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Warrior Pride, Countywide
Warrior Alumni are Making a Difference in Stanislaus County's Three Largest Cities
By Gina Oltman
If you’re looking for examples of Stanislaus State’s positive impacts on Turlock and surrounding communities, the city halls of Stanislaus County’s three largest cities are good places to start.
A dozen Stan State alumni hold top level staff positions at the City of Turlock, the City of Modesto and the City of Ceres, with nine alumni at the City of Turlock alone.
On top of that, Turlock’s mayor is Amy Bublak (’89), who graduated from Stan State with a bachelor’s degree in sociology before earning a master’s degree in public administration at San Francisco State University.
These public servants work diligently to provide their communities with a wide range of essential services, including the planning of orderly city growth, economic development, safe drinking water, sanitary services, well-maintained infrastructure and police protection.
Reflecting on their time as Warriors, the alumni agreed the hard and soft skills they acquired as students at Stan State prepared them well for the on-the-job challenges they face every day.
“Stan State provided me with a complete educational experience that not only included academics but also opportunities for socialization, mentoring, problem-solving and workforce experience,” said Nick Showalter (’12), information technology director at the City of Turlock. “The experience and opportunities I had while attending Stan State set the foundation for the workforce and leadership skills I use today and continually work toward developing.”
At the City of Modesto, Christina Alger (’14) said the textbook and real-world knowledge she gained through studies and extracurricular activities paved the way for her to become the city’s human resources director.
Stan State provided me with a complete educational experience that not only included academics but also opportunities for socialization, mentoring, problemsolving and workforce experience.
- Nick Schowalter
“I can honestly say that I would not be where I am had I not pursued an education and attended Stan State,” Alger said.
Christopher Fisher (’00), Turlock’s municipal services director, echoed that classroom learning combined with hands-on experiences from labs, internships and research opportunities prepared him professionally by fostering skills like communication, teamwork and leadership.
“The knowledge I received in both physical and life sciences allows me to be a better employee and problem solver,” Fisher said. “In my career, I have worked in food manufacturing, water and wastewater, where both biological and chemical processes are often intertwined. The concepts I learned at Stan State are the foundation that allows me to make good decisions when complex issues arise.”
The alumni also agree that having Stan State in the region is an invaluable asset to local communities, providing a pipeline of college graduates ready to fuel the workforce and make a positive difference in the communities they serve.
“It is of tremendous value for us to have Stan State in Turlock and serving our region,” said Anthony Sims (’20), Turlock’s economic development director and communications officer. “The University provides a pathway for our population to become a skilled workforce with numerous talents to offer businesses in and outside our region. We are very lucky to have Stan State in Turlock, and we love the fact that the city has a strong partnership with the University.”
At the City of Ceres, Delilah Vasquez (’11), human resources director, said having a public university serving the region is critical to the community where she works and lives. And she notes the University’s proximity to her home was the key to her pursuing a higher education.
The University provides a pathway for our population to become a skilled workforce with numerous talents to offer businesses in and outside our region.
- Anthony Sims
“I was born and raised in this area and have a passion for serving my community. Without a local public university, I wouldn’t have explored obtaining my degree,” she said. “The presence of local public universities leads to lower unemployment, higher education and higher earnings for college educated individuals. Public universities improve local communities.”
Sarah Eddy (’84, ’09), deputy city manager of Turlock, noted that she has enjoyed watching how her hometown University has evolved over the years.
“As a native of Turlock, I have watched the University grow into a beautiful facility offering outstanding educational programs and attracting a larger student population,” she said.
When asked about their favorite memories of Stan State, the Warriors offered a range of answers, including studying in the Library, enjoying the campus scenery, meeting future spouses, learning from favorite professors and discovering the joys of music and theatre.
For Vasquez, a favorite memory revolved around Commencement, family and how her accomplishment served as an example to her children.
“Graduating in the presence of my children was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life,” she said. “It gave me a sense of accomplishment and pride.”
