The Native-themed children’s show that a Cal State San Marcos professor served as a Native production consultant for has been nominated for a Peabody Award. The Peabody Awards recognize excellence in storytelling across television, radio and digital media, celebrating narratives that illuminate, inspire and empower audiences. Their prestigious standing within the media industry stems from their academic foundation and reputation for discerning exceptional content. Joely Proudfit, chair of CSUSM’s American Indian studies department, was the Native production consultant for the Netflix animated series “Spirit Rangers,” which ran for 39 episodes across three seasons from 2022-24. On Thursday, “Spirit Rangers” was nominated for a Peabody Award in the category of “children’s/youth.” “Spirit Rangers” is a fantasy-adventure preschool show that “celebrates community, nature and the rich heritage of Native American storytelling.” It was created by Karissa Valencia, a member of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians and the first California Native American showrunner. The show featured an all-Native writers’ room and Natives in every aspect of production. More than 100 Indigenous people worked on the series. “This recognition fills me with immense pride,” Proudfit said. “The lasting cultural impact this show is creating and will continue to create for generations to come makes me forever proud. “This nomination honors not just my work, but the entire team’s commitment to authentic Indigenous storytelling.” Proudfit worked alongside Valencia to help guide all production elements while collaborating closely with Indigenous communities worldwide to authenticate cultural representations, art, music and language. Her meticulous oversight extended to every aspect of the series, from script dialogue to visual artistry and musical sounds. Proudfit, who’s also the director of the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center at CSUSM, consulted on “Spirit Rangers” through her company. Native Media Strategies provides resources that help foster more authentic representation of Native and Indigenous peoples in Hollywood. Among other projects, Proudfit previously offered Native consulting services to “Stumptown,” an ABC crime drama that aired in 2019, and “Hostiles,” a 2017 Western film starring Academy Award-winning actor Christian Bale. She currently serves as a consulting producer for "NCIS: Origins" on CBS and also is co-directing an upcoming documentary project. The 68 Peabody Award nominees were chosen by a unanimous vote of 27 jurors from more than 1,000 entries across television, podcasts/radio and the web in entertainment, news, documentary, arts, children’s/youth, public service and interactive/immersive programming and media. Winners of the 85^th annual Peabody Awards will be announced on May 1, with a ceremony hosted by comedian and actor Roy Wood Jr. to be held on June 1 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles. Established in 1940 by the National Association of Broadcasters, the Peabody Award was created to honor excellence in radio broadcasting as the industry’s equivalent to the Pulitzer Prizes. It was later expanded to include television and then to new media including podcasts and streaming. Media Contact Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

Cal State San Marcos recently hosted the 2025 STEM Teacher Celebration, which brought together a diverse group of future and current STEM educators and professors to foster community and collaboration. Hosted by Math and Science Teacher Initiative (MSTI) and the CSUSM Noyce Teacher Scholars Program, the event reinforced the shared commitment to preparing and empowering STEM educators. “The STEM Teacher Celebration had guest speakers who provided invaluable insights and teaching strategies that greatly benefited the teacher candidates,” student Sunny Naidu said. “The seasoned educators highlighted successful case studies and provided examples of how these strategies can be implemented in the classroom to foster collaboration, critical thinking and creativity among students. “The interactive nature of the small-group presentations allowed the teacher candidates to ask questions, share their experiences and participate in discussions, leading to a rich exchange of ideas. Many teacher candidates left the celebration feeling inspired and equipped with new strategies that they could immediately apply in their future classrooms.” Some 40 STEM teacher candidates, MSTI Cougar Mathematics and Science Teacher Scholarship Program recipients, Noyce Scholars, undergraduate Students of Promise, practicing STEM teachers, and faculty and administrators attended this year’s event at the McMahan House on campus. Through engaging roundtable discussions, participants explored practical strategies for implementing California mathematics and science curriculum frameworks. The event highlighted the importance of ongoing professional learning and support in advancing effective STEM teaching and learning. “As a teacher candidate, I appreciated the roundtable discussions at the STEM Teacher Celebration,” student Courtney Wilson said. “It was a unique opportunity to hear real teachers share innovative and practical approaches to teaching – and the food was great, too!” Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Cal State San Marcos lecturer Rajee Ranpathi Samarasinghe has been named a Class of 2025 Guggenheim Fellow, one of the most selective and prestigious fellowships in the nation. From a pool of nearly 3,500 applicants, Samarasinghe is one of 198 individuals across 53 disciplines who were chosen for the fellowship for both prior career achievement and exceptional promise. This marks the 100^th class of Guggenheim Fellowships awarded by the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation to professionals who have demonstrated outstanding ability by publishing a significant body of work in the fields of natural sciences, social sciences, humanities and the creative arts. Samarasinghe was recognized under the discipline of “Film-Video.” A lecturer in CSUSM’s art, media and design department since 2021, he’s a Sri Lankan filmmaker and visual artist who left his native country during its civil war and is now based in Southern California. “This is an incredible honor that will enable me to continue pursuing my creative work, especially during such uncertain times,” Samarasinghe said. “I’m deeply grateful to everyone who has supported me throughout my career, and it’s a privilege to share this recognition with such an inspiring cohort of artists, scholars and innovators across so many disciplines.” Each Guggenheim Fellow receives a monetary stipend to pursue independent work at the highest level under the “freest possible conditions.” Samarasinghe said he plans to dedicate his time primarily to his second feature film, “The Moment,” a hybrid documentary filmed in China, as well as several other projects. His first feature, “Your Touch Makes Others Invisible,” is scheduled to be released next month. He also has directed multiple award-winning short films. Samarasinghe earned a bachelor’s degree in visual arts from UC San Diego and a master’s in film and video from the California Institute of the Arts. Many Guggenheim Fellows’ projects respond to timely themes and issues such as climate change, Indigenous studies, identity, democracy and politics, incarceration and the evolving purpose of community. Since its founding in 1925, the Guggenheim Foundation has awarded more than $400 million to more than 19,000 fellows. Media Contact Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

David Villasenor does more before 9 a.m. than most people do all day. If you’re a watcher of “NBC 7 San Diego News Today,” you’ll see the fruits of his and his team’s labor.  Villasenor is an executive producer at the station and has worked there for nearly 14 years. He attended Cal State San Marcos and majored in communication. He now oversees the news programs for the morning show from 5-7 a.m. and the midday show at 11 a.m.  His job consists of proofreading scripts for the show and working with staff, including writers, producers and anchors. He also handles breaking news for both NBC 7 San Diego and Telemundo 20, which are both located in the same building in Kearny Mesa.  On Aug. 2, he’ll celebrate his 14^th anniversary at the station. It’s a day that’s special to him.  “I remember that date because that’s the day my son was born. He was born at 7 o’clock in the morning,” Villasenor said. Villasenor is a fourth-generation San Diegan who chose CSUSM because it offered night classes, which allowed him to support himself during the day. At one point, he worked three jobs to put himself through school. He also had a goal: to work for NBC 7 one day. His journey there began as a boy in the sixth grade. “My middle school multimedia program teacher came into the class to promote the program,” Villasenor said. “Ever since then, I fell in love with it. I was the little 8-year-old nerd coming home from school watching Marianne Kushi (current morning anchor) on TV as a kid. I was a news junkie from a very young age.” His average day consists of waking up at 2 a.m. and starting to send emails to his staff. He arrives at the station at 3 a.m., immediately has a quick meeting to discuss the news of the day and then starts working with the anchors to read scripts to get ready for the first show at 5 a.m. He also listens and watches out for breaking news that needs to be added to the shows. Once the show goes off the air at 7 a.m. to make room for the “Today” show, he has a wrap-up meeting with staff and then repeats the process for the next show at 11 a.m. His hard work has paid off, as he won a National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Award, also known as an Emmy, in 2022.  The path to this award wasn’t easy, but he kept his eye on the prize.  “I was in construction for 10 years, and then I knew I wanted to be in media,” Villasenor said. “My goal was to be on air. But I had a lot of responsibility with family and siblings. I had to stay home and be the dad in a sense to my younger siblings, so I ended up staying here and applying for a cameraman job at KUSI. They said, ‘We don’t have a cameraman job, but we do have a job for writing.’ Now, writing was not my best subject and neither was grammar and spelling, so I had to fake it until I made it. I was working at KUSI while I was at Cal State San Marcos.” He got his big break after a producer at the station got into an argument with the anchor on set on Thanksgiving and then walked out.  “I was the only other person there, so I had to jump in the seat,” Villasenor said. “And from that day on, I’ve produced and then moved up to executive producer.” He said he likes working at NBC for a few reasons. “I have great coworkers. They make you want to come to work,” he said. “The majority of people I work with love what they do because you have to love what you do in this industry.” He has this advice for anyone wanting to break into the media or any other career:  “Don’t pass up an opportunity because every opportunity that presents itself to you, whether it’s an internship or the opportunity to meet someone to make a connection, whether it be through your teachers at school or someone who knows somebody, can connect you to somebody in the business.”  Media Contact Jerry McCormick, Director of Strategic Communications jmccormick@csusm.edu 

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. “I'm very grateful to have received the opportunity to attend the 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 in 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.