The Peralta Community College District’s Chancellor’s Trophy Award is a district-wide award designed to recognize and honor outstanding students whose scholarship, sense of civic responsibility, and leadership give the most promise of future success and service to their community. The winner is selected from four finalists, who are the President’s Medallion winners from each college.

This year, Student Trustee Natasha Masand earned this award with her leadership and strong advocacy on behalf of students across the district.

"I found her application essays to be very compelling and was deeply moved by the sense of isolation she expressed regarding her strict upbringing," said Peralta Community College District Chancellor Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson. "Her need to break free from that isolation led her to overcome her fear of the outside world and enroll at Berkeley City College, where just taking BART to school felt like a dangerous test of will."

Masand took on other tests – like learning to flip a “balisong” or butterfly knife. The bruises and minor cuts that came with pushing herself and learning this new skill served as a metaphor for her metamorphosis from a recluse living in constant fear to a passionate, involved student leader.

Congratulations on your accomplishment Natasha, and thank you for your continued display of the power of resilience and determination!