(Editor’s note: This article is part of the StanGrad series highlighting Stanislaus State students who are part of the Class of 2023.)
Established in 1970 by Lee Metzger and joined by the Geiger family in 1999, the Metzger-Geiger Award honors the graduating Stanislaus State undergraduate students with the highest grade-point average.
The Class of 2023 has eight students graduating with perfect 4.0 grade-point averages, including Taleyna Sengsoury, who maintained that perfection.
She’s a 4.0 student headed to graduate school, but Taleyna Sengsoury doesn’t attribute her success at Stan State to innate intelligence.
“There are many ways to be a good student,” she said. “A good student knows how to set goals, use resources available to them, manage their time, stay organized, plan ahead and rely on social support networks.”
Sengsoury, a first-generation college student and graduate of Whitmore Charter High School in Ceres, took advantage of those services to make her road to a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in anthropology easier.
“What I loved most about college was the tremendous amount of support available to help students succeed, from the Warrior Food Pantry to the Career Closet to tutoring at the Learning Commons,” she said.
Sengsoury also gave back.
She loved being a leader at New Student Orientation, which introduced her to new friends and gave her greater knowledge and appreciation of the University.
In the classroom, she connected with Anthropology Professor Steve Arounsack.
“I never thought I would meet a professor of the same ethnic background as me,” Sengsoury said, referring to their Laotian heritage. “Seeing his accomplishments and commitment to his students makes me feel like I can do amazing things, too.”
What she looks forward to doing is serving as a school counselor.
“I want to use my education to help other students like me succeed in their education.”
She begins that journey in Stan State’s Master of Arts in Counselor Education with Pupil Personnel Services Credential program.
“I hope to work in higher education, perhaps as an academic advisor.”
