- Nothing Can Stop Grandfather From Seeing Granddaughter GraduateRalph Adkins didn’t care how poorly he felt or how difficult the trek from Wildomar to San Marcos might be. There was no chance he was going to miss the graduation of his granddaughter, Alyson Adkins, from Cal State San Marcos on Dec. 17. “It didn’t matter if I was on my deathbed,” said Ralph, who has been battling two types of cancer and congestive heart failure. “He was going to crawl here if he had to,” said Robin Adkins, Ralph’s wife. The commencement ceremony was one of three held by CSUSM, which became the first public university in San Diego County to host a fall graduation. Alyson Adkins was one of more than 500 graduates who participated in the festivities. A human development major, Alyson is the first of Ralph and Robin’s three grandchildren to graduate from college, making the day even more special. Alyson is planning to continue her education in an 18-month accelerated nursing program at Grand Canyon University. Robin commended CSUSM’s commencement team for helping to ensure Ralph made it safely inside the Sports Center for the noon ceremony. She said Ralph and Alyson share a special connection, one forged from the moment Alyson was born and Ralph cut her umbilical cord. “They have a bond that none of us can touch, you know?” Robin said. “His prized possession is a 1970 Corvette that we got him when he came out of chemo. And he restored it. And we all know that car is going to ‘Redhead.’ It’s in the will – she gets it.” Media Contact Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- Looking Back on Successes of 2023As the end of the year approaches, many are already looking ahead to 2024. But before putting the finishing touches on your list of New Year’s resolutions, let’s take a look back at some of the most-talked-about stories of 2023. President’s Outstanding Graduate Drawn to Special Path When Aidelen Montoya transferred to CSUSM as a business major, her parents were fully behind this path because it offered her stability. But her passion for art history kept nagging at her. She considered a double major, but her gut told her something else. Montoya chose to create her own special major in museum studies, studio art and art history. “I wasn't that happy, to be honest,” said Montoya, the recipient of the 2023 Cal State San Marcos President’s Outstanding Graduate Award. “So when I found this special major, I shifted it to what I really wanted to focus on, which was museums and art history. I felt so much happier.” Alumna Paves Way as Palomar's First Latina President Star Rivera-Lacey has grown from poverty in childhood to earning a Ph.D. and today serving as the first Latina superintendent/president of Palomar College. Rivera-Lacey’s ability to remain optimistic during challenging times helped her become the first in her family to graduate from college when she received a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies at CSUSM. Poet Laureate Blends Personal Experience With Observations Jason Magabo Perez, an associate professor and program director of ethnic studies at CSUSM, was named poet laureate of the city of San Diego. His two-year appointment will include holding workshops, representing the city in civic cultural events and writing poetry. Biochemistry Student Receives Prestigious Pfizer Fellowship Biochemistry student Diana Llamas received the Pfizer La Jolla Academic Industrial Relations Diversity Research Fellowship in Chemistry. She is one of just four people in the western region selected, joining awardees from Arizona State, UC Davis and UC Riverside. Llamas is using the $20,000 award to research synthesizing novel benzotriazole compounds as potential antifungal agents using gold catalysis. Cochlear Implants Help Transform Track Standout’s Life Born with mild to profound hearing loss, cochlear implants have changed track student-athlete Ripley Brant’s life. “It doesn't sound completely normal right away,” Brant said. “I just remember everyone sounding like Mickey Mouse for probably that first day. But it was still really cool to have that set up. I remember just smiling a whole bunch.” Black Student Center is Home Away From Court for Basketball Star There are two places where Dynnah Buckner has found the most sanctuary during her decorated career at CSUSM. The first is the basketball court and the second is the Black Student Center. “I am extremely grateful for the Black Student Center,” Buckner said. “It has been life-changing for me, honestly.” Former ASI President Now Working on Music's Biggest Stage Kenny Tran, Associated Students, Inc. president during the 2019-20 school year, is now partnerships coordinator for the Recording Academy, the Los Angeles-based company that stages the Grammy Awards.“Being in ASI, going from a volunteer to president, really transformed my college experience,” Tran said. “The way I lead now is directly attributable to my experience as a leader at CSUSM.” Student Pursues Dream on 'American Idol' Tori Green always made time to watch “American Idol” with her mother when she was a child, and she always had the dream of one day auditioning. The biological sciences student made that dream become a reality and traveled to Las Vegas to sing before celebrity judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie for a chance to compete on “American Idol.” University Ties Run Deep For Trustees' Award Recipient When Yesenia Mora was about to graduate from high school, there was no question that she would attend Cal State San Marcos. Mora has been visiting campus from before she could even remember. In September, she was honored with the California State University’s highest recognition of student accomplishment as the university’s 2023 Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement recipient. The Indomitable Will to Live There is a plethora of stories written all over the country every spring about resiliency and overcoming massive barriers to success, particularly around the subject of graduation. And then there’s the story of Juan Alva. And the simple but powerful motto he has lived by – you don’t know how tough you are until being tough is the only option you have. CSUSM Wins National Diversity Award for 10th Straight Year CSUSM received the 2023 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. This marks the 10th consecutive year that CSUSM has been named a HEED Award recipient. The university is one of only 21 schools that have won the award, which was instituted in 2012, at least 10 years in a row. Media Contact Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- Nothing Can Stop Grandfather From Seeing Granddaughter GraduateRalph Adkins didn’t care how poorly he felt or how difficult the trek from Wildomar to San Marcos might be. There was no chance he was going to miss the graduation of his granddaughter, Alyson Adkins, from Cal State San Marcos on Dec. 17. “It didn’t matter if I was on my deathbed,” said Ralph, who has been battling two types of cancer and congestive heart failure. “He was going to crawl here if he had to,” said Robin Adkins, Ralph’s wife. The commencement ceremony was one of three held by CSUSM, which became the first public university in San Diego County to host a fall graduation. Alyson Adkins was one of more than 500 graduates who participated in the festivities. A human development major, Alyson is the first of Ralph and Robin’s three grandchildren to graduate from college, making the day even more special. Alyson is planning to continue her education in an 18-month accelerated nursing program at Grand Canyon University. Robin commended CSUSM’s commencement team for helping to ensure Ralph made it safely inside the Sports Center for the noon ceremony. She said Ralph and Alyson share a special connection, one forged from the moment Alyson was born and Ralph cut her umbilical cord. “They have a bond that none of us can touch, you know?” Robin said. “His prized possession is a 1970 Corvette that we got him when he came out of chemo. And he restored it. And we all know that car is going to ‘Redhead.’ It’s in the will – she gets it.” Media Contact Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- Looking Back on Successes of 2023As the end of the year approaches, many are already looking ahead to 2024. But before putting the finishing touches on your list of New Year’s resolutions, let’s take a look back at some of the most-talked-about stories of 2023. President’s Outstanding Graduate Drawn to Special Path When Aidelen Montoya transferred to CSUSM as a business major, her parents were fully behind this path because it offered her stability. But her passion for art history kept nagging at her. She considered a double major, but her gut told her something else. Montoya chose to create her own special major in museum studies, studio art and art history. “I wasn't that happy, to be honest,” said Montoya, the recipient of the 2023 Cal State San Marcos President’s Outstanding Graduate Award. “So when I found this special major, I shifted it to what I really wanted to focus on, which was museums and art history. I felt so much happier.” Alumna Paves Way as Palomar's First Latina President Star Rivera-Lacey has grown from poverty in childhood to earning a Ph.D. and today serving as the first Latina superintendent/president of Palomar College. Rivera-Lacey’s ability to remain optimistic during challenging times helped her become the first in her family to graduate from college when she received a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies at CSUSM. Poet Laureate Blends Personal Experience With Observations Jason Magabo Perez, an associate professor and program director of ethnic studies at CSUSM, was named poet laureate of the city of San Diego. His two-year appointment will include holding workshops, representing the city in civic cultural events and writing poetry. Biochemistry Student Receives Prestigious Pfizer Fellowship Biochemistry student Diana Llamas received the Pfizer La Jolla Academic Industrial Relations Diversity Research Fellowship in Chemistry. She is one of just four people in the western region selected, joining awardees from Arizona State, UC Davis and UC Riverside. Llamas is using the $20,000 award to research synthesizing novel benzotriazole compounds as potential antifungal agents using gold catalysis. Cochlear Implants Help Transform Track Standout’s Life Born with mild to profound hearing loss, cochlear implants have changed track student-athlete Ripley Brant’s life. “It doesn't sound completely normal right away,” Brant said. “I just remember everyone sounding like Mickey Mouse for probably that first day. But it was still really cool to have that set up. I remember just smiling a whole bunch.” Black Student Center is Home Away From Court for Basketball Star There are two places where Dynnah Buckner has found the most sanctuary during her decorated career at CSUSM. The first is the basketball court and the second is the Black Student Center. “I am extremely grateful for the Black Student Center,” Buckner said. “It has been life-changing for me, honestly.” Former ASI President Now Working on Music's Biggest Stage Kenny Tran, Associated Students, Inc. president during the 2019-20 school year, is now partnerships coordinator for the Recording Academy, the Los Angeles-based company that stages the Grammy Awards.“Being in ASI, going from a volunteer to president, really transformed my college experience,” Tran said. “The way I lead now is directly attributable to my experience as a leader at CSUSM.” Student Pursues Dream on 'American Idol' Tori Green always made time to watch “American Idol” with her mother when she was a child, and she always had the dream of one day auditioning. The biological sciences student made that dream become a reality and traveled to Las Vegas to sing before celebrity judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie for a chance to compete on “American Idol.” University Ties Run Deep For Trustees' Award Recipient When Yesenia Mora was about to graduate from high school, there was no question that she would attend Cal State San Marcos. Mora has been visiting campus from before she could even remember. In September, she was honored with the California State University’s highest recognition of student accomplishment as the university’s 2023 Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement recipient. The Indomitable Will to Live There is a plethora of stories written all over the country every spring about resiliency and overcoming massive barriers to success, particularly around the subject of graduation. And then there’s the story of Juan Alva. And the simple but powerful motto he has lived by – you don’t know how tough you are until being tough is the only option you have. CSUSM Wins National Diversity Award for 10th Straight Year CSUSM received the 2023 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. This marks the 10th consecutive year that CSUSM has been named a HEED Award recipient. The university is one of only 21 schools that have won the award, which was instituted in 2012, at least 10 years in a row. Media Contact Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- Qualcomm Partners With CSUSM to Build Diverse Workforce PipelineQualcomm, an innovative powerhouse in technology and a long-standing partner of Cal State San Marcos, has made it its mission to create diversity within the workforce. How is the company doing this? By investing in extraordinary CSUSM students and advocating for creative rights for STEM inventors. Qualcomm is supporting CSUSM – specifically the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (CSTEM) – through The Inventor’s Patent Academy (TIPA), an engineering capstone program, an intro to coding technical interview workshop and engineering scholarships. In 2022, Qualcomm partnered with Invent Together, a coalition of universities, nonprofits, companies and other stakeholders dedicated to understanding the diversity gaps that exist in invention and patenting. The company launched TIPA to close these gaps, through public policy and private initiatives. The free course guides inventors through the process of obtaining a patent, particularly targeting potential inventors who are underrepresented in the patent-heavy science and engineering fields, including women, people of color, people who identify as LGBTQ+, people from lower-income communities, people with disabilities, or those with backgrounds that did not allow exposure. “Currently in the United States, only 13% of inventors listed on patents are women, while Black, Latinx and Indigenous people account for less than 8% of all U.S. inventors, and children of families in the top 1% of income are 10 times more likely to patent in their lifetimes than children in the bottom half of family income,” said Emma Lacey, senior program manager at Qualcomm. “It’s so important for us to give back to students and invest in making the current workforce more diverse because we are of the firm belief that everyone should have the opportunity to invent and seek out opportunities for upward mobility in their personal and professional lives. We want to foster a larger pool of innovators because diverse minds solve diverse problems, and that benefits the whole of society.” According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, intellectual property supports more than 45 million jobs and contributes over $6.6 trillion to the nation’s economy. Invent Together has found that including more Black/Indigenous/People of Color (BIPOC) and women inventors in the early stages of innovation would boost the U.S. economy by up to $1 trillion every year and would fuel U.S. economic growth, social mobility and intergenerational wealth. In developing TIPA, Qualcomm was motivated by the belief that anyone can invent, that every inventor can learn to patent and that strong patent rights empower individual inventors to transform the world in ways that benefit all. “Qualcomm gave CSUSM a gift to do some activities to try to figure out what is the best way to implement TIPA in higher education,” said Scott Gross, CSUSM's associate vice president of industry partnerships. “So we are doing three things: facilitating a faculty learning community, appointing a faculty to pilot the program in classes and introducing TIPA modules during a conference in January. “I firmly believe that faculty at CSUSM are discovering new intellectual property daily, and aside from sharing it with students, they might be uncertain about what to do with these findings. Based on the Bayh-Dole Act, when a faculty member discovers intellectual property, it is the university's responsibility to make sure it gets into the hands of the public so that society can benefit from it. And at CSUSM, we take that responsibility very seriously.” Aside from TIPA, Qualcomm is impacting the STEM community at large by investing in CSUSM students through mentorship and scholarships. Since founding its engineering program in 2018, CSUSM has focused on creating a pipeline of diverse graduates who are career-ready. These opportunities are not only life-changing for many students, but also transformative for the industry. At CSUSM, 53% of engineering students are first-generation, there has been a 50% year-over-year increase in female students, and 47% identify as Latinx, a striking number since the national percentage of Latinx engineering graduates is only 9% and the percentage of graduates within the California State University system is only 26%. CSUSM and Qualcomm aim to increase representation and success in engineering. This is accomplished by teaching students skills through the engineering capstone program, teaching them how to obtain a job through coding technical interview workshops, and supporting their degree completion through engineering scholarships. When an opportunity to go to college presented itself, Daniel Beltran, an electrical engineering student and Qualcomm scholarship recipient, paired his life experience as a farm laborer with his savviness in mathematics. With so many possibilities in these careers, Beltran felt the weight of too many crossroads. That was until a field trip to Qualcomm headquarters in San Diego showed him a path in engineering that he was confident in. “Qualcomm's commitment to empower and support the new generation of engineers is inspiring,” Beltran said. “Receiving an award from them has allowed me to plan out my educational career in a secure way.” For students, seeing active industry projects is motivating. During their final academic year, students discover innovative solutions to real-world problems of their choice while connecting with these industry partners as part of the engineering capstone project. For the 2023-24 academic year, Qualcomm is funding three of these projects, and a professional from its team is providing industry access and mentorship. Ten students in need of support also will receive $2,500 scholarships from Qualcomm. “Being awarded this scholarship has made it easier to continue pursuing my educational goals, and I will be able to breathe easy knowing that the Qualcomm engineering scholarship made it easier to remain focused on my studies,” said Deavan Contreras, an electrical engineering student who received the scholarship this academic year. “Serving in the Navy, I was fortunate to have provided medical support to the Marines as we completed two tours of combat in Afghanistan and Iraq. The memories I have of those times bring a sense of pride as well as self-reflection on the hardships that are faced in military operations. Having firsthand knowledge of the technology that allowed us to complete our missions inspired me to continue my education, and every semester that I complete is a step closer to becoming a contributing member of society as an engineer.” Finally, Qualcomm and CSTEM are piloting an “Intro to Technical Coding Interview” workshop that will teach third-year students majoring in electrical engineering, computer engineering, and computer science and information systems how to ace their technical coding interview. This skill is imperative for them to earn a summer internship and career opportunity. Through each of these robust exercises, CSUSM scholars steward the future of STEM in the region. In fact, eight out of 10 students stay in the region after graduation, a significant win for the advancement of Southern California. Media Contact Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- Snapping Space Through the Lens of an AlumnusLighting, textures, patterns and vivid colors on even the smallest sheet of glossy paper have the power to make stories come to life and reimagine history, even from 140 million miles away. As a young boy, Yuri Rodea loved the freedom that a camera provided. His 1970 lens gave him a reason to explore the world. That thin strip of film laid the foundation for a strong bond with his father. And through that rudimentary camera body, with the only customizable feature being the speed of a shutter, he was able to make life his own. Grinning jovially, Rodea explains some of the many layers of being a photographer: Being an equipment nerd, knowing intricate details of lenses and camera bodies. Living in the moment, always ready to snap experiences as they arise. Having an artistic eye that’s always searching for imaginative shots and angles. Rodea grew up knowing these layers well, as photography was a pastime he shared with his father. They were not professionals, but they found joy and connection in documenting the family's outings. In his adult life, Rodea found himself spending a large amount of his time in a niche field of photography – designing cameras to be used in space. On a daily basis, Rodea reimagines what a camera is. As one would assume, this is no easy task. The composition of every camera, satellite or product he works on is elaborately tested to ensure that it can survive the conditions in space because, in space, everything changes. A Cal State San Marcos alumnus, Rodea spent the last six years working for Malin Space Science Systems as an engineer, and he will soon start a new position with Rocket Lab, a company that launches rockets and does satellite integration. In these roles, he has been responsible for the setup, testing and calibration of cameras used in flight programs, and the list of impactful projects that he has been a part of is extensive. To name a few, Rodea worked on the WATSON camera used in the Mars 2020 Perseverance mission as part of NASA’s Moon to Mars exploration approach; NASA’s ShadowCam, which offers views into shadowed areas near the lunar poles; Mastcam-Z, a mast-mounted camera system with a zoom function on the Mars 2020 rover; and the Psyche multispectral imager, which provides high-resolution images with filters to discriminate between the Psyche spacecraft’s metallic and silicate constituents, etc. All equipment used in such projects must be failproof, robust and long-lasting – essentially perfect. This is because, in harsh and hazardous environmental conditions with unpredictable circumstances, there are no second chances or backups. Once it’s in space, the product can't be physically changed. “When you think of a challenge of space, imagine taking a camera out of the oven and then putting it immediately into the freezer," Rodea said. “The atmosphere in space heats up, then goes to negative temperatures, and as soon as you’re out of the sun, it’s a dead zone.” Even small, minor details must be tested to ensure functionality, such as the type of paint on the exterior or the softness of a brush bristle. Perfection is crucial, as cameras are used to photograph galaxies for public consumption or groundbreaking scientific research. “These cameras introduce a new generation of people into photography, which is cool because people have wanted to explore planets since the dawn of man,” Rodea said. This work is quite complex in its composition, and the deadlines can be rigorous. But Rodea’s family, especially his father, is immensely proud. “When I talk about the different focal lengths or different types of cameras such as infrared or ultraviolet, my dad loves it,” Rodea said. “It’s a nice connection to have with him because in space fields, whether it's rockets or spacecrafts or satellites, the details are hard to understand. But for the big ideas, everyone can connect more easily and understand concepts, because I work with what they’re seeing on television." In addition to familial support, Rodea credits his professional advancements to the ability to learn engineering during his CSUSM undergraduate years on the same equipment he uses in the workforce. Specifically, using vacuum equipment and high-end electronics for control data analysis in the lab of CSUSM physics professor Gerardo Dominguez cut out a year-and-a-half of on-the-job training and allowed him to get hired immediately. “I was impressed by Yuri since the very first day that I met him," said Dominguez, who's also chair of the physics department. “He was always a standout student in my lab and is someone I’m very proud to call an alumnus.” Media Contact Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- New Program to Pave Path for More Arts Teachers in SchoolsGrace Davis could sing almost before she could talk. She grew up in Vista in a household where music was the background noise of life. Her father’s side of the family is populated with music teachers and choir directors, and during the holidays especially, the whole clan would congregate to play instruments or sing hymns. Davis attended an elementary school where music education was strongly emphasized, and she began to come out of her shell through musical theater. “Music is something that brings my family together and gives me joy,” Davis said. “It’s something I’ve been surrounded with my whole life.” When Davis enrolled as a student at Cal State San Marcos in 2018, however, she did so with the intention of pursuing a major in literature and writing studies. She wanted to become a teacher like those who had inspired her as a child, but English struck her as a far more plausible discipline than music, or the arts in general. Such jobs, she reasoned, don’t exactly grow on trees. In California, though, suddenly they might. In November 2022, the state’s voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 28, which will provide about $1 billion in funding each year to support arts education in public schools. Schools must spend 80% of that money on teachers and aides, which means that California has an overnight need for about 15,000 teachers in the arts, and San Diego County for about 500 such teachers. This marks a sea change in the field of arts education, and CSUSM now is well-positioned to be a leader in the space. The university has received grants of $308,260 from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and $50,000 from the Clarence E. Heller Foundation to launch a program that will streamline the process for CSUSM students to become arts teachers. Under the new CSUSM Art Credential Pathway, the university will be the first in the CSU system to create a pathway specifically for undergraduate arts majors who aspire to teach. Center ARTES, an organization dedicated to arts education and integration in K-12 schools that was founded by CSUSM music professor Merryl Goldberg in 2003, will partner with the university’s School of Arts and School of Education to develop and implement the pathway to prepare CSUSM arts students to reimagine high-quality arts education for the San Diego region and serve as a model for the state. The future arts teachers will be recruited from CSUSM’s undergraduate arts and liberal studies students, as well as teaching artists and existing teachers in the San Diego community. “We’re setting the course on this,” Goldberg said. “We’re not the only CSU that’s doing any work in this area, but we’re way ahead of the curve in terms of the partnering of the School of Arts and School of Education. That makes us a standout.” To be able to teach in the arts, students typically need to earn a single-subject teaching credential in the arts, which CSUSM does not yet offer. What the new pathway will do is allow undergraduate arts and liberal studies students to complete a one-year multiple-subject credential program as long as they have accumulated 20 credits of arts classes, which could be dance, music, theater or visual arts. “In the past, we haven’t really looked at that as a viable option for our students because there haven’t been jobs in the arts,” Goldberg said. “But now that there are probably 500 jobs alone in San Diego, this is such a no-brainer way to get our students into this career path.” Working with Goldberg to institute the program is a team of faculty that includes education professor Christiane Wood, dance professor Cherie Hill, theater professor Judy Bauerlein and media arts professors Lucy HG Solomon, Kristin Moss and Julie Goldstein. “This program is a game-changer for students looking to impact children’s lives through the arts,” Hill said. “I am excited that this pathway will cultivate future dance and arts educators.” “Our on-the-ground efforts should translate to increasing the arts in schools and helping CSUSM students and area artists get jobs in the arts,” Solomon said. “In the not-so-distant future, we will be admitting new undergraduate students who have had classes in the arts throughout their education in the public schools. And it is likely that CSUSM alumni will have taught them. That’s exciting!” “This initiative provides an opportunity to transform the arts education landscape by nurturing talent, igniting creativity and equipping future educators with the skills and knowledge to inspire the next generation of artists, serving as a blueprint for the state of California in support of Prop 28,” Wood said. Planning and development of the pathway program started this semester and will continue in the spring. CSUSM also will seek to solidify connections with local arts organizations and teaching artists that will serve as partners in the program, including the Museum of Making Music, New Village Arts, The Old Globe, A Step Beyond and the Oceanside Museum of Art. The first cohort of students pursuing a credential to teach the arts will launch next fall. Goldberg says the goal is to recruit 24 students for the yearlong program. The foundation funding will last for three years, meaning that there will be at least two cohorts. Many of those two dozen future teachers were on campus Saturday, Nov. 4 when CSUSM hosted a workshop in the Arts Building that drew more than 75 people. The event introduced attendees to the road to becoming an elementary arts teacher in the areas of dance, theater, music, visual and media art. It featured activities, a panel with current arts teachers and an information session about the different ways to pursue a career in arts education. “There was definitely a buzz of excitement there; it was just a really bright energy,” said Davis, one of the attendees. “A lot of the people on hand had no intention of being art teachers before Prop 28 passed. They just wanted to teach elementary education or maybe high school history or something. But now you can do both in the same program. I think that that's so wonderful, opening up these opportunities for people who might have never considered arts education.” While she studied literature at CSUSM, Davis decided to take a couple of music classes just for fun, and she enjoyed them so much that she added music as a second major in 2020. She will graduate as a double major this month (though she’s walking in the spring) and take three pre-credential program classes next semester before joining the first arts pathway cohort in fall 2024. When she’s not taking classes, Davis gives private voice lessons (she has sung at several CSUSM commencement ceremonies over the years) and teaches in after-school music theater programs at a couple of elementary schools in Escondido. Her goal is to teach both music and English at a school in San Diego County, preferably one where arts resources aren’t as bountiful and her skills are more needed. “I've always been a huge advocate for arts teaching, especially in primary education,” she said. “I think it's so important to introduce kids to art at a young age. It inspires you to be a better person and motivates you; it's a great way to express yourself and to have a voice in the classroom. So I was really excited to hear that the state was pushing arts education a little bit more heavily.” Media Contact Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306
- ACE Scholars Graduate Transforms Lows Into HighsKia-shaan Cleveland was in second grade when she returned home from school to find her belongings being packed in boxes and placed into her grandmother’s car with her siblings and dog in the backseat. A typical day quickly turned into one that would change the trajectory of her life. Her mother had been incarcerated, and Cleveland and her siblings were going to be living with their grandmother indefinitely. As the youngest of three children, Cleveland has mentally blocked out a good portion of this time, but her family’s trip to the courthouse remains etched in her memory. “I was the one who asked the office, 'If my grandmother adopts us, will there be a chance for my mom to get us back?’ The answer was no,” Cleveland said. “So she didn’t adopt us, but she became our legal guardian.” Cleveland’s new normal was cemented. She threw herself into activities during secondary school. From building in robotics to playing numerous instruments such as the cello, harp, saxophone and doing the drumline in marching band, Cleveland explored her different interests. When it came time to think about college, she would leave class to navigate the application process. It was while considering Cal State San Marcos that Cleveland discovered ACE Scholars Services, a program dedicated to supporting former foster youth as they pursue higher education. ACE counselor Laurie Orr advised Cleveland as she was applying for college, and with Orr’s help, Cleveland kickstarted her CSUSM journey as an ACE scholar. Through her connections at ACE, Cleveland found herself faced with a plethora of opportunities, and she eagerly used them to her advantage. Cleveland got her first job working at the front desk of the ACE office, where she developed close relationships with counselors Orr and Leigh Quijada, referencing them as her mentors. It was Orr and Quijada who introduced Cleveland to CalFresh, a program that provided her with funds for groceries and promotes nutritional food. A computer science and information systems major, Cleveland was awarded a scholarship and received help preparing for interviews, building her résumé and gaining experience with certifications. Through her hard work and her mentors’ and program’s guidance, she landed a competitive internship with Sony last year. “Leigh and Laurie being there practically every day the past four years was a major comfort to me, as they know and understand my personal struggle,” Cleveland said. “It’s nice having a physical space and someone on campus you can turn to for help, especially since it can be so difficult to find role models.” Cleveland did not just find mentors through ACE. She also found one of her best friends. They met freshman year during her time in Summer Bridge, a part of Educational Opportunity Program that permits students to get a head start on graduation requirements and connects them to the campus community through activities, field trips and workshops. Four years later, their close-knit friendship is standing strong. “We’re both graduating, and I’m so excited. We’ve been through the trenches together, and it’s been nice to make a really solid friend in college,” Cleveland said. As the semester comes to an end, Cleveland is gearing up for fall graduation and preparing to say goodbye to her ACE family. “They’re the biggest support system I’ve had in college,” she said said. “If I didn’t have a group like this or someone to consistently check in with me the way they have, I probably wouldn’t still be in college.” The long-standing connections that Cleveland made in ACE help define her university experience. Thanks to the guidance of her mentors, friends and valuable programs offered to her at CSUSM, she persevered through hardship and a vigorous course load, and she is just getting started. “It has been such a pleasure to work with Kia and witness her amazing growth,” Quijada said. “I have admired her self-motivation, perseverance, openness and, through it all, her humor. We will definitely miss her presence, but I’m excited for Kia and what’s next in her journey. I know she will continue to break down barriers and do great things.” Media Contact Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- Statewide Program Puts Doctoral Degrees Within ReachA belief can go a long way. There was a time when Cal State San Marcos sociology professor Xuan Santos didn’t believe – or even know – that earning a Ph.D. was possible. As a first-generation, system-impacted, undocumented student, Santos was already defying the odds by pursuing a bachelor’s degree. One day, he saw an A-frame near the Cal State Los Angeles administration building promoting the California Pre-Doctoral Program, which changed everything. “It gave me wings so I could one day envision being a CSU faculty member,” Santos said of the program. “I was able to immerse myself in that academic culture.” The program gives historically underrepresented CSU students the tools to succeed in doctoral studies and supports a pipeline for diverse future CSU faculty. Students selected for the program are named Sally Casanova scholars. They receive faculty mentoring and a $5,000 scholarship to help fund university visits, research experiences, graduate school applications and more. The program connected Santos with valuable faculty mentors who believed in him. He has since mentored seven program scholars and has made it his mission to pay it forward to the next generation. Santos has watched formerly incarcerated students, foster care students and undocumented students all rise above their circumstances and succeed in the program. “It’s gratifying for a student to finally meet their advocate,” he said. “For someone who grew up in a humble space, in a place where people are planning their funerals and not their futures, it’s beautiful to see that we have roses that grew up.” Earlier this year, Santos was named faculty director for the California Pre-Doctoral Program after the previous director’s retirement. He was emotional about the full-circle opportunity to serve in the role and sees an even greater opportunity to broaden the scope of applicants and open more doors for students. “It’s a dream come true,” Santos said of becoming the program’s faculty director. “The CSU is about creating social mobility, and that’s the mantra of our institution (at CSUSM). I am a product of the CSU.” The 2024-25 program application is open, and Santos hopes to see more CSUSM students step forward and take advantage of the program. Santos said there is no pressure to get into a Ph.D. program right away, but scholars gain access and insight into doctoral studies to prepare them. Interested program applicants are encouraged to identify a faculty mentor who can support them for the next year. Application requirements include preparing a budget proposal for the scholarship funds and submitting essay answers to a few core questions. “Whatever dreams they have, we’re here to assist them,” Santos said of the scholars. “The framework I use as a scholar is that all of us need to become OGs. Not original gangsters, but opportunity givers. It’s about promoting empowerment, social change and mobilization of resources.” Media Contact Giselle Luevanos, Senior Director of Communications and Marketing gluevanos@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-4010
- Giving Day Raises Nearly $460KCal State San Marcos raised $459,638 in just 24 hours as part of Giving Day on Nov. 28. “We are deeply grateful for everyone who helped make Giving Day such a resounding success, one that will have an immediate and lasting impact on our campus community,” said Jessica Berger, vice president for University Advancement. Now in its ninth year at CSUSM, Giving Day is part of Giving Tuesday, an international day focused on philanthropy. Giving Day contributions were made by 2,410 donors and came from a wide swath of supporters, including alumni, employees, students, parents, friends and sponsors. Berger noted that this support is “a true testament to the strength of a dedicated community that collectively showed up together in such a big way.” The Giving Day highlights include: Meeting a variety of impressive matches, including a $15,000 employee match from SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union and a $25,000 power hour made possible by North City; 52 ambassadors helped spread the word, bringing in a collective 339 gifts; 377 students donated; and One in five gifts were made by alumni. Did you miss your chance to donate on Giving Day? You can still make a meaningful impact on the program you love. Give today! Know a CSUSM project that needs funding? Connect with the Office of Annual Giving to launch a Cougar Crowdfunding project. Media Contact Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
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