Contact: Matt Lazier
805-756-7109; mlazier@calpoly.edu

Tabitha Lee Chon is pursuing a commission in the U.S. Marine Corps to contribute to cyber intelligence and national cybersecurity

VALLEJO, Calif. — A Cal Poly Maritime Academy international strategy and security student has received a 2025 California State University trustees’ scholar award for outstanding achievement.

Tabitha Lee Chon was selected for superior academic performance, personal accomplishments, community service and financial need. The South Pasadena, California, resident will receive a $7,000 scholarship as the CSU Trustee Leslie and Cliff Gilbert-Lurie Scholar.

The trustee awards are presented annually to one student from each of the CSU system’s campuses. Lee Chon and the other awardees were publicly recognized Tuesday, Sept. 9, by CSU Chancellor Mildred García and the CSU Board of Trustees during the board’s meeting in Long Beach.

“I was very surprised and deeply honored to receive this award,” the sophomore said. “To be recognized at this level motivates me even more to push forward in my studies and military training. It reminds me that my hard work is paying off and inspires me to continue striving for excellence.”

The 19-year-old said she chose to attend the maritime academy because of its “unique focus on global trade, maritime security and leadership. Its specialized programs allow me to study international relations in a more applied way, especially through the lens of maritime strategy.”

“It has given me a strong sense of direction and purpose. Being here allows me to explore the intersection of international strategy, technology and security. It has also helped me build discipline, resilience and leadership skills that will serve me both in my academic path and in my future military career.”

While she is at the Cal Poly Solano Campus, she remains active in the Navy Reserve Officers’ Training Program as Marine Option Midshipman in pursuit of a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Lee Chon faced major challenges at home as a result of changing family dynamics, which affected her mental health and academic performance. A turning point helped her develop discipline, leadership and a strong sense of responsibility through structured training and service.

“My interest in the Navy ROTC program began when I joined the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps,” the Navy’s youth program helping young people ages 10 through high school graduation to develop leadership skills and prepare for adulthood through naval-related education and activities.

As her mindset shifted, her confidence buoyed. Most importantly, the Sea Cadet program instilled in her the value of serving others as she grew personally. Her work in that program and volunteer organizations, including the Pacific America Volunteer Association, continues to influence her commitment to service and leadership.

“The Sea Cadets gave me an introduction to military service, leadership and discipline. It confirmed my desire to serve and motivated me to pursue the NROTC, where I can further challenge the myself and prepare for commissioning,” she said.

The Cal Poly Maritime Academy has expanded her sense of direction and purpose. Through her studies, she’s been able to explore the nexus of international strategy technology and security as she also works on a minor in data science studies.

“It has also helped me build discipline, resilience and leadership skills that will serve me both in my academic path and in my future military career,” Lee Chon said. “Even though I am not part of the Corps of Cadets, I’ve found my own path here as a traditional student, balancing my studies with my commitment to NROTC. I look forward to continuing to build on these experiences and using them as a foundation for my future career in the Marine Corps.”

As a Marine officer, Lee Chon plans to work in the cyber or intelligence fields and later transition into federal law enforcement, ideally with the FBI, where she can specialize in cyber intelligence and contribute to national cybersecurity.

“I am drawn to these areas,” she said, “because they combine technical expertise with strategic thinking — and they play a critical role in national defense and global security.”