Cal State LA Students Earn National Great Minds in STEM Recognition
Two Cal State LA students, Rana R. Ashour and Omar Navar, have been named 2025 Great Minds in STEM (GMiS) Scholars, a national honor recognizing excellence in STEM fields and commitment to underserved communities.
Ashour, a computer science major with a minor in biomedical engineering, and Navar, a computer information systems major concentrating in cybersecurity, were selected from over 1,000 applicants nationwide. Both will receive corporate-sponsored scholarships from Edison International as part of the GMiS Class of 2025. This recognition highlights Cal State LA’s growing reputation as a producer of talented STEM professionals.
“It is an incredible honor to be named a GMiS STEM Scholar,” said Ashour, who is currently developing a mobile app to connect students with opportunities beyond the classroom. “Being a first-generation woman in STEM is an intimidating journey, but organizations like GMiS and Edison International empower students like me to reach our goals.” Navar, a transfer student from Los Angeles City College, has demonstrated his cybersecurity skills by ranking in the top 500 in the National Cyber League and earning first place in a 2024 Cybersecurity Challenge. He currently interns at Influential and volunteers with Mission X, a cybersecurity club at Los Angeles Mission College. You can learn more about Cal State LA’s College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology here.
The students were recognized at the GMiS Scholars Pinning Ceremony on October 3rd, held during the 2025 GMiS Conference in San Diego, California. Officials stated that the GMiS program aims to increase the representation of diverse talent in STEM fields and provide crucial financial support for future innovators.
