Recognition, reflection and a sense of shared accomplishment filled the Santos Manuel Student Union South Events Center on May 5, as CSUSB’s Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration (JHBC) honored its top students during the 53rd Annual Student Awards.

The event opened with a luncheon and welcome from Jose Navarrete Cruz, lecturer and master of ceremonies, before turning to a program that highlighted not just academic excellence, but the journeys behind it.

Jose Navarrete Cruz, JHBC lecturer and Inland Empire entrepreneur, served as the event’s master of ceremonies.
Jose Navarrete Cruz, JHBC lecturer and Inland Empire entrepreneur, served as the event’s master of ceremonies. 

In his opening remarks, Raymond Watts, interim vice president for University Advancement, spoke to the broader significance of the moment, encouraging students to see their achievements as part of something larger than themselves.

“If you’re like me, you represent the dreams of many in your family who were not given this opportunity,” he said, urging graduates to carry that responsibility forward as they step into their careers.

That sense of purpose echoed throughout the ceremony, as department chairs and school directors recognized standout students across the college. From accounting and finance to cybersecurity, marketing, management, public administration and entrepreneurship, each name called reflected a story of persistence, growth and commitment.

Jose Ramirez II, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and an information systems and technology major, is named JHBC’s Outstanding Undergraduate Student for 2025-26.
Jose Ramirez II, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and an information systems and technology major, is named JHBC’s Outstanding Undergraduate Student for 2025-26.

Among them was Jose Ramirez II, named the college’s Outstanding Undergraduate Student. An information systems and technology with a cybersecurity concentration major, Ramirez credited his experience at CSUSB to the support and challenge he found in the classroom.

“My professors have played a huge role in my journey,” he said, noting how their guidance pushed him to think critically and stay curious in a rapidly evolving field. The recognition, he added, represents not only his own effort, but the collective support of mentors and peers. “It’s a reminder that stepping up, getting involved and staying committed truly makes a difference.”

Ramirez, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, closed his remarks with advice to fellow students: Stay involved, keep learning and support one another.

Bobae Lee earned her undergraduate degree in business from Carnegie Mellon University and spent nearly ten years as an accountant in South Korea before deciding to pursue a master of science in accountancy degree at CSUSB. She has been named JHBC’s Outstanding Graduate Student for 2025-26.
Bobae Lee earned her undergraduate degree in business from Carnegie Mellon University and spent nearly ten years as an accountant in South Korea before deciding to pursue a master of science in accountancy degree at CSUSB. She has been named JHBC’s Outstanding Graduate Student for 2025-26. 

For Outstanding Graduate Student Bobae Lee, this moment marked the culmination of a journey that spanned continents and career chapters. After studying and working in accounting for nearly a decade in South Korea, Lee came to CSUSB to pursue her master of science in accountancy, a decision she described as both unexpected and transformative.

“CSUSB has been more than just a place to study for me,” she said. Through campus life, student involvement and professional experiences, she found not only academic growth but a sense of belonging. Reflecting on the award, Lee emphasized the role of community in her success, calling it a recognition of “not only my academic effort but people who supported me along this journey.”

Throughout the ceremony, that theme remained clear: achievement at CSUSB is rarely an individual effort. It is built through relationships, mentorship and a campus environment designed to help students move forward with confidence.

Closing the program, JHBC Dean Tomás Gómez-Arias reflected on the significance of the day’s honorees and the role they play within the broader university community.

“This is an inspiring moment,” he said, and then he addressed the staff, faculty and administrators: “It serves as a reminder of why we do what we do and the impact that you all have.”