scholarship and I am forever grateful, as it has not only relieved my financial burden, but it has allowed me to remain focused on my schoolwork and maintain my responsibilities both personally and educationally. My heartfelt appreciation goes out to the family of the radiant Shelby B. Brewer for their contribution to my journey. 

Simpson & Silva Memorial Scholarship 

Recipient: Rowan Dunton

Graduation Date: May 2022

After graduation, I intend to work at the intersection of current science, law enforcement, and communication. These areas of interest are evolving, and I plan to play a role in shaping how we talk not only about, but within, law enforcement, forensic science, and other justice system-adjacent fields in the future.

I would like to sincerely thank the donors of the Officers Simpson and Silva Memorial Scholarship for their generous contribution. I am honored to be this year's recipient of the endowment.

Simpson and Silva Memorial Scholarship

Recipient: Michelle Lujan

Graduation Date: Fall 2022 

My plans after graduation are to work in Santa Clara County as a Probation Officer in the Juvenile Division or a Court Appointed Friend and Advocate (CAFA) mentor for at-risk youth with Fresh Lifelines for Youth (FLY) organization and become a positive role model for my community.

Thank you for your confidence in me with this opportunity.  I would like to express my sincere gratitude and deep appreciation of your support and feel extremely honored to have been selected for this scholarship.  I look forward to giving back to the Simpson & Silva Memorial Scholarship to support future students like me and provide them with the same opportunity that has been afforded to me.

Simpson and Silva Memorial Scholarship 

Recipient: Enrique Guerra

Graduation Date: Fall 2021

After graduating, my goal is to join the Federal Bureau of Investigation or Central Intelligence Agency. I would also like to continue to develop my education in the criminal justice field by earning my doctorate. 

It is an honor to be the recipient of the Simpson & Silva Memorial Scholarship. The generosity of the friends and family of Officers Gene Simpson and Gordon Silva has given me opportunity to pursue my academic aspirations. It is because of generous donors as yourselves that I am able to learn amongst elite criminologists, sociologists and other bright justice students. This scholarship will support the completion of my master’s degree in the Justice Studies program at San Jose State University. I am proud to have been recognized by the friends, donors, and supporters of Officers Simpson & Silva's scholarship, who have inspired me to contribute to others down the line. 

Jeffrey Fontana Memorial Scholarship

Recipient: Emily Yen Dang

Graduation Date: Fall 2022

After graduation, I plan to acquire my Master’s degree in Forensic Science and ultimately, a Ph.D. in Forensic DNA & Serology. My goal is to become a professor at SJSU while working at a forensic laboratory.  

I am sincerely grateful to the friends and family of Officer Fontana and honored to be chosen as the recipient of the Officer Jeffrey Fontana Memorial Scholarship. As a first-generation college student, this scholarship is a tremendous help to me in my academic journey. This award will help me with my college expenses and allow me to focus on pursuing my academic goals.

Paula Stone Hubbell Memorial Scholarship

Recipient: Allyson Cruz-Galan

Graduation Date: Summer 2022

After graduation, my ultimate goal is to attend law school here in California to prepare for a career as a Criminal Defense lawyer.

I would like to thank my family, professors, and the family of Paula Stone Hubbell for their generous contribution to support my education. As a first-generation college student, I am honored to have the opportunity to pursue a higher education and accomplish my academic and professional goals. I look forward to one day becoming a donor and supporting the Justice Studies scholarships in the same way this scholarship has supported me.

Paula Stone Hubbell Memorial Scholarship 

Recipient: Michelle Lujan

Graduation Date: Fall 2022 

My plans after graduation are to work with disenfranchised youth to interrupt the “pipeline to prison” and break the cycle of juvenile violence, crime, and incarceration.  My aspirations are to become a Probation Officer in the Juvenile Division of Santa Clara County or as a Court Appointed Friend and Advocate (CAFA) mentor for Fresh Lifelines for Youth (FLY) organization to serve as a positive mentor and role model in hopes to keep many of these juveniles off the streets.

I would like to thank the donors of the Paula Hubble Endowment Scholarship.  I am extremely grateful for your generous support and empowering me to reach my fullest personal and professional potential.

California Association of Criminalists Endowment

Recipient: Alvin Lin

Graduation Date: Summer 2021 

After graduating from San Jose State University, I would like to work in the social media industry and analyze user behavior in online social media platforms for a few years. Once I have discovered more of the real-world problems in Forensic Science, and then I would like to return to school and earn a graduate degree in Forensic Science, Computer Science, or Data Science.

I want to thank CAC Reed McLaughlin Endowment Committee and SJSU Justice Studies Department for giving me this honor. Because of this scholarship, I can further my education and research into identifying potential crimes on the internet. With computer science and machine learning techniques nowadays, we can quickly retrieve violence information online in social media or online forums, which will help law enforcement prevent victimization and offline violence. Again, I am grateful that this scholarship brings me more research resources and improves my research quality, especially during COVID when all the conferences are cancelled, and my family has struggled to support me financially. This scholarship is an acknowledgment of my research effort, so it means a lot to me.

J. Edgar Hoover Foundation Scholarship for Outstanding Leadership

Recipient: Anna E. Gonzalez

Graduation Date: December 2021

Upon graduation, I will be attending law school and advancing my interests in criminal law practice for juvenile courts and public safety.  

My plans for law school derive from my eagerness to be the change I want to see in this world and my desire to learn more about the criminal justice system.  I want to make a lasting positive impression on the criminal justice system. I have the utmost gratitude to the Hoover Foundation for their support of my personal career goals and endeavors.

J. Edgar Hoover Foundation Scholarship for Outstanding Leadership

Recipient: Sierra Moore

Graduation Date: Spring 2022

After graduating, I plan to pursue a master’s and/or PhD in Forensic Psychology or Clinical Psychology. I then plan to work as a psychologist in the prison system, and eventually teach at a junior college or a university. 

I am very thankful to have been chosen as the recipient of the J. Edgar Hoover Scholarship. This scholarship will help me continue to work towards my goals and follow my dreams. It has continued to inspire me to continue to work hard and give back to my community in my future 

J. Edgar Hoover Foundation Scholarship for Outstanding Leadership

Recipient: Hivanna Maria Prado

Graduation Date: Spring 2023

After graduating I intend to pursue a master’s and possibly a PhD in Forensic Science. I then plan to one day work for the FBI. 

I am honored to be the recipient of the J. Edgar Hoover Scholarship. This award will allow me to cover the cost of my education, and continue the pursuit of my hopes, dreams, and goals in all of my future endeavors with energy, positivity, and hard work. I am grateful for the chance to one day pay it forward.

J. Edgar Hoover Foundation Scholarship for Outstanding Leadership

Recipient: Ryan Kwong

Graduation Date: Fall 2022

After graduation, I hope to work as a computer forensic analyst and eventually work to reduce the digital divide across our various communities. 

I am truly grateful and honored to have been chosen for the J. Edgar Hoover Scholarship. Because of their generosity of this foundation, I am able to focus more on achieving my academic and personal goals. I look forward to being able to contribute to the future generations of students to come just as they have done for me.