'Foos,' UCLA Medical Students, Highlight Fall Arts & Lectures
An event showcasing two first-generation UCLA students who share their struggles in navigating medical school highlights the fall lineup of the longstanding Arts & Lectures series at Cal State San Marcos.
This season boasts a diverse selection of five events as the university hosts renowned guest speakers and performances.
Attendees can reserve tickets online via the Arts & Lectures website now.
Mestizaje: Interwoven Identities Among Mexico, Philippines and Spain
Sept. 19, 7-9 p.m., Arts 111
This riveting 90-minute dance performance will delve deep into the heart of cultural convergence, narrating a story of unity, diversity and shared history. The spectacle is an homage to the intricate tapestry of identities that emerged from nearly four centuries of Spanish colonization, weaving together the distinct but interconnected cultures of Mexico, the Philippines and Spain. At the core of "Mestizaje" is the celebration of mestizaje itself – a term that historically signifies the process of cultural and racial mixing between Indigenous peoples of the Americas and Europeans. This performance, however, expands the concept to encapsulate the rich exchange among the three regions, highlighting how each culture has been indelibly shaped by the others.
CSUSM students: Free
Faculty/staff/alumni: $5
Community: $10
Nuestro Camino: First-Gen Success Beyond Imposter Syndrome
Oct. 1, 6-8 p.m., USU Ballroom (faculty and staff session, noon-1 p.m.)
This powerful and affirming event will honor the resilience, wisdom and lived experiences of first-generation students, staff and faculty. Led by Yanira Hernandez – a first-gen Latina therapist, educator and advocate – the two-part experience invites the CSUSM community into courageous conversations about the imposter phenomenon and how it impacts those who are navigating intersectional identities. The event includes a working session for faculty and staff, a student panel, and an interactive workshop that will guide participants in reclaiming their stories and identities as sources of strength. Food and refreshments will be provided.
CSUSM students: Free
Faculty/staff/alumni: $5
Community: $10
Foos in Medicine
Oct. 8, 7-9 p.m., USU Ballroom
Join us for an evening with Irvin Garcia Real and Alexis Aleman, two UCLA medical students who founded Foos in Medicine, a social media community with more than half a million followers and mission of inspiring people from disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue their dreams. Real and Aleman have faced their share of obstacles on the path to medicine, from growing up in low-income, immigrant households to struggling with institutional barriers that underrepresented minorities often face in higher education. Through their signature humor and their advocacy work, these “foos” (short for “fools”) are committed to inspiring others and increasing representation in medicine, STEM and health care.
CSUSM students: Free
Faculty/staff/alumni: $5
Community: $10
Valley-to-Coast Speaker Series: Protecting and Restoring Regional Waterways
Oct. 28, 6-8 p.m., USU Ballroom
This public panel discussion is aimed at educating and connecting the campus and North County communities around the protection and restoration of local water bodies. Co-hosted by CSUSM's new Climate Action and Sustainability Center, the event reflects the center’s mission to foster climate action and sustainability through community partnerships and student engagement. San Diego Coastkeeper, a key partner in this effort, will contribute regional expertise in water quality and climate resilience, with Executive Director Phillip Musegaas joining faculty experts to explore collaborative solutions.
CSUSM students: Free
Faculty/staff/alumni: $5
Community: $10
‘The Cigarette Surfboard’: An Environmental Surf Documentary
Nov. 19, 5:30-8 p.m., USU Ballroom
In this film, Taylor Lane, an impassioned surfer, creates a functional surfboard with 10,000 littered cigarette butts collected from California beaches. “The Cigarette Surfboard” takes Lane around the world to learn from professional surfers who are working to protect and restore the health of the oceans through science, education, art, business and political activism. Inspired by this global cast of characters, Lane returns home to California and uses the board to generate uproar on the environmental, human health and economic impacts of cigarette butts. This immersive documentary gives viewers an up-close experience of the ocean through surfers' eyes to amplify a message of urgency and possibility regarding the well-being of our oceans. A moderated Q&A with Lane and filmmaker Ben Judkins will follow the screening.
CSUSM students: Free
Faculty/staff/alumni: Free
Community: Free
Media Contact
Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306