- Graduate Crafting Career on Helping ChildrenCraftsmanship runs in the Arceo family. While her father has been an exceptional woodcarver for decades, Tania Arceo focuses on painting. But not in the way one would expect. A childhood and adolescent development major at Cal State San Marcos, Arceo has spent the last year and a half working with Voices for Children, a nonprofit organization where volunteers are trained to become court-appointed special advocates (CASAs). Volunteers like Arceo represent juvenile dependency cases in San Diego County. “I'm basically their companion and their voice,” Arceo said, “I have the honor of getting to understand their stories and represent them in front of the judge during the various court cases and meetings that we have.” Arceo is making a strong impact on the foster youth that she represents. She focuses on displaying a unique visual element of the children, allowing the judges to understand them better. “They're typically this black and white file,” Arceo said. “The judge really wants to know who the child is at their core, what is in their best interest, so I paint their picture and it's important to paint that part of the picture for everybody so that they can understand these children and their behaviors. Sometimes they act in a certain way and we label that as negative or we label the child as struggling. But all that child really needs is somebody to invest in them a little bit of attention.” As someone who deals with imposter syndrome, it was an eye-opening experience for Areceo when she realized how much of an impact she had on the children. “I try to highlight them in court. I talk to them about all their strengths, their differing abilities, and I give recommendations on what the best placement for them is,” Arceo said. “To my surprise, every single time that I've gone to court, my suggestions are the ones chosen.” Arceo had to go through a month of training to be part of Voices for Children. The training period helped her understand different situations she may face. She also went through court report writing training. Areceo feels such a connection for these kids because of her past experiences. Born in Tijuana, Areceo and her family moved to San Diego when she was just 6 months old. Her father was offered a job at a factory, which prompted the family’s move. Arceo’s father was offered the job due his work as a woodcarver. He was orphaned by the time he was 14 and, being the oldest of six siblings, the responsibility to take care of the family was placed on him. With this new responsibility, her father looked toward the art of woodcarving to make ends meet. “He would stop by these wood shops and he would hang out and for a while before they would shoo him away,” Arceo said. “Eventually they told them, ‘If you're gonna hang out here then might as well put you to use,’ and they started teaching him carpentry. He really fell in love with it and started engaging with the art of woodcarving.” A big part of why Arceo’s father is attracted to woodcarving is because of the magic he finds in the wood and the story it tells. For Arceo’s upcoming graduation, her father used his woodcarving skills to show admiration for his daughter being the first in the family to graduate from college. This gift points out important characteristics of her journey at CSUSM. While his woodcarving talent brought the Arceo family to the United States, it continues to form a connection between Arceo and her father. “I do woodworking as a kind of side hobby, more so to spend time with my dad,” Arceo said. “I want to spend time with him and listen to his stories.” Arceo’s father is interested in mythology and Mexican culture, and Arceo loves to listen to him share his knowledge on the subjects. Since he did not have access to education or amenities such as a library, Arceo feels like she owes it to him to pursue a higher education. “That's part of the reason why I felt like I definitely needed to pursue higher education,” she said. “The fact that they were able to bring me here and allow me to open up these doors for myself, I know that it means so much to my parents. I could do something that they didn't have the opportunity to do.” Arceo will wrap up this chapter at commencement this weekend. But she’ll be back on campus in the fall as part of the Master of Social Work program as she looks toward a career with Child Protective Services. Her family will be cheering her on in the crowd while she gets her diploma, and they will continue to cheer her on no matter what she does next. Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- Guaranteed Admission to CSUSM for San Diego Unified Graduates Under New AgreementHigh school graduates from the San Diego Unified School District will be guaranteed a spot at California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) under a new compact that includes college prep and supports for students and families starting in middle school. Approved by the Board of Education on Tuesday, the partnership is designed to provide students the access and resources they need to attend and thrive at CSUSM. “San Diego Unified is committed to giving every student a path to college, as well as the resources they need to prepare for a successful transition to higher education,” Deputy Superintendent Dr. Fabiola Bagula said. “We are so grateful to Cal State San Marcos for this partnership, which provides our students with access to a world class university.” Among the requirements for the district’s high school graduates: Students must be continually enrolled in the district from at least 9th grade with exceptions for homeless, foster youth, and military dependents. Completion of all A-G coursework required through California State University (CSU) system. Meet minimum CSU eligibility requirements. Graduate with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. San Diego Unified will help prepare students for guaranteed enrollment under the compact with supports that include: A Common Core State Standards-aligned mathematics curriculum for grades 6-12. Additional high school mathematics electives that prepare students with skills to pass college entrance exams or to meet college course requirements. Summer school opportunities for basic skills preparation. Increased opportunities for 11th and 12th graders to experience university-level academic work at all high schools. Additionally, the district will offer expanded intervention and credit-recovery opportunities for students and submit the required Cal Grant GPA Verification by March 2 of their senior year. Family and community engagement is an integral component of the guaranteed admission partnership, especially for families of first-generation college students. Beginning in seventh-grade, students, families and staff will receive notifications about the CSUSM partnership and how to meet eligibility criteria. The district will also lay out criteria for identifying and supporting incoming seventh graders who are at risk of not meeting the admission requirements. For Blessyn Lavender Williams, a student Board of Education member and a senior at Lincoln High School, one of the benefits of this agreement is that it could eliminate some of the anxiety - and mystery - that comes with the college application process. “Getting into college often feels like a random lottery for so many students. This agreement gives students at every San Diego Unified high school the ability to plan for college without the stress and uncertainty of increasingly competitive college admissions,” Lavender Williams said. In an effort to help students and their families familiarize themselves with CSUSM, tours and orientations - along with transportation - will be organized by the district. “The admission pipeline to Cal State San Marcos provides an incredible opportunity to students at every San Diego Unified high school by providing them with a clear path to college,” Board of Education President Shana Hazan said. “This alliance shows the shared commitment of both institutions to enhance and expand educational opportunities that benefit our students, families, and the entire community.” For its part, CSUSM has pledged to assign a Recruitment and Outreach Officer to San Diego Unified schools who will, among other things, promote college awareness, preparation, and access to CSUSM. “This partnership with San Diego Unified School District will provide opportunities to transform the lives of more students, their families, and their respective communities,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Viridiana Diaz. “We want students to envision themselves in college early on and to know that CSUSM is a great option given that many of our graduates stay in the area after college to give back to their community.” The district will begin providing supports to students this summer. The class of 2025 will be eligible to apply for admission to CSUM under the compact. More 17,000 students are currently enrolled at CSUSM in 43 undergraduate programs, 24 master’s programs, 11 teaching credentials, and one joint doctoral program. MEDIA CONTACT: Communications Director Maureen Magee, mmagee@sandi.net
- Seeking Participants for Cardiac Screening StudyDepartment of Kinesiology faculty looking for adult female participants for a cardiac screening study. We are scheduling Summer and Fall appointments. This would include a one hour visit where heart health is measured non-invasively. Contact Deborah Feairheller at dfeairheller@csusm.edu to schedule.
- CSUSM Receives Arboretum, Tree Campus USA RecognitionCal State San Marcos has recently received both Level 1 arboretum accreditation and Tree Campus Higher Education recognition. CSUSM Facility Services in collaboration with Sustainability, faculty, students, IITS and the university's outside landscaping contractor, LandGraphics, came together to create a dynamic walking tour of the arboretum, which is unique in that it encompasses 150 acres across campus. The tour can be found on the Campus App. “Receiving both the arboretum status and Tree Campus USA is a great opportunity for the campus community to use our grounds as a living laboratory," said Juliana Goodlaw-Morris, CSUSM's director of sustainability and climate justice. "We have already had service-learning students assist in the process and we look forward to more students, staff and faculty engaging with our trees, scanning the QR codes around campus and utilizing the website to learn about our trees, plants and shrubs across campus.” If you've ever wondered about the names of trees, shrubs and plants on campus, you can find out on the new CSUSM Arboretum website. You'll find detailed information on the variety of trees and plants, including facts such as if they are native to southern California or if they are drought tolerant. The arboretum mission is to provide opportunities for education and recreation for members of the campus and local communities, which is achieved through five objectives: To preserve and care for the existing trees and landscape on campus. To promote a resilient and diverse campus tree collection. To educate visitors about climate-appropriate and drought-tolerant tree species, indigenous trees, general tree care and maintenance, and the benefits provided by trees. To provide outdoor education and research opportunities for members of the CSUSM community. To foster community involvement with organizations or individuals outside of the CSUSM campus through events, donations, volunteer opportunities, or other activities. An arboretum plan has been prepared to further Facilities Development & Management’s goals of maintaining and enhancing the quality learning environment of CSUSM through sustainable development and growth. The Tree Campus USA designation is awarded by the Arbor Day Foundation and works in conjunction with the Level 1 arboretum certification. Universities must meet five overarching standards to earn Tree Campus Higher Education recognition: Establishment of a campus tree advisory committee. Evidence of a campus tree care plan. Verification of the plan’s dedicated annual expenditures. Observing Arbor Day. Creating a service-learning project aimed at engaging the student body. CSUSM takes pride in its tree canopy and continues to plant new trees, including fruit trees, across the campus landscape. To learn more, please contact sustainability@csusm.edu. Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- Program Helps Students Find Career Path in Tobacco ResearchKarissa Tran is a San Marcos native who entered Cal State San Marcos intending to study clinical psychology. Nicolas Morales is a transfer from Northern Arizona University who came to CSUSM with a goal to become a physical therapist or physician’s assistant. Both learned through faculty mentors about the existence of a new program to train students in research that would help them lessen the harmful effects of tobacco and vape use in their communities. It didn’t quite dovetail with their academic interests at the time, but both thought it sounded like a good opportunity to develop their research skills in an area that long has been vital to public health in the United States. Now, almost two years later, Tran and Morales are not only graduating from CSUSM – Tran with a degree in psychology, Morales in kinesiology – but they are standouts in the first cohort of eight students to complete the Smoke and Vape Free Scholars Initiative Program for Reducing Tobacco Disease in Diverse Communities (SVFSIP). The initiative, which involves a partnership with UC San Diego, is the result of a four-year, $1.3 million grant from a state agency named the Tobacco Related Disease Research Program, or TRDRP. The training opportunity is tailored to students from racial/ethnic minoritized, low-income or LGBTQ+ groups, the same populations that studies show are disproportionately targeted by tobacco companies and affected by tobacco-related disease. Thanks in large part to their experience in SVFSIP over the last two years, Tran and Morales are headed to graduate school to continue their research in public health. This fall, Tran will begin pursuit of a Ph.D. in health psychology at UCLA, while Morales will start a Master of Public Health program at San Diego State, with a doctorate on the horizon for him as well. “It’s been absolutely wonderful,” Tran said. “I really credit the program and my mentors for getting me to where I am and pushing me to the point where I can accomplish my next steps. Without them, this wouldn’t be possible.” Said Morales: “Overall, I think the program was amazing. I got to meet remarkable people that hopefully are going to be colleagues in the future.” The faculty who shepherded the inaugural cohort through SVFSIP (seven other students just finished their first of two years) are Kim Pulvers, a psychology professor who has devoted her career to tobacco-related research, and Richard Armenta, a kinesiology professor who’s the associate director for the Center for Training, Research and Educational Excellence (CTREE). SVFSIP is one of many programs housed within CTREE, the mission of which is to enhance the educational and research experiences of students from underserved backgrounds. “Developing the resources to provide students a substantial training experience to grow as researchers and advocates reducing the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States has been very rewarding,” Pulvers said. “I am proud that the footprint for tobacco research at CSUSM has grown beyond the studies that I conduct and the students I personally mentor.” The eight students who are the initial SVFSIP graduates spent their first year working with a mentor on research project related to prevention or treatment. During the recently completed second year, they worked with a community-based tobacco control specialist on a local advocacy project. Throughout the program, they received an annual stipend and a discount of 50% on tuition. For her research year, Tran was paired with Pulvers on two studies. The first examined the relationship between the age that a person first uses cannabis and their current level of abuse, and whether anxiety or depression helps explain that relationship. The second explored behavioral economic demand for cannabis and tobacco among young adults. For her advocacy year that is wrapping up this month, Tran worked for the California Youth Advocacy Network (CYAN), investigating the legality of tobacco sales to several college campuses in the state. In between, she was selected for a competitive internship last summer with the National Cancer Institute in Maryland, a 10-week assignment that was extended into the entire academic year based on the quality of her research output. In his first year, Morales was mentored by Eric Leas, a public health professor at UCSD. His two research projects concerned the self-reporting of adverse effects from the use of delta-8 THC, a psychoactive substance found in cannabis, and searching for loopholes in the enforcement of the ban on flavored vape products in California. The latter study was published in the online journal Tobacco Control. After a summer internship in which he continued his research with Leas at UCSD, Morales for his advocacy year worked at the Institute for Public Health at SDSU. There, he collected data on the extent to which current and former tobacco users are up to date on non-lung-related cancer screenings, since tobacco use increases the likelihood of developing more than a dozen different types of cancer. Morales says his curiosity with this line of research stems from his own history as a smoker of both cigarettes and vapes. “I felt like it was affecting my physical and mental health as well as affecting the people around me,” he said. “I wanted to get out of that, and I pulled myself out of it. So when I found out about the TRDRP scholars program, it particularly sparked my interest just from my previous use.” Pulvers credited the training and mentorship provided by CTREE, led by Armenta and biology professor Denise Garcia, the co-direction of research internships by UCSD faculty member Dennis Trinidad, and the support of community partners like CYAN, Vista Community Clinic and SAY San Diego for the success of SVFSIP thus far. “The level of student training in tobacco prevention and treatment research and advocacy and student outcomes achieved would not be possible without the time and talent of our research and advocacy mentors,” Pulvers said. Media Contact Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306
- CSUSM Receives $250,000 Grant From Conrad Prebys FoundationIn a landmark moment for youth mental health, Cal State San Marcos has received a grant of $250,000 from the Prebys Foundation to advance mental health services for its diverse student population. The grant is a part of the Prebys Foundation’s recent announcement of a $6 million investment in grants to 23 local organizations during Mental Health Awareness Month. At a time when mental health challenges among young people are pervasive and most CSUSM students come from systematically disadvantaged communities where accessing mental and behavioral health services is stigmatized, the Prebys Foundation’s support for bolstering inclusivity and accessibility in mental health intervention is paramount. The grant not only enhances crisis response, mental health training and peer support initiatives on campus, but also it serves as a collective commitment toward fostering a supportive environment where all students can thrive academically and personally. Additionally, this funding will broaden resources like the Health Assistance Fund and BetterYou app, and it will provide stipends to Master of Social Work interns, promoting social mobility by empowering students to pursue their education without sacrificing employment opportunities. Student voices are echoing the significance of such investments in mental health support. “I will always be so grateful for Student Health & Counseling Services because it allowed me to receive the mental well-being help I needed,” said CSUSM student Amber Arenas, who's pursuing a double major in psychology and criminology and justice studies. “Everyone has financial burdens, and this fund helps a lot of us not have the stress of money so we can fully spend our time being a college student and becoming academically successful.” Social mobility cannot exist without breaking down these systemic barriers to provide students with access to testing, training and treatment that honors their lived experiences. CSUSM’s Community of Care initiative aims to enhance these wraparound services and address the mental health needs of students. The impact of the Prebys Foundation grant will be amplified further thanks to a recent philanthropic pledge. In March, CSUSM Foundation Board Director Dan Epstein and his wife, Phyllis, made a transformational $10 million matching gift to CSUSM, effectively doubling the foundation grant into a total of $500,000. CSUSM’s receipt of the Prebys Foundation grant, coupled with the Epstein matching gift, symbolizes the power of community partnerships in effecting transformative change. Grant Oliphant, CEO of the Prebys Foundation, emphasized the importance of empowering young individuals and building meaningful community ties. “San Diego can become a national model by consistently supporting the well-being of youth and young adults," Oliphant said. "The health and vitality of student leaders are crucial for a vibrant future.” As CSUSM continues its mission to strengthen mental health services, the university remains dedicated to ensuring that students thrive academically and personally, irrespective of background or circumstance. To get involved in mental health and wellness efforts on campus, follow the Cougar Care Network (@csusmccn) and SHCS's HOPE & Wellness Center (@csusmhope) on social media. Visit the Health Assistance Fund and Student Health & Counseling Services websites to learn about upcoming Mental Health First Aid trainings. Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- COVID-19 Resources and GuidelinesAs we transition between semesters, we wanted to provide reminders regarding the campus’s COVID-19 protocols to help you keep safe and healthy. COVID-19 Campus Protocols Isolation guidance for those testing positive: Stay home if you have COVID-19 symptoms until you have not had a fever for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication AND other COVID-19 symptoms are mild and improving. If you do not have symptoms, you should follow the recommendations below to reduce exposure to others. Mask when you are around other people indoors for the 10 days after you become sick or test positive (if no symptoms). You may remove your mask sooner than 10 days if you have two sequential negative tests at least one day apart. Day 0 is symptom onset date or positive test date. Avoid contact with people at higher risk for severe COVID-19 for 10 days. CSUSM strongly encourages those who test positive for COVID-19 to submit a COVID-19 self-reporting form. Close contacts (exposed individuals) should follow the suggested protocols. The university provides notifications of close contacts and possible exposures to keep our campus community informed and to comply with applicable state regulations. Learn about how CSUSM is keeping our campus community safe. Keep up to date with our CSUSM on-campus worksite exposure dashboard. Cal/OSHA’s COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Standards. General Health and Safety Reminders COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are not required. However, the campus strongly recommends following the recommendations adopted by the CDC and the California Department of Public Health. COVID-19 vaccinations Masking is not required on campus, except as required by the isolation and return protocol. Rapid antigen (at-home) tests are free and available to U.S. households from COVID.gov. CSUSM has new wellness vending machines with tests available for purchase. Additional COVID-19 information is available at the COVID-19 resources and guidelines website. Please continue to reduce your risk of illness and review general safety protocols to help you and others stay safe and healthy.
- Social Sciences Student Connects With American Indian HeritageCheyenne Smith never felt like she fully belonged. As a biracial woman, she was trapped within an agonizing dilemma of feeling too white-passing to be entitled to her American Indian heritage. This paradox made navigating life as a college student, especially during a global pandemic, challenging. As a transfer student from MiraCosta College, Smith’s arrival at Cal State San Marcos was a frightening one. She worried that she again would feel isolated in a new environment. But Smith not only found a place where she felt fully accepted, she found a new place to call home. "Cheyenne exemplifies the spirit of community engagement and scholarly excellence that we hold dear at the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center (CICSC)," said Joely Proudfit, one of Smith's mentors and the director of the CICSC. "Throughout her time at CSUSM, she has profoundly impacted her peers, the campus and the broader community through her unwavering kindness, empathy and dedication to service.” While much of Smith’s family identifies as white, her father is American Indian, having been adopted into a white family. It was with her father’s help that Smith learned to embrace her Lakota heritage and its traditions. But she always craved more. After her parents divorced, Smith lived with her mother in Oceanside, losing some of the closeness she had with her father. Neither of her parents had earned a college degree – her father was in the military and her mother became pregnant with Smith while enrolled in college. However, this fueled Smith’s desire to become the first in her family to graduate from college and follow her passions. “I think I just want to be an inspiration to them,” Smith said. Smith spent most of her first two years of college quarantined due to the COVID-19 pandemic, giving her few opportunities to connect with her peers or other students like herself. “I was trapped inside, there was nothing happening,” she said. “I felt like I was not progressing.” That began to change after she transferred to CSUSM in 2022. During her first year, Smith joined the American Indian Student Alliance (AISA), which turned into a life-changing experience as she discovered a sense of community, pride in her heritage and mentors like Proudfit, American Indian studies professor Eric Tippeconnic and CICSC program specialist Monica Zavala. For the first time, Smith felt like she belonged and was encouraged to embrace her identity. “Through AISA, I saw not only people who presented strongly as Indigenous, but also people who looked similar to me and didn’t see themselves as less Indigenous,” Smith said. Even with this new community, college life still proved to be challenging. Struggling with severe anxiety and depression during her second semester at CSUSM, Smith began to seclude herself and stopped attending classes. She spent most of that time tucked away in her bed, ignoring worried messages from professors, friends and mentors. She dreaded facing pressure from school and her personal life. “I feel like I did have a lot of support during that time that I just wasn't willing to take,” she said. “I do regret not taking advantage of the support my friends and professors offered me. They were doing the best they could. They knew something was wrong with me because it was not like me to just disappear like that.” Smith failed most of her classes that semester, but it was also a turning point that changed the course of her academic journey. Once more, Smith turned toward AISA and her support system. Smith started attending classes again, elevated her academic standing and searched for opportunities to advance in her career path. During her search, a friend from AISA encouraged Smith to apply for a position in psychology professor Kim Pulvers’ research lab for a Tobacco, E-Cigarette and Cannabis Waste Randomized Control Trial (TECW RCT). Smith is grateful to Pulvers for looking past her grades from the previous semester and recognizing her potential. The TECW RCT became a great opportunity for Smith to garner more experience working as a counselor and preparing to become a social worker. Smith also became involved in the CICSC, through which she has helped spread awareness of the benefits of American Indian student centers on college campuses. Even though there were some bumps in the road, Smith came back more determined than ever, inspired to help people like her in the same way that CSUSM, AISA and CICSC had helped her. “I'm probably the most at peace I've ever been,” Smith said. Smith is motivated by the words of Tippeconnic, one of her mentors, who told her, “A win for you is a win for the community.” For the next year, she will further her research at CSUSM, this time as a faculty member, before attending graduate school. She has her sights on eventually becoming a social worker for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women organization, helping American Indian women feel supported in their efforts to combat violence against Native people. “As she transitions from our halls to the broader stages of professional life and graduate studies, we are filled with pride and anticipation,” Proudfit said. “Cheyenne's commitment to serving both the American Indian community and society at large promises to forge paths of positive change and enduring impact. We are excited to see the remarkable contributions she will undoubtedly make in her future endeavors.” At commencement, Smith will walk across the stage to accept her bachelor’s degree in social sciences, proudly representing her Indigenous heritage by donning a hand-beaded hummingbird on her cap. “Hummingbirds represent healing and transformation,” she said. “I feel like I really resonate with that.” At CSUSM, Smith has gained much more than just a degree. She found a home that helped her heal and transform into a proud biracial woman who’s ready to spread her wings. Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- Criminology Student Helps Children Needing Dental CareAmanda Escobar is a fourth-year, first-generation criminology and justice studies major at Cal State San Marcos with an aspiration to be a dentist. She is finishing her major requirements this week while also taking classes to meet the requirements to get into dental school. Although this seems simple, her story is not. Neither is her naturally altruistic outlook on life. Escobar devotes most of her free time to a nonprofit mobile dental clinic hosted by USC. The clinic mainly serves children but also migrant workers, unhoused people and the underprivileged in need of dental care. Escobar said many people served by the clinic have never received dental care. “I was talking to these two mothers who came to the clinic, and they said they had just come from Guatemala two months ago,” Escobar said. “They explained to me that their two children have never received dental work. I’m glad we were able to help these kids with something that is so important yet taken for granted by some.” Escobar was shocked that the family had just moved to America, and she already was able to help them. A career in criminology and justice studies is quite different from being a dentist. But Escobar has found that the major helps her better understand situations at the clinic. Recently, two boys ages 16 and 17 were brought to the clinic from juvenile detention. One of them was hesitant to receive dental work because of his past. Because she is familiar with this topic from her coursework, Escobar incorporated prior knowledge to assess the situation in a different light than most people. She approached the boy's care with a greater understanding of his needs. “I totally understand,” she said. “I took a class on juvenile delinquency, and I thought, it’s not them, it's the system that breaks their trust. We had to reassure him that the clinic is trying to help him, not hurt him.” Escobar had to overcome a lot to be where she is today. For starters, she had to learn how to get through college without her parents understanding her struggles. While her parents had to focus on working and making a home in a strange country, she had to navigate her academic journey largely by herself. “My college journey has been hard being a first-generation student and my parents coming from El Salvador,” Escobar said. She entered CSUSM on a good note, passing all of her classes in her first year. When COVID-19 hit in 2020, however, Escobar’s mental health took a turn for the worse. Receiving below a 2.0 GPA in her second year of college, she knew something had to be wrong beyond just the struggles of the pandemic. She had no motivation. She fell into a dark place, feeling like her parents didn’t understand the hard work required to receiving an education. She felt isolated. Battling feelings of depression and suicidal thoughts, Escobar realized she needed help. She reached out to a doctor on campus to express her concerns. The medical team drove her to a local hospital for critical support. She was diagnosed with depression and ADHD, which she said made her feel understood. “Society has such high expectations of women that women feel they have to mask their true identity from the people around them,” Escobar said. Escobar felt like she had to disguise herself for the purpose of fitting into society, which caused her depression to skyrocket. The diagnosis of ADHD and depression was a huge relief. It reminded her that she's capable of success and that it wasn’t her fault she was being held back from it. Escobar began working at the mobile dental clinic, started to gain a support system and became inspired. “The people I worked with at the clinic were the ones checking up on me because my parents don’t know anything about the application cycle with dental school,” she said. “The faculty at the clinic would ask me about certain classes I was taking or provide recommendations to different study materials or applications." This support motivated Escobar to work toward a goal of becoming a dentist. She made the dean’s list last fall and will graduate this week. She plans to use the next year to study for the Dental Admission Test (DAT) as part of the application process. USC is her dream dental school. Perhaps the only thing clearer than her goal is her motivation – to have a positive effect on her community. “Every single time I go to the USC mobile clinic and I come back, I feel that confirmation that this is what I want to do, and I need to get certain things done so I can get to that point,” she said. Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- 'I Just Want to Make Him Proud and My Life to Count'This spring, at 76 years old, Kathryn Cook will be walking across the graduation stage as the oldest graduate of Cal State San Marcos' class of 2024. Her path to this upcoming accomplishment was not one of a traditional four-year-and-done experience. In fact, it was 50 years in the making, with monumental life transitions and rocky hardships in between. Her education journey kickstarted in 1965 at Grossmont College where she was part of the dental assisting program. It was here that she discovered the two loves of her life: her devotion to helping others in the healthcare industry and Ed. Cook had met Ed at a group Bible study session. “It was love at first sight,” Cook said. “I looked across the room and saw his beautiful blue eyes and a smile that lit up everything around him. I told my parents that I had met the man I was going to marry, and they were like, ‘Who is he? Where does he live?’ I said, ‘I don’t know a thing about him.’ We were married 13 months later at 21 and 23.” For the next 20 years, Cook continued her career in the dental field with Ed by her side. It wasn’t until they found themselves welcoming their daughter and son into the family after years of struggling with infertility that Cook decided to leave the industry. As she pivoted her focus to raising her children, she found little jobs for additional income. Ed was working for Navy housing as a carpenter at the time, and together, they would team up to work on projects with Ed building houses and Cook painting them. As her children got older, Cook explored teaching opportunities and took on work as a special education and health aide. She was eventually introduced to Sharp HealthCare where she worked her way up to educator trainer, spending night shifts in the emergency room and training new hires for four hospitals. Enjoying her time helping people learn, Cook decided she was ready to take the next step in her education journey and enrolled at MiraCosta College. “I love teaching,” Cook said. “I’ve done it all, and it’s just so exciting to share your knowledge with another person. In 2008, I had finished up my classes for my associate degree, and Ed was so proud of me. I remember him saying, ‘You have to walk,’ and I said, ‘No, I can't, I'll be the oldest person there.’ And he just said, ‘Well, that’s OK.’ So, I walked, and I felt like a little kid. It was very special. He gave me such confidence in myself.” Unfortunately, it was around this time that Ed started facing serious health issues. He underwent heart surgery and suffered a stroke, in addition to his diabetes that left him blind in one eye. Cook remained by his side, taking care of him each day, and supporting him through his falls that left him with fractures and the loss of appetite that caused him to lose his stature. “It was a hard time,” Cook said. “It was just one thing after another. But what a joy to be able to care for the one that you love, you know, your best friend in the whole entire world.” In November 2019, Ed passed away peacefully in his sleep. “He had been in the hospital for the last week of his life,” Cook said. “He was not fully conscious, but he knew I was there. The last thing he said to me was how much he loved me, our life and our children. But he said, ‘I’m tired. I don’t want to do this anymore.’ I just grabbed his hand and said, ‘That’s OK.’ The next day he was gone.” After Ed’s passing, Cook was left to upend her idea of the future that she had envisioned for the past 51 years and begin anew. Feeling the need to give back to her community and mend her heart in the process, Cook threw herself into volunteer work at the San Diego Rescue Mission, winning an award for reaching 100 hours of service work. As she started piecing together what the next chapter of her life was going to look like, she thought about her volunteer work and the stories the people at the homeless shelter shared with her. Wanting to learn more about social structures and matters of social justice, Cook looked into sociology programs at four-year universities. She had lost two-thirds of her income due to Ed’s retirement stopping after his death, so Cook was unsure of how to navigate the financial aspect. Her good friend encouraged her to fill out the FAFSA form to see if there were any grants available, and luckily, Cook was able to get most of her schooling covered. In 2023, Cook enrolled in fully online courses at Cal State San Marcos as a sociology major. “This education has given me such a better understanding of why things happen,” Cook said. “It makes you aware and encourages you to go out and do something that will make a difference. "And being mature or older, whichever phrase you want, can be good or bad. Just the thought of doing this made me so scared and excited at the same time. You know, people can make fun of you or think you’re too old to learn. They may even think, ‘Why are you bothering?' But for the most part, people in my life have just been so supportive and helpful. It’s really encouraging.” As she is walking across the graduation stage and reminiscing about the trials and tribulations that she experienced along her education journey, she will be thinking of Ed. “I just want to make him proud and my life to count,” Cook said. “I know when I walk, he’ll be watching over me and saying, ‘Honey, I’m so proud of you.’ He rarely called me by my name, it was really just 'Honey.' So, you know, I’ve done this for me and what I hope to do down the road, but also part of me did it for Ed, my greatest supporter.” Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- Sociology Student Lands Library Award for ResearchAs a first-generation college student, Natalie Salas has experienced difficulties navigating higher education on her own. Salas felt like she didn’t have people around her to ask for help, and she wanted to dive deeper to see if others had similar struggles by conducting research on fellow first-generation students. “I found that a student's college experience plays a significant role in determining their success in higher education,” said Salas, who will receive a bachelor’s degree in sociology this month. “For Latinx first-generation college students, factors such as family, FGCS status and representation all play a key role in determining their success and resilience in higher education.” Salas has been recognized for her findings as one of seven winners of the 2023-24 CSUSM Library Award for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity, which comes with a $500 cash prize for each winning submission. Salas’s paper is titled “'I Don't Belong Here': A Qualitative Study on the Experiences of Latinx First-Generation College Students.” Despite an increase in Latinx students enrolled in undergraduate programs, she found that graduation rates have remained stagnant, raising a concern. Salas discovered that Latinx students are systematically disadvantaged in higher education, causing them to question their sense of belonging and hurting their chances of success. But even in the face of these challenges, Latinx first-generation college students remain resilient. After graduation, Salas plans to take a gap year, then continue her research in a Ph.D. program. “I will most likely do a combined program or just go straight for my Ph.D.,” she said. “I plan to focus on Latino/a sociology and the sociology of education.” Other winners Creative works category Submission: “MET” Student: Mary Elizabeth Handler Program: Art, media and design Summary: Handler’s project is inspired by the book “The Metropolitan Museum of Art” by Howard Hibbard. This piece is a testament to the creative process of the exhibit. Submission: “Exploring Mental Health Stigmatization Within AAPI Communities” Student: Kayla Lankford Program: Psychological science Summary: Lankford’s work is a creative capstone of poems about mental health stigmatization in Asian American communities. Through her research, she created three poems, titled “Dad,” “War Cry” and “Recycling Day.” Empirical works category Submission: “Community Cultural Wealth: The Care and Resilience of Mothers in Poverty” Student: Colleen Janey Program: Social sciences Summary: Janey’s project explores the lived experiences of women who have timed out of welfare. Her research reveals the resilience of mothers facing poverty and inequitable systems. Submission: “Best Practices for Sharing Photovoice Research Outcomes” Student: Shyane Masters and Brandon Warren-Fox Program: Environmental studies Summary: Masters and Warren-Fox discuss the best practices for sharing images online for sustained community engagement. Their findings emphasize social media's role and participatory approaches, aiding in digital dissemination and bridging researcher-participant gaps in conservation efforts. Interpretive analysis Submission: “From Mexicas to Ancient Aztecs, Classical Nahuas, and Modern Indios/as: Early Modern Criollo/a Constructions and Understandings of Indigenous New Spain” Student: Hugo Daniel Peralta-Ramírez Program: History Summary: Peralta-Ramírez’s project analyzes early national narratives of Mexico that were constructed by Criollo intellectuals with Indigenous pasts. Submission: “Howard the Duck vs. the Modernity of Man: A Critical Analysis on the Attitudes and Metaphors in Howard the Duck” Student: Emilio Serrano Program: Communication Summary: Serrano’s work analyzes “Howard the Duck,” a comic created and published by Steve Gerber. The comic used satire to offer a social commentary of the times through the lens of an alien. Through genre and metaphoric rhetorical perspectives, Serrano argues that Gerber was a visionary who was frustrated with the medium and sought to point it out on the pages of “Howard the Duck.” Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- Nursing Honor Society Members Show AppreciationMembers of the Cal State San Marcos School of Nursing’s chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International, the honors society of nursing, worked together this week to assemble nurse appreciation boxes. The boxes were created as part of National Nurses Week, May 6-12, and are being distributed to nurses at CSUSM's clinical partners. The brown boxes are packed with snacks such as Oreos and Goldfish and tied together with blue and purple ribbon, Sigma Theta Tau’s colors. The snacks help to raise the recipient's blood sugar level, but the real goal of the appreciation boxes runs deeper. “We want them to see how much we acknowledge the impact that they have on us,” said nursing student Jonathan Corps, who will graduate in December. “It's us acknowledging that they are going out of their way to accommodate us and that their help is the only way that we're going to learn. It helps us solidify that relationship and let them know that we're not just here to learn; we appreciate that they are the ones teaching us.” First distributed during the pandemic, the appreciation boxes have become an annual rite. The boxes are delivered during the week to hospitals where students previously have done their clinical rotations. Students are assigned to a field where they can practice what they have been learning at school. “Whenever we get the chance to go out and show that appreciation, we try to do it,” Corps said, “It's an ongoing thing. It's like getting flowers on Valentine's Day – show your love every day, but that one special day you try to give that extra push.” Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- Thousands Expected at Annual Spring CommencementMore than 4,000 students are graduating in the Class of 2024 as Cal State San Marcos hosts its annual spring commencement ceremonies this month. A total of 4,018 students have graduated or will graduate as part of this year’s class. Spring commencement follows on the heels of CSUSM holding the first fall commencement in its 35-year history. Those ceremonies last December drew a total of 520 graduates. More than 21,000 people are expected to be in attendance to celebrate the graduates this month. CSUSM’s spring commencement will take place on Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18 at Mangrum Track and Field on campus, with six different ceremonies stretched across the two days. In the Class of 2024, 55% of the graduates are the first in their families to earn a bachelor’s degree. More than 45% come from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds. The ages of the graduates range from 18 to 76. Each of the commencement ceremonies will be streamed live on the CSUSM website and mobile app to allow viewing by family members and friends who can’t attend. CSUSM will award two honorary degrees during commencement: Jim Gruny will receive a Doctor of Humane Letters degree during the College of Business Administration ceremony on May 17 at 9 a.m. Jerri-Ann Jacobs will receive a Doctor of Humane Letters degree in the College of Education, Health and Human Services ceremony on May 18 at 1:30 p.m. Gruny is the community liaison officer for Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego (MCRDSD) and the Western Recruiting Region (WRR). In this capacity, he advises and supports the commanding general and his subordinate commanders in maintaining a strong, positive relationship between MCRDSD/WRR and the greater San Diego community. His 30 years of service in the Mariners as an armor officer included two combat tours in operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Jacobs has a longtime passion for community-building and serving others through philanthropy, including education, music, the arts, youth leadership and volunteering. In 1996, she was a founding board member of the Foundation for the Advancement of Music Education (FAME), which successfully advocated for the return of instrumental and choral music programs to public schools in the San Dieguito Unified School District. In 2000, she and her husband created the Gary and Jerri-Ann Jacobs High Tech High school with other local business leaders, bringing project-based learning to life in the classroom. More information on CSUSM’s commencement ceremonies is available online. What: CSUSM hosts commencement for the Class of 2024 When: Friday, May 17 9 a.m. – College of Business Administration 1:30 p.m. – College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences 6 p.m. – College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences Saturday, May 18 9 a.m. – College of Education, Health and Human Services 1:30 p.m. – College of Education, Health and Human Services 6 p.m. – College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Where: Mangrum Track and Field, 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 communications specialist Brian Hiro in advance at bhiro@csusm.edu or 760-759-0564. For easy access to the ceremony site, media are asked to park in Lot Z, which is located at South Twin Oaks Valley Road and Campus Marketplace.
- Academic Support Offered Through Learning & Tutoring ServicesDear faculty and staff, We hope your semester is wrapping up smoothly. If you will be teaching this summer or directing students to academic learning resources over the summer, keep reading! Learning & Tutoring is at the heart of the direct academic support that the Office of Undergraduate Studies (OUGS) provides CSUSM students. Virtual and in-person academic support is available. For a list of specific courses supported, visit our website. We look forward to working with you to ensure that students have access to available academic resources. NetTutor supports courses in these disciplines: Business, economics, finance, history, psychology, political science, philosophy, Spanish, statistics for human development, and statistics for psychology STEM Success Center supports courses in these disciplines: Biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics and physics Writing Center: Supports writing in all courses Supplemental Instruction supports courses in these disciplines: Biology, chemistry, economics, physics, psychology and speech-language pathology Language for Your Syllabi/Cougar Course Container Faculty are our most powerful partners in engaging students with academic support resources on our campus. To assist you in directing students to campus academic support resources, we have provided this information to include on your syllabi/Cougar Courses containers. You also might want to provide this link to your students. When do we open to students? Students are welcome to visit Learning & Tutoring Services to see the space or study beginning June 3. Tutoring begins June 3 and is open Mondays through Thursdays from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Where? The second floor of the Extended Learning Building. The STEM Success Center is in ELB 250. The Writing Center is in ELB 273 for in-person tutoring (see our website for virtual support options). Do students visit the academic learning centers? Yes. Supported by roughly 120 trained peer educators, the Academic Success Center, STEM Success Center and Writing Center supported nearly 21,000 student visits during the 2022-23 academic year. This represents a 48% increase from the previous academic year. In fall 2023, students made 11,218 visits. Thank you to faculty and staff for directing students to these learning centers and for your key role in recommending students to serve as peer educators in Learning & Tutoring Services. We can support many more students, so please continue to direct them to us. To what effect? Data suggest that students who make at least five visits to a single learning center per semester in support of a specific course tend to earn higher grades. Visiting the learning centers early and often is sage advice. In the words of one of our peer educators, “The more you go, the more you know.” Friendly Suggestions Add the language in this link to your syllabi and Canvas course containers. Encourage students to stop by LTS during the first week of the semester to get acquainted. They can simply come by to look around. Encourage students to make use of the free tutoring at least once during weeks 1 and 2. Remind your students that LTS is a safe space to learn. Encourage them to bring a friend with them when they visit LTS. Remind your students that with regular visits to LTS early and often throughout the semester, their learning will be deeper and their GPA likely will be higher. Feel free to reach out to us with your questions and suggestions. In his role as assistant dean, Adam Petersen now supervises Learning & Tutoring Services. You can reach him at apetersen@csusm.edu. For Learning & Tutoring Services questions, contact Evan Smith (esmith@csusm.edu), LTS director. For Writing Center questions, contact Allison Reyes (ajreyes@csusm.edu), associate director of LTS for writing support. For STEM Success Center questions, contact Paulina Coronado (pcoronado@csusm.edu), interim associate director of LTS for STEM support. For Supplemental Instruction (SI) questions, contact Alex Picasso (apicasso@csusm.edu), SI coordinator. We know that the more students believe they belong, the better they do academically. Thank you for all you do to enrich this vibrant learning community. Best wishes as you wrap up the spring and prepare for the summer session! Dawn M. Formo Dean, Undergraduate Studies Adam Petersen Assistant Dean, Undergraduate Studies
- Brain Tumor Leads Student to Pursue Nursing CareerJuliana Abraham has a variety of head coverings that she wears when she’s outside. One day might be a head scarf, another day a Cal State San Marcos baseball cap. But Abraham isn’t trying to make a fashion statement. After undergoing radiation therapy as a teenager, she has a 75% higher risk of skin cancer. And when she removes the head covering that she’s chosen for a particular day, she can adjust her hair to show the C-shaped scar where doctors cut open the top of her head to perform brain surgery when she was 12 years old. It has been nearly a decade since the surgery, and, not surprisingly, the experience has completely altered the course of Abraham’s life. Before the surgery, she was a Level 9 competitive gymnast, meaning she was on a path to try out for the Elite program from which U.S. Olympic gymnasts are selected. While that dream ended because of her health issues, the experience opened Abraham’s eyes to her future career. “I've known that I've wanted to be a nurse since I got sick,” said Abraham, a first-generation college student who is graduating from CSUSM this month with a bachelor’s in kinesiology. “After the second time I got sick, I knew that was probably my calling. Before that, I was in the gym eight hours a day training five days a week, sometimes six, and that was my career. And then everything just kind of came to a halt once I got diagnosed with a brain tumor. “I had the light-bulb moment during proton radiation therapy in 2016 after the second surgery. My nurses in both years when I was sick always made an impact on me. It always felt like home being in the hospital for some reason. It was such a connection that I had with those nurses. I cried when I was done with therapy and I rang that bell that they have you ring. I was so happy but also upset because I wasn't going to see them anymore. It was like I was losing a part of my family in a way.” Abraham has been laser-focused on a nursing career ever since. Abraham was still a tween when she began suffering a variety of ailments – including headaches, double vision, and back and stomach pain. She figured it must be related to her intense gymnastics training or puberty. A visit to an eye doctor changed everything. Abraham was diagnosed with papilledema, a swelling of the optic discs in the eyes. The doctor said Abraham needed to go to the emergency room immediately because of related pressure on the brain. An MRI revealed the brain tumor. Doctors initially thought they were dealing with a common benign tumor, but a surgery that was expected to last five hours took more than eight as they discovered it was a central neurocytoma tumor, which is rare in children. It’s so rare that Abraham’s doctors published a case report about it in BMJ, an international peer-reviewed journal. A groggy Abraham actually woke up toward the end of the procedure as the doctor was putting stitches in her head. Abraham, whose head and upper body were mobilized to ensure that she didn’t move during the procedure, asked her doctor if he could scratch her nose, which was bothering her. The doctor politely declined, noting that he was a tad busy. So, Abraham, ever the gymnast, lifted her knee to her nose, scratched it and put her leg back down. “He stopped what he was doing, looked me dead in the eye and said, ‘Did you really just do that?’ I’m drunk on anesthesia, groggy and don't know what's going on and said, 'I think so.' And then I was out. That was the first thing he told my parents when he came out to speak to them.” When Abraham was fully awake following the surgery, she was paralyzed on the left side of her body. Rigorous physical therapy helped her regain use of her left side and she even returned to gymnastics. But during one of her follow-up appointments, doctors discovered a regrowth. Abraham underwent a second surgery a year after her first. This time, doctors were unable to remove it completely due to its proximity to the hypothalamus, which controls things like heart rate and hormonal release. Abraham underwent proton radiation therapy to eradicate the remaining tumor and tried again to return to gymnastics. But one of the lingering effects of Abraham’s paralysis after her first surgery is drop foot syndrome, which means she can’t always lift the front part of the foot. As she increasingly had accidents while performing routines, she realized she had to retire from the sport she loved. Nurses were a consistently positive presence throughout Abraham’s medical journey, and with Olympic dreams no longer a possibility, she turned her attention to a new goal. Figuring out how to finance that goal was a challenge for someone from a low-income background, but Abraham’s medical team stepped in to help. Abraham was referred by her neuro oncologist to Make-A-Wish San Diego, which empowers children battling critical illnesses by granting them a wish. Make-A-Wish granted Abraham’s request for a scholarship to help pay for college, providing a $10,000 grant that covered costs for Abraham’s first year at CSUSM. With many nursing programs in the state impacted, Abraham decided to major in kinesiology. She’s working her way through nursing prerequisites with an eye on starting a program in spring 2025. That would put her on track for two milestones in 2026 – a nursing degree and being officially clear medically. Doctors wanted Abraham checked annually for 10 years following the second surgery because of the regrowth, but the hope is that she will be declared clear in December 2026 and can fully focus on the next chapter of her life – helping others the way so many nurses helped her. “What better profession for me to go into than nursing?” she said. “I know what kids are going to be going through and I know how to prepare them for it. I know how to be there for them and hopefully make them feel better and more comfortable. I can let them know, ‘Hey, I've been through this, too.’ ” Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- Campus Support Resources for Students, Faculty and StaffThe end of the semester can be a stressful time. Your health, safety and well-being are important, and CSUSM is here for you. If you or someone you know needs support, there are several resources available: For students: Cougar Care Network The Office of Inclusive Excellence Student Health & Counseling Services Student Leadership and Involvement Center Student Life Centers for Identity, Inclusion and Empowerment For faculty and staff: The Office of Inclusive Excellence Faculty Care Facilitator Staff Center Employee Assistance Program
- Balancing Act: Master's Grad Perseveres Through ChallengesEven the tarantulas that reside in Dennis Kolosov’s lab are fascinated by the work of master’s student Jocelyne Dates. Whenever Jocelyne enters the lab, they scurry to the side of their cage, hoping to grasp a glimpse of what she's working on. While not fond of them, Jocelyne musters up the courage to walk past the tarantulas to her lab station where she works with her own animals – caterpillars. Although Jocelyne spends multiple days in the lab working with these insects, she has not always felt confident around them. In fact, she was scared of them. Facing her fears, Jocelyne has learned how to thrive, overcoming challenges while striving for a career that will support her family. Jocelyne has stood out to her instructors at Cal State San Marcos. A master’s of biological sciences student, Jocelyne was selected this month as the recipient of the President's Outstanding Graduate Award, the highest honor a graduating student can receive. She also received the Dean’s Award for Graduate Studies, which recognizes the accomplishments of one master’s student. To qualify for the President's Outstanding Graduate Award, a student must show outstanding achievement in multiple areas such as academics, professional and service activities. Jocelyne has gone above and beyond when it comes to these requirements, and her journey, while not easy, has paid off. Originally from Ottawa, Canada, Jocelyne started her postsecondary education in Illinois at Parkland College where she received an associate degree. Jocelyne moved with her children and then-husband to California, where she started attending CSUSM to pursue her undergraduate in biology. Right before starting at CSUSM, Jocelyne and her husband divorced. As a single mother of three kids, balancing being a student and a parenthood has its fair share of challenges. “Undergrad is a set schedule,” Jocelyne said. “It doesn’t anticipate parent-teacher conferences or a kid being sick. I don’t have a lot of the freedoms other students have. A teenager has no less energy than a 2 year old but they're still navigating high school and choosing a college and how to buy a car and get a loan. A lot of emphasis is put on having little kids and thinking that once they reach school age you can navigate anything, but it's really not the case.” Not only did Jocelyne have to learn to anticipate the unexpected, she often went without some things many people in their academic journey had access to. “Childcare was $30 an hour and I made $14 at the time,” Jocelyne said. “So a lot of times we got free food on campus. There were times where we had to take advantage of something or go without. I didn’t have any resources, so I did most of it solo.” Jocelyne said the most challenging part is balancing. “You've got multiple roles as mom and dad, and there's not a whole lot of positive storylines about single parents,” she said. “Usually the first line of everything is ‘single parent, broken home’ or the story is ‘They've done well, despite growing up in a single-parent household.’ “Our house is not broken. We have a ton of fun, but it's a balancing act.” Not only does Jocelyne have a great relationship with her kids – she has sons who are 22 and 19 and a daughter who is 14 – but she has gained skills that have transferred over to her journey in grad school and the science community. “All the skills I have as a single parent transferred directly into grad school,” Jocelyne said. “Things like multitasking, organizing a schedule, planning ahead and anticipating the inevitable. So, unlike a lot of people, grad school has been a breeze. I love it. I think it's just ideal for an adult who's already had to adult a little bit.” Jocelyne credits much of her success to the mentors she met at CSUSM. Not only did professor emerita Linda Pershing play a critical role during Jocelyne’s undergraduate journey, but so does her current adviser, biology professor Dennis Kolosov. “He’s just been great,” Jocelyne said. “It’s very much a family in his lab.” Jocelyne’s work in Kolosov’s lab has focused on caterpillars. She studies their kidneys, which function much differently than in a human. “And caterpillars, I always say, are a lot like my teenagers – they literally eat everything, nothing's toxic,” she said. Jocelyne also brings her knowledge from the lab into the community around her to inspire young scientists. Her neighbor has a 5 year old who loves science, so Jocelyne and other neighborhood kids go to the park for “Science at the Park” sessions. Next up for Jocelyne is continuing with her education. Jocelyne was accepted to 12 Ph.D. programs, and involved her kids in the process for every step of the way. “I made the decision with them because it was going to involve a move, and they're going to be along for the ride so they have a say,” she said. “We were all in the kitchen together when we clicked the ‘I accept’ button, and we did it together.” They clicked accept on Vanderbilt’s offer, and she will begin classes in the fall. While there, Jocelyne will begin working with multiple species of animals such as mosquitos, beetles and treefrogs. “We struggled for a really long time,” she said. “So it's nice to have something outside of just being a mom that I can do. There's no yearly review for being a mom. You don't get a raise, there's no report card. So sometimes it's nice to have something outside that's tangible. It's been difficult, but I wouldn't have it any other way. They've been phenomenal." Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- University Honors Outstanding 2024 GraduatesMore than 4,000 students are expected to graduate from Cal State San Marcos this academic year, including six standouts from the Class of 2024 who are receiving special recognition for their achievements. Honorees were nominated by faculty or staff and endorsed by their college’s dean. Here is a closer look at each award recipient: Jocelyne Dates, master’s biological sciences President’s Outstanding Graduate Dean’s Award, Graduate Studies Dates' work ethic in the laboratory has inspired her peers and instructors, and her research will leave a lasting impact. Dates has mastered and established techniques that require the manual dexterity of a neurosurgeon while participating in the lab. She has impressively designed the lab logo and built custom-made research equipment, which increased data acquisition rate for an intricate bioassay from 50% to 100%. Dates has taken the role of a mentor to multiple undergraduate and graduate students and creates a nurturing learning environment. In her role as a Summer Scholars mentor, she provided guidance to 13 undergraduate students and one graduate student, which resulted in a total of 25 conference presentations and several publications prepared. Dates’ outstanding scholarship and research contributions are the pinnacle of excellence. Her hard work has led her to be accepted into 12 Ph.D. programs (she’ll attend Vanderbilt this fall) and she has secured over $1 million in external fellowship funding to date. Dates will graduate with four manuscripts and one invited book chapter while having delivered 10 conference presentations and co-authored another 15 conference contributions as a mentor. Megan Hosfield, sociology Dean’s Award, College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences Hosfield has sought out all the opportunities available to her on campus. After she successfully completed Jonathan Trinidad’s statistics course, she volunteered to audit his class. Trinidad quickly saw her deep understanding of the course, and he recruited her as a paid teaching assistant. In this role, Hosfield actively engages with students and provides them with clear explanation and personalized assistance during class and office hours. She has become a role model to students in lower and higher division statistics courses by leading by example and being responsible and reliable. In addition to her remarkable work as student teaching assistant, Hosfield leaves an impact on her peers. While in Marisa Salina’s large lecture sociology 311 class, Hosfield shared her own experiences with the intersections of various systems of oppression. It was a powerful experience for Hosfield’s classmates about inequities within public health and social services. Hosfield’s hard work has led her to be accepted into eight Ph.D. programs in sociology and public health. She plans to study how people with mental health and substance abuse issues begin to rehabilitate socially. Jack Norwood, business administration, management Gerevas Family Dean’s Award, College of Business Administration Norwood works as a programming specialist for Associated Students, Inc., at the Temecula campus where he helps students by developing and managing student-focused programs and initiatives. In this role, he also works with other university student affairs departments and organizations in support of Temecula students. Norwood has volunteered his time as an ambassador for the Temecula campus. He has participated in an Extended Learning marketing campaign, outreach events to prospective students, and represented the campus on efforts with community partners and Mt. San Jacinto College. Norwood has also represented the Temecula campus as part of the Business Organization for Student Success, the ASI Student Advocacy Committee, the Extended Learning Student Fee Advisory Committee, and has been the university representative for the Temecula Student of the Month. Beyond the university, Norwood has participated in community service activities. He has been a site lead for the Cesar Chavez Day of Service for two years. Beyond his leadership, Norwood explicitly defines the day of service to the volunteers and its comprehensive benefit to the communities served. Miranda Grzywaczewski, kinesiology Dean’s Award, College of Education, Health and Human Services Grzywaczewski has shown a consistent and unwavering commitment to the CEHHS mission and vision as well as consistent engagement in community service and leadership activities. Through class discussion and peer assignments, she leads by example with her outside-the-box thinking. The effort and hard work she put into her coursework shows in her 3.94 CSUSM GPA, as she is one of the top-performing kinesiology students. Grzywaczewski possesses a certification to do vascular stiffness measurements, which makes her one of four students to achieve this status. This process takes over 30 clinical screenings to perfect these vascular analysis skills. Grzywaczewski also serves as the CEHHS representative for Associated Students, Inc., where she holds office hours and encourages student engagement. She has a clear passion for service and care toward others. Patricia Tulloch, biological sciences Dean’s Award, College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Tulloch has pushed through barriers and has emerged as a motivated leader who is dedicated to helping underserved communities. She leaves a positive impact while conducting biomedical research as a teaching assistant and working to make a difference in her local and international community. Tulloch has been a dedicated researcher in biology professor Julie Jameson's lab for three years. She always brings a positive attitude to the lab, and she was excited to learn about mouse surgery, anesthesia delivery and dissection. Tulloch has shared her findings at the University of Irvine Immunology Fair and received funding to present at the American Association of Immunologists meeting in Chicago. She is committed to the study of skin diseases, diabetic wounds and psoriasis and she is a co-author on a manuscript that is soon to be published. In addition to her work in the lab, Tulloch is a dedicated teaching assistant for Molecular Medicine, BIO 456. In this role, Tulloch demonstrates a natural ability to guide students through a team-based learning strategy while they work on case studies focused on medical therapeutics. Nick Melanese, business administration, marketing Dean’s Award, Dean of Students Melanese was recruited to the men’s cross country and track and field team where he became CSUSM’s record holder for the 800 meters, a multi-time California Collegiate Athletic Association champion and an NCAA qualifier. Melanese was elected as a Leadership Council Member for track and field, where he oversees and facilitates conflict management, team-bonding, apparel and social media during council meetings. He has also been awarded the Elite 13 Award, which recognizes the athletic and academic achievement of a student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average in their sport. In addition to Melanese’s athletic achievements, he joined the University Student Union team as a video production student assistant in 2021. Melanese’s creativity and dedication to the USU’s mission and values were quickly recognized, which led him to transition to becoming the USU’s marketing coordinator. Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- STEAM Ambassadors Give Schoolkids an Extended DNA DayApril 25 was DNA Day, when the world commemorates the date in 1953 when scientists including James Watson and Francis Crick published papers in the journal Nature on one of the building blocks of life. The day is celebrated annually by biologists, science teachers and anyone who’s interested in genetics. This year, the occasion has been made more memorable at elementary schools across the region thanks to a group of students at Cal State San Marcos. About two weeks before DNA Day, more than two dozen students gathered in a classroom on the fourth floor of Academic Hall for the culmination of months of work to prepare a creative and thought-provoking lesson on DNA for local K-6 classrooms. Six STEAM ambassadors – arts and liberal studies majors who also have a passion for STEM disciplines – presented the kits they have been compiling to a class, taught by Ingrid Flores, of pre-service teachers pursuing their multiple-subject credential. The ambassadors showed the student teachers how to extract DNA from a strawberry. They engaged them in an activity that involves a paint-covered marble creating twisted lines on paper to resemble strands of DNA. They read the children’s book “The Smallest Spot of a Dot,” which explains how genetics makes each person unique. And they did all this so that the teachers, as well as the ambassadors themselves, would be equipped to turn around and give the same lesson to classes full of schoolchildren. The activity was expected to be presented in 70 classrooms during the ensuing month, reaching more than 2,000 kids. “We think and hope that kids can see that science experiments can be done with simple ingredients that you can find at home,” said Melanie Wollrabe, a third-year liberal studies major (with a focus in art) who’s the coordinator of the other STEAM ambassadors. “Additionally, we hope it is evident that anyone can be a scientist, as well as an artist.” During the event at University Hall, the CSUSM students listened to a talk about genomics by Manuel Martinez, a scientist at Illumina, a San Diego-based biotech company that develops DNA sequencing technology to enable research and improve health. Illumina, along with the Coastal Community Foundation, provided funding this academic year to support the STEAM ambassadors program. “I was impressed with the depth and engagement the students had regarding genetic topics,” Martinez said. “I say I was impressed because when I was a student, these topics were not being discussed much outside of the scientific circles, so seeing this level of knowledge and awareness in just a decade was very pleasant.” The STEAM initiative started four years ago, when music professor Merryl Goldberg allowed several of her students to become arts ambassadors as part of an independent study assignment through her Art=Opportunity program. One day a week, the students would report to a school in Vista either to help teachers with their art classes or teach a lesson on their own. Goldberg recruited professors Lucy HG Solomon and Christiane Wood to incorporate STEM concepts into the arts curriculum, and the arts ambassadors became STEAM ambassadors. The program was run then, and is still run now, by Solomon and Wood, who have developed a strong partnership as faculty from the School of Arts and the School of Education, respectively. Solomon has an expertise for fusing art with science. Wood not only has brought teaching credential students into the program (to implement the lessons that the ambassadors conjure up), but she also has incorporated the core concept of literacy. In addition to funding the DNA activity that’s central to its mission as a company, Illumina also is supporting the use of podcasting technology and audio storytelling to enhance student learning. “Podcasting offers students a dynamic way to document and share their scientific discoveries,” Wood said. “By using words, tone, pace and creative audio techniques, they can effectively communicate their ideas and findings.” Wollrabe has been a STEAM ambassador since the spring semester of her freshman year in 2022, when she learned about the opportunity in her art education course. She thought it would be the perfect job for her since it combines two things that she loves: being creative and organizing. She did both so well that last fall she was promoted to STEAM coordinator, which involves orchestrating meetings with the ambassadors and communicating with the faculty in charge. When Wollrabe graduates in May 2025, she hopes to become an elementary school teacher, with an inclination toward art as her subject. She knows that her time as a STEAM ambassador will aid her cause considerably. “I have gained extensive experience with creating projects that combine art, reading and STEM,” she said. “So it has given me the proper tools to come up with ideas to carry out in the classroom.” Media Contact Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306
- Psychology Master's Student Wins First Place for ResearchCal State San Marcos psychology master’s student Jessica Orea won first place at the CSU Student Research Competition at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo for her presentation, "Association Between Distress Tolerance and Cannabis Dependence Stronger for Under-Represented Minorities Among U.S. Young Adults.” “I am incredibly grateful to have received the opportunity to present my research and represent CSUSM at the CSU Student Research Competition,” Orea said. “The experience of presenting at this conference was really special. My family was present throughout the conference and this was their first time seeing me present my research. Additionally, as someone who struggles with public speaking, winning first place for my session feels surreal. It makes me realize how far I have come from my first presentations as an undergraduate student.” Through Orea’s internship with the CSUSM/UCSD Smoke and Vape Free Scholars Program, she has worked alongside psychology professor Kim Pulvers to conduct research. Orea and Pulvers plan to continue working together throughout the summer to expand the analysis. They hope to study whether using cannabis to cope with negative experiences explains the relationship between distress tolerance and cannabis dependence. The goal is to submit both projects for publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. “Jessica is delightful to work with,” said Pulvers, who serves as the director of CSUSM’s Smoke and Vape Free Scholars Program. “She has strong research skills, is a great writer, and is very hardworking and dependable. Jessica conceptualized an original analysis identifying a modifiable behavioral health risk factor for cannabis dependence, which was even stronger for young adults from racial and ethnic minoritized groups.” The CSU Student Research Competition showcases undergraduate and graduate research, scholarship and creative works by recognizing outstanding student accomplishments across the 23 campuses. Each year, over 200 students submit written papers and make oral presentations before juries of professional experts from major corporations, foundations, public agencies and universities in California. Competitors win $500 for first place and $250 for second. “Competing made me realize how far I have come from my first presentations as an undergraduate student,” Orea said. “I credit this achievement to the incredible mentorship and support that I have received throughout my higher education journey. I am especially thankful to my principal investigators, the TRIO McNair Scholars Program, CTREE, the Smoke and Vape Free Scholars program and my family and friends.” Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- Seeking Participants for a Research Study on Fat BurningActive men and women will receive complementary testing of body fat and aerobic fitness in a study testing the effects of exercise on fat and carbohydrate burning. This research study requires three separate sessions of exercise of about 45 minutes per day. Participants must be physically active in the last year, healthy, non-smoking, and free of joint injury. Please contact Dr. Todd Astorino, Professor, Dept. of Kinesiology, at astorino@csusm.edu for more information.
- Business Student Flourishes as TikTok Food InfluencerLike many kids, Natalie Ludwig was asked in kindergarten what she wanted to be when she grew up. Some of the common answers – astronaut, musician, veterinarian – never crossed Ludwig’s mind. And it’s safe to say that her answer probably didn’t cross the mind of her classmates. She wanted to work at McDonald’s because of her love for their chicken nuggets. At 16, the moment Ludwig was legally allowed to work, she turned that dream into a reality and worked at McDonald’s for nearly two years. Ludwig likes to say that her dreams haven’t changed much since then because, years later, her career path is still centered around her passion for food. Ludwig is graduating from Cal State San Marcos this spring with a bachelor’s in business administration with an emphasis in marketing. A first-generation student, she has flourished academically while simultaneously growing her popular foodie TikTok account @eatsbynat to nearly 270,000 followers. Ludwig grew up in Hampshire, Ill., a small rural town of about 7,600 people an hour northwest of Chicago. She and her twin sister Nicole always had their hearts set on one day moving to California. Their father grew up in Huntington Beach and always talked highly about living on the West Coast. After both sisters completed their associate degrees at Elgin Community College near their hometown, Ludwig and Nicole began researching California universities to see if it was possible to make the move. The first university to show up in their search? Cal State San Marcos. Ludwig took it as a sign. Over the next four months, she and Nicole applied to CSUSM, flew to California for four days and found an apartment. They didn’t even get a chance to tour campus, but they were ready for a new start. “After getting my associate's degree in Illinois, I had no idea what I wanted to do, absolutely no clue,” said Ludwig, whose sister received her bachelor’s from CSUSM in media studies in fall 2022. “We weren't sure if we could afford it, but everything worked out and we just took a leap of faith.” The move paid off for Ludwig, who discovered that she has a knack for social media marketing when her videos started to gain traction in 2021. “It’s a gift to wake up every day wanting to do it,” Ludwig said. “For school, you have a deadline. But nobody's next to you telling you you must post today. You have to think of new ideas. You have to brainstorm. You have to come up with all these concepts. Consistency is the most important thing and loving what you do. If you don't love what you're posting, you don't love your niche or your content, you're not going to stay consistent.” Ludwig and her sister both successfully post food reviews on TikTok (@nicole.ludwig). Ludwig’s content ranges from eating at local restaurants in San Diego to franchise bakeries like Crumbl Cookies. While she isn’t afraid to try new things, her favorite foods to review are desserts. “I joke and I say like 90% of my diet is sweets but in reality, it really is,” Ludwig said. “I love cookies. I love ice cream. Sweets are my main thing, and I love posting it because I just love to eat them.” Ludwig doesn’t just introduce viewers to new food stops and products. Her videos deliver a bigger message. When Ludwig was in the sixth grade, she was hospitalized with an eating disorder. Her family has helped her develop a healthy relationship with food, and she wants to do the same for her viewers. “It's been a roller coaster ride, but I'm glad I can use my platform to share my story,” Ludwig said. “I get comments all the time saying that ‘Watching you eat this food makes me want to eat it, too.’ This is really one of the main reasons I wanted to start my account because I just want to help other people.” The work Ludwig has put into her social media accounts has also been used on collaborative research projects with her professors. She is currently working with CSUSM marketing professor Vassilis Dalakas and Western Kentucky University professor Joanna Melancon on how sounds in TikTok videos can impact shopping behavior. “I made the video they are using for the experiment,” Ludwig said. “The goal is to compare and see if people purchase a product depending on a happy or sad song.” Ludwig was recently recognized as the Outstanding Student for Marketing at the College of Business Administration Dean’s Breakfast for her ability to continuously go above and beyond both inside and outside the classroom. Ludwig plans to continue growing her social media platforms after she graduates and work with Nicole and her brother on their start-up marketing agency, Digital Direct Marketing. “CSUSM has helped me become who I am and grow my interests not only in social media, but business as well,” Ludwig said. “I'm so thankful for this school because it has helped me in ways that I couldn't even imagine. I wouldn't be where I am today without the opportunity to come to CSUSM or come to California.” Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
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