Jose Ramirez II, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, and Bobae Lee, an accounting professional from South Korea, have been selected as the 2025-26 outstanding students for Cal State San Bernardino’s Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration.

Ramirez, the Outstanding Undergraduate Student, is graduating with a bachelor of science in information systems and technology with a concentration in cybersecurity. Lee, the Outstanding Graduate Student, is earning her master of science in accountancy. Both students will be recognized during the college’s Spring Commencement ceremony at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, at Toyota Arena in Ontario.

Ramirez said his decision to pursue the cybersecurity degree was rooted in both past experience and a desire to build a meaningful future in the field.

“I chose the major because I have been involved in the IT field before, many years ago, and now I would like to get back into the IT field and use what I have learned with cybersecurity and apply it to a career that I would enjoy doing,” he said.

After graduation, Ramirez plans to continue his education by returning to CSUSB to pursue a master of science in information systems and technology with a concentration in cybersecurity beginning in fall 2026. He hopes to eventually work in a cybersecurity role within his local community.

Throughout his time at CSUSB, Ramirez immersed himself in extracurricular activities and student organizations, experiences he described as some of the most rewarding parts of his college journey.

“The accomplishments I’m most proud of are the extracurricular ones,” he said. “Being involved with several student clubs has shown me the positive impact that they can have and the wonderful opportunities that can arise from them.”

One opportunity came through the Research and Creative Ideas Club, where faculty advisor Sharon Russen encouraged him to submit a proposal to a graduate student conference at Auburn University. His poster presentation on agentic AI in the hospitality industry was accepted — an achievement he said pushed him outside his comfort zone and broadened his perspective.

Ramirez said one of the challenges he faced as a nontraditional student was navigating age differences in the classroom. At 47, he often found himself among classmates much younger than he was.

“Keeping an open mind has definitely helped me with accepting the challenge and when I can, I enjoy helping and empowering people,” he said. “Someday, I hope to pay it back by looking at being a mentor in my local community.”

Reflecting on his journey, Ramirez said his greatest source of motivation came from within.

“I inspired myself the most,” he said. “I learned that it is never too late to accomplish your goals. If you put your mind to it, you really can accomplish anything.”

Lee, who earned her bachelor’s degree in business from Carnegie Mellon University, returned to graduate school after 10 years of professional experience in South Korea. Her decision to study at CSUSB marked both a professional and personal turning point.

“I decided to return to the United States for graduate study because I wanted to rebuild my career in accounting from the ground up in the U.S.,” she said. “After working in Korea in accounting and strategy for several years, I came to appreciate how deeply accounting shapes real-world decision-making.”

During her time at CSUSB, Lee balanced academic excellence with hands-on experience through a tax internship and graduate assistantship, experiences she said strengthened both her technical knowledge and her connection to the university community.

“Being recognized as an Outstanding Graduate Student is especially meaningful because it reflects not only achievement, but contribution,” she said.

Lee credited much of her growth to the guidance of mentors, including Changho Choi, director of Korea Accounting & Information School and president of the Korea-America Association of Certified Public Accountants, as well as CSUSB faculty members, such as Professor Taewon Yang.

“From him and other faculty members, I learned that professional growth requires not only technical competence, but also consistency, humility and a willingness to support others,” she said. “That perspective has shaped how I approach both my work and my relationships.”

Adjusting to student life again after nearly a decade in the workforce while also adapting to a new country presented challenges, Lee said. As an international student, she intentionally immersed herself in campus life by living on campus, joining student organizations and building relationships across the university community.

“With the support of the CSUSB community, it became a place where I truly belonged,” she said.

Looking ahead, Lee hopes to continue building an accounting career in the United States while contributing to both the profession and the community. She said CSUSB helped her see success in a broader and more meaningful way.

“CSUSB helped me define my future by showing me that success is not only about career advancement, but also about where and how I build my life,” she said. “Through faculty support, campus involvement, and professional experiences, I was able to develop a clear and purposeful path forward.”