- Biology Student Paving the Way for Future StudentsWhen biology student Siaje Gideon was asked to write about what she wanted to be when she grew up, she confidently described being “a scantist.” While 8-year-old Gideon’s spelling was a bit off, her desire to be a scientist came through loud and clear — and stayed with her throughout her elementary, middle and high school years. When it came time to pursue a bachelor’s degree, Gideon knew the path she wanted to take, and that path led her to Cal State San Marcos. “I have always loved biology and the niches of the subject,” Gideon said. “I love researching animals and discovering how they affect our world. It’s something I truly have a passion for.” Attending school in the San Diego area was essential for Gideon as her twin sister was attending UC San Diego and her grandmother wanted them to be near each other. Family is an important value to Gideon; one she credits originating from her grandmother. After all, it was her grandmother who took in 13-year-old Gideon and her three sisters when they became foster youth. “I never met my father, and my mother was experiencing mental health problems at the time, so my grandmother raised us four girls,” Gideon said. As a first-generation college student and former foster youth, Gideon’s adjustment to college life was anything but smooth sailing. She found herself facing failure, financial stress and strong fear of her peers and professors learning of her foster youth background. “I was ashamed when people asked questions,” Gideon said. “It’s hard to talk about things that hurt you, you know, especially when there’s such a stigma that comes with being a foster youth. I had to swallow my pride and accept it as being part of my journey.” Looking for support, Gideon explored a variety of campus resources and built close relationships with staff and faculty members. It was them who introduced Gideon to the Center for Training, Research and Educational Excellence (CTREE), a program designed to provide research and educational opportunities to students of marginalized groups. Through CTREE, Gideon conducts research alongside her mentor, professor of biological sciences Dennis Kolosov, and presents findings at conferences. “A lot of my science identity has been built by the people in my lab,” Gideon said. “The professors here are really good people and care about shaping students and getting those wheels turning in your head.” As Gideon continued to grow in the program, she found herself eager to expand her leadership skills. Her fellow peers recognized her devotion to the campus community and voted her in as the ASI representative of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. In this position, she expresses student needs and collaborates with the dean to enhance the student experience. To Gideon, her passion for biology encompasses advocating for Black education. As a Black woman, she has experienced cases of racial discrimination and ignorance throughout her life. However, she is determined to transform these hurdles into steppingstones. “It’s a thing I have learned to leverage,” Gideon said. “My professors know when I miss class, they know my name, they remember me and sometimes that leads to them reaching out. As the only Black student, it’s hard to miss me. “Anytime I experience microaggressive comments, I have learned to build my armor and be confident in who I am. I will not let it tear me down.” Indeed, she lets it make her stronger. By using the tools in her arsenal, Gideon is sharing her story and striving to make a difference on campus. She joined the National Society of Black Engineers, founded the club Black in Stem and works as a peer mentor at the Black Student Center. In each of these roles, she is carving out a space for Black students to have a voice and increase chances of success. As a prominent leader in the campus community, Gideon serves as a role model not only to her peers but also to her two younger sisters, each of whom followed in her footsteps and are now attending CSUSM. “My sisters, grandmother and mother, who overcame her own life challenges, are my biggest supporters," Gideon said. "They make up my village and are the greatest cheerleaders. I am so grateful to all of my loved ones for supporting me throughout my academic journey.” It was also Gideon’s hard work and determination that led her to this semester, where she will be graduating and heading to UC Irvine to earn a doctorate in immunology. The challenges Gideon encountered shaped her into the person she is today, someone who values community over all else and is dedicated to increasing resources in the education system for students who experience adversity like she did. “Seeing the stereotypes about foster youth and how the statistics just get smaller and smaller for us when it comes to attending college and graduating, and on top of being Black, you carry so much baggage,” Gideon said. “The statistics are against you.” “But I know what it’s like to persevere. Each time I have fallen, I have gotten back up. I crawled, walked and ran the whole way to this degree, and I couldn’t be more grateful to everyone who helped me get to this point.” Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- Spring Arts & Lectures Highlights Indigenous ActivistThe fifth spring Arts & Lectures event will feature Landa Lakes (J Miko Thomas), passionate activist for Indigenous women. Lakes, a Chickasaw writer, musician, activist and artist, will perform a traditional Chickasaw story and dance that explores the current issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW) in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Through the art of drag, traditional stories and memories of her upbringing, Lakes will show what it means to be a Chickasaw and Two-Spirit, a term for Native American people who identify as having masculine and feminine spirits. Through original music, lip sync and drag performance, Lakes brings to light the importance of the intimate and vulnerable Two-Spirit stories. The event will be followed by a Q&A session about Two-Spirit performance and the future of Indigenous people. The event is co-sponsored by Dance Studies. The event is at 7:30 p.m. on March 7 in Arts 111. Reserve tickets online via the Arts & Lectures website. CSUSM’s Arts & Lectures series offers a diverse lineup of artistic, cultural and scholarly events every semester based on input and proposals from students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members. Attendees can reserve tickets online via the Arts & Lectures website. What: Arts & Lectures event “Landa Lakes” Who: Landa Lakes, activist for Indigenous women When: 7:30 p.m., Thursday, March 7 Where: Arts 111 Cost: Free for CSUSM students, faculty, staff and alumni; $5 for community members Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/landa-lakes-two-spirit-storytelling-tickets-795738634677?aff=oddtdtcreator Information: Arts and Lectures website Media Contact Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- Biology Student Paving the Way for Future StudentsWhen biology student Siaje Gideon was asked to write about what she wanted to be when she grew up, she confidently described being “a scantist.” While 8-year-old Gideon’s spelling was a bit off, her desire to be a scientist came through loud and clear — and stayed with her throughout her elementary, middle and high school years. When it came time to pursue a bachelor’s degree, Gideon knew the path she wanted to take, and that path led her to Cal State San Marcos. “I have always loved biology and the niches of the subject,” Gideon said. “I love researching animals and discovering how they affect our world. It’s something I truly have a passion for.” Attending school in the San Diego area was essential for Gideon as her twin sister was attending UC San Diego and her grandmother wanted them to be near each other. Family is an important value to Gideon; one she credits originating from her grandmother. After all, it was her grandmother who took in 13-year-old Gideon and her three sisters when they became foster youth. “I never met my father, and my mother was experiencing mental health problems at the time, so my grandmother raised us four girls,” Gideon said. As a first-generation college student and former foster youth, Gideon’s adjustment to college life was anything but smooth sailing. She found herself facing failure, financial stress and strong fear of her peers and professors learning of her foster youth background. “I was ashamed when people asked questions,” Gideon said. “It’s hard to talk about things that hurt you, you know, especially when there’s such a stigma that comes with being a foster youth. I had to swallow my pride and accept it as being part of my journey.” Looking for support, Gideon explored a variety of campus resources and built close relationships with staff and faculty members. It was them who introduced Gideon to the Center for Training, Research and Educational Excellence (CTREE), a program designed to provide research and educational opportunities to students of marginalized groups. Through CTREE, Gideon conducts research alongside her mentor, professor of biological sciences Dennis Kolosov, and presents findings at conferences. “A lot of my science identity has been built by the people in my lab,” Gideon said. “The professors here are really good people and care about shaping students and getting those wheels turning in your head.” As Gideon continued to grow in the program, she found herself eager to expand her leadership skills. Her fellow peers recognized her devotion to the campus community and voted her in as the ASI representative of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. In this position, she expresses student needs and collaborates with the dean to enhance the student experience. To Gideon, her passion for biology encompasses advocating for Black education. As a Black woman, she has experienced cases of racial discrimination and ignorance throughout her life. However, she is determined to transform these hurdles into steppingstones. “It’s a thing I have learned to leverage,” Gideon said. “My professors know when I miss class, they know my name, they remember me and sometimes that leads to them reaching out. As the only Black student, it’s hard to miss me. “Anytime I experience microaggressive comments, I have learned to build my armor and be confident in who I am. I will not let it tear me down.” Indeed, she lets it make her stronger. By using the tools in her arsenal, Gideon is sharing her story and striving to make a difference on campus. She joined the National Society of Black Engineers, founded the club Black in Stem and works as a peer mentor at the Black Student Center. In each of these roles, she is carving out a space for Black students to have a voice and increase chances of success. As a prominent leader in the campus community, Gideon serves as a role model not only to her peers but also to her two younger sisters, each of whom followed in her footsteps and are now attending CSUSM. “My sisters, grandmother and mother, who overcame her own life challenges, are my biggest supporters," Gideon said. "They make up my village and are the greatest cheerleaders. I am so grateful to all of my loved ones for supporting me throughout my academic journey.” It was also Gideon’s hard work and determination that led her to this semester, where she will be graduating and heading to UC Irvine to earn a doctorate in immunology. The challenges Gideon encountered shaped her into the person she is today, someone who values community over all else and is dedicated to increasing resources in the education system for students who experience adversity like she did. “Seeing the stereotypes about foster youth and how the statistics just get smaller and smaller for us when it comes to attending college and graduating, and on top of being Black, you carry so much baggage,” Gideon said. “The statistics are against you.” “But I know what it’s like to persevere. Each time I have fallen, I have gotten back up. I crawled, walked and ran the whole way to this degree, and I couldn’t be more grateful to everyone who helped me get to this point.” Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- Spring Arts & Lectures Highlights Indigenous ActivistThe fifth spring Arts & Lectures event will feature Landa Lakes (J Miko Thomas), passionate activist for Indigenous women. Lakes, a Chickasaw writer, musician, activist and artist, will perform a traditional Chickasaw story and dance that explores the current issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW) in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Through the art of drag, traditional stories and memories of her upbringing, Lakes will show what it means to be a Chickasaw and Two-Spirit, a term for Native American people who identify as having masculine and feminine spirits. Through original music, lip sync and drag performance, Lakes brings to light the importance of the intimate and vulnerable Two-Spirit stories. The event will be followed by a Q&A session about Two-Spirit performance and the future of Indigenous people. The event is co-sponsored by Dance Studies. The event is at 7:30 p.m. on March 7 in Arts 111. Reserve tickets online via the Arts & Lectures website. CSUSM’s Arts & Lectures series offers a diverse lineup of artistic, cultural and scholarly events every semester based on input and proposals from students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members. Attendees can reserve tickets online via the Arts & Lectures website. What: Arts & Lectures event “Landa Lakes” Who: Landa Lakes, activist for Indigenous women When: 7:30 p.m., Thursday, March 7 Where: Arts 111 Cost: Free for CSUSM students, faculty, staff and alumni; $5 for community members Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/landa-lakes-two-spirit-storytelling-tickets-795738634677?aff=oddtdtcreator Information: Arts and Lectures website Media Contact Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- Spring Arts & Lectures Event Features Jazz PianistThe third spring Arts & Lectures event will feature Ed Kornhauser, a well-known pianist. Immerse yourself in an evening of jazz as Kornhauser showcases the brilliance that earned him the honors of Best Jazz Artist and Best Jazz Album at the 2021 and 2022 San Diego Music Awards. Kornhauser’s artistry has been praised by the San Diego Troubadour website, which called him "one of San Diego’s top pianist/keyboardists." He’s not only a solo sensation but also an integral part of the Matt Smith Neu Jazz Trio, and his collaborations with Grammy Award-winning producer Kamau Kenyatta have produced acclaimed albums like "RETROgrade" and "I.Am.Calm." Before the concert, at 5:30, the CSUSM jazz ensemble will perform and receive feedback from Kornhauser; all are welcome to attend. Sign up for an evening filled with exceptional music, community spirit and the magic that only live performances can offer. The event is at 7:30 p.m. on March 4 in Arts 111. Reserve tickets online via the Arts & Lectures website. CSUSM’s Arts & Lectures series offers a diverse lineup of artistic, cultural and scholarly events every semester based on input and proposals from students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members. Attendees can reserve tickets online via the Arts & Lectures website. What: Arts & Lectures event “Ed Kornhauser Quartet” Who: Ed Kornhauser, pianist When: 7:30 p.m., Monday, March 4 Where: Arts 111 Cost: Free for CSUSM students, faculty, staff and alumni; $5 for community members Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ed-kornhauser-quartet-tickets-795729326837?aff=oddtdtcreator Information: Arts and Lectures website Media Contact Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- Celebrate Women During Women's Herstory MonthJoin us in celebrating the history and accomplishments of women through Women’s Herstory Month. Cal State San Marcos has scheduled events throughout March that provide opportunities for students to reflect on and discuss their experiences with womanhood and identity. Women’s Leadership Summit March 1, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., USU Ballroom The Women’s Leadership Summit invites members of the CSUSM community to connect with, explore and engage in women’s leadership and empowerment topics. The theme this year is "Grounding Our Roots," providing participants the opportunity to learn how to challenge the limitations placed on women while building the confidence and strength to empower others. The event also will help students network with women in various professional disciplines and learn from each other’s experiences. Register by Wednesday, Feb. 28 and learn more about the topics and speakers on the WLS website. Paint & Sip: Women Herstory in Latin America March 5, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., USU 3200 The Latinx Center and Women and Gender Equity Center (WGEC) welcome you to a conversation about the history of marches for women in Latin America. Painting supplies and light refreshments will be provided. Participants are encouraged to wear purple and green to represent justice, dignity and hope. Women in Gaming Lunch March 6, noon-1 p.m., USU 3200 Join the WGEC to connect with other gamers, discuss gaming culture and identify the unique challenges that some gamers face. Women's History Month Open Mic March 7, noon-1 p.m., SBSB 2111 Bring your original poetry, prose, song, artwork and personal stories to share in celebration of this month, and the fact that history belongs to all. The event is co-sponsored by the departments of women’s, gender and sexuality studies; sociology and philosophy. Breaking Down Barriers in Business: Women of Color March 7, 5-7 p.m., USU 3200 Join the WGEC and Latinx Center as they celebrate and highlight women of color in entrepreneurship with a panel. Heart to Art: Women in STEM With Tech San Diego March 12, noon-1 p.m., USU 3200 Banned Book Discussion With the Library: ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ March 14, noon-1 p.m., USU 3200 As part of the library’s Common Read program, join the WGEC in a discussion of “The Handmaid's Tale” by Margaret Atwood. This educational experience will focus on the issues that come with banning books, such as how this can limit the options of readers. Reading books with diverse characters and stories provides a wider understanding of the world and helps build empathy. Women’s Herstory Month Purple Party March 25, noon-1 p.m., USU 3200 Join the WGEC in your best purple outfit and show your pride for Women’s History Month. Learn about the month’s colors and their meanings. Enjoy some pizza and juice, grab some pins, and take what you need from the affirmation wall. Feminist Movie Night March 27, 5-7 p.m., USU 3200 The WGEC is hosting a movie night highlighting feminism in media. Participants are encouraged to bring their comfy clothes and blankets for an extra-cozy experience. Snacks will be provided. Feminist Festival March 28, 5-7 p.m., Forum Plaza Join the WGEC as it, in collaboration with Tukwut Life, celebrates femininity and the female identity through music, food and performances focusing on building CSUSM’s feminist community. Media Contact Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306
- Biology Student Receives Rising Black Scientist AwardKevin Brown Jr., a Cal State San Marcos cellular and molecular biology student, was one of four recipients of the Rising Black Scientist Award from the journal “Cell Press,” Cell Signaling Technology and the Elsevier Foundation. The other winners were from Yale, Cornell and MIT. To be selected for the award, Brown had to shine in an applicant pool of more than 350, the largest number of submissions in the four-year history of the award. The honor includes sharing a young Black scientist's story and their future goals. Brown’s article, published in “Cell Press” on Feb. 15, details how he pushed through his past with an admirable goal to decrease medical distrust among underrepresented groups. Brown writes how he became interested in science and medicine after a trip to the ICU in his childhood. He suffered from ventricular tachycardia, a heart condition in which the lower chambers of the heart beat quickly, and had to undergo heart surgery to help fix the issues. Since this life-altering experience in the ICU, Brown has worked in several different avenues of medicine, including research at California's Institute for Regenerative Medicine BRIDGES internship, where he studied full time for a year in the neuroscience lab. He later worked on his own project centered on Alzheimer's disease. For that research, Brown said he “worked toward better understanding synaptic development of stem cell-induced neurons across various genotypes that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease.” The main goal of Brown's project was to “see if genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s disease had any effect on the growth and maturation of developing neurons.” Brown’s experience on the project helped him grow his passion for medicine. He used this passion to work with a mentorship program that helped aspiring STEMM (science, technology, engineering, math and medicine) majors with the high school-to-college transition process. He also built a tutoring company that has since helped several students pass their organic chemistry classes. Brown took his passion for science and medicine abroad, continuing his studies in Lisbon, Portugal, where he worked at another neuroscience lab. There, his research “explored the effects of a genetic mutation in the cerebellum.” Using a mouse model, Brown was able to show that, “a single point mutation in a single gene produced deficiencies in learning and memory.” Brown is aiming to find breakthroughs in medicine that will be beneficial in the treatment of disease in underrepresented groups. After all of the challenges Brown has overcome, he is grateful for this award recognition. “This award helps me grapple with the idea that I belong here; I am where I’m supposed to be,” Brown said. “I am humbled by the recognition of my hard work and truly honored to have an entity like Cell acknowledge my potential.” Brown, who is currently applying to Ph.D. programs, plans to continue striving to leave a positive impact on the world with his research and accomplishments that help others. Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- Alumna Illustrates Native Identity in New ExhibitHands tell a story. Wrinkles, scars, jewelry. They open a window into the collective and unique life experiences of the individual. For artist Monica Zavala, hands are an opportunity to represent her American Indian culture. Zavala has been working on a collection of paintings for the past year that depict the hands of American Indians engaging in traditional and ceremonial Native practices, including basket weaving, beadwork, burning of white sage and more. The exhibit, entitled “All Our Relatives,” pays homage to Zavala’s California Indian heritage and highlights the diverse customs of Native tribes. To reflect such diversity, Zavala connected with members of different Native communities and painted portfolios of their hands, emphasizing their distinct regalia and traditions. She pays special attention to details such as nail polish and tattoos to accentuate the personality of each subject. Her subjects are from a wide range of tribes; her own, the Gabrielino tribe, and others such as the Kumeyaay, Cahuilla, Serrano, Hoopa, the Pauma Band of Luiseño Indians and more. As part of the Cal State San Marcos library’s spring Context Exhibit Series, Zavala’s collection of paintings is on display on the third floor of Kellogg Library and available for members of the community to view in person or online through May 10. “I hope visitors get a little bit of education through this exhibit,” Zavala said. “I want people to know we’re not all just the stereotypical image of war bonnets and bows and arrows. We’re very diverse when it comes to regalia. We have many traditions and instruments, and you’ll see in the exhibit that there’s not just one type that fits all kind of Native American.” Zavala’s work being featured in the library’s exhibit is especially meaningful as she graduated from CSUSM with a bachelor’s in art, media and design in 2021. Today, she continues to be a prominent member of the CSUSM community as project coordinator of the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center (CICSC), where she also worked as a student assistant. “I wouldn't change coming here for anything,” Zavala said. “I found a really good community with the American Indian students and the American Indian professors. It’s more than just teachers and students. It's like a community, a family. It's very close-knit.” It was through her CSUSM family that she connected with American Indian Studies professor Eric Tippeconnic, a fellow artist in the Native community. As her mentor, it was Tippeconnic who encouraged Zavala to expand her collection of paintings for the Context Exhibit Series and pursue her idea of illustrating representation through hands. “He’s been taking me under his wing and showing me the ropes on curating my own exhibit,” Zavala said. “I started my journey doing exhibits with him at Cal State Fullerton, and now I get to do my first solo exhibit here at my alma mater.” Visitors can get an inside look at Zavala’s first independent exhibit and learn more about her proud depictions of American Indian culture at Kellogg Library’s free reception on March 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. An RSVP is required to attend, and it is open to all students, faculty, staff and community members. “I enjoy the aesthetic qualities of Monica’s work and emphatically applaud her analytical approach in rendering contemporary Native life,” Tippeconnic said. “By guiding the viewer's gaze to the hands, Monica underscores the value of community and reciprocity to reflect traditional Native American values.” Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- Pianist to Perform at Spring Arts & Lectures EventThe second spring Arts & Lectures event will feature accomplished pianist Tian Ying. Ying is known for his eloquent, poetic and dramatically intense performances. Ying has enjoyed a successful career spanning more than 30 years as a soloist, chamber musician, recording artist and piano professor. Since receiving a top prize at the 1989 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, he has performed at some of the most prestigious concert halls in the U.S. and abroad. To mark his 20th year at the University of Miami, Ying will present Chopin’s Nocturnes, Scherzo, Mazurkas, Fantasie, Polonaise, Impromptu and Sonata No. 3. The event is at 7 p.m. on Feb. 17 in Arts 111. Reserve tickets online via the Arts & Lectures website. CSUSM’s Arts & Lectures series offers a diverse lineup of artistic, cultural and scholarly events every semester based on input and proposals from students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members. Attendees can reserve tickets online via the Arts & Lectures website. What: Arts & Lectures event “Tian Ying” Who: Tian Ying When: 7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 17 Where: Arts 111 Cost: Free for CSUSM students, faculty, staff and alumni; $5 for community members Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tian-ying-tickets-795726187447?aff=oddtdtcreator Information: Arts and Lectures website Media Contact Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- Graduate's Innovative Idea Helping At-Risk ChildrenOne of the last classes Alec Frank took during his undergraduate studies at Cal State San Marcos turned out to be one of the most impactful. It was “Risk and Resiliency in Childhood and Adolescence,” a requirement for his child and adolescent development major. Frank’s professor, Sharon Hamill, had one message above all others that she wanted students to take away from the class. “I told them to always remember how important it is to have an adult who cares about you,” Hamill said. “It changes everything. Just an engagement with someone where you really hear them, you know them, and they feel valued, that in and of itself helps to make young people – and all of us actually – very much more resilient.” It’s a lesson that stayed with Frank after graduating in 2019, and one he continued to keep top of mind as he earned his master’s in social work from CSUSM two years later. Today, he’s putting that advice to work in his role as a therapist at Casa de Amparo, a short-term residential therapeutic program for girls ages 12-18 who have been victims of child abuse and neglect. “We learned in that class that the biggest predictor for kids building resiliency skills is having a trusted adult in their life, just a trusted adult that they can connect with,” said Frank, recalling Hamill’s course. “We talked about this idea of buffers. If a kid is going down the wrong path, a buffer gets in the way and steers them to a different path. And that buffer is a trusted, caring adult. I remember thinking, ‘I want to be a buffer for these kids.’ That was a huge moment in my life when it came to why I want to do this work.” Frank was an intern at Casa de Amparo, which is three miles north of campus, while pursuing his master’s. His positive demeanor, energy and rapport with both clients and staff led to his being hired full time after graduation. A member of CSUSM’s basketball team while a student, Frank saw a need among the girls at Casa de Amparo for a health program that would positively impact their physical and mental well-being. The result was his creation last March of an incentive-based workout program. Children at Casa de Amparo are given a weekly allowance, and Frank worked with the organization’s administration to provide financial incentives for the biweekly workouts. “We see so many of our kids who haven't had a healthy lifestyle modeled for them,” said Erin Gospodarec, Casa de Amparo’s chief operating officer. “Being able to see them focus on their physical health and how that is improving their overall mental health has just been dramatic.” Frank’s program includes five exercises – regular pushups, modified pushups, planks, wall sits and running. He intentionally chose exercises that require no equipment and would allow the girls to easily do them outside of the formal biweekly workouts. He even created an additional incentive to help motivate the girls to continue doing the exercises on their own. Girls receive $1 extra in their allowance for each exercise they complete, meaning they can earn an additional $5 if they complete all five exercises. They can earn up to $5 more by beating their previous record ($1 for each record broken). If the girls see that they can set a goal and surpass it when it comes to pushups or wall sits, Frank said they’ll learn that they can apply that to other parts of their life, too. “The reality is lots of these kids have been abused,” he said. “So they’ve had their physical bodies taken from them in some ways. And now, because of that experience, they no longer feel in control their physical bodies. Doing these types of exercises, doing this workout program, it teaches them to regain control of their physical bodies.” And that, Hamill noted, is what separates Frank’s program apart. “It's not just an exercise class,” she said. “It's really about learning how to say, ‘I can take control over my own body, my own behavior. And I've got this person here who cares about me and is going to support my efforts.’ In many cases, it might be the first time in their life that anybody's ever done that.” The positive feedback Frank has received, both from participants and professionals, has him examining how he might expand the program. He is meeting with representatives from CSUSM’s Innovation Hub to learn more about ways in which he can grow it. But the goal isn’t about building a business, it’s about having a lasting impact on at-risk children. “I've been a teacher for 35 years, and I've never had a student that was so intuitive and so engaged – and I've had lots of really smart students,” Hamill said. “Alec is the kind of person who you meet, and he changes things for you. There's an expression that says ‘Be the person who makes other people believe in good people,’ and Alec is that person.” Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
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