Psychology major Emerald Moreno is inspired by a passion for understanding and interpreting others, along with a deep faith that psychology is her calling. She plans to transfer to a university to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology, minor in Spanish, and continue exploring a future in law.
After a major surgery and months of recovery, Tracey Kushner faced a decision that would reshape her future. In 2024, she returned to San Diego Mesa College determined to finish the degree she had started years earlier.
SAN DIEGO, Calif. — San Diego Mesa College proudly celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2026 during its annual Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 29, 2026, honoring 1,958 graduates who earned more than 2,017 academic degrees and 414 certificates. A total of 727 graduates participated in the ceremony, joined by family, friends, faculty, staff, and community supporters.
September 17, 2026
San Diego Mesa College Student Kristin Wilhite Earns First Place Psi Beta Leadership Award
Many students step onto Mesa College’s campus looking for purpose, community and inspiration. Mesa College student, alumna and former Psi Beta President Kristin Wilhite found just that on Mesa’s campus and within the Psi Beta National Honor Society.
Kristin was recently awarded first place in the 2026 Psi Beta Leadership Award, a national recognition from the Psi Beta National Honor Society.
“To me, receiving the Psi Beta Leadership Award was very affirming that I am on the right track in pursuing a bachelor's degree in leadership,” Kristin said.
Kristin started her education at Mesa quietly, reluctant to engage and feeling out of place. Then, she stepped into Professor Jaye Van Kirk’s Physiological Psychology class, where Van Kirk encouraged students to attend Psi Beta meetings. Kristin eventually attended her first meeting and found a welcoming community with opportunities for social connection, community service and scholarship.
Inspired by Van Kirk’s passion for Psi Beta and psychology, Kristin began exploring new opportunities and discovered a place where she felt she belonged. Her interest in psychology also grew through research opportunities and mentorship from Justin Estep. Kristin went on to serve as Treasurer, Vice President and twice as President of Mesa College’s Psi Beta chapter.
“Joining Psi Beta National Honor Society at San Diego Mesa College has been life-changing for me,” Kristin said.
After losing her thriving 25-year strong business due to COVID restrictions, Kristin found it difficult to reconnect with a pathway that felt right. Finding meaning and belonging through leadership at Mesa helped her see a new future for herself. Kristin credits Van Kirk, Estep and advisor Helen Greenberg with helping her grow in confidence and recognize new possibilities.
During her time as President of Mesa College’s Psi Beta chapter, Kristin helped organize the largest psychology event Mesa College’s Psi Beta chapter had held. “Psyched for Success” welcomed more than 80 attendees and featured four professionals representing different areas of psychology who shared their educational and career journeys with students.
Organizing such a large and meaningful event helped solidify Kristin’s belief that leadership was a path she wanted to pursue.
“Without being Psi Beta’s President twice and Vice President for another semester, I don’t think I would have realized that Leadership was a path for me,” Kristin said. “I am happy to say, Leadership seems to be that calling I was hoping for.”
After earning her associate degree from Mesa College in June 2025, Kristin remains enrolled at Mesa while completing a Health and Wellness certificate. This fall, she began her studies at Cal Poly Humboldt, where she is continuing her education with the goal of pursuing a career in corporate wellness after graduation.
From arriving at Mesa unsure of where she belonged to receiving national recognition for her leadership, Kristin’s journey demonstrates how mentorship, involvement and a willingness to explore new opportunities can help students discover a path they may not have imagined for themselves.
Through uncertainty, new abilities and passions can come that guide us along the many pathways life presents. Mesa College has been part of this process for Kristin, as it has for countless other students. Her journey demonstrates how campus resources, meaningful connections, and a student’s own hard work can create new opportunities and build the confidence needed to succeed.
Tags: Psychology, Psi Beta, Health and Wellness
Anabell Pulido
Public Information Officer
[email protected]
(619) 388-2759
Kristin started her education at Mesa quietly, reluctant to engage and feeling out of place. Then, she stepped into Professor Jaye Van Kirk’s Physiological Psychology class, where Van Kirk encouraged students to attend Psi Beta meetings. Kristin eventually attended her first meeting and found a welcoming community with opportunities for social connection, community service and scholarship.
On Saturday, March 2, Mesa College will host multiple interactive booths on EXPO Day at Petco Park, via the San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering. EXPO Day, now in its 11th year, is a FREE day-long celebration of STEM in San Diego, where non-profits, educational institutions and corporations that hold exhibits and provide activities for children K-12. The Science Festival’s mission is to engage and encourage kids in science and engineering and work with parents and teachers to inspire today’s students to become tomorrow’s science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) innovators.
