Valedictorians from five of 51����’s eight colleges will be acknowledged at the Spring 2025 Commencement ceremonies being held on Saturday, May 10 for excellence in their respective schools and beyond.  

Join us in congratulating them all! 

Chloe Amoroso ’25, Washkewicz College of Engineering 

Amoroso, graduating with a bachelor’s degree from the Washkewicz College of Engineering, took a leap of faith – trading in her paints and charcoal for a new path fueled by curiosity, research, and innovation in mechanical engineering. What began as a distant daydream soon became a journey defined by leadership, excellence, and lasting impact. As treasurer, Amoroso helped establish 51����’s chapter of the NFPA Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge. As co-

president of Sisters in STEM, she spearheaded multiple outreach efforts – all while competing as a student-athlete on the track and field team, setting the school record in the triple jump. Her drive also earned her a scholarship from the Ohio Space Grant Consortium, leading to her first conference publication and a first-place award for undergraduate research at 51����’s Research Day. This summer, she’ll take her talents to the NASA Glenn Research Center, working to help advance the future of aerospace technology.

“My time at 51���� has been filled with life-changing experiences that have shaped me into the engineer, leader, and dreamer I am today,” said Amoroso. “51����’s students and faculty have propelled me farther than I could ever have imagined – I’m deeply grateful for all the opportunities I have been given, and I owe so much of my growth to this university.”

Carianna Downie ’25, College of Health

Downie, earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, has been a positive light since starting at 51����. She has spearheaded research, mentored students and committed countless hours giving back to the community. One of her high points was being inducted into Sigma Theta Tau, an International Honor Society of Nursing. Her experiences have helped her springboard into her next phase after commencement, in which she has accepted a position in the critical 

care unit at a level I trauma center and plans to leverage her experience to gain admission into graduate school with the ultimate goal of earning a Doctor of Nursing in anesthesia practice.

“My academic and professional journey has been molded by resilience, a commitment to those I represent, and sheer determination to succeed,” said Downie. “Being considered for valedictorian is an incredible honor, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to share my journey and aspirations. This recognition is not only a testament to my dedication but also a profound reminder of the responsibility I carry to uplift others, advocate for equitable healthcare, and contribute positively to the communities I serve.”

Halle Elder ’25, College of Arts and Sciences 

Elder, who is graduating with honors with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology with a concentration in Linguistics and minors in Native American studies and English, took 51���� by storm four years ago and has never looked back. Elder was a member of many clubs, including, but not limited to, the Student Anthropology Association, Linguistics Club and the American Sign Language Club. Her senior Anthropology Capstone looks at Linguistic Resistance Strategies in Anishinaabemowin, which she hopes to explore and find methods of linguistic resistance that work or do not work

for these communities, to develop a deeper understanding of what type of language revitalization projects work for various communities across various situations and historical contexts. 

“As I reflect on the last four years, I am grateful for the knowledge and experiences that I gained, but I am even more grateful the people and that community that I have built here,” said Elder. “The best thing about 51���� is the students and their dedication to knowledge and growth in the face of life’s challenges, and that is what I have learned most by attending this university. I have learned how to overcome anything and everything to reach my goals, and that is a skill that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I have worked hard to deserve my place here among amazing peers, and I have taken every opportunity given to me and turned those opportunities into a successful and engaging undergraduate career.”

Justin Samsa ’25, Levin College of Public Affairs and Education 

Samsa, a double major in history and public management, was actively engaged in many organizations at 51����, including being named vice president of Sigma Phi Epsilon. He was then appointed to the Student Government Association (SGA) Presidential Cabinet as Director of Student Affairs. There, Samsa represented all organizations on

campus and assisted in creating and expanding 11 student groups. After this, he would be elected as the President of SGA, continuing his efforts to make student voices heard. He also served as a Democracy Fellow and America Reads tutor within the Office of Civic Engagement throughout his entire time at 51����. 

“Though the tears and the sleepless nights, I was able to graduate in the top 10% of my class. I spent every penny I had saved on attending 51���� and continued to work to maintain my attendance. Thanks to my diligence and the opportunities provided to me by this institution, I have the honor of graduating with two degrees in only three years,” said Samsa. “Only at 51���� would this have been possible. Only at this university have I been able to overcome every barrier placed in front of me. Cleveland State has given me the opportunity of a lifetime, and I have no intention of letting that go to waste.”

Jose Valdez-Saldana ’25, Monte Ahuja College of Business

Valdez-Saldana, graduating with a bachelor’s in accounting and a minor in governance, risk and management compliance, transferred from Lakeland Community College and immediately immersed himself at 51����, starting with the Sherwin-Williams Learning Community. From there, he landed a Co-op position at Avery Dennison and soon became a member of Beta Alpha Psi, where he networked with others in the accounting field. Although Valdez-Saldana was recruited to the Esports team before he began at 51����, he quickly became one of the top 500 players in the country. Academically, he secured a spot on the dean's list for three consecutive semesters at 51���� and received the Rotary

 Award for Excellence in Accounting, which is awarded to the top-performing student at Monte Ahuja College of Business.  

“Every setback and challenge I faced up to this day has built my character to be resilient, hardworking, and ambitious. These qualities have brought me academic excellence, leadership, and per my recommendations, a character that many find to be outstanding,” said Valdez-Saldana. “I learned from when I was 8, hauling 50-pound wheelbarrows of dirt in the hot summer sun, that nothing is ever handed out and the only way to achieve greatness is from putting in effort. Despite societal limitations, and the odds stacked against me, I persevered through every hardship and arrived in a position where I hold the opportunity to be nominated as the 2025 Monte Ahuja College of Business Valedictorian.”

Congratulations to each of our valedictorians!