San Diego State University Graduates Reflect on Achievements and Challenges
San Diego State University (SDSU) Imperial Valley campus recently celebrated the graduation of its Class of 2026. Among the graduates was Alvaro Medina Perez, who completed his degree in public health with an emphasis on environmental science. Perez, part of the first public health cohort at SDSU Imperial Valley, highlighted the challenges faced due to the lack of a predefined pathway, which required significant effort from both faculty and students to establish a successful program. The graduation ceremony was marked by reflections on the supportive and welcoming atmosphere of the campus, as noted by graduates Marlene Valles and Fatima Barajas, both psychology majors. Valles chose SDSU for its strong program in her field, aiming to work with children and teens, while Barajas followed her father's dream of staying in the Valley, aspiring to attend Stanford for further studies. 
