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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ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Martinez Mendez contended with social anxiety herself as a teen, and she was eager to ensure that her younger siblings knew there were resources and support systems to help if they faced similar challenges.

“I was like their second mother, especially with my sister,” Martinez Mendez said. “It made me think, ‘How can I implement and help with mental health and related issues?’ Because growing up, I never really had the support system.”

Martinez Mendez arrived at Cal State San Marcos initially planning to major in psychology and work toward becoming a clinical psychologist or family therapist. But working at Student Health & Counseling Services (SHCS) inspired her to pursue a slightly different path.

Martinez Mendez spent two years during her undergraduate studies working in CSUSM’s HOPE & Wellness Center as a peer educator. The experience was life-changing, inspiring Martinez Mendez to pursue a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree at CSUSM after she graduated last May as a double major in child and adolescent development and Spanish.

“I realized that I love doing more community outreach than working one on one,” she said.

The HOPE & Wellness Center is among several groups on campus devoted to providing mental health services for CSUSM students. Last year, the university received a $250,000 grant from the Conrad Prebys Foundation to advance those services, part of a larger $6 million investment by the Prebys Foundation in grants to 23 local organizations. 

The Prebys Foundation’s funding helped CSUSM launch a mental health intervention program called the Community of Care that brings together the Cougar Care Network, SHCS and the Crisis Response Team. The grant also served as a catalyst for additional philanthropic support, including funding from the San Diego Foundation’s mental health program for MSW interns and a matching contribution from the Epstein Family Foundation.

 The Community of Care’s efforts to decrease mental health challenges and crises for students include the following strategies: 

• Providing counseling through SHCS for students seeking mental health support. 
• Providing basic needs resources and expanding mental health referral support through Cougar Care Network and its mobile Care Cart. 
• Providing response to time-sensitive mental health crises on campus. 

Martinez Mendez is part of those efforts as a MSW graduate assistant this year for the HOPE & Wellness Center. She works closely with Cathy Nguyen, the coordinator of health promotion and a senior health educator, and Rosa Hunt, a health educator.

Martinez Mendez became more interested in social work through her undergraduate work with psychology professor Aleksandria Grabow. It was Grabow who taught her about the many different areas that social work touches. A self-described introvert, Martinez Mendez also credits psychology professor Kimberly Vanderbilt for helping her grow and become more comfortable working with families.

As a MSW student, Martinez Mendez attends classes two days a week while working 20 hours a week at schools in San Marcos Unified School District to earn her pupil personnel services credential, which authorizes individuals to work as school counselors, school psychologists or school social workers.

It’s all part of her goal of becoming a school social worker or therapist to continue advocating for mental health for school-aged children.

Visit the Student Health & Counseling Services website to learn about free mental health first aid trainings. SHCS will host the “Suicide Awareness Walk and Candlelight Vigil”  on Sept. 25 at 5 p.m. Learn more about other upcoming events to support mental health on the SHCS events calendar.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

While her father has been an exceptional woodcarver for decades, Tania Arceo focuses on painting. But not in the way one would expect.

A child 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, Areceo had an eye-opening experience when she realized how much of an impact she makes 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. That period helped her understand the different situations she might face. She also was trained in court report writing. 

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, he took on the responsibility to care for the family. 

With this new burden, her father looked toward the art of woodcarving to make ends meet. 

“He would stop by these wood shops and he would hang out 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.”

Arceo’s father is attracted to woodcarving in large part because of the magic he finds in the wood and the story it tells. 

For Arceo’s upcoming graduation, her father used his skills to show admiration for his daughter being the first in the family to graduate from college. The wooden 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 forge 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 believes she owes it to him to pursue higher education. 

“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," she said. "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.

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Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

It was “Risk and Resiliency in Childhood and Adolescence,” a requirement for his child and adolescent development major. Frank’s professor, Sharon Hamill, had one message above all others that she wanted students to take away from the class.

“I told them to always remember how important it is to have an adult who cares about you,” Hamill said. “It changes everything. Just an engagement with someone where you really hear them, you know them, and they feel valued, that in and of itself helps to make young people – and all of us actually – very much more resilient.”

It’s a lesson that stayed with Frank after graduating in 2019, and one he continued to keep top of mind as he earned his master’s in social work from CSUSM two years later. Today, he’s putting that advice to work in his role as a therapist at Casa de Amparo, a short-term residential therapeutic program for girls ages 12-18 who have been victims of child abuse and neglect.

“We learned in that class that the biggest predictor for kids building resiliency skills is having a trusted adult in their life, just a trusted adult that they can connect with,” said Frank, recalling Hamill’s course.

“We talked about this idea of buffers. If a kid is going down the wrong path, a buffer gets in the way and steers them to a different path. And that buffer is a trusted, caring adult. I remember thinking, ‘I want to be a buffer for these kids.’ That was a huge moment in my life when it came to why I want to do this work.”

Frank was an intern at Casa de Amparo, which is three miles north of campus, while pursuing his master’s. His positive demeanor, energy and rapport with both clients and staff led to his being hired full time after graduation. A member of CSUSM’s basketball team while a student, Frank saw a need among the girls at Casa de Amparo for a health program that would positively impact their physical and mental well-being.

The result was his creation last March of an incentive-based workout program. Children at Casa de Amparo are given a weekly allowance, and Frank worked with the organization’s administration to provide financial incentives for the biweekly workouts.

“We see so many of our kids who haven't had a healthy lifestyle modeled for them,” said Erin Gospodarec, Casa de Amparo’s chief operating officer. “Being able to see them focus on their physical health and how that is improving their overall mental health has just been dramatic.”

Frank’s program includes five exercises – regular pushups, modified pushups, planks, wall sits and running. He intentionally chose exercises that require no equipment and would allow the girls to easily do them outside of the formal biweekly workouts. He even created an additional incentive to help motivate the girls to continue doing the exercises on their own.

Girls receive $1 extra in their allowance for each exercise they complete, meaning they can earn an additional $5 if they complete all five exercises. They can earn up to $5 more by beating their previous record ($1 for each record broken).

If the girls see that they can set a goal and surpass it when it comes to pushups or wall sits, Frank said they’ll learn that they can apply that to other parts of their life, too.

“The reality is lots of these kids have been abused,” he said. “So they’ve had their physical bodies taken from them in some ways. And now, because of that experience, they no longer feel in control their physical bodies. Doing these types of exercises, doing this workout program, it teaches them to regain control of their physical bodies.”

And that, Hamill noted, is what sets Frank’s program apart.

“It's not just an exercise class,” she said. “It's really about learning how to say, ‘I can take control over my own body, my own behavior. And I've got this person here who cares about me and is going to support my efforts.’ In many cases, it might be the first time in their life that anybody's ever done that.”

The positive feedback Frank has received, both from participants and professionals, has him examining how he might expand the program. He is meeting with representatives from CSUSM’s Innovation Hub to learn more about ways in which he can grow it.

But the goal isn’t about building a business, it’s about having a lasting impact on at-risk children.

“I've been a teacher for 35 years, and I've never had a student that was so intuitive and so engaged – and I've had lots of really smart students,” Hamill said. “Alec is the kind of person who you meet, and he changes things for you. There's an expression that says ‘Be the person who makes other people believe in good people,’ and Alec is that person.”

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Honorees were nominated by faculty or staff and endorsed by their college’s dean. Here is a closer look at each award recipient:

Aidelen Montoya, special major in studio art, museum studies, and theory 

President’s Outstanding Graduate 

Dean’s Award, College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences 

Montoya’s degree program only scratches the surface of her interdisciplinary and community-engaged accomplishments. She was selected as one of nine students of color in the Planet Mentorship pilot in which she conducted research resulting in a beaded data visualization that addresses environmental issues through a social justice lens.  

Nominating professor Lucy HG Solomon noted that the quality of this presentation led to her inviting Montoya to join a prestigious residency on Volcan Mountain where they held a public exhibition of her work.  

Montoya integrates themes of climate justice into her art. Through her research and creative activities, she crosses boundaries between physical sciences and the arts with a mind for practical situations such as improving museum sustainability and K-12 education. 

Kianni Albrecht, Master of Social Work 

Dean’s Award, College of Education, Health and Human Services 

Albrecht has dedicated her career to serving the veteran community. She grew up in a military family and was able to see firsthand the necessity of trauma-informed and culturally sensitive mental health services. She interned at the Veterans Affairs Healthcare Systems where she served veterans who have been impacted by the vulnerabilities of marginalized and systemic disparities.  

To address this issue on a larger scale, Albrecht and her father have coordinated presentations at local, national and global conferences, which provide both a social worker perspective and the veteran’s perspective to help reduce stigma and encourage awareness of mental health resources for the treatment of PTSD.  

Albrecht pursued many leadership opportunities during her time at CSUSM, including vice president of the Social Work Coalition and representing the university at the National Association of Social Workers-CA Lobby Days where she spoke with policymakers to advocate for legislation that aligns with the values of the social work profession.  

Serena Farrell, biological sciences 

Dean’s Award, College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics 

A first-generation college student, Farrell has overcome every hurdle in her path as she worked to earn money to support her education, ran long distance on both the cross country and track teams, engaged in research that earned recognition at CSUSM and nationally, and served in countless leadership roles, including as the CTSEM representative to ASI.  

At CSUSM, Farrell not only found mentors, but she also worked hard to find every opportunity she could to reach back and be that positive voice for others. Farrell has provided CSUSM’s student body with career-advancing workshops, opportunities and panels. In the last year, Farrell has helped organize a career panel and a Women in STEM panel.  

Farrell is also a URISE scholar in the Center for Training, Research, and Educational Excellence where she has further demonstrated her commitment to her education and research while mentoring the next generation of scientists from historically underrepresented backgrounds in STEM. 

Learn more about Farrell here.

Jennifer Figueroa, master’s psychological science 

Dean’s Award, Graduate Studies 

A first-generation Ecuadorian American college student from a low-income background, Figueroa has demonstrated outstanding achievements throughout her time at CSUSM. She has achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.82, successfully defended her master’s thesis and trained new members of her research team.  

During her time in the master’s program Figueroa has amassed several research achievements, including one first-author publication, three first-author conference presentations, and four co-author conference presentations. 

Nominating professor Haylee DeLuca Bishop noted that Figueroa’s achievements are outstanding for someone so early in their career and they reflect her initiative and intellectual curiosity.  

Rachel Jackson, business administration, management  

Gerevas Family Dean’s Award, College of Business Administration 

Jackson’s considerable contributions have been essential to the rebuilding of an active student community in CoBA and across CSUSM amid the return to an on-campus, post-pandemic environment. Her officer positions in CoBA Management Society alongside her membership in CoBA’s new Dean’s Student Advisory Council has helped build relationships with the external community for meaningful society-community events.  

Jackson assisted in a meeting with a Fortune 500 company, and the representatives specifically mentioned her as having a positive impact on their decision to move the new relationship forward which helped to create employment opportunities for CoBA students. 

Nominating professor Catalin Ratiu highlighted Jackson’s energy and charisma, noting that she has helped the college in many ways. Through her active participation and strong leadership, Jackson has contributed to creating a sense of belonging and support within the CoBA community.  

Ilianna Ramirez, psychological sciences 

Dean’s Award, Dean of Students 

Ramirez has made lasting contributions to student life at CSUSM through her many involvements, including the ASI Board of Directors, President of the American Indian Student Alliance, Arts & Lectures and her work with the Anti-Racism, Anti-Colonialism, Social Justice Committee. 

Ramirez took her experience one step further through an internship student teaching at her community college where she is creating a pathway for others and laying the foundation for her future career as a college professor. 

Ramirez has strived to help create a sense of belonging at CSUSM. She utilizes her ability to empathize with others who have experiences different from hers to create connections not only within the American Indian Student Alliance but also with other student life areas. 

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“I love studying about humanity,” said Young about the CSUSM program. “Learning about the potential of people and the power in people is fascinating. There is an endless wealth of knowledge, and you can never run out of things to learn about humans.”

The BA in criminology and justice studies at CSUSM at Temecula draws on the study of sociology and criminology to build an understanding of the social processes surrounding both crime and social justice in order to pursue solutions for positive social change.

“The curriculum is so diverse,” Young said. “The first semester, we had a theater class that tied a lot of things together for us. We also had a class about families dealing with economic issues or family violence and the root causes. Every semester, we had a class that focused on one ethnic population, something that was very important to me.”

After completing his bachelor’s degree in the fall of 2019, Young looked into the university’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program and applied. In addition, he applied to the Title IV-E Child Welfare Stipend program at CSUSM, which provides an annual stipend for up to two years and specialized training for students committed to working in public child welfare.

Young was admitted to both programs and started MSW studies in the fall of 2020. As part of the Title IV-E program, he is committed to working at a county child welfare agency for two years after graduation.

In addition, he is interning at a county child welfare agency for the MSW’s field instruction component each semester. The combination of studies and field internships has clear benefits, he said.

“It makes everything we are learning practical,” Young explains. “When you study something, you can imagine how it would work. But if you go out there and you do it, everything clicks. I think that’s why they have such a high success rate in this program.”

During his first year in the MSW program, Young interned in emergency response services with a child welfare agency in North County San Diego. This front-end work involves initial responses to and evaluation of cases of abuse or neglect. For his final two semesters, Young will intern in back-end social work, or the continuing services after a child is placed in the care of the courts.

Along with learning the technical skills needed in social work — from interviewing children and families to working in the CWS/CMS (Child Welfare Services/Case Management System) — Young is developing practical skills such as flexibility.

“In social work, you can have a thousand things planned out for the day, but those things might end up not happening,” he said.

For now, Young is interested in front-end emergency response work, but he still has another year to go and more to experience. Regardless, he is looking forward to the career he sees developing.

“These degrees give me an opportunity for a career that I can grow with and that I can use to make a difference in the community,” Young said. “Eventually, I would like to be in a leadership position.”

For more information on the BA in Criminology and Justice Studies, visit csusm.edu/el/crim, and on the Master of Social Work, visit csusm.edu/socialwork.

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Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

The students who contributed to the work included Kara Luong, Maya Saulino, Morgan Simmons and Carly Smith.

Sports Engineering noted that the strong field of finalists required a tiebreaker vote by Jonathan Shepherd, the president of the International Sports Engineering Association. The CSUSM team’s paper was only the second surfing manuscript ever published in Sports Engineering.

Social work professor named research fellow

Professor Jimmy Young is among 26 social work experts from across the U.S. and Canada selected as research fellows for the Social Work Health Futures Lab, which is sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and hosted at Portland State University.

Young will work on several projects and receive training to become a certified futurist during the 18-month fellowship.

Nursing program among best in West

The nursing program has been ranked 21^st in California and 44^th in the West by Nursing Schools Almanac, which recently released its 2020 rankings of the best U.S. nursing schools.

Nursing Schools Almanac collected data on more than 3,000 institutions, and only 20% made its list of the best nursing schools in each geographic region.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

The Social Work Pioneer Program was created to honor members of the social work profession who have contributed to the evolution and enrichment of the profession. The Pioneer Program identifies and recognizes individuals whose unique dedication, commitment and determination have improved social and human conditions.

NASW Pioneers are considered role models for future generations of social workers. Their contributions are reflected in every aspect of the profession, as well as in the establishment of social policies and human services programs.

Haynes will be honored at the NASW Social Work Pioneers 13^th Annual Program & Luncheon on Oct. 28 in Washington, D.C. The NASW is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world with 132,000 members.

Haynes is CSUSM’s longest-serving president and the senior president in the 23-campus California State University system, the first woman to hold that position. She has served for over 30 years as an academic administrator and is in her 23rd year as a university president, including 8½ years as president of the University of Houston-Victoria.

Drawing upon her experience as a social worker, Haynes has long championed higher education as an engine of social mobility and regional prosperity. Fifty-four percent of CSUSM’s 2017 graduating class were the first in their families to earn a four-year degree and 38 percent were from historically underrepresented backgrounds.

Under her leadership, CSUSM has become a first-choice campus for the region, with a particular focus on serving educationally at-risk student populations such as:

• Former foster youth, who have an 86 percent retention rate — 30 points higher than the average college student and nearly 15 percent higher than similar support programs — thanks to CSUSM’s ACE Scholars Services, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
• Veterans, including the highest percentage of veterans and military-affiliated students in the CSU system.
• American Indians, who comprise 4 percent of CSUSM’s total student population; the University has the highest per-capita number — and the only increasing number — of American Indian students in the CSU system.

Haynes leads CSUSM with her eye continually trained on social transformation through access and education; increasing the educational attainment rate of students in the region; developing relevant degree programs that make CSUSM students in demand; and engaging with the community in unique and meaningful ways. She has overseen tremendous growth at CSUSM, including the construction of 10 new facilities, the addition of a Temecula campus, and the doubling of relevant new academic programs and career certificates.

Haynes has received numerous awards and honors for her work, including:

• The 2015 Woman of the Year Award from San Diego Magazine for her commitment to creating positive change in the region;
• The 2015 President of the Year Award from the California State Student Association, which represents all 460,000 CSU students, for outstanding commitment to CSU students;
• Named a Power Broker of 2015 by the San Diego Business Journal for being a “catalyst for change and a champion for the underserved” in her leadership of CSUSM;
• The Cool Woman of 2015 Award from the San Diego Girl Scouts; and
• In 2014, the Social Work Degree Guide named Haynes the third-most influential social worker in the United States.

A first-generation college student, Haynes holds both a doctorate in Social Work from the University of Texas in Austin and a master’s in Social Work from McGill University in Montreal.

About California State University San Marcos

Building on an innovative 27-year history, California State University San Marcos is a forward-focused institution, dedicated to preparing future leaders, building great communities and solving critical issues. Located on a 304-acre hillside overlooking the City of San Marcos, it is the only public four-year comprehensive university serving North San Diego, Southwest Riverside and South Orange Counties.

The University enrolls nearly 17,000 students. With approximately 2,000 employees, the institution is a Great College to Work For® (The Chronicle of Higher Education). As a recipient of the annual HEED Award since 2014—a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion—CSUSM is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment.

Accreditation is a rigorous multiyear process to verify that social work degree programs meet high standards.

Blake Beecher, chair of CSUSM’s Department of Social Work, notes that accreditation is a recognition of the outstanding work of the faculty and staff and a reflection of the quality of the program.

Accreditation enables program graduates to be eligible for the state licensure process and provides greater access to professional opportunities which impact the quality of life for all populations.

“Cal State San Marcos’ accreditation in its Master of Social Work program is a credit to the hard work, commitment and dedication of Dr. Beecher and faculty in the department,” said Janet Powell, dean of CSUSM’s College of Education, Health and Human Services.

Under the umbrella of the College of Education, Health and Human Services, the Master of Social Work program helps to develop culturally competent, ethical and effective professionals for direct social work practice with diverse populations. The program prepares students for practice in a variety of settings, including public, private and nonprofit.

The Master of Social Work degree requires completion of 60 graduate units and may be completed in two or three years, depending on full- or part-time status. The MSW program at CSUSM has already been recognized as a high quality graduate social work program as indicated by its Top 10 ranking at graduateprograms.com.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of social workers is projected to grow from 12-19 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations. Overall job prospects are particularly good for candidates with a MSW degree and state licensure.

Please visit www.csusm.edu/socialwork for more information.

“I am inspired by the children and families that I worked with, as a clinician, to conduct research and teach future social workers,” said Lee, who joined CSUSM’s new Department of Social Work in 2014.

Lee researches how to improve services for children with mental health needs involved in child welfare and special education. She found her calling in social work after working in New York City at a child welfare agency serving children battling medical illnesses. After earning her masters in social work from Columbia University, Lee worked at Hollygrove, a children’s residential treatment facility that had once been home to a young Marilyn Monroe.

Prior to joining CSUSM, Lee was a National Institute of Mental Health pre- and post-doctoral fellow and the inaugural Sonja Bilger Romanowski Professor in Social Work at Tulane University in New Orleans.

Lee, who holds a Ph.D. from Washington University in St. Louis said, “It is exciting to be a part of California’s newest Master of Social Work program at a public institution that is educating social workers who reflect the diversity of our community—most of whom will serve our region.”

What’s more, Lee grew up in Orange County, so returning to California has brought her full circle.

“I am a product of California’s public schools. Like me, many of our students are the first in their family to graduate from college, so earning a graduate degree is a particularly special accomplishment.”

Six outstanding graduates were honored by CSUSM President Karen Haynes at a special awards dinner earlier this month. All were recognized for their academic excellence, service to the community and overcoming myriad challenges.

The six, nominated by faculty or staff and endorsed by their college’s dean, were selected from some 2,650 students in the Class of 2015.

Carlos Rosas, B.A. Psychology

President’s Outstanding Graduate

Deans’ Award for the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences, (CHABSS) Dean’s Award.

When Carlos was young, his farmworker parents lived in a home made of cardboard. But they never gave up their dream of a better life for their children, and they did everything in their power to make that dream come true.

Carlos didn’t let them down.

After graduating from high school, Carlos worked full-time while working to earn an associate degree in liberal studies from MiraCosta College. Struggling at first, his sense of purpose was ignited when he co-founded the Human Rights Council of Oceanside with the goal of educating local immigrant communities about their civil and human rights. Meeting with day laborers, Carlos was struck with how heartened and encouraged they were to meet a young Latino in the process of obtaining a college degree.

“As a result of these experiences, Carlos rededicated himself to his education,” said Psychology Professor Heike Mahler.

Upon transferring to CSUSM, Carlos worked in Mahler’s research lab, designing and implementing several ambitious projects, among them examining the mental health effects of intra—versus inter—group discrimination among Latinos. Once completed and published, the project will be the first quantitative study of its kind. Carlos also broke ground on a research project examining how young people communicate about substance abuse and mental health issues on social media. And he is a co-author of two manuscripts based on this research—both are under review for publication.

Carlos, president of the CSUSM chapter of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science, has been named to the CHABSS Dean’s List every semester since he enrolled at the University. And he’s been offered the Abraham Lincoln Fellowship at the University of Illinois, Chicago, for graduate study in psychology.

“Carlos is one of the most highly recognized and successful students in the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences,” said President Haynes. “He has taken every opportunity afforded him at Cal State San Marcos, and his academic and extracurricular achievements are truly impressive.”

Panos Kotselas, B.S., Business Administration

Dean’s Award for the College of Business Administration

“Panos Kotselas is a global business management student who excels in understanding cultures, domestic and international business, as well as management concepts and the ability to apply them,” said Klaus Schryen, director of the Global Business Management Option. Kotselas also speaks four languages—English, Spanish, Greek and German.

And he is a quick study. Panos learned German just two months prior to embarking on the capstone of his studies, a six-month internship at multinational conglomerate Daimler AG in Germany. At Daimler, Kotselas earned rave reviews as he found himself working with multinational suppliers around the globe.

Has served as president and vice president of marketing for the CSUSM Global Business Management Association, where he planned and hosted bi-weekly events and guest speakers for audiences of more than 250 students. He also has played on the CSUSM men’s soccer team for four years and was named an NAIA Scholar-Athlete for two successive years. In addition, he was named an NAIA “Champion of Character” and his teammates named their annual Coach’s Award after him.

“This accomplishment does not make me content, but makes me want to push harder to achieve more of the goals and dreams I have set for myself,” Panos said.

Maricela (Marcie) Gonzalez, M.A. Social Work

Dean’s Award for the College of Education, Health and Human Services.

Marcie’s journey epitomizes the struggle of Mexican migrant farm workers. One of nine children, she grew up in the Central Valley, where her father was employed as a seasonal farmhand. With no English-speaking skills, Marcie and her family lived in overcrowded migrant camps for several months each during the harvest.

“It was in this challenging environment where Marcie first encountered a social worker who helped her family secure basic needs,” said Jacky Thomas, a professor in the Department of Social Work. “Marcie describes this experience as a defining moment in her life—she knew at that moment that she wanted to be a social worker.

Marcie’s exemplary academic record and unfailing professional behavior are even more notable as she is raising two young sons while her husband, who is active duty military, is often deployed for much of the year. Last year, she successfully interned in a competitive, complex and rigorous field placement at the Lake Elsinore Child and Family Clinic in Riverside County.

Said Gonzalez: “I want to be able to bring about social change because I have a profound concern for individuals and society as a whole.”

Josephine Gonzales, B.S., Cellular and Molecular Biology

Dean’s Award for the College of Science and Mathematics

Josephine’s research is focused on solving critical issues in immuno-suppression and the impact on wound healing, and data she has generated will be submitted for publication this summer. Her research has already been presented at the National Conference of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science; the American Association for Immunologists; and the Cal State San Marcos Symposium on Student Research, Creativity and Innovation. She also participated in a summer research internship at the University of Miami in 2013.

“Josephine is passionate about helping others to be successful in the sciences,” said Julie Jameson, an assistant professor of Biological Sciences. “She actively engages in the Learning Assistant and Supplemental Instruction Programs; in the after-school weekly STEM program at Vista Magnet Middle School; and in STEM cafés at local elementary schools. And, as if this isn’t enough, Josephine is one of our most energetic STEM Ambassadors, performing everything from classroom demonstrations, rocket launches, and hands-on lab activities to tours of the labs, STEM Center and campus.”

Gonzales is planning to pursue her Ph.D. at Cornell University.

“I hope to continue my work in helping increase diversity in the sciences and continue to promote STEM programs throughout the nation. I’d also like to continue to support diversity programs that help others, like my younger self, who do not know what a scientist does and the career path it allows.”

Keith Gemmell, MBA through the Fully Employed MBA (FEMBA) Program

Graduate Studies Dean’s Award

Keith graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University and subsequently began working for Moonlight Productions in Vista, where he managed operations for events at the Moonlight Amphitheatre and AVO Playhouse. Several years later, he decided to return to school and pursue his MBA at CSUSM.

“Drawing on content from the MBA program, he was able to enhance his professional work experience, including developing marketing materials and strategies, maintaining facility budgets, negotiating contracts and agreements, and supervising event projects,” said Mohammed Oskoorouchi, associate dean of the College of Business Administration and director of Graduate Programs.

Halfway through his FEMBA program, Gemmell accepted a job as community coordinator for the City of Carlsbad, where he oversees the creation and implementation of library programs.

“For me the greatest accomplishment I take away from my graduate school experience is proving that my parent’s hard work to raise six boys was worth it,” Gemmell said. “They are deeply proud of my accomplishment to be the first in our family to complete a master’s degree and even more proud of the enhanced husband and father I have become.”

Haley Perko, B.S. Kinesiology

Dean of Students Award for Outstanding Leadership

The Dean of Students Award for Outstanding Leadership is given to a graduating student who, while maintaining excellence in academic achievements, has also exhibited leadership through student-centered service, inclusiveness, teamwork and innovation. Perko has been elected to several positions in student government and currently serves as President and CEO of Associated Students, Inc., where she oversees a $1.2 million budget benefiting student life and activities at CSUSM. In addition, she has been a Resident Advisor for two years in University Housing and is actively involved in her sorority, Alpha Omicron Pi, as activities chair. She’s also a member of the Kinesiology Club.

“Haley has demonstrated the true spirit of `servant leadership’ by finding the time and energy in her busy schedule to volunteer for multiple community service projects, such as Donate, Don't Dump; Habitat for Humanity; and the American Cancer Society's Breast Cancer Walk,” Said Christian Chavez, assistant resident director at University Village.

Perko will be moving to Austin to work with AmeriCorps.

“Being a leader is about making a difference and encouraging others to become leaders themselves,” Perko said. “We all have a say, and we all can make a difference. Sometimes we just need that extra push to realize our individual potential.”

Dr. Karen Haynes

Under her leadership, the University has become a first-choice campus for the region, with a particular focus on serving educationally-at-risk populations such as former foster youth, veterans and Native Americans. Fifty-two percent of the 2014 graduating class were the first in their families to earn a four-year degree; and well over half of the student body identifies as being a minority. Dr. Haynes’ commitment to public higher education is helping CSUSM transform the lives of students and families throughout Southern California.

According to Social Work Degree Guide, selection was based on merit, scholastic study and political activism. From celebrities to university professors, the list includes individuals who plan, engage and support social work.

Dr. Haynes recently celebrated her tenth anniversary as president of CSUSM. Her forty year career in higher education includes academic leadership roles at the University of Houston, where she served as the dean of the Graduate School of Social Work for ten years, and the University of Houston-Victoria where she served as president for eight and a half years.

A former dean and professor of social work, Dr. Haynes has authored and co-authored numerous books, articles, and publications on political social work, including the landmark text, Affecting Change: Social Workers in the Political Arena, co-authored with Jim Mickelson. She holds a doctorate in social work from the University of Texas in Austin and currently serves as the Presidential Sponsor for the American Council on Education’s Southern California Network of Women in Higher Education. Recent awards and honors include being the 2013 recipient of the San Diego Business Journal’s Darlene Marcos Shiley Educational Leadership Award, and the 2013 American Council on Education’s Donna Shavlik Award for her commitment to advancing women through career and leadership development and for mentoring women on the state and national levels. She was also the 2010 recipient of the San Diego Business Journal’s 2010 Most Admired CEO Award, and was honored in 2007 with the San Diego YWCA’s Top Women in Industry Award and the San Diego Business Journal’s “Women Who Mean Business” Award.

“The principles of social work have remained at the center of my life’s work and serve as a fundamental touchstone for my career in higher education administration,” said Dr. Haynes. “Social workers promote social justice and social change, and it is these values that have served me well as a university president. Thanks to social work, I am a better president and a better agent of change.”