Outstanding Grad Spotlight: Danielle Huddlestun (Rey Monzon Award)

Editor’s Note: The College of Education is delighted to recognize the 11 students selected by their programs and departments as 2026 Outstanding Graduates. View all our honorees.

Someday soon, Danielle Huddlestun hopes to join the professoriate, where she intends to advance equity-minded strategies to support students' sense of belonging and improve academic outcomes. 

She found her own sense of belonging in SDSU's Joint Ph.D. Program in Education with Claremont Graduate University, where she made meaningful connections with both faculty mentors and her cohort-mates.

“I was able to grow as a scholar through opportunities to engage in teaching, service and research,” said Huddlestun, who is originally from Northern California. ”Engaging critical dialogue with peers and colleagues as thought partners was particularly impactful, as it pushed my thinking and has influenced my approach to research.” 

“And shoutout to my JDP cohort for being the best!” she adds.

Huddlestun selected Associate Professor Marissa C. Vasquez, chair of the Department of Administration, Rehabilitation and Postsecondary Education, as her Most Influential Faculty member.

“As my doctoral advisor and dissertation co-chair, she was present from my very first day in the Ph.D. program and shaped my entire experience,” Huddlestun said. “She models meaningful mentorship and embodies what it means to ‘lift as you climb.’”