Academic Prestige

That level of success is motivational for students like Desai, a senior business management (finance) major with a minor in data analytics.

“There’s so much to be said about the benefits of Smittcamp Family Honors College,” Desai says. “First of all, they cover all of my academic financial needs. This enables me to utilize the funds for networking, internships and securing a job with minimal financial burden during my undergrad.”

Applicants to the honors college must have a minimum 3.8 GPA in grades 9 through 11 or be in the upper 10% of their graduating class. Each Smittcamp scholar receives a President’s Honors Scholarship, up to a maximum of eight semesters, for an undergraduate degree program. Each scholarship, valued at $6,000 per academic year, also covers an optional credit for a standard room in university housing should a scholar choose to live on campus.

President’s Scholars are required to volunteer a minimum of 70 hours of community service during their four years. In the 2022-23 academic year, scholars totaled 3,187 hours of service to 47 on- and off-campus organizations.

“The learning environment at Fresno State was a significant factor in my decision,” Desai says. “Many of my peers and family members who attended UC colleges described the atmosphere to be competitive and stressful. However, at Fresno State, the focus was on developing individuals alongside peers. There was no pressure to compete with my friends, and I had the freedom to explore various aspects of business at my own pace.”

The honors college has been instrumental in boosting the academic perception of Fresno State since 1997, when a $1 million donation by the late Earl and Muriel Smittcamp and their family launched the program.

The Smittcamp Family Honors College has become the academic flagship of the university, says Dr. Saeed Attar, director of the honors college. Alumni surveys show the existence of the college as a support system, and the lifelong friendships it catalyzes are one of its most important factors, he adds.

Desai is an Indian American, specifically Gujarati. It is customary in his culture for family members to live together until marriage, and, as a result, he was able to enter the business world early on through his father’s almond business. He expressed gratitude for the many advantages and wealth of experience that he has gained from his family.

“I started college right when we were at the heights of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Desai says. “Even though I live on campus, I’m only 20 minutes away from my house and 30 minutes away from my brothers and sisters. If anything were to happen, I would be able to be there for them. My family is my No. 1 at the end of the day.”

Desai addressed the social stigma some have about attending college locally, citing the majority of his peers’ desire to leave Fresno. Fortunately, with the on-campus housing accommodation of the honors program, he was afforded the opportunity to experience college life while still residing in his hometown.

“The greatest lesson I have learned is that you can still accomplish anything you want, no matter what school you choose to attend,” Desai says. “To this day, I am very confident in my decision to attend Fresno State because we have one of the most amazing and diverse educational programs. As long as you put in the effort, you will see yourself where you want to be.”

After the successful completion of an internship with Mastercard during summer in Washington, D.C., Desai plans to pursue a consulting position with the company in San Francisco following his graduation in spring 2024.

– Katie Xiong is a student assistant in University Marketing and Communications at Fresno State. She is on track to graduate in 2025.