Fowler Graduates a Record Number of Undergraduates in 2026
May 18, 2026
SDSU’s Fowler College of Business saw a record number of undergraduates (3,064) and 251 graduate students that were eligible to walk during the college’s 2026 commencement events.
For the first time in the college’s history, Fowler celebrated two undergraduate ceremonies — held on May 15 and 16 — so that all the graduates and their families could be accommodated. The college’s graduate students held their commencement event on May 14 as part of the College of Graduate Studies.
This year’s top undergraduate students in each major sat on the podium with their most influential professor during the commencement ceremonies. This year’s top students are:
Undergraduate Students
Accounting, Top Student in the Fowler College of Business
Julian Preciado
Hometown: El Centro, California
Most Influential Professor: John Hayes
Post-Graduation Plans: Julian will be a tax intern at the San Diego office of PwC while studying for the CPA exam.
Most Influential Professor: John Hayes
Post-Graduation Plans: Julian will be a tax intern at the San Diego office of PwC while studying for the CPA exam.
Finance
Mariella Victoria Cady
Hometown: Tujunga, California
Most Influential Professor: Lynn Villalobos
Post Graduation Plans: Ella currently works at Burlington, Inc., as a financial analyst in their Financial Analyst Development program.
Most Influential Professor: Lynn Villalobos
Post Graduation Plans: Ella currently works at Burlington, Inc., as a financial analyst in their Financial Analyst Development program.
General Business
Abigail Patel
Hometown: San Diego, California
Most Influential Professor: Nancy Arenas
Post Graduation Plans: Abigail will begin her career as an HR assistant with a local aerospace company following graduation. She also plans to complete her associate professional in human resources (aPHR) certification.
Most Influential Professor: Nancy Arenas
Post Graduation Plans: Abigail will begin her career as an HR assistant with a local aerospace company following graduation. She also plans to complete her associate professional in human resources (aPHR) certification.
Online Business Degree
Jax Johnson
Hometown: Huntington Beach, California
Most Influential Professor: Kellen M. Hernandez
Post Graduation Plans: Jax plans to further his career in an analytical or management role.
Most Influential Professor: Kellen M. Hernandez
Post Graduation Plans: Jax plans to further his career in an analytical or management role.
Management
Kelly Wilson
Hometown: Sacramento, California
Most Influential Professor: Dan Eaton
Post Graduation Plans: Kelly will be attending the UCLA School of Law in the fall of 2026.
Most Influential Professor: Dan Eaton
Post Graduation Plans: Kelly will be attending the UCLA School of Law in the fall of 2026.
Management Information Systems
Tushaar Bansal
Hometown: Patran, Punjab India
Most Influential Professor: Chris O’Byrne
Post Graduation Plans: Tushar would like to work in the field of data governance, security or in the ethical use of emerging technologies.
Most Influential Professor: Chris O’Byrne
Post Graduation Plans: Tushar would like to work in the field of data governance, security or in the ethical use of emerging technologies.
Marketing
Taylor Herndon
Hometown: Boulder, Colorado
Most Influential Professor: Mark Lindner
Post Graduation Plans: Taylor plans to stay in San Diego where she will pursue a career that touches both marketing and finance.
Most Influential Professor: Mark Lindner
Post Graduation Plans: Taylor plans to stay in San Diego where she will pursue a career that touches both marketing and finance.
Graduate Students
Master of Science in Accountancy
Cindy Duong
Hometown: San Diego, California
Most Influential Professor: Stefan Slavov
Post Graduation Plans: Cindy will be working at Deloitte’s San Diego office as an audit associate and studying for the CPA exam.
Most Influential Professor: Stefan Slavov
Post Graduation Plans: Cindy will be working at Deloitte’s San Diego office as an audit associate and studying for the CPA exam.
Master of Science in Financial and Tax Planning
Steven Trimble
Hometown: Katy, Texas
Most Influential Professor: Marie-Eve Lachance
Post Graduation Plans: Steven will continue to work in the financial planning industry as he studies for the Certified Financial Planner® exam.
Most Influential Professor: Marie-Eve Lachance
Post Graduation Plans: Steven will continue to work in the financial planning industry as he studies for the Certified Financial Planner® exam.
MBA
Paulina Eggers
Hometown: Ludwigsburg, Germany
Most Influential Professor: Congcong Zheng
Post Graduation Plans: Paulina plans to continue to work as a junior financial analyst at SOLV Energy in San Diego where she’s been confirmed for a promotion.
Most Influential Professor: Congcong Zheng
Post Graduation Plans: Paulina plans to continue to work as a junior financial analyst at SOLV Energy in San Diego where she’s been confirmed for a promotion.
Master of Science in Finance
J’nique Jaime
Hometown: Chandler, Arizona
Most Influential Professor: Frank Ryan
Post Graduation Plans: J’nique will continue to work at San Diego-based QuidelOrtho in their financial planning and analysis team within their Financial Leadership Development Program.
Most Influential Professor: Frank Ryan
Post Graduation Plans: J’nique will continue to work at San Diego-based QuidelOrtho in their financial planning and analysis team within their Financial Leadership Development Program.
Master of Science in Cybersecurity Management
Jacob Barnett
Hometown: Redding, California
Most Influential Professor: Jacob Doiron
Post Graduation Plans: Jacob said his post-graduation plans include “laying a strong foundation, not just in my work, but in how I live overall. I want to develop good habits, stay curious, and be intentional about the kind of impact I’m having in both my professional and personal life.”
Most Influential Professor: Jacob Doiron
Post Graduation Plans: Jacob said his post-graduation plans include “laying a strong foundation, not just in my work, but in how I live overall. I want to develop good habits, stay curious, and be intentional about the kind of impact I’m having in both my professional and personal life.”
Master of Science in Information Systems
Kalyani Narsinh Chikshe
Hometown: Ambajogai, Maharashtra, India
Most Influential Professor: Bruce Reinig
Post Graduation Plans: Kalyani will start her career in the information systems industry. She is most interested in roles involving data, ERP systems or business analytics.
Most Influential Professor: Bruce Reinig
Post Graduation Plans: Kalyani will start her career in the information systems industry. She is most interested in roles involving data, ERP systems or business analytics.
Master of Science in Supply Chain Innovation
Rushang Amin
Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya
Most Influential Professor: Carlos Paternina
Post Graduation Plans: Rushang will continue to work as an operations specialist for a Detroit-based tech company. He hopes to start his own business that specializes in supply chain management.
Most Influential Professor: Carlos Paternina
Post Graduation Plans: Rushang will continue to work as an operations specialist for a Detroit-based tech company. He hopes to start his own business that specializes in supply chain management.
