This interdisciplinary minor will explore the scientific, psychological and philosophical dimensions of mindfulness and its impact on well-being.

A total of 17 units are required for the minor in mindfulness:

• PSYC 100 – Introduction to Psychology (3 units)
• KINE 150 – Foundations in Mindfulness (1 unit)
• KINE 310 – Social and Emotional Health (3 units)
• PSYC 344 – Positive Psychology (3 units)
• SOC 425 – Sociological Mindfulness (4 units)
• UNIV 495C – University Internship (3 units) 

With a focus on mindfulness, well-being and contemplative practices, this interdisciplinary minor aims to provide students with both theoretical foundations and practical methods. The minor requires completing an internship, which overlaps with the student fellowship requirement.

For more information, please contact Ranjeeta Basu at rbasu@csusm.edu. 

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Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs
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The paper details findings that suggest complex interactions among visual feedback, hand dominance, age and tremor dynamics in Parkinson’s disease. The paper was co-authored by Ana Carolina Brisola Brizzi, Shirley Ferreira Campos, Melina Paula Sales, Fabrício Duarte de Almeida, Wellington Pedroso, and Rodrigo Cunha de Mello Pedreiro. 

Pinto Neto has written and published more than 60 peer-reviewed papers.

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Robinson is an assistant professor of nursing at CSUSM specializing in hospice and palliative care. She has been a board-certified member since 2011. Her scholarship promotes comprehensive care for critically ill patients and their families.

Kohlbry, a professor emerita, is a former director of university relations and research at the CSU Shiley Haynes Institute for Palliative Care. She also has significant experience in curriculum development and putting palliative care education into practice across academic fields.

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Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs
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Young also recently co-authored an open-access publication titled “Social Work on Mars: A Narrative Foresight Analysis.” The paper, co-authored by Jonathan B. Singer, explores how social work might change if people were to live on Mars in the future and how technology and ethics can shape or create stories about the future.

Young, who has been at CSUSM since 2015, received his Ph.D. from Virginia Commonwealth University and has a variety of work experience from nonprofit administration to mental health. His research focuses on comprehending and incorporating new media literacies into social work education.

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Eric Breier, assistant director of editorial and external affairs
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The summit is from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 14 at the USU Ballroom and features keynote speaker Daniel G. Solórzano, a professor of social science and comparative education at UCLA.

The HSI Summit will serve as an opportunity for professional development, a deeper understanding of HSI responsibilities and the generation of collaborative solutions that benefit both the campus and the broader community. 

The summit brings together faculty, staff, administrators, students and partners from other institutions to engage in meaningful conversations and explore how HSI can promote student achievement and create an inclusive environment where students can thrive.

The event is free and open to all. Register online.

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Eric Breier, assistant director of editorial and external affairs
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SmartAsset, a financial technology company, evaluated more than 500 public colleges and universities in the United States to identify the best values. Schools with an average cost of attendance below the median for similar institutions were assigned composite scores based on graduation rates and median earnings 10 years after first enrollment. The 50 highest-scoring schools were named America’s best-value public universities.

CSUSM was one of 13 California universities to make the list, which was topped by the University of Florida at No. 1.

Earlier this summer, CSUSM received 4.5 out of a possible five stars on Money magazine's list of “Best Colleges in America" for 2026.

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Eric Breier, assistant director of editorial and external affairs
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The list, which includes 735 colleges, showcases the country’s top values, based on graduation rates, cost of attendance, financial aid, alumni salaries and more.

For the fourth year in a row, Money presented its picks on a five-star scale to demonstrate colleges' relative performance without a numbered ranking, which the magazine says can often overstate small differences between relatively similar schools. CSUSM received 4.5 stars for the second consecutive year.

CSUSM was also on Money's list of “Best Public Colleges,” "Best Colleges in the West" and "Best Colleges with High Acceptance Rates."

All 22 California State University schools made the list, including six that earned five stars.

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Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
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The Student Lab Coat Checkout Program was honored last weekend in Austin, Texas at the annual conference of the Campus Safety, Health and Environmental Management Association (CSHEMA). The program received three CSHEMA Innovation Awards.

Launched last spring, the lab coat program is a collaboration among SHS, the University Library and the chemistry and biochemistry department. Currently enrolled CSUSM students can borrow coats from the library for free for up to 16 weeks, with the items available on a first-come, first-served basis. The program served 241 students last semester.

Marissa Acosta, Vanessa Rivera and Victor Franco Bolanos from SHS worked with three employees in the library’s User Services department – Alysa Hernandez, Kelly Ann Sam and Leslie Hovland – to make the partnership a success.

Acosta said the program was created to address a barrier to equitable laboratory safety: access to proper personal protective equipment (PPE), specifically lab coats.

“Before the program, some students faced financial challenges when purchasing a lab coat,” said Acosta, who received the awards in person on June 19. “This inequity directly affected student readiness for laboratory participation and created preventable obstacles to maintaining a consistent and accessible culture of safety.”

Based in Wisconsin, CSHEMA is the pre-eminent leadership organization representing the environmental health and safety (EHS) profession in campus environments.

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Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
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Aaron Hye, peer outreach and student engagement coordinator in the Office of Inclusive Excellence, developed the initiative. The initial workshop gathered leaders across CSUSM for a four-hour discussion and a series of meaningful, skill-building exercises focused on student-centered care.

“The only requirement to participate is to be vulnerable,” Hye said.

Hye said the workshop taught people to view others through an individual lens.

“People have backstories,” he said. “People have histories and people have baggage they come with, so when you deal with people, you have that in mind.”

Early feedback has underscored the value of establishing a shared framework grounded in empathy, accountability and cross-campus collaboration. Hye said he hopes to host more of these workshops in the future.

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Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
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During the academy, students heard from cybersecurity experts, participated in cybersecurity skills workshops, had tours of the CSUSM Instructional and Information Technology Services department and cybersecurity firms, and connected with professionals during a networking and showcasing event for their final projects.

Facilitated by Howard Chan, learning experience designer for the Innovation Hub, the program was created to connect students to emerging industries like cybersecurity, biotechnology and AI through hands-on learning and real-world engagement.

The Innovation Hub’s blend of education and application – as well as support from industry sponsors Extreme Networks, Halcyon, SHI, SentinelOne, VectorUSA and Guidepoint Security – gave students the ability to explore the field of digital defense and gain valuable experience. Thanks to a generous donation from Haiku, students also had access to the learning platform that empowers individuals to master cybersecurity through an immersive and engaging experience.

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As chair, Cherry directs the council, which recommends administrative policy and regulations to govern the division. He also sponsors legislative proposals for the NCAA Convention and reviews committee recommendations.

"It's been an honor to represent CSUSM Athletics and the CCAA on the Management Council for the past three years," Cherry said. “The topics we discuss span a wide range of issues affecting college athletics and the hundreds of thousands of current NCAA student-athletes. We can't lose sight of the student-athletes who are at the heart of all our deliberations, and it's from that lens that we seek to make decisions that benefit them and ensure a positive overall student-athlete experience going forward.”

Last fall, Cherry was also awarded the NCAA Division II Faculty Athletics Association Faculty of the Year Award for 2025. He has been a faculty athletics representative for CSUSM since 2004.

"The political and legal landscape is changing rapidly, and so too is higher education more broadly," Cherry said. “I know it's the intent of all the dedicated professionals at the NCAA national office to lead rather than to respond, even in the midst of a shifting landscape. And while I certainly don't have the answers, I have every confidence that the many people involved in decision-making, across the association, are trying their best to make sense of it all.”

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Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs
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Chan, who has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a master’s in cross-cultural teaching, has worked for over 30 years in fields spanning workforce development, industry and education.

An engineer, educator and entrepreneur, Chan has championed innovative education models worldwide and continues to inspire students and teachers with creative, hands-on learning styles.

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Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs
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“[DIS]COMFORT” is a multidisciplinary exhibition featuring student work that explores the shifting boundaries between comfort and discomfort as they relate to identity, culture and current events. The exhibit celebrates emerging artists as they approach graduation and step into the next phase of their creative careers.

The free exhibition is open to the public and will offer a space for reflection, contemplation and dialogue on the ways we navigate instability, how we comfort ourselves and how discomfort can be a catalyst for growth and transformation.

Visit the exhibition website for more information.

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Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs
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The production, which was directed by “Manai” Alleluia Panis, featured six performances between April 17 and April 26.

“Burden of Proof” is inspired by the true story of Perez’s mother, Leonora, who – along with a second Filipina nurse named Filipina Narciso – was wrongfully convicted and incarcerated for the 1975 deaths of patients at a Veterans Administration hospital in Michigan. A judge later ordered their release due to the prosecutor’s “overwhelming prejudice.”

According to the website, the production “delves into the generational trauma inflicted by the American justice system and how traumatic experiences blur the line between memory and nightmare, told through the lens of the fictional Calinao immigrant family.”

The original score includes text drawn from the diary of Leonora Perez and the writings of Jason.

Perez has been on the faculty at CSUSM since 2019. In 2023-24, he served a two-year appointment as the poet laureate for the City of San Diego.  

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Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
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The two studies are:

• "Health Risks and Cross-Border Environmental Exposure: A Binational Study of the San Diego-Tijuana-Rosarito Pacific Ocean Coastline," published in Environmental Challenges. This study examines health risks along the coastline shared by the United States and Mexico, and was a collaborative effort with community-based organizations on both sides of the border (One Coastal Community) and the Socio-Environmental Tijuana River Project that Calderón Villarreal directs. The research focuses on the unique environmental health challenges along this shared coastline and the associated health risks. The study is particularly relevant due to the current environmental crisis surrounding the binational Tijuana River, which impacts communities on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.
• "Considering Water, Sanitation and Hygiene as a Valuable Component of Harm Reduction," published in the Harm Reduction Journal. This paper advocates for integrating water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services into harm reduction frameworks to support marginalized populations. It’s the summary of Calderón Villarreal’s contribution in the intersection between environmental health and substance use, based on her research conducted among U.S.-Mexico border communities.

Calderón Villarreal is a medical doctor whose work focuses on the intersection of environmental health and social equity in the binational region that includes San Diego. After earning her undergraduate and master’s degrees from institutions in Mexico, she finished her Ph.D. at the UC San Diego-San Diego State University Joint Doctoral Program in Public Health.

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Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
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The event will take place on Thursday from 4-8 p.m. at Forum Plaza. Itʻs being organized by Student Health & Counseling Services and the Women and Gender Equity Center.

The earliest worldwide movement to stand against sexual violence, Take Back the Night has been hosted at CSUSM for more than 20 years as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

The event will be a safe, supportive space for storytelling and learning. It will conclude with a survivorsʻ circle, in which attendees sit on the grass with tea lights and a microphone is passed around for survivors to share their story. All survivors, supporters and allies are welcome.

If youʻre unable to attend the event but would like to support Take Back the Night at CSUSM, you can make a donation through Cougar Crowdfunding. 

Learn more about sexual violence advocacy and education at CSUSM here.

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Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
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The discussion will take place on Monday, April 6 from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park. Cassel is a longtime CSUSM faculty member whose expertise is Chinese American history and literature. Yee was among the founding staff of Instructional and Information Technology Services (IITS) at CSUSM in 1990 before proceeding to earn a master’s degree in history from the university.

Titled “The Unexpected Story of the San Diego Chinese Community: From Small Chinatown to Thriving Ecosystem,” the talk will celebrate the impact and history of San Diego’s Chinese community from early Chinatown to the places that anchor it today. It also will include photos and a Q&A session with Cassel and Yee.

The event is presented by the House of China in Balboa Park, in collaboration with the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum and the Chinese School of San Diego. It includes a light meal.

The cost is free for House of China members, volunteers and students, and $15 for all others.

Advance registration is required because seating is limited. To register, text David Seid at 858-699-1900.

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Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
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The public talk, titled “Knowledge of AIDS: Civic Participation and Activism,” will take place on Wednesday, March 25 from 5:30-7 p.m. at the San Diego LGBT Community Center, 3909 Centre St.

The discussion is being funded by a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant that Spieldenner received in 2023. The guests are activists Cecilia Chung, a senior adviser for the Transgender Law Center; and Charles Stephens, the founder and executive director of the Counter Narrative Project; as well as researcher Tonia Poteat, a professor in the Duke University School of Nursing.

The talk is free and open to the community. It’s part of a workshop series sponsored by the NSF’s Knowledge of Aids network.

Spieldenner has been a CSUSM faculty member for almost a decade. HIV-positive since 1998, he has been an advocate for people living with AIDS and HIV for most of his life, and has established himself as a groundbreaking researcher on topics that affect the LGBTQ community.

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Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
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The program, which will be among the only ones of its kind in San Diego County, is on track to start in spring 2027. It reflects CSUSM’s growing focus on sustainability and the continued demand for double-digit job growth requiring sustainability expertise. 

The specialization in strategic sustainability will prepare students to lead in an era when business success increasingly depends on environmental, social and governance responsibility. This concentration will integrate core business disciplines with sustainability expertise, equipping graduates to align organizational performance with societal well-being and environmental stewardship.

A 2024 feasibility study conducted by MBA students at CSUSM revealed strong regional demand for sustainability-focused business education. Research and employer interviews confirmed that industries from tech to life sciences are actively seeking sustainability-trained leaders.

The SMBA program offers an accelerated MBA designed for recent graduates of all majors. Besides strategic sustainability, the other three specializations are business analytics, international business and supply chain management.

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Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
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The center, which is nicknamed The Nest, is calling the event “Miiyu: Where Story Lives.” It will take place on Tuesday, March 17 from noon to 2 p.m. in USU 3400.

The open house will offer the campus community a chance to visit the center, learn more about its role in supporting American Indian and Alaska Native students, and recognize the many partnerships and collaborations that contributed to bringing the space to life. The Nest, which opened last fall under assistant director Tommy Devers, serves as a place of connection, cultural grounding, mentorship and community for American Indian students at CSUSM.

The program will begin with a blessing, followed by brief remarks from campus leaders and community partners, and the unveiling of a new mural created by American Indian studies professor Eric Tippeconnic (Comanche) and Lanise Luna (Kuupangaxwichem/Mescalero Apache). The mural reflects the living stories, histories and futures carried by American Indian students and communities connected to the university.

Following the unveiling, guests are invited to stay for a reception and an opportunity to connect with colleagues, students and community members.

Anyone planning to attend is asked to RSVP at this link.

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Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
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CSUSM is one of eight California State University schools to make the list, which includes the top 250 colleges and universities in the country.

It’s the fifth time that Newsweek has partnered with Statista to honor institutions that offer online degree programs to learners who want to obtain an academic degree, including hybrid programs with online and offline courses or exams.

According to Newsweek, the ranking is built using an online survey of more than 10,000 U.S. citizens who have used online learning services either to earn a degree or to further their knowledge and skills for a job or a hobby. Participants also rated their experiences based on organization, support, price, reputation, success and practical relevance.

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Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs
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Samarasinghe was honored with the Truer Than Fiction Award, which is presented to “an emerging director of nonfiction features who has not yet received significant recognition.” The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant; it’s one of only three Independent Spirit Award categories that offer cash prizes in addition to trophies.

The 41^st annual awards ceremony took place Feb. 15 at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.

A lecturer in CSUSM’s art, media and design department since 2021, Samarasinghe is a Sri Lankan filmmaker and visual artist who left his native country during its civil war and is now based in Southern California.

He was recognized for his feature film debut, “Your Touch Makes Others Invisible,” which was released last year. In the film, he blends interviews, news footage and reenactments to explore the painful history of the 26-year Sri Lankan civil war, in which tens of thousands of people (mostly from the nation’s Tamil minority) are believed to have disappeared, often at the hands of military forces.  

“I’m deeply honored, Samarasinghe said. ”More than recognition of a single project, the award feels like an affirmation of the sustained, often difficult work that politically engaged filmmakers do to sit with difficult histories and keep bringing them into view."

Of the cash prize, he said: “It helps me keep making the kinds of films I want to make – work that isn’t always embraced with open arms, whether because it leans toward the avant-garde or because it confronts difficult, often heavy subjects. It's truly an incredible gift that gives me some freedom and stability to keep taking risks.”

Samarasinghe previously has directed multiple award-winning short films. He earned a bachelor’s degree in visual arts from UC San Diego and a master’s in film and video from the California Institute of the Arts.

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The expo will take place on Friday, Feb. 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Kellogg Library.

The event will feature two primary speakers – kinesiology professor Paul Stuhr and management professor Paola Ometto – who were recommended by the Faculty Center Advisory Council.

Stuhr will deliver the “Joy of Teaching” keynote with the theme “One Blueprint for Belonging: Designing Intentional Conditions for Community.” Stuhr describes the presentation as follows:

"Belonging is not something we add to our classrooms as an afterthought; it is something we create through the conditions we design. Small, intentional shifts in instruction can create moments, or pockets of joy and collective effervescence, where students feel seen, connected and ready to learn. In this keynote, I share one way to intentionally shape the conditions in which community can emerge. I’m not suggesting ‘this is the way’ to build belonging, but rather one blueprint grounded in a model called adventure-based learning."

Ometto will open the research plenary session with a presentation titled "Is Entrepreneurship the Same Everywhere? Rethinking Entrepreneurship in Marginalized Contexts.” She will cover how entrepreneurs from marginalized communities experience distinct entrepreneurial pathways, emphasizing how they craft identity narratives to respond to social perceptions and sustain their ventures.

In addition to the featured speakers, the expo will include a conference panel and roundtable sessions for faculty-to-faculty learning and celebration of the work that takes place in the classroom every day.

View the full program and register for the Teaching & Learning Expo on the Faculty Center website.

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Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
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Fyall will host a stepping dance workshop and artist Q&A from 6-7:30 p.m. on Feb. 24 in the Black Student Center. He’ll be returning to campus on March 3 for an Afro-contemporary dance workshop in ARTS 101 from 1:30-2:45 p.m.

Dance Studies is hosting additional workshops and guest artists throughout the spring, including:

• An artist meet and greet with Safos Dance Theatre from noon-1:30 p.m. on March 10 in the Cross-Cultural Center.
• Safos Dance Theatre with an artist talk from 2:30-3:45 p.m. on March 11 in ARTS 111.
• "Stories From Home" performance by Safos Dance Theatre at 7 p.m., March 13 in ARTS 111.
• K.J. Holmes for a body-mind centering improvisation from 10 a.m.-noon on March 16 in ARTS 101.
• A Dance Studies youth reception at 5:30 p.m., April 29 in ARTS 111.
• The annual spring dance concert at 7:30 p.m. on April 30 and May 1 in ARTS 111.

For more information or to RSVP, visit the Dance Studies Guest Artists webpage.

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Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs
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Kevane Coleman, an administrative support coordinator for the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences, has been nominated for his role in “The Hot Wing King” at the Cygnet Theatre. Zack King, a lecturer in the School of Arts, has been nominated for his role in “To My Girls” at the Divisionary Theatre.  

“Several years ago, I made a conscious shift to center my work more fully in Blackness/Brownness and Queerness,” Coleman said. “I knew that choice might come with risk. I wondered if I would work less, if narrowing my focus would somehow limit my opportunities. Instead, the opposite has been true. I have continued to work just as consistently as I did when I was primarily performing in white-centered stories, if not more, and my heart is full because the art that I am making now is so much fuller and richer for me.” 

SDTCC is a nonprofit organization of professional writers in San Diego County. The Craig Noel Awards, named in honor of the late artistic director of the San Diego Old Globe Theatre and a champion of the arts nationwide, highlight the excellence of professionals in San Diego theater. Nominees were chosen by an all-volunteer membership of professional critics who write year-round for San Diego newspapers, magazines and online publications.

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Swanson, who’s in her fourth year as a faculty member at CSUSM, is serving as a research associate for the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation, a Monterey-based nonprofit that champions science-based solutions to protect ecosystems and strengthen community resilience. She was enlisted last summer by head researcher Jennifer Selgrath to lead the project’s efforts in San Diego County, primarily through the circulation of a survey about ocean access. This spring, she also will help with interviews and focus groups in the area, as well as data analysis and dissemination.

The multiphase project is being funded by the California Ocean Protection Council.

“They want to understand how to more effectively allocate their funds to improve coastal access for all Californians who would like to spend time on our coastline,” Swanson said. “Not just improve access, but improve the experience in these beach/coastal/ocean spaces.”

Swanson said preliminary results from the nearly 5,000 people statewide (about 500 in the county) who have taken the survey show a desire for better-maintained public restroom facilities and training resources that can familiarize people with environmental concerns, including how to interact safely with wildlife. In addition to affecting policy and budget allocation, the results will inform managers of the state’s marine protected areas (MPAs) about Californians’ baseline understanding of the MPAs and national marine sanctuaries along our coast.

“There are numerous other applications,” Swanson said. “We are amassing a truly large and diverse data set that includes voices historically overlooked in coastal management conversations. We envision the data informing state and federal policy toward a new era of improved coastal access for a larger segment of California's population, including inland and marginalized communities who do not always feel safe or welcomed at the coast."

The survey will be open until the end of February. People who fill it out will be entered into a drawing for ocean-related prizes, such as whale watching tours.

The survey can be found at the California Ocean Access website. Contact the project coordinator, Manuela Diaz, at manueladiaz@ucsb.edu for more information as well as social media assets to spread awareness of the survey.

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Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
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The Registered Nursing Organization uses databases from nursing programs of all degree levels and specializations across the U.S. to create its rankings. Rankings follow criteria from both graduate and undergraduate programs, including the number and variety of nursing programs offered by the institution as well as the ratio of total nursing program completions to total program completions awarded by the institution.

These rankings provide students with the information needed to make the right choice when applying for nursing school. CSUSM prioritizes creating an environment for all nursing students to grow so they feel prepared when stepping into future healthcare jobs.

The Registered Nursing Organization aims to promote excellence in nursing by enabling future and current nurses with the education and employment resources needed to succeed.

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Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs
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Paulin won the award from a pool of nearly 1,000 current or former college students. He was recognized at the 27th annual J. Fred Landers Awards Banquet held in Nashville, Tenn.

Paulin is a native of Christchurch City, New Zealand who graduated from CSUSM last May with a degree in global business. He received the award for his work running a business selling educational resources to Wisconsin families. Through the Southwestern Advantage sales and leadership program, he met with about 2,000 families, and his business produced over $115,000 in revenue.

Nashville-based Southwestern Advantage has operated a sales and leadership program for college and university students from around the world since 1868. The entrepreneurial program offers students the opportunity to learn how to run a business, gain valuable soft skills and help offset their educational expenses.

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The CE Classification, which is awarded by the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, has been the leading framework for institutional assessment and recognition of community engagement in U.S. higher education for the past 19 years.

CSUSM is one of 237 institutions that earned the CE Classification in the 2026 cycle. This marks the third time that CSUSM has received the classification, with the first occurring in 2006 when the university was one of the elite institutions that received initial classification. Along with the 40 that were classified in 2024, a total of 277 schools currently hold the designation.

“I want to thank Chief Community Engagement Officer Dr. Patricia Prado-Olmos on leading this effort and congratulate all CSUSM faculty, staff, students and community partners on their contributions to this prestigious designation,” CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said. “At CSUSM, community engagement is not a single initiative or program. It is a defining characteristic of who we are, and it is essential to ensuring that opportunities, accountability and progress are shared by all, empowering students to transform their lives and uplift their entire communities.”

CSUSM received the CE Classification for a host of programs, including:

• Senior Experience, which connects undergraduate business students with local organizations to address real-world challenges.
• Super STEM Saturday, a partnership with The Classical Academies that fosters early STEM engagement among K-12 students while also strengthening pathways to higher education.
• Democracy in Action, which connects students and faculty with local city governments to address real-world civic challenges.
• Center for Research and Engagement in STEM Education (CRESE), which fosters K-16 partnerships, advances STEM education and promotes workforce development through research, outreach and community collaborations.
• Mobile Wellness Initiative, a partnership with TrueCare that brings essential health care services to underserved communities in North County.
• Scholars in Wellness and Innovation Fast-Track (SWIFT) Health Programs, an accelerated degree pathway in the behavioral and mental health field.

CSUSM’s CE Classification is valid until 2032.

“CSUSM welcomes community partners into our work, and we are invited into communities because we listen and learn from the regional communities,” Prado-Olmos said. “We’ve always worked hard to maintain mutual benefit and to build trust with community partners. This designation acknowledges that CSUSM creates unique opportunities for CSUSM students that advance their learning in powerful ways.”

The Carnegie Classifications are the nation’s leading framework for categorizing and describing colleges and universities in the United States.

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The project grew out of Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) 304: Ecofeminism, taught by lecturer Kit-Bacon Gressitt. Gressitt incorporated the lesson plan assignment with support from the university’s new Climate Action Sustainability Center, an offer she said she “pounced on.”

“Two students jumped on board, Rickie Haynes and Soleia Lafaye, and they dug into the project – much deeper, ultimately, than they originally expected. It was a lot of work,” Gressitt said.

Students in the class Education 350: Foundations of Teaching as a Profession were looped into the project through Paula Hewitt, a Distinguished Teacher in Residence at CSUSM. One of Hewitt’s students, Megan Hedges, joined Haynes and Lafaye in the project.

The class partnered with Vallecitos Elementary, which Gressitt said was an easy choice given her connection to the school over the past 12 years.

“It’s a wonderful, Title 1 school in a rural setting, serving preschool through eighth grade,” Gressitt said. “The school’s sense of community and collaboration is strong, and Superintendent Meliton Sanchez and sixth-grade teacher Jessica Mentze welcomed our students and their project enthusiastically.”

Title 1 schools receive federal funding to support students from low-income communities.

The lesson introduced sixth-graders to the climate impacts of global food supply chains and offered an adaptive action: growing your own food to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The CSUSM students guided the class in planting lettuce seeds to take home and helped them map the origins of their favorite foods.

“Watching the sixth-graders ask and answer questions while planting lettuce to take home to their families was a joy,” Gressitt said. “They quickly grasped the differences between having a family garden and the climate pollution that results from shipping produce around the globe.

“The most revealing evaluation of the students’ work is that the Vallecitos folks were pleased with the lesson and invited CSUSM back next semester.”
 

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs
ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

• “Steps Magazine 2024” in the Alumni/General Interest Magazines category;
• Bri Phillips’ story “Incredible Mulk: Class Project Becomes Thriving Almond Milk Business” in the Writing: Profile (1,000+ Words) category; and
• Brian Hiro’s story “Once Undocumented, Alumna Now Supports Others Like Her” in the Writing: News/Feature (1,000+ Words) category.

CASE District VII represents professionals and institutions in the Western region of the United States, including Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, Northern Mariana Islands and Utah.

Earlier this year, CSUSM’s University Advancement division earned international recognition from CASE with two honors in the 2025 Circle of Excellence Awards.

CASE is a global nonprofit association dedicated to educational advancement – alumni relations, communications, development, marketing and advancement services – and championing education to transform lives and society.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs
ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

The rankings showcase U.S. universities and colleges committed to supporting military service members, veterans and their families through targeted programs, student-veteran communities and financial support. 

CSUSM ranked 27th out of 357 institutions overall.  

Institutions included in the Military Times rankings are evaluated on academic quality, affordability, student support services and outcomes for veterans, including graduation and retention rates. This year, institutions examined a surge in both online and hybrid program options for active-duty students, as well as growth in dedicated veteran resource centers.   

CSUSM was also ranked in additional categories for Military Times: 

• Fifth in the West
• 20th among traditional institutions
• 22nd among public institutions
• 26th in general education 

With one in nine CSUSM students being military affiliated, the university has long been dedicated to providing them with the environment and support needed to succeed in higher education. 

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs
ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

This national recognition confirms that CSUSM’s Supplemental Instruction (SI) program upholds the ICSI’s commitment to academic excellence and student success, demonstrating that it meets national standards for quality peer-led learning and support.

Vice Provost Mary Oling-Sisay credited the efforts of Adam Petersen, assistant dean of the Office of Undergraduate Studies; Evan Smith, director of Learning and Tutoring Services; and Alex Picasso, SI coordinator. She also noted that the recognition would not have been possible without the collaboration and support of faculty partners, including Lenuta Gonzales, Yasmine Sheraft, Robert Iafe and Alexander Buyain, all of whom provided strong recommendation letters to the accrediting committee.

Offered through Learning and Tutoring Services at CSUSM, SI provides students with opportunities to collaborate with their classmates and deepen their understanding of course content.

The goal of an SI program is to promote success by positively impacting the way students learn in challenging courses, such as upper-level psychology, physics and speech-language pathology. Through SI, students can meet with their peers for in-person and online tutoring sessions.

SI was created at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, providing a non-remedial approach to learning that supports success by integrating various learning methods tailored to students’ needs.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs
ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

She encouraged them to tinker, build, explore and let curiosity lead the way.

It might have looked like fun and games from the outside, but for Fuller, the experience was a deliberate lesson in rediscovering something that many adults forget.

“In our adult lives, we lose touch with play,” Fuller said. “But rediscovering it isn’t just about having fun – it’s a way to connect, build trust and spark creativity.”

For Fuller’s human development students – most of whom are preparing for careers as counselors, educators or community advocates – the exercise carried a deeper meaning. Play, she explained, is a bridge to empathy and understanding, essential tools for working with people who are coping with stress, trauma or isolation.

“Play builds trust, opens pathways for expression and helps people feel safe,” Fuller said. “It reminds us that learning and healing don’t always have to be serious. Sometimes they can be spontaneous.”

Among those who found the experience unexpectedly refreshing was Daniel Lopez, a human development major and student ambassador for the College of Education, Health and Human Services.

“Sometimes we get so focused on grades and deadlines that we forget how to just explore and enjoy the process,” Lopez said. “This experience reminded me that play isn’t just for kids – it’s a mindset that helps us stay creative, connect with others and bring joy into the work we’ll be doing in our future careers.”

Fuller’s playful experiment also reflects the broader mission of CEHHS, which emphasizes holistic, human-centered approaches to learning and practice.

In the end, the lesson was simple but profound: There’s room and real need for play in the serious work of helping others.

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

The play, written by Pulitzer Prize finalist Sarah DeLappe, is a coming-of-age tale that follows a high school girls soccer team as players navigate degrees of adolescence, identity and growing up. Performances of “The Wolves” will take place in Arts 111 from Nov. 12-15 at 7 p.m. Tickets for students cost $10, while general admission tickets are $15. 

Through their interactions, rivalries and moments of vulnerability, the girls grapple with the nuances of teenage girlhood and the unspoken bonds that form within the team.

Set entirely during pregame warmups, the performance captures the chaotic, overlapping conversations between players as they discuss everything from global politics to personal anxieties.

To perfect the soccer moves in these moments, the actresses are being coached by Emily Mahmoud, a senior midfielder on the CSUSM women's soccer team.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs
ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Located on the second floor of Kellogg Library, The Makery is a place for students to exercise creative freedom and explore new skills using a variety of tools and materials. In partnership with the HOPE & Wellness Center at SHCS, The Makery will be hosting art and mental health workshops to enhance students’ mental well-being and connect them to mental health resources.

During the most recent workshop, students created their own “monster” symbolizing their individual mental health experiences and struggles. Once the crafting was done, the students could share what they felt comfortable with about their monsters. The workshop was led by Anahi Martinez Mendez, a Master of Social Work graduate assistant, and Madison Di Palermo, a peer lead health educator.

The workshops give students the opportunity to process and express emotions and experiences that are often hard to put into words by using art. They also help students find community with one another and receive help whenever they need it.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs
ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

“Become an Arts Teacher Day” will take place on Saturday, Nov. 8 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Arts Building on campus. The free event will bring together students and community members to participate in arts activities and listen to guest educators speak about arts teaching. They also will learn more about the steps needed to apply to the multiple subject credential program.

The workshop is part of the Arts Credential Pathway Project, a collaboration among CSUSM’s School of Arts, School of Education and Center ARTES. Founded in 2023, the project was developed to address the shortage of visual and performing arts teachers in California, and to provide an arts credential pathway at CSUSM that can be duplicated on other campuses. CSUSM professors in music; dance; art, media and design; and education have worked for multiple years to build and implement arts credential opportunities for CSUSM students.

Students wanting to pursue this pathway though CSUSM can apply to the School of Education’s multiple subject credential program. Once accepted, students who want to teach in the arts can apply to the CREATE Teacher Residency Program. The program supplies a stipend and financial support, hands-on experience, arts mentorship, a consistent cohort of peers, professional development and networking, priority job interviews, and more.

To learn more, students can contact their art discipline’s Arts Credential Pathway Project representative or visit the teaching credential program website.

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

The grant funding will build on the early success of the Aspiring Scholars program, which was launched in 2023 by CSUSM education professor Rebecca Brooks. Now in its third year, the program has grown from four students to 19, offering them an opportunity to learn and grow in the CSUSM community while earning a certificate in higher education academic and career studies.

The largest of the grants is $2.44 million over five years from the Transition and Post-Secondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) in the U.S. Department of Education. Brooks is the principal investigator, with psychology professor Allison Jobin as the co-PI.

The pair also secured grants of $75,000 from the California Center for Inclusive College and $50,000 from the CSU Commission on Professional and Continuing Education.

“Seeing my dream for this program, and for our students, come to life through the collaborative efforts of our incredible CSUSM community has meant the world to me,” Brooks said.

The new funding will enable Aspiring Scholars to hire its first full-time staff members, secure dedicated campus space, increase its support and training to peer mentors and professors, enhance student support, and obtain essential materials for daily operations, program orientations and events.

The program is built on four core pillars:

• Academics: College courses aligned with students’ interests and career goals
• Internships: Career development and employment readiness
• Life skills: Fostering independence and self-advocacy
• Campus life and student engagement: Supporting full participation in campus life

This semester, Aspiring Scholars welcomed its third cohort of 10 students, raising the total to 19. The program has collaborated with nearly 70 faculty members, and the number of peer mentors (CSUSM students who provide essential one-on-one support) has increased from a dozen in 2023 to an average of 60 per semester.

The program recently launched on-campus internships for students. Among the internship sites are the Kellogg Library, Cougar Pantry, Center for Children and Families, Campus Recreation, Innovation Hub, and Office of Recruitment & Outreach.

Additionally, Aspiring Scholars has been recognized as a Comprehensive Transition Postsecondary (CTP) Program, allowing participants to apply for federal student aid.

“Our ultimate goal is to build a sustainable, long-term program that continues to evolve and thrive,” Brooks said.  

The application period for the fall 2026 cohort opened Oct. 1 and will close Nov. 30. The first class will graduate in May 2027.

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

The Wall Street Journal determined the rankings based on data collected in three main categories: student outcomes, learning environments and diversity. The WSJ examines how much a university improves students’ chances of graduating and their future earnings, balancing those outcomes with feedback from students on college life.

Over 500 of the top universities were considered and ranked in collaboration with College Pulse and Statista.

CSUSM also placed highly in the following categories:

• 16th in social mobility
• 55th in best value
• 71st in student experience
• 79th in best salaries

The rankings are another example of CSUSM's longstanding commitment to student success. As part of that commitment, the university recently announced the launch of a $200 million fundraising campaign. Dubbed “Blueprint for the Future,” it is designed to make higher education more affordable and accessible for students. 

There are many examples of the blueprint in action, including a recent $2 million National Science Foundation grant to fund annual scholarships for chemistry and biochemistry students. Also, the CSUSM Master of Social Work program has secured more than $3.5 million in funding to cover tuition, fees and training stipends for more than 100 students.

In August, CSUSM ranked among the top schools in the Washington Monthly rankings. And over the summer, CSUSM received 4.5 out of 5 stars on Money magazine’s list of “Best Colleges in America.”

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs
ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

The play follows two men leading double lives under the alias “Ernest,” hoping to escape societal responsibility and captivate women. However, their lies only entangle them further as the women they attract begin to believe they are engaged to the same man.

One of Wilde’s most famous works, the play directed by Em Schweim, president of the theatre club, takes a comedic tone and uses witty dialogue to humorously critique the British upper class.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs
ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

The university also placed in a tie for 13th in top public schools in the West and 40th for best value schools in the West.  

The rankings are another example of CSUSM's longstanding commitment to student success. As part of that commitment, the university recently announced the launch of a $200 million fundraising campaign. Dubbed “Blueprint for the Future,” it is designed to make higher education more affordable and accessible for students. 

There are many examples of the blueprint in action, including a recent $2 million National Science Foundation grant to fund annual scholarships for chemistry and biochemistry students. Also, the CSUSM Master of Social Work program has secured more than $3.5 million in funding to cover tuition, fees and training stipends for more than 100 students.

“Blueprint for the Future” will ensure that students have the tools they need to thrive, connections to local business and industry partners, and a supportive community to propel their higher education.  

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs
ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Led by kinesiology instructor Megan Paterson, the lab sessions gave students the opportunity to explore osmosis and biomechanics through real-world applications. In one experiment, students soaked eggs in vinegar to dissolve the shells, then placed them in various saltwater solutions and beverages of their choice – with most opting for sodas or sports drinks. By weighing the eggs before and after, they estimated how much water was absorbed, offering insight into osmosis and the salt content of everyday drinks.

“This kind of hands-on learning helps students connect theory to practice,” Paterson said. “It’s one thing to read about osmosis; it’s another to see it happen right in front of you.”

In the afternoon sessions taught by Joseph Lawrence, students dissected chicken legs to compare the large muscles of the thigh with the smaller ones in the calf. They then conducted a bone-breaking experiment, measuring the length and diameter of chicken femurs and tibias and calculating the force required to break them.

The lab also incorporated CSUSM’s Anatomage Tables, allowing students to explore human anatomy in 3D and reinforce their understanding through digital dissection.

Inside kinesiology health labs like this, students combine classic techniques with cutting-edge tools, gaining real-world skills that go far beyond textbooks. The experience helps them build a strong foundation for careers in health and human movement. And they’re doing it with purpose.

“These labs weren’t just about science,” Lawrence said. “They were about reinforcing confidence, curiosity and community.”

These immersive experiences reflect CSUSM’s “Blueprint for the Future,” the name of its recently launched $200 million fundraising campaign. You can support the campaign and fuel more hands-on learning experiences like this. Learn more and give today.

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

Neufeldt on Wednesday received the Innovation & Economic Opportunity Award from LEAD San Diego, the leadership development arm of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. She was one of six individuals honored at the 23^rd annual Visionary Awards in San Diego.

“Thank you to LEAD San Diego for this honor," Neufeldt said. "This award is really the campus' award. It's the work we do together for the success and social mobility of our students. I'm so grateful to work alongside so many scholars, innovators and partners to advance what higher education should and must become.”

Neufeldt was nominated for the award for her visionary leadership in a time of rapid change across higher education and for implementing initiatives that expand access, accelerate economic opportunities and redefine how universities prepare students to succeed and lead.

Among other accomplishments, she was specifically recognized for launching multiple buildings and programs at CSUSM: the Integrated Science and Engineering Building (ground broken this summer), the University Village Student Success Housing and Dining Project (set to open next fall), the Innovation Hub, and the Scholars in Wellness and Innovation Fast-Track (SWIFT) Health Programs.

LEAD San Diego is dedicated to cultivating and empowering civic and business leaders in the San Diego region. Through comprehensive leadership development programs, LEAD San Diego provides participants with the tools, insights and connections needed to address the region’s most pressing issues.

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

“Through the partnership with CHABSS, Hidden City Film Festival has provided students with the opportunity to share their work on a large scale to the greater North County community, gain professional experience and make valuable connections within the art and film communities in San Diego County,” said Leslie Foster, a CSUSM art, media and design faculty member who has been involved in the planning of HCFF.

“We're so grateful for the work of art, media and design alumnus Kelly Dexter, who played a significant role in forging this relationship; and we are excited to see the festival feature work by several students and former students. We're also delighted that alumni like Joshua Kim, who now works at the Institute of Contemporary Art, San Diego, were able to serve as members of the film festival's jury. We look forward to growing this relationship, especially in connection with the annual Festival of Arts, hosted by the university's art, media and design department each May.” 

Through volunteer opportunities and festival events, students can connect with industry professionals to expand the opportunities already provided on campus. HCFF runs Sept. 26-28 at the Regal Cinema in Escondido, where CSUSM alumni Kate Clark, Adriana Carmen Alfaro and Paul Bacaj and current student Amara Abaquin-Brown will be screening their films. The festival's mission is to unite the community through the power of film by giving both local and global filmmakers the chance to highlight their creative talent.

“We have a great selection of films to kick off the inaugural year, including lots of local and international selections,” said Nicole Mendez, department coordinator and filmmaker, who is serving on the jury for the festival. 

Carmen Alfaro said her intention in directing her film “Behind the Scenes” was “to tell the kinds of stories that often go untold; the real, everyday experiences of people whose voices aren’t always heard.”

The festival will include curated short film showcases, feature film spotlights and live Q&As as well as a closing awards ceremony.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs
ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

The initiative – led by Laura Coca, director of clinical education – is designed to give students hands-on experience while providing much-needed speech-language pathology (SLP) services to the local community.

“This project is a win-win,” Coca said. “Our students get to apply what they’re learning in a real-world setting, and Interfaith gains access to services that support families and caregivers in meaningful ways.”

Through the partnership, students will collaborate with community members and allied health professionals, offering screenings, support and educational resources. The goal is to strengthen student learning while promoting community well-being.

Alison Scheer-Cohen, chair of the SLP department, said the initiative reflects the department’s commitment to community-engaged scholarship.

“We’re proud to be part of a university that values service and connection,” Scheer-Cohen said. “This partnership bridges academic knowledge with practical service, and it’s a great example of how our students are making a difference even before they graduate.”

The collaboration with Interfaith is expected to enhance access to care for underserved populations while giving students a deeper understanding of the social and cultural factors that shape health outcomes.

“This is about more than clinical skills,” Coca said. “It’s about empathy, communication and building trust with the people we serve.”

The department plans to share outcomes from the project with the campus community, highlighting how engaged scholarship can create lasting impact.

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

The concert will be held Oct. 23 at noon in Arts 111. Cheng will perform with cellist Paul Tseng, music director of the San Diego Music Society. The performance unites two internationally acclaimed musicians and will feature pieces from Mendelssohn and Schumann.

“These are the two representative romantic composers,” Cheng said. “I would like to point out that, especially in the Mendelssohn piece, even though it's called ‘Cello Sonata,’ the piano part has maybe 50 times more notes than the cello. It's very lively and fun yet challenging.”

Cheng joined CSUSM as an assistant professor of music in 2011; she is now the chair of the music department. Her work at CSUSM has helped her achieve the Top Music Teacher Award from Steinway & Sons every year since 2016. In 2021, she received the CSUSM President’s Outstanding Faculty Award in Service and Leadership. In 2023, Cheng was inducted into the Steinway & Sons Teacher Hall of Fame.

The concert is a preview of Cheng’s upcoming concert at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, on Nov. 2 at 4 p.m.

“It’s a chamber concert with piano, cello and harp. The theme of the concert is ‘284 Strings,’ the total number of strings of the three instruments combined,” Cheng said.

The full list of Cheng’s performances includes:

• Oct. 9, 1 p.m., Palomar College, Howard Brubeck Theatre
• Oct. 23, noon, Cal State San Marcos, Arts 111
• Oct. 28, 2 p.m., Grossmont College, Performing and Visual Arts Center
• Nov. 2, 4 p.m., California Center for the Arts, Escondido
• Nov. 9, 2 p.m., Point Loma Community Center

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs
ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

For the 2025-26 academic year, the MSW program has secured or is finalizing six major grants totaling more than $3.5 million. The funding will provide 125 full tuition and fee scholarships or training stipends, covering 60% of the program’s 210 students. Many recipients will receive additional financial support for living expenses, making graduate education more accessible than ever.

“This support is about more than just lowering financial barriers – it’s about assisting students to graduate without the heavy burden of debt, so they can build their lives and careers in the very communities they’re dedicated to serving,” said Blake Beecher, chair of the social work department.

In addition to the grant-funded scholarships and stipends, the MSW program also entered a new partnership with the San Diego Pay It Forward Loan Program this fall. This program offers zero-interest, no-fee loans to CSUSM MSW students, with loan forgiveness after five years of service in public behavioral health settings. Graduates who remain in these roles also earn retention-based loan credits, further incentivizing long-term community impact.

Another area in which the MSW program is supporting students is through employment-based internships. Due to a change in the most recent social work accreditation standards, the MSW program has developed a process in which select students can complete their required internships in qualifying employment settings. This year, 33 MSW students have been approved to participate in the employment-based internship program.

"This is a game-changer for social mobility," said Jennifer Ostergren, dean of the College of Education, Health and Human Services. "Our MSW students are not only gaining access to graduate education, but they’re also being positioned to thrive in the workforce and make lasting contributions to the health and well-being of our region."

The MSW program also continues to deepen its community engagement. Students complete 16 to 20 hours per week in field internships across San Diego and Riverside counties, with expansion underway in Orange, San Bernardino and Imperial counties. These placements allow students to work with diverse populations and provide essential services in real-world settings.

During the 2024-25 academic year, MSW students contributed more than 70,000 hours of pro bono social work services to local organizations and agencies serving at-risk populations.

"Our students are embedded in the community in meaningful ways," Beecher said. "They’re not just learning - they’re leading, advocating, and making a difference in people’s lives."

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

Project R.I.S.E. will focus on multiple priorities, from building pathways into teaching through future educator summits to hosting workshops that will connect high school, community college and university students interested in education. The project also will support the Emerging Leaders Academy, which will prepare teachers for equity-based leadership roles in partnership with local districts and remove financial barriers by expanding a  fund that helps credential candidates cover essential costs like testing and certification fees.

Cassiopeia Guthrie, a member of the Distinguished Teachers in Residence program in the School of Education, is leading the project activities as the Project R.I.S.E. faculty fellow. She will coordinate programming and planning, helping to create sustained outreach and support across partner districts. That role also will lay the groundwork for a future Project R.I.S.E. center, envisioned as a hub to strengthen regional recruitment and pipeline development for aspiring educators.

Moses Ochanji, director of the School of Education, said the initiative is rooted in opportunity and equity.

“By opening doors early, supporting students along the way and removing financial barriers, we are ensuring that students in as early as high school grades see teaching as a viable and welcoming profession and also that our schools will be led by educators who reflect and understand the communities they serve,” Ochanji said.

“The School of Education is grateful for the partnership with SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union in working to remove barriers before they become roadblocks.”

Jennifer Ostergren, dean of the College of Education, Health and Human Services, called the partnership with SchoolsFirst a timely investment.

“This is more than a grant,” Ostergren said. “It is a commitment to building pathways for the next generation of teachers and leaders.”

The announcement comes at a critical time as California continues to face teacher shortages, particularly in high-need communities. With Project R.I.S.E., CSUSM is positioning itself at the forefront of solutions by engaging students early, supporting them through credentialing and preparing them for impactful careers in education.

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

The Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation selected CSUSM during its 2025 grant cycle themed “Wellness Across the Lifespan” to fund programs that encourage hands-on nutritional education. CSUSM is committed to promoting student wellness and working with SHCS to advance a campus culture of health and resilience. 

“We’re incredibly grateful to receive the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation grant to support our Cougars Cooking for Wellness program," said Cathy Nguyen, CSUSM's coordinator of health promotion. "This funding allows us to expand our efforts in educating students about nutrition through hands-on cooking demonstrations and empower students with practical nutrition skills, cooking confidence and access to healthy food resources. This support helps us build a culture of wellness that strengthens student health, connection and academic success.”

CSUSM aims to host four cooking demonstrations, four education sessions and two “Cook and Connect Events” through the program during the 2025-26 academic year. CSUSM also will provide in-person and online sessions for ongoing student access.  

Online nutrition workshops will include many important food- and health-related topics, and cooking demonstrations held on campus will provide students with strategies for cooking in dorm kitchens. Students also will learn how to make meals with ingredients provided at the ASI Cougar Pantry. 

“Cougars Cooking for Wellness” will aim to increase students’ nutrition literacy, influence healthy behaviors, build confidence in food preparation and ultimately stimulate academic success and retention.  

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs
ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

The grant will fund the creation of the Cougars Sexpert Station, a name voted on by CSUSM students, which will be a mobile outreach station hosting monthly information stops across campus.

“This mobile station run by HOPE peer educators will provide CSUSM students access to free safer sex supplies, STI testing information and birth control resources, empowering students to make informed choices about their sexual health,” said Cathy Nguyen, coordinator of health promotion at CSUSM.

Student Health & Counseling Services (SHCS) also will launch a digital awareness campaign on social media and the SHCS website, and a print and digital STI resource guide will be distributed to students living in campus housing.

SHCS will utilize the grant to expand its efforts in STI (sexually transmitted infection) education and prevention through peer education, community partnerships and inclusive health promotion. STI testing is available through SHCS for all currently enrolled students who have paid the university’s health fee. Testing is done by licensed medical professionals in a confidential and supportive environment.

The SPT Mini Grant Program offers financial support to institutions that aim to enhance access to STI education, prevention and testing services on their campuses. More than 40 institutions submitted proposals for the grant.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs
ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314