Social Sciences Alumna Named North Bay Woman of the Year. Joanna Paun, an SSU alumna who graduated with a Psychology BA (2002) and a Counseling MA (2016), was named the 12th Assembly District’s Woman of the Year. Assemblymember Damon Connolly announced the award and Paun was officially recognized in a March 20, 2023 ceremony on the California State Assembly floor. Paun was honored "for her passion and dedication to advocacy, promoting equity, and elevating student voices." This award follows her recent commendation as California’s Board Member of the year by the California School Boards Association. Paun is currently the president of the Petaluma City Schools board and works as a school counselor at Marin Academy. Throughout her professional career, Paun’s work has exemplified the core values of Sonoma State, including a commitment to diversity and social justice, sustainability, connectivity, and community engagement, as well as adaptability and responsiveness.