In celebration of Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month, Cal State San Marcos’ APIDA Student Life is partnering with campus organizations to present an exciting lineup of events.    Everyone is invited to participate in the following events:    Book Talk and Signing   April 15, 4 p.m., USU 2310-B  Come join us for a book talk and signing of Jade Hidle's newly published memoir, “Hair.” The first 30 attendees will receive a free copy of the book, which details how various mental illnesses are compounded by histories of racism, from the Vietnam War to the COVID-19 pandemic. With honesty and humor, “Hair: A Lai Mỹ Memoir” is a story of how breaking cycles is an ongoing process of becoming a daughter and mother.     APIDA Cultural Festival  April 18, 5 p.m., USU Forum Plaza   Enjoy free food, cultural performances, music and more!  RVSP to receive a free parking pass for the event.     Spill the Tea: Appropriation vs. Appreciation   April 21, 3 p.m., USU 3200    Pasifika Luncheon   April 29, noon, USU 3200    Lei Workshop   May 1, noon, Forum Plaza      APIDA Recognition Ceremony   May 5, 5:30 p.m., USU Ballroom   This is the 19th annual APIDA recognition ceremony celebrating spring graduates. RSVP by April 25 to participate and receive a free APIDA stole!   Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

The CSUSM Career Center proudly revived a cherished tradition this spring with the return of its Etiquette Dinner — the first one held in five years. This dynamic evening of professional development, networking and fine dining was designed to equip students with essential skills for career success. Hosted by Dr. Yasmine Farley, director of the Career Center and a certified etiquette consultant through Gonzaga University, the event offered students hands-on experience in navigating formal dining settings while cultivating professional presence and confidence. “Growing up as a first-generation college student from a low-income, single-parent household, I didn’t have access to these types of experiences,” Farley said. “Over time, I learned the importance of etiquette and professionalism in building my career — and it means the world to be able to pass those lessons along to our students at CSUSM, especially in a way that is accessible and cost-effective for the university.” Thanks to Farley’s recent certification, the Career Center was able to provide this training in-house, eliminating the need to hire an outside facilitator and allowing more students to participate. The evening guided attendees through a multicourse meal while covering topics from The Etiquette Institute’s framework, “The Four Cs” — context, culture, change and comfort — noting that etiquette isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being present and respectful. Students explored practical tips on professional dining — like how to navigate formal place settings, handle utensils correctly, engage in graceful conversation, manage beverage and soup etiquette, and avoid common faux pas. Attendees also learned about networking and how to build a personal brand that leaves a lasting impression. For many, the dinner was a transformative learning opportunity. “Very grateful to have received the opportunity to attend last night’s Etiquette Dinner hosted by the Career Center,” said Angel Albarote, a human development major. “It was a fun time learning about dining in a professional setting while connecting with other attendees.” “I gained insight into proper table manners and how to carry myself in formal dining and networking settings, skills that are essential for both personal and professional growth,” said Leo Smith, a pre-business major. “Thank you to Dr. Farley and the Career Center for hosting this wonderful event!” Anahi Martinez Perez, a business administration major, echoed those sentiments, saying, “The event was not only an enriching experience in terms of etiquette and professionalism but also an invaluable opportunity to network with like-minded individuals. I look forward to seeing this event grow and continue to inspire more professionals.” The dinner also welcomed CSUSM alumni, including Jasmin Casas, who reflected on the joy of reconnecting with her alma mater. “It was awesome to be back on campus as an alum,” said Casas, who graduated in 2024 with a degree in literature and writing studies and now works as a legal assistant at the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. “I can’t wait to see what my awesome new friends will do next.”  As the Career Center continues to expand its programming in support of student success, the return of the Etiquette Dinner reflects the team’s ongoing commitment to providing inclusive, practical and empowering opportunities for professional development.  For more information about upcoming events or to learn how to support student professional development, visit www.csusm.edu/careers. Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

The California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center (CICSC) at Cal State San Marcos has received an endowment gift of $3 million from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. San Manuel is a longtime supporter of CSUSM, having contributed nearly $1 million when the CICSC opened its doors in 2011. Since then, the center has become a home away from home for American Indian students in their higher education pursuits. The CICSC also champions groundbreaking research, publications and events to empower Native voices and inform public policy. This additional funding will enable the CICSC to expand cultural preservation programs, strengthen student success, foster community engagement and support operational excellence. “This transformative gift from San Manuel, combined with the exceptional work of our American Indian Studies Department and the CICSC, positions CSUSM to better serve Native American students," CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said. "We’re committed to building a comprehensive program that promotes both academic rigor and cultural empowerment. Together with our tribal partners, we aim to set new standards for Native American student achievement in higher education.” San Manuel's gift builds on its partnership with CSUSM and demonstrates a commitment to strengthening tribal sovereignty through education. The investment will empower Native American students to become leaders, scholars and researchers shaping the future of California tribal communities. “This endowment represents more than funding – it's an investment in the preservation and advancement of Indigenous knowledge, leadership and sovereignty," said Dr. Joely Proudfit, director of the CICSC. “With these resources, we can amplify Native voices, deepen our research initiatives and create even more powerful opportunities for our students to engage with tribal nations while pursuing academic excellence.” "The CICSC helps to enhance the educational experience of students within the CICSC community,” said Lynn Valbuena, chairwoman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. "Through advocacy, research, leadership and systemic change, the CICSC fosters an environment where Native culture, tribal sovereignty and progress can flourish." San Manuel’s $3 million gift, amplified by a $1 million match contribution from the Epstein Family Foundation, reflects a shared commitment to empowering the Indigenous community at CSUSM and supporting the CICSC. For more information about the CICSC, visit csusm.edu/cicsc, contact center director Joely Proudfit, Ph.D., at jproudfi@csusm.edu, or call 760-750-3535.   About the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is a federally recognized Indian tribe located on the San Manuel Indian Reservation near Highland, California. San Manuel exercises its inherent sovereign right of self-governance and provides essential services for its citizens by building infrastructure, maintaining civil services and promoting social, economic and cultural development. As the Indigenous people of the San Bernardino highlands, passes, valleys, mountains and high deserts, the Serrano people of San Manuel have called this area home since time immemorial and are committed to remaining a productive partner in the San Bernardino region. For more information, visit http://www.sanmanuel-nsn.gov.

The 2025 spring season has been one to remember for the Cal State San Marcos men’s and women’s lacrosse clubs. But the best, they hope, is still to come. The CSUSM men’s team has a record of 11-2 and is ranked eighth nationally among Division II schools in the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association. The Cougars have one game left in the regular season, and it’s a big one – Friday, April 18 at home against their top rival, UC San Diego, which is undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the MCLA Division II poll. “We have a lot of transfers that have played at a higher level in the NCAA who have come in and have really helped with the team chemistry,” men’s coach Tim Puls said. “We all have one goal on our team, and that is to win a national championship.” The CSUSM women have been even better. They are unbeaten at 10-0 and ranked first nationally among D-II schools in the Women’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association. Their regular season has finished, with the next challenge upcoming in the WCLA regionals, April 12-13 in Santa Cruz. “At the beginning of this season, we struggled with offensive communication and showing up to game days focused and ready,” women’s coach Jillian Dohrmann said. “Late fall, our whole offense met outside of practice and talked about their disconnect, and ever since then we have been excelling and have had great communication and collaboration.” The Cougars’ men are led by sophomore midfielder Colin Dobbins, a Carlsbad native who transferred to CSUSM from Stevenson University, a NCAA Division III power. Dobbins paces the team with 52 goals, and none of them were more significant than the six he scored in an upset win over then-No. 1 Air Force last month. For his efforts, he was named the MCLA Division II Warrior Player of the Week. “He is the backbone of our offense,” Puls said of Dobbins. “He wants to make his teammates better and makes them work hard day in and day out in practice, and it shows during games. He is our go-to guy, and when we need someone to make a play, we call his number.” Dobbins has accomplished all of this after recovering from a broken collarbone. “Having the team’s support really gave me confidence and helped me recover faster and stronger,” Dobbins said. For the women’s team, the top scorer is Shea Morgan with 44 goals, but the heart of the team is goaltender Cierra Warfield. She has posted one shutout and four other games in which she allowed three or fewer goals. “The key to my success this season has been staying consistent with my game and practice and having a great community around me to lift me up when I fall,” Warfield said. After the rivalry game against UCSD at Mangrum Track & Field, the men’s team next will head to Santa Barbara for the Southwestern Lacrosse Conference tournament April 25-27, with a goal of advancing to the MCLA national championships from May 5-10 in Round Rock, Texas. The women, meanwhile, are gearing up for regionals, where they hope to qualify for the WCLA nationals from May 6-9 in Wichita, Kansas. The Cougars finished third at nationals last year. “This year we are aiming for first place,” Dohrmann said. “The team is looking forward to playing and traveling. We have worked hard in fundraising throughout the year to afford these trips.” Media Contact Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

Cal State San Marcos will honor Dennis and Marilyn Pugh by naming its baseball field the “Dennis A. Pugh Baseball Field” during a ceremony at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 12. As the founding coach of CSUSM’s baseball program, Pugh built more than a winning program – he built a culture that shaped generations of student-athletes.  Pugh, who died in 2020 at age 73, launched CSUSM’s baseball program in 2007 and quickly built it into a competitive force. Under his leadership, the Cougars achieved eight winning seasons in 10 years, earned 282 victories and made three NAIA tournament appearances. His 2015 team set a program record with 36 wins, securing CSUSM’s third Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) conference championship in five seasons.  “Coach Pugh’s dedication to excellence, both on and off the field, has left an indelible mark on our university and the community,” CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said. “By naming this field in his honor, we ensure that his legacy continues to inspire future generations of Cougars.”  Beyond wins and championships, Pugh helped develop talent that rose to the professional ranks. Three of his student-athletes were drafted by Major League Baseball teams, while four others signed as free agents – a testament to his ability to cultivate top-tier talent.  Pugh also oversaw the construction of CSUSM’s baseball field, which opened in 2011. Marilyn and Dennis further supported the program with a philanthropic gift to upgrade the batting cages, create a modular training facility and establish an endowed fund to maintain the baseball facilities. Thanks to their generous support, combined with community members who recognized his profound impact, CSUSM is able to name the field in his honor.  “It was a genuine honor to coach alongside Dennis for nine years,” said Art Warren, former assistant baseball coach at CSUSM. “He was an icon in San Diego as both a baseball and football coach and was well-known for how much he cared about his students.”  Before his time at CSUSM, Pugh was already a legend in the San Diego baseball scene. As the head coach at Mission Bay High School from 1979 to 2006, he led the team to 10 San Diego Section finals appearances and secured eight section championships. Additionally, he coached football at Mission Bay for 13 seasons, accumulating 86 wins and two San Diego Section titles. Even after retiring from CSUSM in 2016, Pugh returned to Mission Bay High in 2017 and remained active in the program until his death.  “I am forever grateful for the lasting impact that Coach Pugh left on my life,” said Brandon Bentson, a former student-athlete. “Having the field named after him is a tremendous honor and testament to his legacy at Cal State San Marcos.”  The naming of the field serves as a fitting tribute to a man whose impact on the game and the lives of his players will be felt for generations. CSUSM invites the community, alumni and former players to attend the ceremony and celebrate Pugh’s enduring legacy. Visit the RSVP webpage to join this event.   Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

In celebration of gAyPRIL, Cal State San Marcos’ Pride Center is partnering with campus organizations to present an exciting lineup of events.   Everyone is invited to participate in the following events.    gAyPRIL Kickoff and Flag-Raising   April 8, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., USU 3100  Students, staff, faculty and administrators will gather in front of the USU and walk the campus to show support for CSUSM's LGBTQiA+ community members. After the flag-raising at Chavez Circle, guests are encouraged to return to the Pride Center for refreshments and community.    Voices of Resilience   April 10, 5-7 p.m., USU 3100   Join an inspiring evening of artistic expression at Voices of Resilience, an open-mic night dedicated to showcasing diverse forms of performance and creative media. This event invites poets, musicians, visual artists, fashion designers and performers of all backgrounds to share their work, unified by the themes of perseverance, recovery and resilience.    Crystal Clarity: Spirituality & Identity   April 15, U-hour, USU 3100  This event will feature meaningful discussions about spirituality and a hands-on crystal-making activity to empower your personal journey.    Queering the Map  April 17, 4-6 p.m., USU 3100  Come to the Pride Center for a discussion about queerness around the world and about how our own identities affect our lives with women’s gender and sexuality studies professor Mikee Inton-Campbell. This event focuses on stories – the stories of our own lives and learning from the stories of others.    Chromatic Queerness   April 23, 1-4 p.m., Forum Plaza   Come to Forum Plaza to celebrate being queer and all things positive as participants tie-dye multiple types of clothing and connect with San Diego Pride.    Cookies & Queers   April 24, U-hour, USU 3100  Meet CSUSM’s Pride Faculty and Staff Association! Pride FSA will be holding a meet-and-greet with their members in the Pride Center.    Trans Makeup Tips   April 29, U-hour, USU 3100  Learn about makeup techniques to pass easier, feel more like yourself and gain confidence in your look. Makeup brushes will be available for you to take home, too.    gAyPRIL Sendoff  April 30, U-hour, USU 3100  As gAyPRIL comes to a close, we remind ourselves and the world that we don’t just exist for one month a year. We will talk about the significance of Pride Month and what we can do.  Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314