Mark Baldwin had an indelible impact at Cal State San Marcos, one that is still felt more than a decade after he retired from the university. “He worked really hard to create space for all voices and making people feel like they were a part of the process. That is where his focus on equity came out,” said Patricia Prado-Olmos, CSUSM’s chief community engagement officer and a longtime friend and colleague of Baldwin. “He had such a strong focus on public schools, on access, on providing everyone the opportunity to excel even if individuals needed extra supports to excel. He believed everyone was worth the time investment.” Baldwin died last October, but donors and the campus community are ensuring that his legacy endures through the Dr. Mark Baldwin Endowed Memorial Scholarship, which will be awarded to CSUSM School of Education students in a preliminary credential program. Donors reached the initial goal of raising $25,000 to establish the endowed fund in perpetuity, but Prado-Olmos is among those working toward building on that to help even more students. “As the endowment grows, it will produce more funds each year to give to students,” she said. “And we know oftentimes the difference between a student continuing or leaving can be as little as $250. We want to make a difference in a student pursuing their dream of being a public school teacher.” Baldwin always had a strong commitment to public education. While Prado-Olmos didn’t discuss with Baldwin the origin of that deep commitment, she recalls a conversation about his upbringing in Carlsbad that sheds light on why it became so important to him. Prado-Olmos remembered Baldwin detailing how he and his friends at Carlsbad High School would occasionally skip school to surf. When they were caught, Baldwin realized how differently his friends of color were treated and the harsher punishment they received. It was experiences like that, Prado-Olmos said, that contributed to Baldwin’s desire to change the system. Baldwin worked for many years as a public school teacher, counselor and assistant principal in Poway before joining CSUSM in 1995 to develop a single subjects program for high school teachers. He later served as interim dean and dean of the College of Education, which is now known as the School of Education. “It was a very easy transition because he lived out our mission of collaboration, social justice and transforming education,” said Laurie Stowell, director of the School of Education and another longtime friend and colleague of Baldwin. “He met regularly with superintendents in the area to advocate for our teacher candidates and see what their needs were.” Prado-Olmos and Stowell both said Baldwin was integral to ensuring a smooth transition from founding dean Steve Lilly to the college’s next phase. Not only did he provide critical continuity, he expertly guided the college through the 2008 recession. “He was very collaborative, had a wonderful demeanor, was easy to work with and was accessible,” Stowell said. “He had an open-door policy with the faculty, always available to us.  He led with transparency in decision making and with integrity. When the college had a budget deficit, he invited a group of faculty to the table, rolled up his sleeves and together we made necessary cuts to keep us going.” Added Prado-Olmos: “He was always incredibly mission focused. I think that's part of the legacy that he left, making sure that the college and now the school has remained mission focused.”   Donations to the Dr. Mark Baldwin Endowed Memorial Scholarship can be made online or by contacting Stacy Slagor, director of philanthropy, at sslagor@csusm.edu. Media Contact Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Mariah Wade was only 15 years old when the injuries from a traumatic car accident changed her pathway to her college decision. She bruised a soft tendon between her neck and spinal cord, which affected her ability to walk for almost three weeks.  Just one year later, Wade got into another car accident that worsened her previous injuries.   The recovery was a difficult process for Wade. She missed almost a month of her senior year of high school because she could not walk properly. She frequently passed out from her injuries and was required by her high school to finish her last few months of school online, which created more difficulties.  “My grades had suffered tremendously,” Wade said. “And then I was able to bounce back and still graduate from high school. Cal State San Marcos was caring enough to listen to my story and welcome me, which was really nice.”  Wade did not know what options she had for college. She was still slowly healing from her injuries and contending with the resulting academic challenges. CSUSM stood out to Wade because she was offered accommodations for her injuries and she was also drawn to the internship opportunities available for students.  Wade made the most of those opportunities before graduating last month with a bachelor’s in criminology and justice studies. She was one of two CSUSM students who had the opportunity to participate in the Sacramento Semester Program during the spring. For Wade and Jessica Olvera, a business administration student, it meant a chance to gain hands-on experience and build their respective networks. “My favorite part was the research because I knew it was going somewhere that was going to contribute to change,” Olvera said.  Wade and Olvera each received 6 semester units for working a minimum of 25 hours per week as interns in Sacramento. There were an additional 6 semester units awarded to participants for completing two seminars. The Sacramento Semester Program offers internship placements in legislatives offices, departments in the executive branch, political associations and lobbyists. For Olvera, it was the homeless issue in San Diego that led her to the Sacramento Semester Program.  “I used to work downtown and I would see a lot of people my age or even grown adults or even younger in the streets,” Olvera said. “That really impacted me every time I was walking down the street. I always want to try to volunteer at homeless shelters but it’s never enough, so this is a research topic that I want to continue to do in the future.”  Olvera was placed in a communications internship where she learned about potential solutions to homelessness and completed legislative work and research on passing bills. Olvera met many of the people she looks up to, including Mialisa Bonta, an assemblymember representing the 18th district in Alameda County, and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis.  “Seeing women so powerful and being so secure in themselves and confident and doing all these great things definitely interested me in doing this work,” Olvera said.  Olvera was offered an opportunity to continue her internship after the program ended with assemblymember Brian Maienschein in San Diego’s 77th district. Olvera is graduating next spring and plans to combine her business degree with a minor in political science to contribute to a solution to homelessness.   Wade is continuing her public relations internship remotely before attending USC in the fall to complete her master’s in criminology and study for the LSAT in preparation for law school.  “I had a really fantastic time at the Sacramento Semester Program,” Wade said. “I wish it was elongated because I made so many friends. It was like a second home, because going in there we didn't know anybody at all. My family was 400 miles away from me. And everybody was dealing with the side effects of the pandemic, not talking to many people besides the people who they're really close to. But I believe we became like a family the more we were together. It was really nice.”  Media Contact Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

The California State University will host its inaugural symposium dedicated to the holiday of Juneteenth this month. The two-day event will take place June 15-16 at Cal State Dominguez Hills. It also will be streamed live at CalState.edu/Juneteenth. The virtual event is open to the entire CSU community and general public, and anyone interested in attending is encouraged to register for the live stream. Titled “By Any Means Necessary: Synthesizing the Voices of Our Ancestors and Everyday People,” the symposium will celebrate African American history and achievement, and promote and sustain the anti-racism work underway across the CSU’s 23 campuses, including Cal State San Marcos. Juneteenth is a federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. It’s held on the anniversary date of the June 19, 1865 announcement of the Union Army proclaiming freedom for enslaved people in Texas, which was the last state of the Confederacy with institutional slavery. President Joe Biden formalized Juneteenth as a federal holiday last year. The Juneteenth Symposium will feature renowned speakers, student performances, panel discussions and interactive breakout sessions meant to inspire connection, innovation and continued pursuit of a just and equitable world. In conjunction with the symposium, the CSU will launch an initiative called CSU ACTs (Acknowledges, Commits and Transforms). CSU campus communities have been encouraged to plan a complementary event around the symposium to celebrate, commemorate and develop a preliminary set of goals, measurable objectives and action steps to advance African American student access and success.  At CSUSM, that event is the Juneteenth Civic Action Party for Racial Justice, which will take place June 17 at 1 p.m. in USU 4200 as well as via Zoom. Hosted by the Department of Civic Engagement in partnership with the Black Student Center, the event invites students, staff and faculty to complete racial justice actions on the Civic Action Hub to create a more just and equitable society. You can register here. Media Contact Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

It was Cai Steffler’s first week at his new job, and as he was settling in for his third day of work he became startled when he looked down and saw a German shepherd at his desk. Steffler didn’t grow up around dogs, and he was apprehensive.   At first, Steffler thought he got himself in trouble because Sgt. David Angulo and a K-9 police dog were there next to him. But as he looked around the room, Steffler quickly realized that this seemed like a routine welcoming visit. Steffler saw how excited people from different departments were as they came to pet Armor, Cal State San Marcos’ K-9 police dog for nearly seven years. He soon realized how much Armor meant to the campus.  “I noticed that everyone in our office had treats for him,” said Steffler, an environmental health and occupational safety specialist on campus. “They had dog treats at their office because Armor would come to visit every single office.” Talking to Angulo and getting to know Armor helped Steffler become at ease being around the K-9 and other dogs.    “It was really special to see their bond and how they work together,” Steffler said.  Armor is set to retire after this year’s commencement ceremonies, shortly before he turns 11 years old. Armor will continue living with Angulo after he retires, along with the next campus K-9, Hans. The CSUSM University Police Department is raising funds for the first-year expenses of acquiring Hans, as well as a K-9 vehicle and supplementary equipment and training.  “Armor has been here longer than some staff members,” Angulo said. “It's going to be even harder for me to go to work without him. He's been my partner for the last seven years. It's amazing how attached we get to our partners. And it's very evident when I'm trying to go to work and he's trying to bust his way through and I have to tell him no. It’s heartbreaking. I knew it was going to be hard. I didn't realize it was going to be this hard. I think it's a little easier because I have Hans now who kind of fills that void. But as soon as I get home, it's evident that Armor is losing his head. He wants to go to work.” Angulo and Armor have long been recognized as a strong duo on campus. If Angulo is spotted without Armor by his side, he is ready for people to ask where about the beloved K-9. He also is used to people ignoring him and going straight to pet Armor. But he doesn’t mind because Angulo loves when the campus community connects with Armor.  “Armor would come in and we would just be rubbing his belly, and it provided us with a calmness,” said Jennie Ruiz, the associate dean of students. “Whenever he enters a space – and I've seen it with students, too – people just kind of light up around him because he's so sweet, so friendly. And he'll just kind of let you snuggle up with him. He definitely provided us with some sweet comfort when he would come into the office.” Armor’s contributions have extended well beyond campus. Armor is able to detect 20 explosive odors and he is the only explosive detection canine in North County and one of seven in the 23-campus California State University system.  Angulo and Armor have attended the Golden Globe Awards together as well as presidential debates, political conventions and professional sporting events, including Major League Baseball and NFL games. They also regularly contribute to K-9 responses throughout San Diego County. It has been an amazing journey for Angulo and Armor since their partnership began in 2015.  Angulo learned about an opening for a K-9 officer early in his career at CSUSM, and he was eager to pursue the opportunity. Angulo trained with the nearest K-9 unit in Northridge on his days off for six months to gain experience for the position. He was able to gather a better understanding of a K-9’s behavior and the training process while shadowing the K-9 officers.  Angulo was then matched up with Armor after completing the interview process.  “This opportunity showed itself really early in my career,” Anuglo said. “I was extremely lucky, and it usually doesn’t happen that way. I kind of just ran with it and made sure I did everything I could to make sure that the program continued to succeed.” Now, almost 10 years later, Angulo encourages his colleagues who are interested in being K-9 officers to join him while he is working with Hans.  “Armor is a part of my family,” Angulo said. ”Hans will be just as part of my family. And I couldn't trust anyone else to be at home with my wife and kids. They'll be well taken care of. I'm very lucky.” Media Contact Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Mike Feil’s work as a chef has taken him across the country – and back. While Feil has worked in well-known destinations like Hawaii, San Francisco and Santa Barbara, he also has honed his craft in lesser-known places, from a remote fishing lodge near the Yentna River in Alaska to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, to Apalachicola, Florida, on the Gulf of Mexico. But Feil is enjoying a homecoming of sorts after being hired as the executive chef for CSUSM Dining, which includes the Campus Way Cafe, Cal State San Marcos’ new 8,000-square-foot dining hall that will open on the first floor of The QUAD in time for the fall semester. “I have an eclectic mix that deals with not only Pacific Rim food and food from the Americas but Indian and all different types of international food,” said Feil, who will also be developing catering menus and overseeing the catering operations for campus events. “So there will be quite a variety to choose from.” Working with food was a natural for Feil, who gained an appreciation of it at an early age. His grandparents were bakers from Germany, and he was raised on a small farm in Alpine, about 50 miles southeast of CSUSM. His childhood included milking goats and helping his family produce farm-raised beef, pork and turkey. Feil earned his bachelor’s in psychology from Chico State and worked in the food industry in San Francisco after graduating before deciding to attend culinary school. A mentor recommended New York, and Feil attended the Culinary Institute of America, which is widely recognized as one of the premier culinary schools in the world. Feil used his passion for cooking to travel the country, including nearly a decade as a caterer in Maui, where he focused on plant-based foods. He also has experience on college campuses, including San Diego State and Point Loma Nazarene University. CSUSM was a perfect fit for Feil, who loved his time working with college students, faculty and staff. He also was already familiar with Sodexo, which manages food services at both CSUSM and Point Loma Nazarene, where he worked as a production chef. Now, Feil is busy preparing for the opening of Campus Way Cafe. He has been taking managerial classes that delve into creating menus and food costing while also working with Sodexo and CSUSM Corporation on details related to the café – everything from the configuration to plateware to the look of the space. The cafe will have indoor and outdoor seating for about 300 people. Overseen by CSUSM Corporation and operated by Sodexo, the cafe will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner five days a week, brunch and dinner on the weekends, and will be open to students, faculty, staff, guests and the San Marcos community. CSUSM also will be adding new eateries in the USU the fall: QDOBA will go in the current location of Caliente; Hilltop Bistro Grill will go in the current location of WOW; and the remodeled Market will have expanded offerings, including sushi. Feil will bring a wide variety of food options to the cafe, which will be all-you-care-to-eat with a rotating menu and specials. There will also be opportunities to host events, gatherings and cooking classes within the facility. While the cafe’s expanded food offerings will include a grill, a deli, and pasta, pizza and salad stations, Feil is especially excited about the plant-based options. He noted that tastes and priorities have changed for college students since he was at San Diego State a decade ago. “The diet was different for college students then,” he said. “They didn't have quite the knowledge that they have now about food. So you're seeing these plant-based ideas becoming more mainstream. More people are understanding the benefit of eating certain foods. “The idea of creating a menu that is configured to this atmosphere with these students and the newest kind of trends involving plant-based food, involving food that's healthy, that has a footprint that is smaller than normal, perhaps utilizing some local farmers in the area, it's exciting.” Media Contact Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

A history major without much interest in American history, Katelyn Peterson decided to tap into her love of old Western films when taking a risk on a topic for a recent research paper for her class on Native California history. The risk paid off. Peterson eventually entered her paper on the representation of American Indians in Hollywood into the Cal State San Marcos Library Award for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity and came away as one of six winners, each of whom earned a $600 cash prize. “Native Americans were actually some of the first people on film,” Peterson said. “And it's kind of a long and complicated history.” Peterson, a junior who attended high school at nearby Mission Vista in Oceanside, began her research studying a documentary called “Reel Injun,” which walks viewers through a decade-by-decade history of American Indians in Hollywood in the 20^th century. What Peterson’s research taught her was that American Indians were often inaccurately represented on film. Her paper showed that it wasn’t until the revival of the Western in the 1990s that a more accurate representation of American Indians, due to creating their own films, was occurring. The end result was an award she didn’t envision winning. “I was really surprised and really excited,” Peterson said about her reaction to winning the award. “It felt good knowing that what I was writing about was being recognized, and that not only was it good enough to get me a good grade, but it was good enough writing to be recognized by the school.” Submissions for the library award ranged from written research papers to creative works such as art, music, lyrics, poetry and dance. Peterson didn’t have to look far for examples of authentic representation of American Indians. The library is currently displaying a collection of paintings by Eric Tippeconnic, an enrolled member of the Comanche nation and assistant professor in American Indian Studies. Joely Proudfit, department chair of American Indian Studies,  is the founder and executive director of California’s American Indian & Indigenous Film Festival presented by CSUSM’s California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center. “That’s actually something that I cover in my paper,” said Peterson, who said history professor Robert Miller was a major influence in her research. “California's American Indian and Indigenous Film Festival is a group of Native filmmakers that’s supported in part by Cal State San Marcos. And so it was really cool to find that tie in.” As for Peterson’s future, she may combine her writing background with her history major and love for film to write and critique more about media and movies. For now, it’s a hobby. Her senior year will determine which direction she’ll go next. But wherever her career takes her, it will be greatly influenced by history. “Learning about the place that you're from is really important,” Peterson said. “Not just for historians but for everybody. Taking a class relating to California history was really enlightening for me. And it's a subject that I was passively interested in. But this made me a lot more cognizant of when I watched movies, how people were represented and how that affects the way that we see other people in film.”   Library Award Winners Daniel Crescencio Castro, “American-Anime: How Japanese Anime Influenced American Cartoons” Kennedy Caudle and Courtney Johnson, “Examining the Impact of Human Presence on Native Insect Pollinators in Coastal Sage Scrub Habitat in North County San Diego” Emily Culbertson, “Modernized or Industrialized” Ariana Null, “The Hermits” Katelyn Peterson, “Native Americans in Hollywood” Ruben Sanchez, “Before Christ, There Was Augustus: Comparing the Imperial Cult in Hispania and Gaul” Media Contact Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

When Nicole Nutt was expelled as a high school freshman, she spent her time continuing to do the things that got her kicked out in the first place – drinking, drugs, fighting. Nutt was allowed to return to school as a junior, but she dropped out in the middle of her senior year. And, once again, she spent her time away from school doing the things that landed her in trouble. None of the adults in Nutt’s life ever asked why she was acting out. Not her parents, not her teachers, not the administrators who were doling out punishment. “I couldn't handle it,” Nutt said. “I was bullied a lot. There were a lot of things that happened, and I just checked out. I just didn't care, and the people at the school, it seemed like they didn't care what was happening.” Nutt had been sexually assaulted at a party during her freshman year of high school, and she turned to drugs and alcohol as an escape. But Nutt’s behavior changed in an instant when she learned that she was pregnant at 19. She quit everything – the drinking, the drugs, the partying. Nutt was focused completely on her daughter, Chanel, and ensuring that Chanel didn’t endure similar struggles. For Nutt, part of setting an example meant getting an education, and she is completing the first part of that journey this month when she graduates from Cal State San Marcos with a bachelor’s in criminology and justice studies. “As soon as I got pregnant, something clicked,” Nutt said. “It's crazy. A lot of the people that I grew up with, they're either dead, in prison or still strung out. And for some reason I got out of it.” Escaping that life meant creating a better situation for herself and Chanel. Nutt started taking early childhood education classes at Palomar College, figuring it might help her get a job at a day-care center, which would also allow her to have Chanel with her at work. But as Chanel got older, Nutt wanted to pursue other passions. Though she had dozens of credits in early childhood education, she changed her major at Palomar to sociology, which was in closer alignment with her desire to help children going through issues similar to her own. When it came time for Nutt to decide whether to pursue a bachelor’s degree, Chanel’s biological father, a drug addict who was abusive to Nutt, was an unlikely inspiration. Although Nutt had the parental rights of Chanel’s birth father terminated because of his drug use, she allowed him to speak to Chanel on the phone and have supervised visits. But Nutt could tell that years of drug abuse were catching up to him, and his death two years ago from a heroin overdose didn’t come as a surprise. “I knew that Chanel's birth dad was dying,” Nutt said. “I just felt it because the last time I had seen him when he came for a visit, he looked horrible. I said, ‘The next time I see you, it's going to be at your funeral.’ And then a couple of months later, he was dead. “It felt the same way as when I first found out I was pregnant. I knew I needed to do something, to show my kids that you can't let things deter you from going forward in your life.” Nutt applied for the bachelor’s program in criminology and justice studies through CSUSM at Temecula shortly after that last visit from Chanel’s biological father, and she learned of her acceptance three days after his death. While Chanel’s biological father was sporadically present in her life, her father is Ryan Nutt, who adopted her after Nutt had the parental rights of Chanel’s birth father terminated. Nutt and Ryan, a Los Angeles County firefighter, have been married almost seven years and also have a 6-year-old daughter, Kinsley. Nutt said she tries to be open and honest in age-appropriate ways with her daughters when it comes to the struggles she endured. She is also working hard to set an expectation of attending college by earning her degree. Nutt has thrived at CSUSM, benefiting from the mentorship of professors like Christopher Bickel, Martín Leyva and Xuan Santos. “Nicole is a fiery student with a passion for learning as well as for her work,” said Leyva, the university’s Project Rebound coordinator. “She is caring and empathetic and proactive in the lives of others. I admire her and her drive to be of service. Fire like hers is difficult to put out; it only ignites change. “I admire her as a student. She really looks out for others, and it’s contagious.” It’s a trait that has carried over into other aspects of Nutt’s life. She was a residential counselor for foster youth at Casa de Amparo, a nonprofit that offers treatment and prevention of child abuse and neglect in San Diego County, and she has been working as an intern at the Riverside Area Rape Crisis Center, which has offered her a full-time job after graduation. But Nutt’s long-term goal is law school – she has been studying for the LSAT and plans to take it next year – and helping children who are tried as adults. “Adults didn't have my back growing up,” she said, “so I want to be that person for someone. “I want people to believe in themselves when others don't believe in them. I just want people to know that no matter what, if you somewhat believe in yourself or just push forward, little by little, you can literally do it. If I can do it, they can do it.” Media Contact Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Yo trabajo con mis manos para que tu puedas trabajar con tu mente. That’s the mantra that was drilled into the head of Krystal Alvarez-Hernandez by her father when she was a child. It translates to: I’ve always worked with my hands so that you can work with your mind. It’s an immigrant tale as old as the nation itself. Alvarez-Hernandez’s parents came to America to seek a better life for their children. In this version, her father, Gabriel, and her mother, Maria, married young and escaped traumatic lives in Mexico. After first working as a street vendor in Santa Ana, Gabriel found a job in construction. He would leave the family’s shared apartment before the sun rose and return late at night, caked in dust and grime. His daughter was expected to aspire to more. Krystal was supposed to become the first person in the family to finish high school, much less go to college. She was supposed to break the cycle in which both her mother and grandmother had borne children very young. Then she got pregnant as a junior in high school – and broke her parents’ hearts. “When that happened, I was more concerned with what they were going to think and less concerned about what it would mean for my future,” Alvarez-Hernandez said. “I was really upset that I hurt them.” Alvarez-Hernandez knows how that story almost always ends. She’s familiar with the statistic that only 2% of teenage mothers go on to earn a bachelor’s degree before age 30. The odds were overwhelmingly against her doing so. Yet this month, seven years after learning the news that could have derailed her life almost before it got going, Alvarez Hernandez not only will graduate from Cal State San Marcos with a degree in psychology, but she will do so as the most decorated graduate in the entire Class of 2022, which numbers almost 4,500. Last week, she was named the President’s Outstanding Graduate after previously winning the dean’s award for the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences. And she’s not stopping there, either. In August, Alvarez-Hernandez will move with her husband, Alfonso, and their 7-year-old son, Santiago, to Chicago so she can begin a Ph.D. program in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Northwestern University. “I’m determined to make my parents proud,” she said. “That’s partly what pushed me harder to continue with school after I had my son. Not only do I need to be a role model and example for him, I also need to give myself the best opportunity to honor their sacrifices by respecting myself enough to pursue my goals and interests. Because they were so disappointed in me, it was like, ‘OK, I’m going to show you guys that your sacrifices didn’t go to waste.’ ” In Alvarez-Hernandez’s telling, she and her younger sister, Gaby, enjoyed a happy, sheltered childhood that stood in stark contrast to those of her parents in Mexico. Once her father established himself in construction, he was able to start his own company and buy a house in Lake Elsinore with plenty of room for curious girls to roam. That idyll began to be punctured when Alvarez-Hernandez’s parents underwent a contentious separation during her freshman year of high school. Two years later, she was forced to grow up even faster when Santiago arrived. She had never excelled in school, and the turmoil at home didn’t help matters, but her son’s birth – far from causing her to drop out – resulted in her becoming laser-focused on education. “It was no longer just about me,” Alvarez-Hernandez said. “I felt like I’d be doing my son a disservice if I just gave up and stopped trying to be my best self for him.” After graduating from Lakeside High School, Alvarez-Hernandez enrolled at Palomar College, and the hour-long commute was only part of the problem. Because of the pregnancy, she didn’t get a driver’s license, so her grandmother had to drive her to campus every day. She was also shuttling back and forth between her parents’ now-separate residences, but as a student she was locked in and increasingly interested in psychology after planning to pursue pre-med. At Palomar, Alvarez-Hernandez was first exposed to the foreign concept of scientific research as she worked for two years around her class schedule as an early interventionist for children under 5 diagnosed with autism through applied behavioral analysis (ABA). She transferred to CSUSM in the fall of 2019, and the ensuing spring she took the next step in terms of research by becoming an undergraduate research assistant for psychology professor Kimberly D’Anna Hernandez. One of D’Anna Hernandez’s specialties is the role of acculturation and other psychosocial measures on the biological response to stress in pregnant women, especially Mexican and Mexican-American women. That dovetailed perfectly with the background and interests of Alvarez-Hernandez, who of course is both Mexican-American and a mother. Working during the dawn of the pandemic, she assisted D’Anna Hernandez in collecting data related to the impact of COVID-19 on the well-being of Mexican mothers living in the United States. Alvarez-Hernandez quickly found a home in the research lab, partly because there were close to a dozen other Latina students working in it but mostly because of D’Anna Hernandez, in whom she found a kindred spirit. “I owe her so much,” Alvarez-Hernandez said of her mentor, who moved on to Marquette University this academic year. “I didn’t have anyone to see myself in, to identify with. She’s someone I look up to. She’s a mother, she’s Latina, she’s successful, she’s independent, she’s making a significant impact on people’s lives. I can’t think of anything more fulfilling than to do that with my life as well.” Later in the spring 2020 semester, D’Anna Hernandez connected Alvarez-Hernandez with Keith Trujillo, a longtime psychology professor who’s co-director of the U-RISE (Undergraduate Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement) program, which provides professional development and research opportunities to students from underrepresented groups who show promise for success in graduate studies. Through U-RISE, Alvarez-Hernandez honed her burgeoning passion and talent for research, resulting in 10 presentations at local meetings and large national conferences, as well as multiple awards for her work. Last summer, she participated in the UCLA Brain Research Institute summer undergraduate research experience (BRI-SURE), during which she examined electrophysiological indicators of autism spectrum disorder. “Through my work with Krystal, I’ve grown increasingly impressed with her,” Trujillo said. “She is thoughtful, organized and motivated, and regularly contributes insightfully to scientific discussions and assignments. She takes the program seriously and is a leader among this very successful group. “Given her inspiring path from teen mom to Ph.D.-bound, she reflects the best of CSUSM.” As she prepares to make family history by graduating from CSUSM, followed by moving across the country, Alvarez-Hernandez still sometimes can’t believe that she’s a budding neuroscientist. Only a few years ago, she wouldn’t have even known what that entailed, much less been able to imagine doing it for a living. But she knows that Santiago is watching, and she’s resolved to show him that he can be anything he wants to be – just as her parents did for her. “I’m really hoping to change the norms of what it means to be a scientist, what it means to be a mom, what it means to be a daughter from a Mexican-American background,” she said. “I just want to make other people proud and be proud of myself as well.” Media Contact Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

Karolina Lindberg never had many complaints about her epilepsy. She was aware that she wouldn’t be able to drive a bus or become a police officer or firefighter because of her diagnosis. But Lindberg didn’t know her epilepsy would stop her from pursuing her dream career.  Lindberg always wanted to find a career that would allow her to see more of the world while she was growing up in Sweden. She set her sights on becoming a flight attendant for the travel opportunities, but her epilepsy made it impossible. Instead, she became a flight coordinator at Scandinavian Airlines.  Although Lindberg didn’t get to pursue her initial career choice, she still made the leap to see a different part of the world. A chance encounter with a passenger while working for Scandinavian Airlines led her to Cal State San Marcos. Three years later, Lindberg is graduating with a degree in global business management and will be recognized at the College of Business Administration commencement ceremony on May 21 as the Gerevas Family Dean’s Award recipient. “I have found Karolina to be talented, hardworking and professional in all her communications and academic assignments,” said Eric Rhodes, one of Lindberg's business professors.“She entered our program as an international student with a strong professional background in customer service and finance and incorporates her unique perspective and bilingual capabilities into her academic endeavors here at CSUSM to the benefit of our community.” Traveling and being exposed to different cultures have always been important to Lindberg. Her father started his career in the Air Force and then became a pilot for Scandinavian Airlines. Though Lindberg couldn’t become a flight attendant, she was able to follow her father at Scandinavian Airlines. It was an interaction with an American passenger during some downtime at a departure gate that led Lindberg to CSUSM. The passenger told Lindberg about the beauty of San Diego, and she went home that night and started looking for colleges in the San Diego area. Before the end of the night, she had applied to CSUSM. She was drawn to the university’s smaller class sizes, which reminded her of classes in Sweden.  Only a couple of months later, Lindberg packed up and moved to San Marcos.  It wasn’t an easy transition. Lindberg took 47 units her first year, and taking classes in her second language brought unexpected challenges.  ”I remember my first math class,” Lindberg said. “I've always been good at math. But I was so confused because everything was in English. And I didn't know the terms or what my professor was talking about half of the time.” Despite those challenges, Lindberg maintained a 4.0 GPA.  But the pandemic brought other challenges. Lindberg’s epilepsy only affects her when she is extremely stressed. With the constant changes of the pandemic and adjusting to life in a new country, she had a few epileptic attacks while she was away from her family.  “It was hard,” Lindberg said. “In the beginning, I moved alone. My family is nine hours away. They're asleep most of the time when I'm awake. And I had never been alone before. My mom always said it takes a year before you feel at home. So if you dislike it after a year, you can move back, but before that, you should keep trying. And that's what I did.”  Lindberg moved back to Sweden during the pandemic and had several synchronous online classes. The nine-hour time difference meant she had to stay up from 2-7 a.m. to attend classes, while balancing her work as a flight coordinator and taking care of her two horses.  After a year taking classes from her home in Sweden, Lindberg moved back to San Marcos in July to learn more about American culture in her senior year. It was difficult for Lindberg to be away from her horses and animals back in Sweden, so she volunteered at an animal shelter and even ended up adopting a dog named Edwin.  Lindberg’s love for animals sparked her interest in environmentalism. She is planning to pursue a career where she can help develop a more sustainable way of doing business. Lindberg received an early acceptance to Hult International Business University in San Francisco, where she will continue her education in the fall.  “I would say culturally, being in a diverse setting wasn't much of a challenge, because I've been in settings like that a lot,” Lindberg said. “And I have always believed the nation someone comes from doesn't determine anything about their interest or personality. Obviously, I am Swedish and I'm very similar to my culture, but that doesn't mean that I have more in common with other people from my culture. I've always been very open to differences, which means that cultural differences have never really bothered me.” Media Contact Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

After more than a year of gathering input, vision casting and prioritizing our goals, Cal State San Marcos has solidified its new institutional strategic plan, “The Power of CSUSM,” which will guide the campus for the next five years. The university marked this important beginning with a campus-wide celebration on April 19. “Everything in our new strategic plan stems from our simple yet profound mission: student success,” CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said. “This clear definition will guide every strategy and tactic as we move forward. ‘The Power of CSUSM’ is a plan that belongs to all of us.” “The Power of CSUSM” will guide the university in its efforts to: Become an unrivaled national leader for social mobility. Cement our place as a first-choice university for first-generation students and future generations. Drive academic excellence and  intellectual engagement, inspiring discovery and creative expression. Prepare our students to be the socially just leaders of tomorrow. Provide students with  engaged learning, research, service and civic engagement opportunities. Dismantle barriers and commit to every student a place of true belonging. Lead with care and nurture a culture of service that considers individualized experiences. Adapt to meet the accelerating needs of our region. Build socially minded partnerships and entrepreneurial efforts that advance our region. Launch our most ambitious philanthropic campaign to fuel this transformation. Challenge ourselves to reach new possibilities. Untap the true power of Cal State San Marcos. The festive launch event welcomed hundreds of students, faculty and staff for a lively gathering. Attendees digitally signed their name for an upcoming art installation, enjoyed tasty treats, gathered for group photos, and selected their favorite new swag item – including “The Power of CSUSM” T-shirts, phone chargers and water bottles, among other items, all generously funded by the CSUSM Foundation. An opening of the Fight Song led by CSUSM Cheer was followed by brief remarks from university leaders. President Neufeldt expressed her gratitude to the Strategic Plan Steering Committee, which was guided by co-chairs Ranjeeta Basu, an economics professor, and Carl Kemnitz, the provost and vice president of Academic Affairs. “It was truly a collective effort that brought forward thoughtful discussion and valuable input from hundreds of students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners who shared ideas, hopes and ambitions for CSUSM throughout the process,” Neufeldt said. Learn more about the Power of CSUSM and the next steps the campus is taking to achieve its goals at www.csusm.edu/powerofcsusm.  Media Contact Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314