- Media Studies Student Co-Produces Stories for PBS ProgramSitting in her homeroom class during her first year at Westview High School, Roury Fitzpatrick was captivated by the morning newscast produced by her school. She hadn't watched the news much growing up, but it was then that she decided she wanted to pursue broadcast journalism. Fitzpatrick, a second-year media studies student at Cal State San Marcos, has had a passion for writing ever since she was young, creating short stories and pretending she was a New York Times bestselling author. When she became interested in broadcast journalism in high school, she convinced her parents to let her change her elective and she joined Westview's broadcasting class. Her passion instantly ignited. As a high school sophomore, she learned about PBS News Student Reporting Labs (SRL). Fitzpatrick and a few of her classmates helped produce a podcast segment for SRL about teen mental health and high schoolers’ plans after graduating. This inspired Fitzpatrick to create her own podcast. By her junior year, she and her classmates had created their high school’s first podcast, “Wolverine Pause.” It was there that Fitzpatrick interviewed many people, including Fox 5 San Diego weather anchor and reporter Megan Healy. Fitzpatrick has enjoyed every aspect of her journey in broadcast journalism, from conducting interviews to filming, editing and being behind the scenes. She loved the experience as an anchor for her school’s newscast but thought that it was too scripted at times. Fitzpatrick prefers to take a more authentic route, reporting on the scene or searching out individuals to interview in their fields rather than reading off a teleprompter. “I really love interviewing people because that’s when you get that one-on-one connection and you learn the most about them,” Fitzpatrick said. “But I also do like being behind the camera and editing because I feel that's when you see the magic of it all coming together.” After working with SRL on the podcast segment and experiencing the support and mentorship from members of PBS as a high school student, Fitzpatrick decided to apply for PBS News' College Climate Reporting Fellows program as she was preparing to attend CSUSM. After a highly competitive application process in which she had to create a pitch on a climate issue, Fitzpatrick was one of 10 students across the nation selected for the program, joining students from schools including Cornell, Penn and USC. Fitzpatrick co-produced two stories focused on climate issues. The first story came during the SRL’s summer academy trip to Washington, D.C., where she had the opportunity to meet PBS News reporters, ask questions and gather advice about broadcast journalism. The story Fitzpatrick worked on was about Vihaan Mathur, then a 19-year-old climate activist attending UC Berkeley. The story focused on his work combating climate issues, donating to local schools and writing a children’s book about climate change. Fitzpatrick and her team came up with interview questions and shared editing responsibilities. When it was time for filming, Fitzpatrick conducted the interview and recorded the voiceover. Sharing roles with her teammates allowed Fitzpatrick to experience every aspect of creating and producing a news story. The second story was more hands-on. Fitzpatrick was assigned to a group with other SRL members to come up with another story on environmental issues. Her team focused on the language barrier between Spanish and English speakers, and how this makes discussing climate issues more difficult. Highlighting a USC newsletter called “Sustainability Sin Fronteras,” which aims to inform Los Angeles’ Spanish-speaking communities about climate issues, Fitzpatrick’s group interviewed the newsletter’s co-founder, Mayte Abrica. They also interviewed Miguel Ordeñana, the senior manager of community science at the Natural History Museum, which works to bring climate education to L.A. residents. Fitzpatrick and her group spent three days in L.A., brainstorming interview questions, dividing work duties and filming through pouring rain to piece together their story. “There was a lot of rain, we were cold, we were wet, and we had to protect these very nice cameras as we hiked through muddy trails,” Fitzpatrick said. “We were just happy we got through it. It was such a great experience.” Working with SRL and co-producing stories has provided Fitzpatrick with much knowledge and experience as she continues on her journey pursuing broadcast journalism. She loves exploring new topics of research and enjoys the connections she forms with the people she interviews. In the future, she hopes to continue her work with PBS or branch out to other news outlets focused on making change. “I want to tell stories about important issues like war, politics or underrepresented communities,” Fitzpatrick said. “I want to tell stories that have substance to them, stories that matter, where people will turn on the news and feel they need to listen.” Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- Founding Faculty Brooks and Marion Reid Champion Student SuccessAs a student-athlete competing in cross country and track and field, Renton McGregor spends most of the year practicing and competing. “On top of training up to three hours a day, my major in algorithmic mathematics is very demanding and leaves little time to hold a job,” McGregor said. “I’m grateful for Brooks and Marion Reid’s support and hope to pay it forward someday, especially in math or athletics.” McGregor's appreciation of the Reids comes from being the recipient of both the Reid Athletic Scholarship and the K. Brooks and Marion Reid Student Achievement Award in Discrete Mathematics. These scholarships are just two of the many ways that the Reids have contributed to Cal State San Marcos over the years. Founding faculty members Brooks and Marion Reid have been champions of student success since CSUSM’s earliest days. Brooks, a mathematics professor emeritus, and Marion, the university’s founding dean of Kellogg Library and now dean emerita, have contributed to initiatives across campus, from academics and research to athletics. Brooks serves on the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (CSTEM) Advisory Council, staying connected to students like McGregor. "It was exciting to be part of CSUSM from the very beginning,” the Reids said. “The library and mathematics have always been close to our hearts, and we’re proud of how the university has flourished over the years. We had fulfilling careers here, and giving back is a way to honor that legacy and help future generations thrive.” In addition to scholarships and mathematics awards, the couple supports the annual Reid Lecture Series, which invites the campus and local community to experience the beauty of mathematics through continued support for programs like the Mathematical Association of America Institutional Membership, the Putnam Mathematics Competition and the San Marcos Informal Mathematics Colloquium. Thanks to the generosity of donors like Brooks and Marion Reid, CSUSM students have the resources to thrive both academically and personally. Their gifts also contribute to the university’s $200 million “Blueprint for the Future” campaign. Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- Media Studies Student Co-Produces Stories for PBS ProgramSitting in her homeroom class during her first year at Westview High School, Roury Fitzpatrick was captivated by the morning newscast produced by her school. She hadn't watched the news much growing up, but it was then that she decided she wanted to pursue broadcast journalism. Fitzpatrick, a second-year media studies student at Cal State San Marcos, has had a passion for writing ever since she was young, creating short stories and pretending she was a New York Times bestselling author. When she became interested in broadcast journalism in high school, she convinced her parents to let her change her elective and she joined Westview's broadcasting class. Her passion instantly ignited. As a high school sophomore, she learned about PBS News Student Reporting Labs (SRL). Fitzpatrick and a few of her classmates helped produce a podcast segment for SRL about teen mental health and high schoolers’ plans after graduating. This inspired Fitzpatrick to create her own podcast. By her junior year, she and her classmates had created their high school’s first podcast, “Wolverine Pause.” It was there that Fitzpatrick interviewed many people, including Fox 5 San Diego weather anchor and reporter Megan Healy. Fitzpatrick has enjoyed every aspect of her journey in broadcast journalism, from conducting interviews to filming, editing and being behind the scenes. She loved the experience as an anchor for her school’s newscast but thought that it was too scripted at times. Fitzpatrick prefers to take a more authentic route, reporting on the scene or searching out individuals to interview in their fields rather than reading off a teleprompter. “I really love interviewing people because that’s when you get that one-on-one connection and you learn the most about them,” Fitzpatrick said. “But I also do like being behind the camera and editing because I feel that's when you see the magic of it all coming together.” After working with SRL on the podcast segment and experiencing the support and mentorship from members of PBS as a high school student, Fitzpatrick decided to apply for PBS News' College Climate Reporting Fellows program as she was preparing to attend CSUSM. After a highly competitive application process in which she had to create a pitch on a climate issue, Fitzpatrick was one of 10 students across the nation selected for the program, joining students from schools including Cornell, Penn and USC. Fitzpatrick co-produced two stories focused on climate issues. The first story came during the SRL’s summer academy trip to Washington, D.C., where she had the opportunity to meet PBS News reporters, ask questions and gather advice about broadcast journalism. The story Fitzpatrick worked on was about Vihaan Mathur, then a 19-year-old climate activist attending UC Berkeley. The story focused on his work combating climate issues, donating to local schools and writing a children’s book about climate change. Fitzpatrick and her team came up with interview questions and shared editing responsibilities. When it was time for filming, Fitzpatrick conducted the interview and recorded the voiceover. Sharing roles with her teammates allowed Fitzpatrick to experience every aspect of creating and producing a news story. The second story was more hands-on. Fitzpatrick was assigned to a group with other SRL members to come up with another story on environmental issues. Her team focused on the language barrier between Spanish and English speakers, and how this makes discussing climate issues more difficult. Highlighting a USC newsletter called “Sustainability Sin Fronteras,” which aims to inform Los Angeles’ Spanish-speaking communities about climate issues, Fitzpatrick’s group interviewed the newsletter’s co-founder, Mayte Abrica. They also interviewed Miguel Ordeñana, the senior manager of community science at the Natural History Museum, which works to bring climate education to L.A. residents. Fitzpatrick and her group spent three days in L.A., brainstorming interview questions, dividing work duties and filming through pouring rain to piece together their story. “There was a lot of rain, we were cold, we were wet, and we had to protect these very nice cameras as we hiked through muddy trails,” Fitzpatrick said. “We were just happy we got through it. It was such a great experience.” Working with SRL and co-producing stories has provided Fitzpatrick with much knowledge and experience as she continues on her journey pursuing broadcast journalism. She loves exploring new topics of research and enjoys the connections she forms with the people she interviews. In the future, she hopes to continue her work with PBS or branch out to other news outlets focused on making change. “I want to tell stories about important issues like war, politics or underrepresented communities,” Fitzpatrick said. “I want to tell stories that have substance to them, stories that matter, where people will turn on the news and feel they need to listen.” Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- Founding Faculty Brooks and Marion Reid Champion Student SuccessAs a student-athlete competing in cross country and track and field, Renton McGregor spends most of the year practicing and competing. “On top of training up to three hours a day, my major in algorithmic mathematics is very demanding and leaves little time to hold a job,” McGregor said. “I’m grateful for Brooks and Marion Reid’s support and hope to pay it forward someday, especially in math or athletics.” McGregor's appreciation of the Reids comes from being the recipient of both the Reid Athletic Scholarship and the K. Brooks and Marion Reid Student Achievement Award in Discrete Mathematics. These scholarships are just two of the many ways that the Reids have contributed to Cal State San Marcos over the years. Founding faculty members Brooks and Marion Reid have been champions of student success since CSUSM’s earliest days. Brooks, a mathematics professor emeritus, and Marion, the university’s founding dean of Kellogg Library and now dean emerita, have contributed to initiatives across campus, from academics and research to athletics. Brooks serves on the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (CSTEM) Advisory Council, staying connected to students like McGregor. "It was exciting to be part of CSUSM from the very beginning,” the Reids said. “The library and mathematics have always been close to our hearts, and we’re proud of how the university has flourished over the years. We had fulfilling careers here, and giving back is a way to honor that legacy and help future generations thrive.” In addition to scholarships and mathematics awards, the couple supports the annual Reid Lecture Series, which invites the campus and local community to experience the beauty of mathematics through continued support for programs like the Mathematical Association of America Institutional Membership, the Putnam Mathematics Competition and the San Marcos Informal Mathematics Colloquium. Thanks to the generosity of donors like Brooks and Marion Reid, CSUSM students have the resources to thrive both academically and personally. Their gifts also contribute to the university’s $200 million “Blueprint for the Future” campaign. Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- Accreditation Highlights Commitment to Student SuccessCal State San Marcos’ Supplemental Instruction program received accreditation from the International Center for Supplemental Instruction, becoming one of the nine California State University campuses to join the nationwide list. This national recognition confirms that CSUSM’s Supplemental Instruction (SI) program upholds the ICSI’s commitment to academic excellence and student success, demonstrating that it meets national standards for quality peer-led learning and support. Vice Provost Mary Oling-Sisay credited the efforts of Adam Petersen, assistant dean of the Office of Undergraduate Studies; Evan Smith, director of Learning and Tutoring Services; and Alex Picasso, SI coordinator. She also noted that the recognition would not have been possible without the collaboration and support of faculty partners, including Lenuta Gonzales, Yasmine Sheraft, Robert Iafe and Alexander Buyain, all of whom provided strong recommendation letters to the accrediting committee. Offered through Learning and Tutoring Services at CSUSM, SI provides students with opportunities to collaborate with their classmates and deepen their understanding of course content. The goal of an SI program is to promote success by positively impacting the way students learn in challenging courses, such as upper-level psychology, physics and speech-language pathology. Through SI, students can meet with their peers for in-person and online tutoring sessions. SI was created at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, providing a non-remedial approach to learning that supports success by integrating various learning methods tailored to students’ needs. Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
