2005 DEAN'S GRADUATE MEDALIST
DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS
Deborah V. Napoleon
Master of Social Work

Deborah Napoleon will complete her master's degree with an overall 3.75 GPA. Returning to school after 20 years, she has been actively involved in campus life, serving as president of the African American Student Social Work Association, chair of the College of Health and Human Services Student Organization and member of the Academic Senate, the National Coalition Building Institute team and the Central Valley Cultural Heritage Institute Steering Committee. She received several scholarships, including the Rosa Parks Award for Community Service, the Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Scholarship and was named a Ronald E. McNair Scholar. Despite a physical disability and the challenges of single parenthood, she excelled in her academic field. Her research includes charter schools and at-risk youth, and collaboration between birth and foster parents to improve foster care. She intends to pursue a Ph.D.