CSUCI doctoral student Liliana Manriquez Loza receives CSU’s highest student honor

Cal State Channel Islands (CSUCI) doctoral student Liliana Manriquez Loza has received the 2026 California State University Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement, the CSU’s highest recognition of student achievement.

Manriquez Loza is one of 22 students across the CSU selected for the annual award, which recognizes superior academic performance, personal accomplishments, community service and financial need. She was honored as the CSU Foundation Board Member Ron and Mitzi Barhorst Scholar during the CSU Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 22.

A first-generation college student, Manriquez Loza is pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership for Equity and Justice at CSUCI, where she maintains a 3.9 GPA. Her academic and professional work reflects a longstanding commitment to empowering Indigenous communities and improving educational opportunities for historically underserved students and families.

“Gloria Anzaldúa once wrote, ‘Do work that matters (Que vale la pena),’” Manriquez Loza said. “Those words have guided my personal, academic and professional growth.”

Manriquez Loza has managed a program serving Indigenous-language-speaking families whose children have intellectual and developmental disabilities. She also has supervised teams of ‘promotoras’ who provide culturally and linguistically responsive support to historically marginalized communities and help families navigate schools and government systems.

“Liliana exemplifies what it means to connect passion to purpose,” said CSUCI Interim President Susan Andrzejewski. “Through her academic excellence, community leadership and commitment to equity, she is transforming futures for students and families while demonstrating the powerful impact one educational leader can have across communities. We are extraordinarily proud of her and all she continues to accomplish.”

Manriquez Loza plans to continue teaching while becoming an educational leader who develops culturally relevant practices and structural solutions for first-generation, low-income, Latino and Indigenous students.

The Trustees’ Award has honored more than 500 CSU students since the program began in 1984. This year’s 22 recipients collectively received more than $200,000 in scholarships made possible by contributions from current and former CSU trustees and other donors.

“It is with tremendous pride that I celebrate the outstanding academic achievements and remarkable perseverance of this year’s Trustees’ Award scholars,” said CSU Chancellor Mildred García. “Thanks to the visionary generosity of our donors, the CSU is able to recognize these exceptional scholars who have overcome significant challenges in pursuit of a college degree that will not only transform their lives but will also elevate their families and strengthen their communities across California.”

To learn more about Manriquez Loza and the 2026 CSU Trustees’ Award recipients, visit the CSU Trustees’ Award website.