May 14, 2020
Track and Field Team Captain Troy Cristobal Wins President’s Award Scholarship for
2020
By Office of Communications
Troy Cristobal is the winner of this year’s 2020 Mesa Scholarship President’s Award,
given annually to a deserving Mesa College student who demonstrates leadership and
academic excellence in their undergraduate career. Troy is a worthy recipient on both
counts, having served as team captain for Mesa’s track and field team since the spring
of 2019, and set to graduate this May as an Engineering major with a cumulative 4.0
GPA.
Troy is described by track and field coach Sean Ricketts as “a team player, leader,
and outstanding person.” He has shown his commitment not only to his sport, but to
ensuring the individual and collective successes of his teammates. Speaking about
the way he approaches team-dynamics Troy said, “The entire group may bear an encompassing
task but the individuals within that group are responsible for doing their own part
to ensure the goal is met.”
For Troy, his team’s ability to set and reach performance goals was based in effective
collaboration and accountability. By promoting these values and considering how they
may translate to similar success-strategies within the workplace, Troy’s initiative
serves as an enduring point of reference, helping to prepare his teammates and himself
for life after college.
While the transition from high school to college comes with its fair share of difficulties
for many students, Troy’s decision to participate in Mesa's Summer CRUISE program set him up for success as he learned early on about the resources that could support
him while he earned his Engineering degree.
As Ricketts shared, “Troy is a prime example of how a student can utilize the support,
resources, and opportunities that Mesa provides through academics and athletics, and
put in the work to transfer to a four-year university.” Troy credits his success at
Mesa in part to the LRC’s many resources, including the tutoring and peer support
he received in the STEM Center. By having a location beyond the classroom that encouraged his passion for engineering,
Troy received the motivation he needed to dive deeper into the subject.
As the recipient of this year’s President’s Scholarship, Troy will continue to receive
Mesa’s support as he goes on to study Engineering at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the
fall. In thanking President Luster and the generous donors for their recognition,
he shared the gratitude he feels knowing that their gift will help him attend his
dream school. He said, “I feel so thankful that San Diego Mesa College has provided
me with a safe environment to grow, and continues to provide financial assistance
that will make a difference in the long run.”
While this award is an investment in Troy’s immediate future, its full impact has
yet to be seen as Troy hopes to utilize his studies to give back to countless others
in the future. Having previously volunteered with the San Diego Surfrider Foundation,
Troy participated in beach cleanups to decrease the adverse effects of urban development
on marine life. This experience helped him recognize his desire to pursue work within
the biomedical field, where he hopes to design and develop environmentally friendly
products that lessen the impact of human waste on the environment.
We do not doubt that Troy will achieve his goals as he continues to pursue his love
for engineering. As Ricketts said, “He is going to be successful in all of his future
endeavors and truly represents what the Track and Field programs calls ‘The Mesa Way.’”
While we may be unable to hold an in-person Ceremony to celebrate Troy and the rest
of our 2020 Mesa Scholarship Award Recipients at this given time, we full-heartedly congratulate them and thank them for the many
ways they are inspiring others with their talents, hard work, and service.
Tags: Athletics, Annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony, Scholarships, Track and Field, Troy Cristobal, Engineering, President's Award Scholarship, Sean Ricketts
