The Award
The Jon Fuzell Dedication to Expression Award at MiraCosta College is an award given as part of Expressions, the annual magazine featuring creative works from students in MiraCosta’s Continuing Education program.
This award honors Jon Fuzell, a former committee member and colleague who dedicated his career to uplifting others, particularly continuing education students. He worked in the tutoring center at the Community Learning Center (CLC) and was known for his commitment to helping students express themselves and achieve their goals.
The award is given to a participant in Expressions who demonstrates outstanding dedication to creative expression.
2024 Recipient
Neda Towfiq is a Southern California-based watercolorist and acrylic artist, known for her unique and expressive artwork, often created on unconventional surfaces such as packing papers. She is GIA certified and studied art in Florence, Italy, which has greatly influenced her creative approach and appreciation for classical and contemporary techniques.
Neda's work has been exhibited at the Fallbrook Art Center, Oceanside Museum of Art, and North Coastal Art Gallery, among other prominent venues. Her art reflects her deep commitment to creativity, community, and social justice.
With a background spanning three continents, Neda’s diverse experiences fuel her artistic vision. In addition to her studio practice, she has developed an art curriculum for the Bahá'í Institute for Higher Education, where she teaches online art courses to Iranian Bahá'í students who are denied access to higher education.
Neda continues to explore new ways to inspire others through her art, encouraging them to find and share their own voices.
2023 Recipient
Riley Pathman is the first Jon Fuzell Dedication to Expression Award recipient. This student has been an Expressions participant for multiple years and has submitted multimedia projects, photography, and artwork over the years. He is dedicated to expressing himself and ensuring he is seen, heard, and included. Cerebral palsy affects his ease of speech and mobility, but this has not prevented him from sharing his talents and perspectives. He and his teammate broke a Guinness World Record in running in a marathon while pushing a wheelchair. This was a goal reflected in the multimedia project he submitted in 2020.