Cal State San Marcos biology student Kaitlyn Stowinsky has been selected as the campus’ recipient of the 2026 CSU Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement, the highest student distinction within the California State University.
Students are selected based on superior academic performance, personal accomplishments, community service and financial need.
The CSU recognizes 22 students every year – one from each campus – with the Trustees’ Award. Stowinsky was named a CSU Trustee Emeritus Kenneth Fong Scholar.
Stowinsky and the other awardees will be recognized during a ceremony as part of the CSU Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 22.
“This award is so much more than a recognition of an accomplishment,” Stowinsky said. “To me, it is a reminder that people have seen my journey, my dedication, my growth and my dreams, and they too believe in me. Their belief is what continues to push me forward on the days when things feel difficult. It motivates me to keep growing into the person, and mother, I know I am meant to become and to continue working every day to honor the faith and support that has been placed in me.”
Stowinsky is a former foster youth who attended eight different high schools and struggled with her mental health. She also had to drop out of her previous institution, Grossmont College, after giving birth to her daughter, Aaleyah, in 2021.
But she recommitted to her education, transferred to CSUSM after earning an associate degree at Grossmont and is now studying molecular and cellular biology while on track to graduate in May as a dean’s list student. She’s particularly interested in genetics, gender and development, and how human physiology influences neurological and psychological development.
Beyond the classroom, Stowinsky works for Project Rebound, a campus program that empowers formerly incarcerated and system-impacted students at CSUSM. During her time at Grossmont, she served as a biology peer mentor, chemistry tutor and workshop organizer for the school’s Math, Science and Engineering Achievement (MESA) program, which provides students with the support and resources needed to succeed academically en route to careers in STEM disciplines.
Stowinsky aims to pursue a master’s in science, with an ambition to contribute to research that advances equitable healthcare outcomes and supports people with complex personal histories.
Since the program’s inception in 1984, more than 500 CSU students have been honored with the Trustees’ Award. Beyond the recognition, the awardees receive more than $200,000 in scholarships collectively, thanks to the generous contributions from past and present CSU trustees and other donors.
About Cal State San Marcos
Building on more than 35 years of impact, California State University San Marcos is a forward-focused institution, dedicated to student success fueled by innovation, education and community partnerships. Located on a 306-acre hillside overlooking the City of San Marcos, it is the only public four-year comprehensive university serving North San Diego, Southwest Riverside and South Orange counties.
The university enrolls about 17,500 students and is recognized as a national leader in social mobility, expanding access to higher education and improving economic outcomes for students from all backgrounds. A recipient of the annual HEED Award since 2014, CSUSM is committed to inclusive excellence and creating opportunities that transform lives.
