News

Resources and Support for Undocumented and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Students and Employees

The Office of Inclusive Excellence invites you to join us for an information session on resources and support for CSUSM's undocumented and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) students and employees. The session is Thursday, Dec. 12 at noon via Zoom (link to be provided upon registration). Learn about the resources and support available to undocumented, TPS and immigrant members of the CSUSM community. This session will provide information on campus and community resources, highlight available services, and discuss ways to foster a supportive and inclusive environment for all. The event is open to students, staff and faculty interested in learning more about these important resources and how to support members of our campus immigrant community. Click here to register. For questions or accommodations, please contact the Office of Inclusive Excellence.

CSUSM to Continue New Tradition of Fall Commencement

Cal State San Marcos will remain the only public university in San Diego County to hold a fall commencement when it celebrates its mid-year graduates this month. CSUSM will host its second fall commencement on Sunday, Dec. 15 in the Sports Center on campus. More than 700 students are expected to cross the stage across four ceremonies, and more than 5,500 guests have registered to attend. Since the inaugural occasion last year, fall commencement has grown to the point that CSUSM expanded the number of ceremonies from three to four. There were more than 500 graduates in 2023. CSUSM holds fall commencement to offer students who are graduating in December the opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments with their families without having to wait until spring. Commencement is an especially important milestone for the more than half of graduates at CSUSM who are the very first in their families to earn a bachelor’s degree. Each of the four ceremonies will be streamed live on the CSUSM commencement website and mobile app to allow viewing by family members and friends who can’t attend. More information on CSUSM’s commencement ceremonies is available online. What: CSUSM hosts its second annual fall commencement When: Sunday, Dec. 15 9 a.m. – College of Business Administration Noon – College of Education, Health and Human Services; College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics 3 p.m. – College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences (Session 1) 6 p.m. – College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences (Session 2) Where: The Sports Center, Cal State San Marcos, 333 South Twin Oaks Valley Road, San Marcos Media: Members of the media who wish to attend any of the commencement ceremonies are asked to contact Jerry McCormick, director of strategic communications, in advance at JMcCormick@csusm.edu or 619-549-9438. For easy access to the ceremony site, media are asked to park in Lot O or Parking Structure 2.

ACE, Son Inspire Sociology Student on Path to Graduation

“Once in ACE, always in ACE.” Those were the words said by Leigh Quijada, director of ACE Scholars Services, that helped welcome Deborah Hawkins back to Cal State San Marcos. A sociology major, Hawkins began her college journey at Mt. San Jacinto College before transferring to CSUSM where she was part of ACE, which supports former foster youth. However, Hawkins withdrew from CSUSM in 2017 feeling like she wasn’t ready and it was too much to handle. But in 2022, she was inspired to return by her 3-year-old son, Zion. “When I had my son, I was like, ‘No, I have to go back to where I started,’ ” Hawkins said. “I have to go back to my goals and I need my son to see that I can graduate. I need to have a career that I know I want, so I decided to buckle down and bear through the hardships.” Hawkins was born into foster care and remained in the system until she was 18. Much about her past remained unknown to her. For example, she recently found her biological mom and nine siblings. Being in foster care put Hawkins through plenty of ups and downs. “I actually got a placement when I was 7 that was pretty stable so I was in that home for a long time,” Hawkins said. “However, there were a lot of things that went on inside that home that no one knew about, not even the social workers that came in. It was hidden. Social workers have a lot on their plate, and so growing up, I just knew that I wanted somebody to pay attention.” Hawkins plans to be the person who pays attention toward people with stories like hers. She understood from a young age that school was the way out of the system, and the way to open a better future for herself and others. “I didn't know what the next steps looked like for me when I turned 18,” said Hawkins, “but I knew I wanted somewhere stable to live. My goal was to finish high school and then go live at college. It didn't work out that way, but I think that one of my main motives to go to college was stable housing, because that was the only thing I knew would make me stable.” Hawkins had almost no choice to attend school, and no choice to do so on her own timeline. “On graduation day in high school, I went home and my bags were packed outside of the house,” Hawkins said. “So it was ‘go time.’ I had no choice but to sink or swim. I was just trying to go to school and be stable. I didn't know I would graduate.” When Hawkins, a first-generation student, reapplied to CSUSM after her son was born, Quijada was the first person to reach out to her, leaving Hawkins in shock. “Leigh has been following me since day one, just walking with me. So I'm so grateful for that.” Hawkins said. “I didn't even know I still qualified. I'm older, so I didn't know I still qualified for the services. They were like, ‘No, once in ACE, always in ACE.’ ” This support from Quijada and Laurie Orr, an ACE counselor, helped give Hawkins the extra support and push to graduate this fall. Hawkins works as a social worker assistant in Riverside County, and her graduation this fall will open the opportunity for her to become a full-time social worker. Eventually, Hawkins’ goal is to open her own nonprofit helping foster youth. Specifically, she wants to help those who are about to age out of the system. “I remember that when I turned 16 in foster care it's when your wheels start spinning and you realize you’re going to be 18 in two years,” Hawkins said. “You don’t know where you’re gonna go. You don't have solid advice or people to help you. “So I would want to start with helping kids who are about to be former foster youth, and then help transitioning and former foster youth as well.” Although Hawkins has gone through challenges, she is determined to make her son proud. “He was the main motivator, because it seemed daunting, especially having to withdraw and the weight of it all just felt bad,” Hawkins said. “But I knew I had to go back, so I reapplied.” Zion will be attending commencement on Dec. 15 and will grow up to recognize how big of an accomplishment graduation is for his mom. “I'm still in shock,” she said. “I'm graduating. It sounds crazy to me, I still haven't processed it all yet, but I know it's gonna mean a lot. “I am so grateful for my village that has become family that have helped me along the way. I couldn't have done this with out their support as well as the support of ACE.” Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314