CAL overall outstanding graduating senior builds community

CAL’s 2025 overall outstanding graduating senior, Feliza Alipio Jocson leaves a legacy of community-building and social justice activism. Alipio Jocson majored in international security and conflict resolution (ISCOR), along with Spanish. 

Alipio Jocson moved from the Bay Area to attend SDSU amid the COVID-19 pandemic. With limited options and no opportunity to visit the city or tour the campus beforehand, she took a leap of faith. “I just kind of committed and blindly joined, so it was definitely a shock to move down here,” Alipio Jocson said. However, the unique experiences in her areas of study helped her feel connected. 

She focused on feminist foreign policy — “how long-term peace can be realized,” not just for men, but for women and children. She chose a specialization of conflict in the global system in her ISCOR major. She found her way to the area of study because of its global perspective. While most departments explore international affairs through an American lens, Alipio Jocson chose ISCOR for its less U.S.-centered approach: “This major is very interesting because I feel like I was able to understand — to finally interpret the world.”

The nature of ISCOR studies means students often have strong and differing political and social justice views, looking at sometimes challenging and contentious issues. Alipio Jocson prioritized respecting all voices to ensure her safety. ISCOR Director Latha Vardarajan and Associate Professor Cheryl O’Brien were major supporters and key influences during Alipio Jocson’s studies. She is specifically inspired by O’Brien’s research and Vardarajan’s place as a leader and woman of color in the field.

In addition to her ISCOR studies, Alipio Jocson established herself in the Spanish department. She committed to a second major instead of graduating a year early, hoping to expand her horizons and further prepare for post-graduation life. She chose Spanish to improve her communication skills with other native Spanish speakers. In particular, she hopes to work with local San Diego migrants, with whom she has a vested interest and deep passion. 

Alipio Jocson was pleasantly surprised to find her areas of study complement and propel each other. She likens ISCOR and Spanish to long-awaited puzzle pieces, coming together to inform her unique worldview. “I really feel like I'm trying to put a puzzle piece together of all my education and how I view the world,” she said.

Working as a resident advisor (R.A.) for sophomore students, Alipio Jocson was a pillar of SDSU’s campus life, She went above and beyond in her job duties to connect with residents by forming genuine connections and fostering community amongst them. She carried these relationship values into her position as an office assistant at Associated Students (A.S.), crediting it as a family-centered environment. She was involved with various campus centers such as the Women’s Resource Center and Language Acquisition Resource Center. Her current work with Defend Migrants Network — a Filipino-based organization fighting for migrant rights — matches her passion and future goals in supporting local migrants.  

Alipio Jocson, a natural social leader, builds relationships and communities everywhere she goes. “I'm really good at community building. I've introduced a lot of professors to each other, and recommended stuff to a lot of my residents as well,” she said.

Alipio Jocson’s top priority is social justice. She is considering law school as a long-term option to provide pro bono services to marginalized communities needing fair representation. For now, she is focused on finding a job in the nonprofit sector that will allow her to work in social services where her natural talent for community-building will shine.

View all outstanding graduating seniors by department on the CAL website.