School of Public Affairs Announces 2026 Outstanding Students

Ingrid Peirce: Outstanding Undergraduate Student of Public Administration

Ingrid Peirce is an outstanding undergraduate student majoring in public administration, with a minor in LGBTQ+ studies. She is driven by a commitment to advocacy and the development of systems based on care, dignity, and belonging.

At SDSU, Peirce centered her experience around the SDSU Pride Center, where she served as an intern and found a community that shaped both her personal and professional path. She also gained experience in policy and political spaces through internships with the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and Grindstone Campaigns, engaging in advocacy and organizing across San Diego.

Her work focuses on building accessible, human-centered systems for marginalized communities.

“My internships at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and Grindstone Campaigns taught me the tactical side of public policy and political strategy,” Peirce said. “However, my time at the SDSU Pride Center taught me the most vital lesson that administrative systems are only as effective as they are accessible and human-centered.”

After initially navigating college as an undeclared student, Peirce took time to refocus her path before returning to SDSU with a clear sense of purpose, ultimately graduating a semester early.

After graduation, Peirce hopes to lead and manage resource centers for LGBTQ+ transition-age youth within higher education or the nonprofit sector, creating spaces where young people feel supported and empowered.

She credits Shawn Flanigan for her mentorship, saying her guidance helped her grow into a confident advocate and leader.

Her advice to incoming students: trust your own timeline, prioritize your well-being, and seek out communities that make you feel seen.

Daniela Citlaly Ortega-Ramos: Outstanding Undergraduate Student of Criminal Justice

Daniela Citlaly Ortega-Ramos is an outstanding undergraduate student in criminal justice with minors in sociology and U.S.-Mexican border studies. Ortega-Ramos is a first-generation college student committed to advocacy and to using the law to support immigrant communities.  

She completed her degree in three years while working and remaining actively involved in campus life. At SDSU, Ortega-Ramos was involved in organizations that reflect her dedication to service and leadership, including the Latino Student Union and Project Rebound Student Alliance. She volunteered with the Latinx Resource Center and Basic Needs Center, and mentored first-year students through the El Pueblo Scholar Mentorship Program, helping others navigate their transition into college.

Alongside her campus involvement, she worked consistently throughout her undergraduate career. She gained hands-on experience through her internship with Alliance San Diego, where she saw firsthand how legal systems affect immigrant communities.

“Through all of these experiences, I've realized that advocacy involves not only knowing policies and systems but also being there for others with empathy and compassion,” Ortega-Ramos said.

After graduation, Ortega-Ramos plans to pursue a career as an immigration lawyer, advocating for underserved communities and expanding access to legal support.

She credits Sylvia Valenzuela as a mentor who supported her academic journey and created a space where she felt seen, valued, and empowered.

Her advice to incoming students: seek out community, take advantage of campus resources, and invest in the relationships that support your growth.

Emily Manocha: Outstanding Graduate Student of Public Administration

Emily Manocha, an outstanding graduate student earning a Master's in Public Administration, completed a capstone project with Guiding Rage Into Power (GRIP), a nonprofit organization serving incarcerated individuals throughout California. 

Using a mixed-methods approach, Manocha and her team evaluated alumni engagement programming by analyzing survey data and alumni feedback to better understand continued connection, personal growth, and community influence after participation in restorative justice education programs. The project also explored mentorship and cultural change within carceral settings while offering recommendations to strengthen alumni engagement and expand GRIP’s impact.

Manocha hopes to lead organizations and agencies serving individuals experiencing reentry, a goal shaped by her research, internships, and community involvement.

“Conducting research under Dr. Flanigan and Dr. Abdel-Samad showed me what it takes to drive systems-level change,” Manocha said.

She said her experiences with Project Rebound and support from School of Public Affairs faculty helped shape the trajectory of her career and connected her with changemakers throughout the San Diego region.

Her friends and family describe Manocha as hardworking, empathetic, passionate, and grounded in purpose.

Holly Unruh: Outstanding Graduate Student of Public Administration

Holly Unruh, an outstanding graduate student in public administration, completed a capstone project examining how park equity is defined and experienced in Long Beach through the lens of policy, funding, and community access.

Using a mixed-methods approach, Unruh’s project combined interviews, public meeting observations, document analysis, and spatial data to better understand how residents experience access to parks and public spaces. Her findings showed that park equity extends beyond proximity and includes factors such as safety, maintenance, inclusion, and overall park quality. The project concludes with policy and planning recommendations aimed at supporting more equitable park investment and community-informed decision-making.

After more than two decades working in municipal government, Unruh hopes to continue contributing to the City of Long Beach by developing thoughtful, practical, and equitable solutions to community needs.

“The MPA program has strengthened my goals by providing a stronger analytical and conceptual foundation for the work I have been doing in practice for many years,” Unruh said.

She said the program helped her bring a more rigorous and informed perspective to the communities and organizations she serves.

Her family and friends describe her as thoughtful, practical, and deeply committed to community, while also bringing humor and inclusivity into the spaces around her. 

Ben Larson: Outstanding Graduate Student of City Planning

Ben Larson, an outstanding graduate student earning a Master of City Planning, completed a capstone project examining how the Port of San Diego is implementing climate-related goals and identifying the next steps needed to reduce a legacy of pollution in portside communities.

His research focuses on creating a cleaner, greener working waterfront while addressing the environmental impacts that have historically affected nearby neighborhoods.

Larson currently works as an urban planner for the County of San Diego, where he and his team are working to address the region’s housing crisis and expand opportunities for residents throughout the county.

“My great hope is to continue doing good work with great people for the betterment of my community, city, and region,” Larson said.

He said his education at SDSU introduced him to planning tools used around the world and strengthened his commitment to applying those lessons to help build a better future for all.

Emma Bailey: Outstanding Graduate Student of Criminal Justice and Criminology

Emma Bailey, an outstanding graduate student earning a Master of Science in Criminal Justice and Criminology, completed a thesis examining the use of Supervised Own Recognizance (SOR), a form of pretrial release in Southern California. 

Using administrative data from a Southern California public defender’s office, ethnographic court observations, and in-depth interviews, Bailey’s research explores how institutional logics shape advocacy for and against SOR, how court actors perceive its use, and the consequences of relying on it as a primary release decision.

Throughout her time at SDSU, Bailey contributed to a research project with the San Diego Public Defender’s Office examining the Pretrial Advocacy and Community Connections program. She also supported the VISTA (Valuing Incarcerated Scholars through Academia) Program as a graduate assistant, experiences that deepened her commitment to justice and community-based support.

“My time as a teaching assistant has motivated me to pursue a doctoral degree and possible career in academia,” Bailey said.

After graduation, Bailey hopes to work in community programming and plans to continue researching the intersections of incarceration, advocacy, and systemic reform. 

Her family and friends describe her as dedicated, passionate, reliable, organized, and a strong team player.