Clovis Community College graduate Hiba Mirza named recipient of President’s Medal, four earn Dean’s Medal of Distinction

Hiba Mirza, 2017 President’s Medal Graduate. (Photo courtesy of Clovis Community College)

Clovis Community College graduate Hiba Mirza and four fellow classmates received top honors during the college’s Class of 2017 Commencement Ceremony on May 20 at Peoples Church in north Fresno.

Mirza received top college honors as she was named the recipient of the President’s Medal, given to a student who has demonstrated leadership at the college, given back to the college and community, and still maintained high academic achievement during their time at Clovis Community College.

Mirza has been an active student leader during her time at CCC. She served as a Senator and Public Relations Coordinator for the Associated Student Government, started the Muslim Student Association and participated in the Interfaith Club. In these leadership roles, she organized a variety of college-wide activities that helped create a cohesive, caring, collaborative, and inclusive college culture. Her goal is always to create a comfortable, safe environment for students to come together, enjoy each other, and learn from each other.

Mirza will be attending Fresno State this fall.

“Hiba is a bright, brave, confident young woman who shows kindness and grace in every situation,” CCC president Dr. Lori Bennett said in a statement. “We are proud of her accomplishments at Clovis Community College, and we wish her all the best as she transfers to Fresno State to pursue her degree in Psychology.”

In addition, four students earned the college’s Dean’s Medal of Distinction. This medal is presented to exemplary students for their academic accomplishments and positive impact on Clovis Community College. The Dean’s Medal of Distinction recipients represent each of the college’s four departments:


Jessica Chadbourne. (Photo courtesy of Clovis Community College)

Jessica Chadbourne, Student Services

Jessica Chadbourne is the first in her family to graduate from college. Growing up in a family of 14 children, she knew that she wanted to be a lawyer from a young age. Her desire is to advocate for youth in the Central Valley. During her time at CCC, Chadbourne consistently worked two jobs totaling over 40 hours a week while maintaining full-time course load every semester. Chadbourne was also actively involved in Clovis’ Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) for the past year. She graduated with a 3.0 GPA and two Associate’s Degrees for Transfer, one in history, and one in philosophy. Chadbourne has been admitted into Fresno State as a history major.


Taylor Prentice Ford. (Photo courtesy of Clovis Community College)

Taylor Prentice Ford; Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

Taylor Prentice Ford instantly made an impact as a top student since first taking classes at Clovis Community College in the spring of 2014. One of his professors noted that Ford wrote lab reports and project papers that were among the best he has ever have seen in his 28 years of teaching. Mr. Ford earned all A’s throughout the challenging Physics 4 A/B/C progression of courses. He is now enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering program at Fresno State and hopes to eventually work for in the aerospace industry.


Spencer Shadley. (Photo courtesy of Clovis Community College)

Spencer Shadley, Humanities and Social Sciences

Spencer Shadley is an excellent student and has been the Student Court Chief Justice for the college’s Associate Student Government and a member of Alpha Gamma Sigma. He has also worked as an “excellent” student tutor in the Tutorial Center where he is described as punctual, respectful, and a remarkable team player. Shadley graduated with an Associate Degree for Transfer from Clovis Community College and has been accepted at the University of California, Berkeley where he will pursue his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science.


Lawrence Young. (Photo courtesy of Clovis Community College)

Lawrence Young, Career, Technical Education, and Athletics

Lawrence Young is a Bullard High School graduate, a devoted single parent and a U.S. Air Force Veteran. Young has faced numerous challenges along the way

in achieving his academic pursuits but through it all he hasn’t given up. He has been an active member of the Criminology Club and has been a wonderful spokesman for the college. Young received his Associate in Science degree in Administration of Justice and will transfer to Fresno State in the fall where he will be working toward his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology.

CR Staff:
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