April 02, 2026
Contact: Melissa Villarin
Office: 916-327-5365
Office E-mail: MVillarin@CCCCO.edu
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Four student leaders, dedicated to equity and inclusion on campus and in their communities, have been honored with the California Community College’s annual Student Leadership Award.
Kristopher Evans of Cabrillo College, Ode Tso Kunthar from Contra Costa College, Valerie Pamphile from Barstow Community College, and John Paul Rosales from Moreno Valley College were recognized March 27 at the Student Senate for California Community Colleges 2026 General Assembly in San Francisco.
“I am honored to congratulate Kristopher Evans, Ode Tso Kunthar, Valerie Pamphile, and John Paul Rosales. These student leaders have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to advocacy and civic engagement across their colleges and communities. Their work, whether supporting student parents, advancing civic participation, uplifting marginalized voices, or serving their communities, embodies the spirit of leadership envisioned in our Vision 2030 goals. We look forward to the lasting impact they will continue to make across our system and beyond,” said California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian.
The Student Leadership Award was established to recognize a commitment to outstanding leadership in college and service in the broader community.
“Kristopher, Ode Tso, Valerie, and John Paul exemplify the strength, integrity, and purpose that defines student leadership. Their service, advocacy, and commitment to their peers continually push our work forward. Students like them remind me why our collective efforts matter and why the future of our colleges is in capable hands,” said Student Senate for California Community Colleges President Jerry Reyes.
This year’s honorees are:
Kristopher Evans is a shining example of leadership rooted in service and community. He is pursuing his culinary education while also navigating life as a student parent, with his son enrolled in Cabrillo’s on-campus childcare center. He serves as the Inter-Club Council Designee, represents the Rising Scholars Club, and leads as president of the Umoja Scholars Club. Kristopher also works in the Basic Needs program, supporting the Nourishment & Essential Supports Team, known as NEST. And in a testament to his creativity and commitment to student well-being, he earned a Cabrillo College Foundation grant to launch “Chef in the NEST,” a pilot program where volunteer culinary students prepare meals for students experiencing food insecurity.
Ode Tso Kunthar brings courage, clarity, and conviction to every space she enters. She is a political science student, a former dual-enrollment student, and a Tibetan refugee whose advocacy is deeply personal and profoundly impactful. She serves as president of the Contra Costa College Associated Student Union and as Legislative Affairs director for Region III of the SSCCC. She also co-directs the SSCCC’s statewide work on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Anti-Racism, and Accessibility. Her leadership extends even further: she chairs the SSCCC Land Acknowledgement Task Force, served as a student representative on the California Community Colleges AI Council, and sits on the Richmond Youth Council. She also volunteers with Dear Asian Youth, refugee aid organizations, and Tibetan advocacy groups.
Valerie Pamphile’s leadership is grounded in empowerment, representation, and community uplift. She plays a key role in her campus Black Student Union and helped found Shades of Sister, a group dedicated to creating a welcoming, supportive environment for African American and Hispanic women. She is now in her second year as student trustee, and she has taken her advocacy all the way to Washington, D.C., representing community college students at the National Legislative Summit. Valerie also serves as Regional IX director for the SSCCC and contributed her voice to the Chancellor’s Office Black and African American Advisory Panel.
John Paul Rosales exemplifies what it means to lead through action and service. He is pursuing a future in health care and already serves his community in meaningful ways. He is part of Moreno Valley College’s outreach team and mentors student workers on campus and is a certified EMT through the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office and a certified CNA through Riverside City College. John Paul also works in the emergency room at Loma Linda University Health, where he is known for his reliability, compassion, and steady presence under pressure.
Each recipient receives $1,250 and a commemorative plaque.
The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation, composed of 73 districts and 116 colleges serving 2.2 million students per year. California community colleges provide career education and workforce training; guaranteed transfer to four-year universities; and degree and certificate pathways. As the state’s engine for social and economic mobility, the California Community Colleges supports the Vision 2030, a strategic plan designed to improve student success, our communities and our planet. For more information, please visit the California Community Colleges website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).
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