2019 Awardees

2019 Rising Aztecs Honored

Rising Aztecs Awards

Nine of the 10 recipients of the inaugural Rising Aztec Awards were honored at a pre-game reception and at halftime of the February 25 men’s basketball game with Colorado State. After meeting SDSU President Adela de la Torre, Ph.D. during the reception at the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center, the awardees were introduced on the court to the Viejas Arena sellout crowd.

The awards are presented by SDSU Alumni to recognize up-and-coming alumni who make support for SDSU and engagement with the university part of their lives and careers. Rising Aztecs are alumni under 40 with extraordinary career achievements and/or awards.  

Awardees have demonstrated a commitment to the university and alumni community through engagement with SDSU Alumni and/or university programs such as the Aztec Mentor Program (AMP), Aztecs Hiring Aztecs (AHA), SDSU Alumni lifetime membership, student support, philanthropy involving the university, Aztec Club membership, support for SDSU athletics, or other forms of SDSU involvement.

The Rising Aztec awards are presented biennially, rotating with the SDSU Alumni Awards of Distinction.  Check out a photo album of the February 25 reception and Viejas Arena introduction.


Rising Aztecs for 2019-20 include:

Alex Mora
'04, Mechanical Engineering

Alex Mora is CEO of Formula Plastics, a precision tooling and injection molding company for cutting-edge technology and medical devices located in Tecate, Baja California.  A former MESA student at SDSU, in 2018 he established the Alex Mora Endowed Scholarship for SDSU MESA Engineering Students, ensuring support for SDSU MESA students for years to come. 

Alex Mora

Dylan M. Aste
'06, Computer Science

Dylan M. Aste, an Assistant United States Attorney, prosecutes civil matters for the U.S. government in federal court where he has recovered more than $12 million and has twice received a certificate of commendation from the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for outstanding performance and invaluable assistance in support of the activities of the Civil Rights Division.  He is an ardent supporter of SDSU Athletics and the Aztec Mentor Program.

Dylan M. Aste

Kevin Gelfand
'11, Entrepreneurship

Kevin Gelfand is co-founder of Shake Smart, the first student-owned business on campus, which   has grown to 300 employees at 15 stores in six states. Recognized in 2018 as one of INC Magazine’s Rising Stars and Forbes “30 Under 30,” he supports SDSU’s entrepreneurial initiatives with campus speaking engagements, student mentorship, and by providing career opportunities.

Kevin Gelfand

Katie Howland
'13, International Security and Conflict Resolution and Political Science

Katie Howland is executive director of Millie’s Bookshelf, a San Diego-based humanitarian literacy nonprofit that installs micro libraries promoting reading programs for refugee children worldwide. As leader of San Diego’s only nonprofit operating in overseas refugee settings, she works closely with the university’s International Security and Conflict Resolution department to ensure exposure for Aztecs to career options in humanitarian-related fields.

Katie Howland

Anita Walia
'13, Public Health

Anita Walia serves as a program coordinator with San Diego County’s Health and Human Services Agency where she explores opportunities for student involvement in Health and Human Services for hands-on experience in supporting the San Diego community. She helped establish the School of Public Health Alumni Board at SDSU, where she now volunteers. 

Anita Walia

Jordan Harrison
'14, Marketing

Jordan Harrison is senior director of programs at Reality Changers, a San Diego nonprofit serving low-income and first-generation students, many of whom have attended SDSU. He serves as a mentor for students, provides leadership for student groups, and is working to launch a post-undergrad mentor program through SDSU’s Student African American Brotherhood (SAAB).

Jordan Harrison

Hana Creger
'15, Sustainability

Hana Creger is a public policy advocate who helps develop and implement local and state-level policies to address climate change, poverty, and social injustice most directly affecting economic, social, and health outcomes for low-income communities of color.  An AMP participant, she is also a philanthropic supporter of the College of Arts and Letters.

Hana Creger

Chris Hokokian
'15, Finance

Chris Hokokian has earned top accolades in his position at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management including recognition as one of the company’s top producing financial advisors. Serving a second term as the Aztec Football Legacy Group president, he also supports Athletes Going Pro, a program assisting SDSU student-athletes transitioning into professional careers after sports.

Chris Hokokian

J.J. Lewis
'17, Educational Leadership

J.J.  Lewis is superintendent & CEO for Compass Charter Schools, a public, virtual charter school system operating in 18 counties across California. Having doubled the number of students served by his schools, he has been recognized by multiple organizations for his work in education and the community wherein he is an enthusiastic advocate for SDSU.

J.J. Lewis

Luke Sophinos
'18, Communication Studies

Luke Sophinos, the SDSU ZIP Launchpad's earliest startup success, is the founder of CourseKey, a platform offering time and attendance tracking software for more than 80 institutions. Well known and active in San Diego's startup and entrepreneurship community, he remains committed to SDSU by supporting student entrepreneurs through mentorship and membership on the ZIP Launchpad Advisory Board.


Luke Sophinos
For more information on the Rising Aztecs Awards, contact Adam Armolea at 619-594-3353 or aarmolea@sdsu.edu.

Sundial in front of Hepner Hall
The George A. Koester Memorial Sundial