After he stopped touring full-time as a musician several years ago, Aaron Humble increased his pace of sending out feelers to conductors of groups that fly in musicians for a week-long project that often ends in a CD-quality recording.
As it often goes, he didn’t hear back from one of the groups he reached out to – True Concord Voices and Orchestra based out of Tucson, Ariz.
On a gig months later in Santa Fe, N.M., the Cal State San Marcos associate professor of music was approached by a fellow tenor explaining how a group in Tucson needed another tenor for an upcoming project. Humble booked the trip and enjoyed a week of recording and camaraderie.
“The first conversation I had with the conductor was him sort of sheepishly saying, ‘Hey, I’m really sorry that I never responded, but I do really like your audition materials and we’d love to have you sing with the group,' ” said Humble, who is co-chair of the music department and also filling the role of director of the dance studies program.
About six years later, a weeklong recording session with True Concord resulted in “A Dream So Bright: Choral Music of Jake Runestad,” which debuted in August 2024 at No. 2 on Billboard’s Classical Albums chart. Three months later, the recording was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Choral Performance, a realization of a lifelong dream for Humble.
True Concord didn't win when the Grammys were held last February. But the experience of recording and, months later, riding the wave of the highest nomination for a recording artist is one that Humble puts high on his list of career accomplishments.
And it came with the group that previously had ignored his inquiries.
“It’s up there in the top for sure,” said Humble, who has performed at such iconic venues as the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center and the Library of Congress. “It’s not something you can will to happen because you’re relying on democracy. You’re relying on the members of the (Recording) Academy, the majority of whom I don’t know. And so it does feel like this sort of grassroots recognition of an accomplishment.”
In his career as a solo artist, Humble has performed in opera, recital, concert and chamber music venues, enjoying solo appearances with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and the Boston Pops. During his tenure singing with Cantus out of Minneapolis, he sang more than 800 concerts and recorded 10 albums with one of the nation’s premier vocal ensembles.
CSUSM's School of Arts is making a concerted effort to hire and encourage its faculty to stay active in their respective industries.
Ching-Ming Cheng, music co-chair, gives piano concerts both solo and with renowned performers routinely. She just completed a fall series of concerts with cellist Paul Tseng and harpist Vanessa Fountain throughout San Diego County, including on campus and at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido.
“Part of it is to feed my artistic soul and sort of keep that fire burning,” Humble said. “Creative activity is part of our scholarship as applied faulty in the arts, so that’s part of it. But in terms of teaching, it also helps me stay relevant. I’m teaching students how to practice, how to perform, and if I stop doing it, I won’t be as good at teaching that.”
Originally from northeast Ohio, Humble was the director of choral activities at Minnesota State University, Mankato before coming to CSUSM. A graduate of Millikin University in Illinois, he has a Doctor of Music degree in vocal performance and literature from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.
Humble and his husband, Xu Zou, have a home in New York primarily for Zou’s work there. Their main residence is in South Park with their two cats, Chopstick and Toothpick.
Humble and Cheng are in the process of proposing a music recording and production degree program in the music department. Music technology is currently a minor.
“I think that will bring a whole different set of students here as well,” Humble said. “And for the students who are really looking for that ramp into a vocation, into a career, that’s a great degree for them.”
His dream is to host a music therapy program at CSUSM. There are no such programs in San Diego, an area rich with the therapeutic power of music.
Humble directs the university choir, which is an SATB (soprano, alto, tenor and bass) ensemble that is open to students of all majors and other members of the campus community. The choir does not require an audition.
Humble slowly has been building small group opportunities for students who are looking for more advanced repertoire. That’s innovation.
For him, it’s about finding the right pace and fit while pushing the students to discover new opportunities within themselves. That’s acceleration and cultivation, the key tenets behind CSUSM’s Blueprint for the Future fundraising campaign, in which the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences lists “Anchoring the Arts” as one of its two initiatives.
“I don’t know if we’re quite there yet, but we’re close,” he said. “It’s just nice to give those students who want that extra challenge with harder repertoire, with things that are a little more on the art music side of things and might challenge students in a way that those kids want but other students don’t want. To have space for them to do that.”
The concert that the music department is working on this semester is about belonging and unity.
Earlier this semester, Humble wasn’t feeling well at choir rehearsal while recovering from getting vaccinated. He ended up having a great rehearsal and left feeling much better.
It reminded him that he hears the same from students often. They may arrive to campus in a bad mood but leave their interactions upbeat and ready to go on with their day.
Being on the receiving end of that community of care is a gentle reminder that he and other faculty often provide the same.
“People need those safe spaces more than ever and those moments of community,” Humble said. “I feel really fortunate that I get to teach in a place that wants that for all of our students. And that I get to make music and build that community in an artistic environment with my students as well.”
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- Pawsitive Influence: Frank the Facility Dog Turns 3A member of the Cal State San Marcos family is about to celebrate a special birthday. Frank the Facility Dog will be turning 3 years old on Saturday. To celebrate, Frank had a special birthday party in the third-floor lobby of Kellogg Library on Thursday. Nearly 100 students came by to wish the party animal a happy birthday just before U-hour. Frank’s party included cupcakes and candy for the guests and photos with the birthday boy. He even received a special visit from the Cougar Care Network cart, a special birthday handkerchief and an outfit from some well-wishers. Frank, a goldendoodle, is a therapy and facility dog. According to his mom, Tracy Daly, a CSUSM kinesiology lecturer and registered dietitian/nutritionist and sports dietitian, he is a beloved member of her family. She said Frank’s presence is just the present CSUSM needs. “He is bringing a lot of joy to students who are struggling or stressed,” Daly said. “And not only students, but faculty, staff and administrators.” Just this semester, Daly said, Frank has completed more than 1,500 visits, supporting mental health and building community connections. Animal-assisted therapy has shown significant reductions in both psychological and physiological stress, a recent study found. “A lot of folks on this campus are away from home, and they might be missing their dog,” Daly said. “I’ve had a lot of students tell me they recently lost their dog or they’ve had loss in their family, and they come visit Frank and he’s just this warm, fuzzy ball of love.” Vera Lee, a junior nursing major, agreed. “I met Frank during a class Tracy was doing and started following him on Instagram,” Lee said. “Frank brings me a lot of joy and helps me during the stressful times. I see Frank three times a week, and I recommend that anyone who loves dogs or animals or who has pets they’re not able to see come by and visit Frank.” Frank is fully trained and certified as both a therapy and facility dog through Pawsitive Teams and Love on a Leash. His work aligns strongly with CSUSM’s values around well-being, belonging and student success. “What we found is that Frank has a very good demeanor when it comes to therapy work,” Daly said. “He passed his canine good citizen test with flying colors.” Frank was certified as a therapy dog in just eight weeks. His journey to CSUSM took more than a year – starting with the kinesiology department; working his way through to Integrated Risk Management; the Office of Safety, Health and Sustainability; all the way up to the provost. That journey was worth it, Daly said. “I see the changes in students’ faces when they come out and hang out with him,” she said. During the fall semester, people can come by and visit Frank on Mondays from 12:15-2:15 p.m. in front of Kellogg Library, on Tuesdays from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Epstein Family Veterans Center and on Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. in the library's third-floor lobby. Media Contact Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306
- CSUSM Among Nation's Best For Military-Affiliated StudentsCal State San Marcos was recently recognized for its support of military-affiliated students in Military Times' “Best for Vets: Colleges 2025” rankings, including placing second in California. The rankings showcase U.S. universities and colleges committed to supporting military service members, veterans and their families through targeted programs, student-veteran communities and financial support. CSUSM ranked 27th out of 357 institutions overall. Institutions included in the Military Times rankings are evaluated on academic quality, affordability, student support services and outcomes for veterans, including graduation and retention rates. This year, institutions examined a surge in both online and hybrid program options for active-duty students, as well as growth in dedicated veteran resource centers. CSUSM was also ranked in additional categories for Military Times: Fifth in the West 20th among traditional institutions 22nd among public institutions 26th in general education With one in nine CSUSM students being military affiliated, the university has long been dedicated to providing them with the environment and support needed to succeed in higher education. Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- Alumnus Returns to Nest as Head of New American Indian Student CenterJoely Proudfit arrived as a professor at Cal State San Marcos in 2008 – before she became chair of an American Indian studies department that then didn’t exist, before she founded an on-campus center devoted to California Indian culture and sovereignty. That fall, Proudfit taught a course called “Native American Communities.” It was a small class, featuring only about a dozen students. One of them stood out immediately. Proudfit had known the family of Tommy Devers for years. They are both Luiseño Indians, and Tommy’s uncle is Chris Devers, the former chairman of the Pauma Band of Luiseño Indians, who has deep ties to CSUSM. But that didn’t prepare her for what she would encounter in Tommy. “I noticed his commitment and curiosity right away, but what struck me more deeply was the way he carried himself in service to his community,” Proudfit said. “His hands were always in the work. He showed up for his people with a sincerity that you cannot teach. “There is simply a light to him. My husband used to joke that Tommy should be the mayor of whatever town he happened to live in because he is just that kind of person: engaged, grounded, generous and easy to gravitate toward.” After graduating from CSUSM with a degree in communication in 2009, Devers went on to complete a master’s program in sociological practice, bolstering his connection to the university. During that time, he further immersed himself in Native studies, and even helped Proudfit move into the new California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center (CICSC). About a year ago, then, when a job as the first leader of a planned American Indian Student Center became available, Proudfit had the ideal candidate in mind. “Tommy,” she said, “was exactly the person we needed.” And Devers was exactly the person CSUSM got. Hired as assistant director in February, the double alumnus spent his first semester observing and developing relationships with American Indian and other students while working out of an office near Proudfit in the CICSC. By late August, he had moved into his new office in the student center, which occupies a suite in the University Student Union that formerly housed the Cross-Cultural Center. This fall, he has overseen five student employees while the American Indian Student Center welcomes in an average of about 20 students per day. Greeting them as they enter is an enormous, wall-sized mural painted by American Indian studies professor Eric Tippeconnic. To make the center more inviting, Devers and his team rebranded it as “The Nest,” both a nod to the center's logo of a feather and a nickname that rolls off the tongue more easily. “This is going to become the nest where students come, they get nurtured, they grow and then they move on in their journey,” Devers said. “So it took on a more symbolic meaning as well. “There's a lot of excitement from the students, and I think they have a strong desire to make this space their own. This is the foundational year. This is when we start being mindful of how we want the center to be, the legacy we want it to have.” The Nest represents the fulfillment of a desire Proudfit has held almost from the day she first stepped foot on campus to give CSUSM’s American Indian students a place they could call their own. Out of necessity, they have congregated over the years at the CICSC on the first floor of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Building. A door opened a couple of years ago when Viridiana Diaz, CSUSM’s vice president for Student Affairs, formed an advisory committee led by lecturer John Tippeconnic, whose report affirmed the need for a dedicated center. The timing lined up perfectly with the availability of Devers, who had moved back to California after some time living out of state and was ready to return to higher education. “He was raised for this kind of work,” Proudfit said. “He is thriving because the job aligns with his spirit, his community roots and his lived commitment to our students.” Devers grew up on the Pauma reservation as the youngest of four children of a Luiseño father and Irish mother. He recalls an idyllic childhood marked not only by normal pursuits such as abundant outdoor play in the rural landscape but also by a stint as an actor. As a fifth-grader, he attended a casting call, which led a trip to acting school, the hiring of an agent and, on his seventh audition, a role in the TV show “Power Rangers.” During middle school, he even moved to Los Angeles for a year with his mom to try acting full-time before concluding that the world of Hollywood was not for him. The sense of adolescent adventure, however, didn’t come without some discomfort related to his identity. “There's definitely some pain that came up because my mom is white and my dad is Indian,” Devers said. “Being half-white on the reservation, you're very aware of your situation at a young age.” After being part of one of the first graduating classes at Valley Center High School, Devers went to Palomar College along with his brother and one of his two sisters. It was a rather aimless period for him. He explored being a photography major. He contemplated becoming an English teacher. He took a semester off to travel, and ultimately stayed at the college for almost four years. “No one who I knew could explain to me what the next steps were,” he said. Devers found direction when he transferred to CSUSM in 2007, and particularly the following year when Proudfit joined the faculty. The American Indian studies discipline hadn’t been created yet, but he took as many classes in that vein as he could. After he earned his bachelor’s degree, Proudfit helped him land a job with the U.S. Census Bureau, for which he leveraged his tribal relationships and cultural knowledge to help boost participation by Native peoples in the 2010 census. The more Devers went down the path of connecting with his heritage, the farther he wanted to go. He began working for his tribe as a youth program coordinator. He came back to CSUSM to earn a master’s and resumed his leadership in the American Indian Student Alliance. “I realized that education was changing my life in a way I never imagined,” Devers said. “The subjects I was learning about were changing the way I thought about things and approached ideas.” Devers was in his second year of the master’s program when the CICSC opened in 2011. Proudfit remembers that it was Nov. 17, the same day she returned from maternity leave. While she was holding her 3-month-old daughter, Piper, Devers and an interior designer friend of Proudfit’s decorated the center in one day on a shoestring budget. “We filled the space with photos of our students and tribal community members, and much of what they created that day still lives in the center now,” Proudfit said. “Tommy has been integral to the CICSC from day one. His labor, his vision, his spirit are all woven into the roots of that space, and I remain deeply grateful.” Fourteen years later, now married with two young children, Devers is integral to a new space for American Indian students. Following a first year in the job aimed at establishing The Nest and making students feel at home, he plans to turn his focus to career pipelines and recruitment. To that end, he’s the lead organizer for the 2026 edition of Dream the Impossible, a Native youth conference that has been held for nearly two decades and is returning to CSUSM in April. More than 500 Native middle and high school students will converge on campus for an event that will introduce them to Native professionals in various fields and tout the transformative power of higher education. Devers knows a thing or two about that. “I have such hope for what this university is becoming,” he said. “The knowledge and kinship that can be gained through American Indian studies, the CICSC, the American Indian Student Alliance and The Nest can have a massive impact in tribal communities. That's what excites me the most. We're developing students who will lead our tribal communities into a future rooted in sovereignty, accountability and cultural strength." Media Contact Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306
- CSU Economic Impact Report Highlights CSUSM's Vital RoleThe California State University system released its economic impact report today, highlighting the significant role that the CSU and Cal State San Marcos play in driving regional economic vitality, strengthening key industries and preparing a skilled workforce essential to the economy. “The CSU and Cal State San Marcos continue to be among the state’s most powerful engines of economic mobility, opportunity and innovation as their influence extends across industries, communities and generations – especially here in the San Diego region,” CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said. “This report shines a light on our collective impact and the powerful role we play to keep our economy strong and thriving in every corner of the state.” “An investment in the CSU is an investment in California,” said Assemblymember Darshana Patel, whose 76th district includes CSUSM. “That’s why it is imperative that we continue to fund public education to ensure that our state remains one of the top economies in the world.” The report, “Moving California Forward: The Economic Power of the CSU,” highlights the lasting return on investment for the people of California at every level, and CSUSM specifically: Economic return: For every dollar the state invested in CSUSM, $18.50 was generated in statewide industry activity. The figure rises to $64.62 when including alumni earnings. Statewide impact: CSUSM-related activity supported 7,900 jobs annually across California and contributed $361.5 million in wages earned. The university’s overall statewide impact reached $923.6 million in industry activity and $69.2 million in state and local tax revenue. Regional reach: As part of the San Diego region, CSUSM helped generate a substantial economic impact – supporting 7,600 jobs annually and contributing $342.8 million in wages earned. The total regional impact was $861.5 million in industry activity and $65.4 million in state and local tax revenue, underscoring the campus’s vital role in regional economic vitality. Workforce power: Nearly half of all bachelor’s degrees in California are awarded by the CSU. At CSUSM, students are prepared for in-demand careers in health care, education, business, biotechnology and public service – fields that power the region and state. Research impact: Despite recent funding challenges, CSUSM’s research initiatives continue to address urgent challenges – from health disparities and environmental sustainability to STEM innovation and social mobility – while contributing to globally significant science and scholarship. Learn more about the economic impact report and CSUSM's impact at https://www.calstate.edu/impact. Download the one-page summary of CSUSM’s economic impact here. Media Contact Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306
- Construction of New Wellness and Rec Center UnderwayCal State San Marcos held a Construction Kickoff on Nov. 12 to celebrate construction being underway for the Student Wellness and Recreation Center (SWRC), which is expected to open by summer 2027. Approved in a CSUSM student-led referendum last year, the center will be located next to The QUAD housing complex across Barham Drive from University Village Apartments. CSUSM is partnering with Sea Breeze Properties – developers of North City, which includes CSUSM’s North Commons, The QUAD and the Extended Learning Building – on the SWRC, which will be the latest addition to campus life. “This has been a long time coming, and we couldn’t be more proud to be here today,” said Darren Levitt, vice president and partner of Sea Breeze Properties and emcee for the Construction Kickoff. “I don’t know of any other development in the country that includes all of these elements in one project.” The SWRC will have a 10,000-square-foot gym space with strength training equipment and cardio machines, two standard-sized indoor courts and a rooftop deck with a turf field. In addition to the extensive room for student exercise, there will be dedicated wellness areas indoors and outdoors, a commuter lounge and an esports collaboration den. The project also includes additional student housing, with over 900 beds, as well as a central park and retail space. “When students have access to wellness and recreation resources, they thrive, manage stress better, perform stronger academically and feel more connected to their campus,” CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said. “That’s what this center is all about.” “When you choose an institution of higher learning as a student, you’re not just choosing a place to learn; you’re choosing a community to live in and live with, and having this very crucial piece of the community be here on campus is going to be an enormous opportunity for our students,” Assemblymember Darshana Patel said. CSUSM’s Campus Recreation students and staff worked hard to advocate for the center. Campus Rec student ambassadors, along with other student groups and organizations, helped make the project a reality by conducting a referendum to ensure that students' voices determined the outcome of the SWRC. “I’ve seen firsthand how much our students have wanted and needed this space,” said Illeana Carmona Chavez, an Associated Students, Inc., leader and former Campus Rec employee who helped lead the student referendum. “Since 2016, students have been advocating for more wellness and recreation opportunities, and we’re making that dream a reality. “This center is about fitness and wellness, but it’s also about belonging. It’s about giving students – especially commuters like me – a place to connect, recharge and feel part of something bigger.” Added San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones: “We are very focused on wellness and keeping people healthy, so this could not be more appropriate. San Marcos used to be just known as the educational hub of North County; now we’re known as the health care epicenter. So to have a place like this built makes so much sense.” As CSUSM’s campus continues to grow, buildings like the SWRC are what make all the difference. Providing a space for students to exercise, play sports with friends or simply relax and unwind fosters the sense of community that CSUSM strives for. “This project reflects the power of public and private partnerships – students, faculty, staff, business, government and community coming together to make something extraordinary happen,” Neufeldt said. “Whether students live on campus, commute or call CSUSM home for just part of their day, this center will be their space – a place to recharge, to build friendships and to strengthen mind and body.” Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- Women's Basketball Team Opens With WinThe Cal State San Marcos women's basketball team opened the 2025-26 season with a 58-52 victory over Azusa Pacific at The Sports Center on Friday. The Cougars shot 33.3% (20-of-60) from the field and 33.3% (6-of-18) from beyond the arc, while holding APU to 25% from the field and 21.1% from 3-point range. The Cougars also won the rebounding battle 55-41, led by Kaity Haan's game-high 16. Sophie Morales had 15 points, five rebounds and four assists for CSUSM, while teammate Sydney Hani added 16 points and 10 rebounds. The Cougars notched their second win on Saturday, beating visiting Point Loma Nazarene 62-50. CSUSM's next game is Nov. 28 against Northwest Nazarene in the PLNU Thanksgiving Classic. Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
