Individuals can enjoy free food and music while networking in a relaxed, informal setting with local industry partners, CSTEM faculty and military-connected students.

CSUSM represents the highest per capita concentration of student veterans in the CSU system, housing nearly 500 veterans and serving more than 1,800 military-connected students who make up 11% of the university’s student body.

CSUSM also earned the 2026-2027 Military Friendly School designation, receiving a Gold Award for its work on behalf of military-connected students and their families.

Media Contact

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

CSUSM Giving Day is for everyone who loves CSUSM to join together in support of the university and maximize their impact through a matching gift for 24 hours, from midnight-11:59 p.m.

Last year’s Giving Day raised $828,397 from 2,444 gifts in just 24 hours. The total raised was $80,000 more than the record set in the previous year.

Every gift impacts the students as they strive toward their goal of a CSUSM degree. The more support from alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends, the more students' lives are changed and impacted.

Every gift counts toward the university’s “Blueprint for the Future” fundraising campaign, the largest in CSUSM’s history.

Find more information on the Giving Day FAQ webpage.

Media Contact

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

Cal State San Marcos student Naeem Miller was honored at the

Miller, a junior pursuing a degree in electrical engineering, has served as vice president of the San Diego North County NAACP Youth Council and as a political action chair for the Youth Council. His advocacy includes voting rights, environmental justice, gun violence prevention and youth civic engagement. His work with Clean Earth 4 Kids and his participation in legislative advocacy at the California State Capitol further demonstrate his commitment to creating meaningful change.

Miller also amplifies youth voices, drives meaningful community engagement and his leadership embodies the highest ideals of service and advocacy.

“Naeem seemingly challenges narrow perceptions of what student leadership looks like and reminds us that our students are not simply preparing to become leaders after graduation; many are already leading and making a difference today,” said Kevane Coleman, emeritus board member of CSUSM’s Black Faculty and Staff Association.

Media Contact

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

CSUSM was one of five schools from the California State University system to make the list.

U.S. Veterans Magazine annually recognizes spotlight employers, schools and supplier programs that demonstrate a meaningful commitment to serving the military community.

CSUSM represents the highest per capita concentration of student veterans in the CSU system, housing nearly 500 veterans and serving more than 1,800 military-connected students who make up 11% of the university’s student body.

CSUSM also earned the 2026-2027 Military Friendly School designation, receiving a Gold Award for its work on behalf of military-connected students and their families.

Media Contact

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

To apply, students must be nominated by a single institution through their campus representative; schools may submit up to four annual nominations, or up to six if they include transfer or veteran students.

This scholarship covers eligible undergraduate expenses for tuition, fees, books and room and board up to $7,500 per academic year for up to two years.

Visit the Barry Goldwater Foundation Scholarship website for more information on eligibility and applying.

After reviewing the steps and eligibility, students may contact campus representative Robert Iafe with questions.

The internal campus deadline to apply is Nov. 15.

Media Contact

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

The event will feature a formal ceremony, a moderated student veteran panel and Q&A, and a catered reception. It is open to all CSUSM students, faculty, staff and community members.

CSUSM represents the highest per capita concentration of student veterans in the CSU system, housing nearly 500 veterans and serving more than 1,800 military-connected students who make up 11% of the university’s student body.

CSUSM also earned the 2026-2027 Military Friendly School designation, receiving a Gold Award for its work on behalf of military-connected students and their families.

Media Contact

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

But after finding support and a community to feed her interests, she quickly became an accomplished psychology student, activist, leader and researcher.

Aquino’s work was recognized this month as she was presented with the President’s Student Champion Award for Inclusive Excellence and Diversity at the 14th annual All Peoples Luncheon on Oct. 27. CSUSM annually honors a student with this award, which is given to an individual who has advanced diversity, educational equity and social justice to create a more inclusive and empowering campus.

“What stands out about Yolotzin is her commitment to using her education and leadership to create opportunities for others,” CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said. “She came to CSUSM wondering where she belonged. Today, she is helping other students find their place and their voice.”

Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanx de Aztlán, also known as MEChA, is a Chicanx- and Latinx-based student organization that advocates for political consciousness, cultural awareness, history and higher education. After some encouragement from a faculty mentor, Marcelo Garzo Montalvo, Aquino founded and is now co-president of MEChA de CSUSM.

Through MEChA, Aquino has helped inform campus policy development involving immigration-impacted students and held cultural and political education workshops to inform others and build a sense of belonging in the community through volunteer work and support. MEChA has helped mixed status and undocumented students through college life while advocating for them when they need support. Many students are aware of wanting or needing help, but struggle to find out how to do it on their own. Aquino, with a little help from the people around her, created this community to make a difference on campus and in the community around her.

“MEChA has become the definition of what CSUSM hopes that students achieve,” Aquino said. “We have advanced the university’s goals in social justice by bringing to light social inequities among students and we follow through by helping guide new university policy. We have brought various underserved student groups together by collaborating on events and workshops. We have provided leadership to local high school students and have encouraged and guided them in their college applications, and we have promoted and upheld inclusive excellence not only through our existence as an organization but by also standing up for students who did not feel that their voice would be listened to.”

MEChA was not only the thing that allowed Aquino to break out of her shell. Through her involvement in MEChA, Aquino was offered positions on the Rapid Response Team at CSUSM and as an Undergraduate Representative for the Hispanic-Serving Institute Planning Committee. The Rapid Response Team is a presidentially appointed team that develops campus policy to support and advocate for undocumented and mixed-status students. Aquino helped develop campus alerts for immigration enforcement on campus and contributed to the creation of the HSI summit agenda, events and a student panel.

Aquino is also a lead student researcher in the Community Well-being and Prevention Research Lab. While guiding other students, she develops her own research, which is centered around the Hispanic population and underserved communities. Her research is her own found way to fuel her power to change and advocate for those who cannot themselves. She puts her role as a student and leader toward her work and uses her voice to speak out and bring awareness.

Aquino has been involved in extensive research through her role as an undergraduate student researcher at the National Latino Research Center and she is a McNair Scholar, which is helping her to prepare to apply to Ph.D. programs. She also has experience as an EMT working night shifts during her sophomore year, all while balancing full-time coursework, family and friends, advocacy work and well-being.

After Aquino graduates in May, she plans to pursue her doctorate as she works toward her goal of becoming a professor and having her own community and health psychology research lab. But her impact on CSUSM will be deeply remembered, valued and built upon even after her graduation.

“I don’t think I would be where I am now without going to CSUSM,” Aquino said.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

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

GradFest is an opportunity for students to get their caps and gowns, CSUSM alumni gear and much more. 

Students also can have their pictures taken by DiFranco Photography. 

Commencement Office representatives will be available to answer questions.

Visit the Fall GradFest website for more information. 

Media Contact

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

Patel, who represents the 76th Assembly District that includes San Marcos, presented a $1 million check to ASI during an event on campus Thursday. CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt was in attendance, along with multiple ASI leaders.

The ASI Cougar Pantry provides CSUSM students experiencing food insecurity with access to nutritious food and other essential resources. The state investment will help strengthen the pantry’s infrastructure, expand its capacity and allow it to better meet the needs of students across the campus community.

“Cal State San Marcos students are working hard to build their futures, and hunger should never stand in the way of that,” Patel said. “The ASI Cougar Pantry is a lifeline for students who may be balancing classes, work, rising living costs and other responsibilities. As chair of the Assembly Education Committee, I’m proud to support this investment right here in our community so more students have the resources and stability they need to stay focused, succeed and reach graduation.”

The $1 million in funding will add capacity to the pantry, which has seen higher traffic since the August opening of Black Oak Hall, an affordable student housing project that added 555 new beds to the campus footprint. The money will improve critical back-of-house infrastructure, including commercial refrigeration and freezer systems, food storage and handling equipment, shelving, operational equipment, and essential supplies needed to safely receive, store and distribute a greater volume and variety of food.

The ASI Cougar Pantry serves more than 300 students per day and distributes more than 11,000 pounds of food per week.

“As a second-year student at CSUSM, visiting the ASI Cougar Pantry has been something I have looked forward to every week since my very first week on campus,” said Tristan Bugnot, ASI president. “Not only have I personally experienced the relief of knowing where my next meal will come from, but I have also been able to focus on what matters most: being a student. Now, as president, having the opportunity to volunteer at the pantry has given me an even greater appreciation for the dedication, compassion and hard work that our ASI Cougar Pantry team puts in every single day to support our students.

“This incredible $1 million donation is more than just a financial contribution; it is an investment in our students, their futures and their ability to succeed.”

In response to a survey showing that more than half of CSUSM students faced food insecurity, ASI passed a resolution 10 years ago in support of creating a food pantry on campus. Weekly food distribution began in 2017, followed the next year by the opening of a physical space.

Since 2017, the ASI Cougar Pantry has supplied free fresh produce, pantry staples and essential groceries to students on a weekly basis through its main pantry, and more recently through additional satellite refrigerators across campus.

“Our ASI Cougar Pantry is a critical link in our students’ pathway to achieving social mobility; we know that students cannot thrive academically when their basic needs are unmet,” said Annie Macias, ASI’s executive director. “By serving so many students each day, the Cougar Pantry provides the nourishment, stability and dignity they need to stay focused on their education and build a brighter future.”

Kappa Sigma is holding a fundraiser this week in the name of Jason Beyer, a double CSUSM alumnus who was diagnosed early this month with porocarcinoma, a rare form of skin cancer. At Beyer’s request, donations will benefit the National Organization of Rare Diseases (NORD), which aims to improve the health and well-being of people with rare diseases by driving advances in care, research and policy.

The fundraiser ends on Sunday, Nov. 1 at 10 p.m., and donations can be made at the CrowdChange website.

“I am very grateful for the fraternity’s efforts,” Beyer said. “Being in Kappa Sigma is for a lifetime. This fundraiser will help provide much-needed funding for future grants for researchers of rare disorders and cancers. It will go a long way to help numerous other people and families from the rare disorder community.” 

Beyer joined Kappa Sigma while he was an undergraduate student at CSUSM. In 2016, the fraternity held a fundraiser to support him while he was undergoing chemotherapy for testicular cancer.

Beyer earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2021 and a Master of Social Work degree in 2024.

The Kappa Sigma fundraiser is part of the national organization’s annual Military Heroes Campaign, which supports ongoing care for military veterans and their families. Beyer is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

He leads a localized version of the national Veterans History Project, an initiative by which the Library of Congress collects, preserves and makes accessible the firsthand recollections of U.S. military veterans who served from World War I through more recent conflicts and peacekeeping missions, so future generations can hear directly from veterans and better understand what they saw, did and felt during their service. His project involves the oral histories being archived both at the Library of Congress and the CSUSM library’s special collections department.

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, communications specialist
bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

CSUSM was trailing Cal State Monterey Bay in the final inning of the first game of a doubleheader when one of Albayati's teammates hit a bases-loaded home run for a walk-off Cougars victory. The whole team erupted in celebration. Except for Albayati. There wasn’t time for her to rejoice just yet.

Albayati sprinted from the softball field back to the locker room to change attire. Now dressed in a baseball uniform, she ran all the way back down to the bullpen of CSUSM’s baseball field.

With only a few minutes to warm up, Albayati stretched her arm and made her way to the mound. She would be pitching the final inning of the CSUSM baseball team’s game against Sonoma State to aid its short-handed pitching roster. Her softball teammates had followed her down to the baseball field and lined up at the center-field fence, cheering as she threw her first pitch.

Albayati ended up throwing 24 pitches against seven batters, allowing only one run. Although the baseball team lost, her help was much needed for a beleaguered pitching staff.

“It was hectic, but it was awesome,” said Albayati, a business management major who will graduate in December. “My whole softball team was cheering for me as well as all the baseball guys.”

The day didn’t end there for Albayati, however. She hurriedly returned to the locker room to change back into her softball uniform for the second half of the doubleheader.

CSUSM’s softball team won that game, too, allowing Albayati finally to celebrate a historic moment in which she became the first person in NCAA Division II history to play in a softball and baseball game on the same day. The feat sparked national attention, including media coverage from Major League Baseball, ESPN and The Atlantic, among other outlets.

Baseball hardly was new to Albayati. She has been playing the sport since she was 3 years old. Growing up in Anaheim, she played Little League baseball with her twin brother, Diego.

She then made the step up to travel ball, perfecting her swing and sharpening her pitching form. She primarily played first and third base in addition to pitching. Baseball was her priority; softball didn’t come into the picture until many years later.

When it came time for high school baseball tryouts, Albayati made the varsity team as a freshman. She wasn’t fazed by competing with boys. She was used to being one of the rare girls in the sport. Plus, she had the support and encouragement of her brother through it all.

“Sometimes I'd hear someone say something weird or inappropriate, but then she throws one, two, three strikes and they quiet down,” Diego said.

Albayati and her brother attended different high schools and often played against each other. They agreed that it was always a friendly rivalry.

With Albayati pitching for Anaheim High School, it was exciting when her brother would come up to bat. His friends would egg him on to get a hit, but Albayati never made it easy.

“It’s all business when she's on the mound,” Diego said. “Her competitive spirit really comes out when she's pitching. Her style is very focused, very ‘I'm here to get things done.’ ”

Albayati started playing travel softball only a year before college in hopes of getting recruited. The transition came naturally, and the coaches at CSUSM recognized her talent.

Albayati was an immediate contributor to CSUSM’s softball success, helping the Cougars reach the NCAA Division II championship as a freshman in 2023. She proceeded to improve each year, culminating in a senior season in which she set the California Collegiate Athletic Association single-season records for batting average (.517), doubles (26), RBIs (80) and slugging percentage (.914). She received a long list of postseason accolades, including CCAA Female Athlete of the Year and being voted to two All-America teams.

Albayati’s efforts helped CSUSM return to the NCAA D-II championship, where the Cougars advanced to the semifinals before being eliminated.

“She's really an outstanding softball player, a great teammate and a good student,” CSUSM softball coach A.J. Robinson said. “This season, she played the way seniors should play: the best she has in her career.”

But Albayati didn’t stop playing baseball just because she was excelling at softball. She furthered her baseball career as a member of the women’s national team for USA Baseball during the summers of 2022-24. She primarily played outfield and made a few pitching appearances each season.

In 2024, she hit a three-run home run to help Team USA snap Japan’s 39-game winning streak during the World Cup. She was the starting pitcher in the gold-medal game in which Japan avenged its loss. The U.S. walked away with the silver medal, its first medal in 10 years.

Playing for USA Baseball allowed Albayati to make friends from across the country, many of whom she is still close with today.

“Growing up being the only girl on a baseball team and then suddenly getting to play with a team full of girls who have the same story and background as you is awesome. I loved it,” Albayati said.

Albayati’s baseball prowess led to another milestone last November: being selected in the first round of the inaugural Women’s Professional Baseball League (WPBL) draft.

“I was just so excited to be able to get paid to play a game I love and become a pioneer for this new era of baseball,” she said. “And I have a lot of friends who got drafted, too, so being able to do this with people I know is just amazing.”

Albayati’s CSUSM softball teammates even held a watch party on draft day, sharing in the excitement of the big news.

“We were all so proud of her,” said Czar Fleischman, Albayati’s close friend on the team and roommate for the last four years.

The WPBL’s six-week season started in August and featured four teams: Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York, with Albayati playing for San Francisco.

Albayati's mindset and discipline have made her a role model for not only the women on her team but for girls playing softball and baseball across the country. Many parents and young girls have reached out to her on social media to tell her how inspiring her story is to young female athletes hoping to follow in her footsteps.

Albayati eventually wants to use her business management degree to work for Major League Baseball or help her parents run the family business, Albayati Realty and Mortgage Group. But for now, the WPBL is her focus.

Albayati’s parents had a mural painted on the side of their business to celebrate her accomplishments. For Albayati, though, it’s less about making history than about playing the sport she loves.

“I just fell in love with the game,” she said, “and never stopped playing.”

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

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

Ortiz faced significant pressure from her family responsibilities. That included helping to pay for the college living expenses of her twin sister, Leslie, because financial aid didn’t cover all of Leslie’s housing costs. Ortiz struggled under the challenges of helping to provide for her family. The weight of those duties affected her personally and academically, and she failed several classes during her first year at CSUSM.

Ortiz knew something had to change – and she made it happen. Now, she will be graduating in December with a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management.

Attending CSUSM was not originally part of Ortiz’s plan. Growing up in Vista, Leslie wanted to stay local, while Ortiz wanted to go somewhere farther from home. Both sisters knew that one of them needed to stay close to help the family. When Leslie decided to attend UC Riverside, Ortiz knew she would stay in North County.

As Ortiz was trying to find her footing during her first year, she aspired to be like her outgoing sister.

“My twin sister was always my voice,” Ortiz said. “She was the outgoing one. In high school, she had this big group of people and I had my two friends, and I always wanted to be like her.”

Ortiz saw the college experience that other students were having and yearned to be like them. She wanted to meet people, go out and have fun, but she didn’t have that luxury. She thought that her responsibilities at home came first. And with Leslie away, most responsibilities were hers.

At the same time, her family faced financial difficulties.

“We were about to lose our house,” Ortiz said.

It was a difficult time for Ortiz and her family. This was during the pandemic, and her grandfather passed away due to COVID.

It would have been easy for Ortiz to let her challenges and experiences define her college life. Instead, she decided to make a change. She found solace in her Catholic faith. She began reaching out to people around her, taking up leadership positions and joining organizations that pushed her out of her comfort zone. As a member of the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), she met a fellow student named Itsarely Palma Castillo.

“Itsarely has been the reason why I've moved so far in life,” Ortiz said.

Ortiz became close with Palma Castillo because they had a similar background and because Ortiz saw everything that Palma Castillo had achieved. This became motivation for Ortiz, who applied for volunteer positions and grew more comfortable being with people who were struggling and knew what she was going through.

“What impresses me most about Ashley is her ability to bring people together around a shared mission,” said Palma Castillo, who graduated from CSUSM in May. “She has this bright light within her that seeps into everything she does, from her hard work and ambition to the drive she brings to every opportunity. Ashley has flourished into a resilient, confident and intentional leader who leads with both heart and purpose.”

Ortiz’s involvement around campus helped her build her résumé while encouraging other students. She started to foster community; she often finds herself drawn to people with experiences like hers, which ties back to her Latinx culture.

“In these places where I feel like I don't belong, there's always someone who has a similar story to me,” Ortiz said. “So I think that's why community is the best thing.”

Ortiz’s transformation has been shaped by friends, mentors and professors. One faculty member in particular, business professor Ben Cherry, had a huge impact.

During her study abroad experience, Ortiz received a handwritten note from Cherry expressing how proud he was of her and her accomplishments. He encouraged her to be proud of herself for how much she had grown.

“I can’t recall a student who has worked more jobs, been as involved and smiles as much as Ashley does,” Cherry said. “Her personal story is remarkable and shows what a positive attitude, mixed with personal determination and a will to learn, can do to forge a new trajectory in one’s life.”

Ortiz recalled becoming emotional when Cherry told her she was already doing too much and that she needed to make time for herself as she was trying to help him with social media.

“I haven’t heard that in so many years,” Ortiz said.

A first-generation student, Ortiz always knew she wanted to attend college because it could help provide a better life.

“My dad always says education is something that they can't take away from you,” Ortiz said.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, assistant director of editorial and external affairs

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

CSUSM invites all members of the campus community to participate in the following events.

Native Night by the Nest: Celebrating One Year of Community

Wednesday, Nov. 4, 6-8 p.m., USU Ballroom

Kick off Native American Heritage Month and experience Native art, music and food as the American Indian Student Center celebrates its first anniversary. The event will include a welcome and blessing, mural presentation, bird singing, shared community meal, bracelet making, photo booth and giveaways.

Veterans Day: Tukwut Talks With Chris Devers

Tuesday, Nov. 10, noon-1 p.m., American Indian Student Center (USU 3400B)

Screening of ‘Maara’yam: The Yuhaaviatam Story’

Thursday, Nov. 12, 6-8 p.m., USU Ballroom

Join a viewing of this documentary, which tells the story of the Maara'yam (Serrano) people of Southern California.

Tukwut Talks With Chris Eyre

Thursday, Dec. 3, noon-1 p.m., American Indian Student Center (USU 3400B)

Join a talk with the Native film director and producer, whose work includes the TV show “Dark Winds.”

Media Contact

Eric Breier, assistant director of editorial and external affairs

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

Cal State San Marcos' Arts and Lectures series is hosting a one-person play, “Pride: Mortal BEINGS part 1,” written and performed by Terrell Donnell Sledge, a San Diego actor, writer, director, advocate, empowerment coach and CSUSM theater lecturer.

The story is about the fall of Lucifer, told from Lucifer’s perspective, examining questions about free will, loyalty, forgiveness and redemption.

The event is Nov. 17 from 6-8 p.m. in Arts Building 111. It is free for CSUSM students. Tickets cost $5 for faculty, staff and alumni, and $10 for community members.

Visit the webpage for tickets.

Media Contact

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

Cal State San Marcos’ Arts and Lecture series will host a discussion about the making of the Disney live-action film “Moana” through the perspectives of the Oceanic Cultural Trust, which is a group created by the film company to serve as cultural consultants on Oceanic language and performing arts.

CSUSM faculty member Grant Muagutui’a was the lead cultural consultant for the film. He and others involved in the making of the film will discuss their contributions to the movie. 

Members of the Oceanic Cultural Trust and actors from the film will engage attendees with behind-the-scenes stories and live-action musical and dance performances exclusively for CSUSM. 

The event is Nov. 16 from 6-8 p.m. in the USU Ballroom. It is free for CSUSM students. Tickets cost $5 for faculty, staff and alumni, and $10 for community members. 

Visit the webpage for tickets. 

Media Contact

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

Even so, as a high school student from a small village in northern India, Sharma knew she wanted to experience Summer Scholars. How could a teenager from half a world away possibly know about CSUSM’s longtime program offering summer research opportunities to undergraduate students?

By applying the same rigorous research skills to her college search process that she ultimately would once she arrived in North San Diego County.

“I knew I wanted to do this program,” Sharma said.

There was just one sizable obstacle in her path: She had no means to pay for higher education. When she was 17, her father died unexpectedly, and he had been the breadwinner in the family. She was able to complete her private high school only thanks to the generosity of an aunt.

Even now, several years later, Sharma gets overcome with emotion when she thinks about how close she came to her vast educational ambition becoming derailed.

“It still feels overwhelming and like a dream that I’m here,” she said.

When it came time for her marriage to be arranged at age 19, Sharma set one nonnegotiable condition: Her husband had to be willing to help pay for her to attend a university in America. She found Rajat, a collection manager for a financial firm in India, they got married four years ago and now she’s in her final year as a student at CSUSM.

Sharma certainly has maximized her husband’s investment. In August, following her second Summer Scholars experience, she was one of five students honored at the program-culminating poster showcase with scholarship money to continue their research this fall. She received the biggest award, the $8,000 Dr. Norma Baer Maderazo Memorial Scholarship that supports undergraduate students pursuing STEM fields.

A software engineering major, Sharma was recognized for her research project – working with professor Justin Morris, she developed machine learning models to detect insect populations for precision architecture, enabling more targeted pesticide use – as well as her on-campus involvement and her off-campus internships.

Sharma knew next to nothing about machine learning before this year. What she knew was that she wanted to participate in Summer Scholars again after initially doing the program in 2024 (she was studying computer science at the time, and the project involved cybersecurity) and then missing the deadline last year (not to worry, she instead worked as a software engineering intern for Ectron Corporation in San Diego).

Sharma contacted multiple professors to serve as her faculty mentor, and she connected in January with Morris, a computer engineering professor who has taught at CSUSM since 2022.

“He taught me everything, like you teach A to Z to kids,” Sharma said. “I felt it was easy because of him. He was awesome.”

Sharma’s tutoring under Morris coincided with an opportunity to do an internship as a conversation tech fellow with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (persistence paid off, as it marked her third time pursuing the same opening). Sure enough, the work – which will continue until December – concerns machine learning; she’s developing computer models that distinguish adult and juvenile burrowing owls.

Sharma also is extending her work with Morris beyond Summer Scholars. The subject of this project happens to be Morris’ niche: hyperdimensional computing, which involves training a computer on neural networks.

“What impresses me most is not only her technical ability, but her curiosity and willingness to pursue research that creates meaningful impact beyond the university,” Morris said. “Her resilience, compassion and commitment to using technology for the benefit of society are evident in every aspect of her work.”

Sharma, though, is not content to be a standout merely in the research lab. This semester, she chartered the first campus chapter of Girls Who Code, an international nonprofit that aims to support and increase the number of women in STEM. That now makes her the president of three student organizations; the other two are the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE) and Alpha Lamba Delta, an academic honor society for first-year students.

And all of this is in addition to the “seven or eight” different on-campus jobs she has held, the current one being technology student assistant in the College of Business Administration.

Of the campus founding of Girls Who Code, Sharma said: “When a young student, like I was back in India, wants to go for something, they often feel doubt about whether they should do it. I went for it anyway, but not everybody has the courage to do that. So having a mentor is the most important thing in life.”

Sharma remains driven by the legacy of her father, who built a prosperous life and family despite not having the means to go to college himself. She yearns to succeed to honor his memory. She moved to and lives in California without any family members – Rajat is able to visit in summer – but this spring she will be joined by her younger brother, Kartik, who will start as a student just as she is wrapping up.

Sharma hopes that her mother will be able to attend her commencement ceremony in May.

“She always says that if your father were here, he would be really proud, and he’s always watching over you in whatever you do,” she said. “She’s a great mother.”

But Sharma’s thirst for education will not be quenched by even by a degree that no one else in her family has obtained. She’s applying to doctoral programs that specialize in machine learning, with UC Berkeley as her top choice.

And to think, it all started with a young girl in India, against all odds, discovering a program called Summer Scholars.

“When somebody nowadays looks at my resume, they say I’ve done a great job,” Sharma said. “But it's not just me. The professors I've worked with, the professors I’ve had class with, my classmates and everybody who has been part of my journey has done well to support me. That's why I can do everything I'm doing right now.

“Honestly, Cal State San Marcos has given me opportunities that I could only dream of.”

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, communications specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

Networking nights will be held from 5-7:30 p.m. on Oct. 14 and 22 in the USU Ballroom. These events feature small-group networking rounds with guided discussion prompts. Professionals share their stories, offer industry insights and answer students' questions. The experience helps students gain confidence, sharpen their communication skills and explore career pathways.

Business professionals interested in participating can register online.

CoBA is also hosting mock interviews for business students. Professionals ask interview-style questions, evaluate communication and professionalism, and provide clear, constructive feedback. These exercises build confidence, strengthen interview skills and help students stand out in today’s competitive job market.

The mock interviews will take place on Nov. 2, 9 and 10 in the USU and Nov. 12 in the Kellogg Library Reading Room. Students can register online.

Media Contact

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

After attending community college and working for a few years, she enrolled at Cal State San Marcos as a psychology major, eager to continue her education but uncertain about what would come next.

“I knew I wanted to keep learning, but I didn't have a clear vision for my future,” Naficy said.

Her path crystallized after a friend encouraged her to connect with CSUSM’s Center for Training, Research and Educational Excellence (CTREE), where she discovered a passion for research and added a minor in biological sciences.

“CTREE changed the trajectory of my career," Naficy said. “They showed me how to explore graduate programs, apply for funding and even present my work at national conferences.”

Now, as she prepares to graduate in May, Naficy plans to pursue a Ph.D. and a career in biotech research, a path she never imagined when she first arrived at CSUSM.

For Kailey Pickering, the journey began even earlier.

Just a few days after graduating from high school, Pickering was contacted by CTREE and invited to learn more about the program.

"As a first-generation college student, I didn't really know what graduate school was," Pickering said. “They explained all of my options in a way that’s welcoming, not intimidating. It’s such a privilege to get a stipend for research, which allows me to focus on my studies without worrying about groceries or gas money.”

Today, this third-year biochemistry student plans to pursue a Ph.D. in microbiology and hopes to become a professor who focuses on teaching, mentorship and research.

Expanding Access to Research and Graduate Education

A new $1 million investment from the Prebys Foundation will ensure that more students like Pickering and Naficy have access to research experiences, mentorship and critical financial support as they pursue graduate school and careers in STEM.

“Programs like CTREE are critical to sustaining scientific success long-term,” said Emily Young, the Prebys Foundation vice president of programs. “They identify and help prepare the next generation of researchers, and the foundation is delighted to be part of the process.”

Led by faculty director Denise Garcia and associate director Richard Armenta, CTREE prepares undergraduate and master's students for advanced degrees and careers in science, medicine and health-related fields. The program has been especially successful in supporting first-generation and low-income students, achieving a graduate school placement rate of 90 to 100 percent in recent years.

“Kailey and Victoria show what's possible when talented individuals are given the opportunity to pursue research and advanced education,” Garcia said. “We've seen our graduates go on to doctoral programs at UCSD, Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, Northwestern and Texas A&M among others. And many of them build careers here in San Diego, helping drive innovation, advance health research and give back to the communities they came from.”

The grant will support students and faculty across several key areas.

Student research: Each year, at least 10 undergraduate students and five master’s students will receive paid research internships, with stipends of up to $20,000. The funding allows students to dedicate meaningful time to research while reducing the financial pressures that often limit participation.

Faculty research: Faculty researchers will receive support for projects involving undergraduate and graduate students. The funding can be used for research supplies, equipment, participant costs and time devoted to mentoring student researchers. The investment is expected to be particularly impactful for early-career faculty members as they establish research programs and pursue external funding opportunities.

Conferences, workshops and research training: The grant will support student and faculty participation in professional conferences, workshops and specialized training programs. Participants will have opportunities to present research, engage with the scientific community and develop skills in emerging research techniques and technologies, including programs offered in partnership with local biotechnology companies.

“CSUSM faculty are doing exceptional research, and they are deeply committed to involving students in that work,” Armenta said. "This investment expands opportunities for both faculty and students, helping researchers advance their work while giving more students a chance to discover what's possible through research.”

The investment also aligns with the Prebys Foundation's commitment to strengthening San Diego County's research ecosystem and scientific workforce. With 8 in 10 CSUSM graduates staying in the region, the university serves as an important pipeline of talent for the county's biomedical, biotechnology and STEM industries.

“CSUSM students reflect the diversity and talent of San Diego County,” Garcia said. “When we invest in their development as researchers, they gain the skills, confidence and experience to pursue opportunities they may never have imagined. We're deeply grateful to the Prebys Foundation for helping us expand those opportunities and support the next generation of scientists and innovators.”

Every contribution to CSUSM brings the university closer to its Blueprint for the Future campaign goal to raise $200 million in philanthropy and research funding.

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, communications specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

The event allows students to meet with potential employers, secure career opportunities and have free professional headshots taken for their LinkedIn profiles. 

Employers will be there to hire for both internships and full-time positions. Students are encouraged to bring their résumé and dress professionally. 

Students can visit the Cougar Career Closet once a semester to receive up to four free professional clothing items. Students can book an appointment through their Handshake account. 

The Career Center also offers several workshops to help students polish their résumés and practice networking skills. 

Media Contact

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

Upcoming civic engagement events include:

• Oct. 7: National Voter Education Week Ballot Prep Party, noon-2 p.m., USU 2310 meeting rooms
• Oct. 13: Voter registration tabling, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Kellogg Plaza
• Oct. 20: Voter registration tabling, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Kellogg Plaza
• Oct. 27: Voter registration tabling, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m., USU Arcade

The Department of Civic Engagement provides opportunities for students to develop civic knowledge and participate in democratic engagement. Students gain confidence through initiatives such as Democracy in Action, Speaking of Democracy, days of service, voter engagement and the Town Hall Meeting.

Visit the Department of Civic Engagement website to learn more.

Media Contact

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

The event, which promotes and celebrates student research and creative activity, is now accepting applications.

The showcase is free and open to all CSUSM students, offering a welcoming, noncompetitive environment for sharing their work.

All disciplines are encouraged to apply. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Independent research
• Literature survey
• Course-based undergraduate research projects
• Creative activities
• Summer research

The entry application deadline is Nov. 3 at 5 p.m.

To apply, visit the Student Poster Showcase website.

Media Contact

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

The free program is available to CSUSM students enrolled in classes at any of these locations: San Marcos, Temecula, or CSUSM at Southwestern College in Chula Vista. It's intended only for academic purposes, such as classes, labs and research projects.

Through the program, approved students can use the dedicated pedestrian lanes at three major ports of entry, making their daily commutes more predictable during the school year.

To qualify for CAP, students must meet all the following criteria: 

• Be currently enrolled at CSUSM, including through CSUSM at Southwestern College.
• Have verified enrollment for the academic year in which they are traveling (approval lasts 12 months, so students need to renew their information with CAP each year).
• Be crossing the border specifically for academic purposes, including in-person classes, research or service projects.
• Carry valid, up-to-date travel and immigration documents.

CBP determines eligibility and approval; CSUSM does not influence the process, and CAP participation is not guaranteed. 

To learn more about the program, visit the CAP website. 

Media Contact

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

CSUSM was ranked No. 20 overall in “Regional Universities (West),” a three-spot improvement over its position last year. The university is No. 11 in “Top Public Schools - Regional Universities (West),” two spots higher than last year.

CSUSM also landed in the top 10 in “Top Performers in Social Mobility - Regional Universities (West),” coming in at No. 8 and climbing eight spots. CSUSM is proud to be a national leader in social mobility, ensuring that students have opportunities that transform their lives and the lives of their families and communities.

Another improvement came in the category of “Best Value Schools - Regional Universities (West)” (up 13 spots to No. 27).

In a category that’s new to the rankings this year, CSUSM placed No. 6 in “Best Value Schools for In-State Students - Regional Universities (West).”

In other category rankings, CSUSM was:

• tied for No. 82 in “Undergraduate Engineering Programs (No Doctorate)”
• tied for No. 195 in “Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs (No Doctorate)”
• tied for No. 255 in “Undergraduate Psychology Programs”
• tied for No. 276 in “Undergraduate Computer Science Programs”
• tied for No. 390 in “Undergraduate Business Programs” 

In rankings released earlier this month, CSUSM was 64th in the nation out of more than 1,500 colleges in Washington Monthly’s “2026 Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars,” up from a No. 73 ranking last year.

And last month, CSUSM placed 31st in the country in SmartAsset’s 2026 study of America’s Best Value Public Universities.

Media Contact

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

In 2021, she feared that she would be pinned with another moniker: college dropout.

Only two days after her daughter, Aaleyah, was born, Stowinsky began the fall semester as a student at Grossmont College. Amid the pandemic, she was taking online classes while trying to raise a baby who was literally days and weeks old – all without childcare or family support. Feeling overwhelmed by her situation, she stopped attending class and failed multiple courses, ultimately withdrawing from the school.

“Walking away initially felt easier than facing another disappointment,” Stowinsky said. “But over time, that decision weighed heavily on me. I realized I did not want my daughter growing up believing that setbacks meant giving up. I wanted her to see resilience, accountability and perseverance, even during difficult moments.”

The following spring, Stowinsky suppressed her fear of failing again and re-enrolled at Grossmont. Three years later, she earned an associate degree and transferred to Cal State San Marcos. Now, as she's in what she expects to be her final year at CSUSM, her persistence has paid off in a previously unimaginable way.

Stowinsky will be honored this week as CSUSM’s recipient of the 2026 CSU Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement, the highest student distinction within the California State University. Students are selected based on superior academic performance, personal accomplishments, community service and financial need.

The CSU recognizes 22 students every year – one from each campus – with the Trustees’ Award. Stowinsky, who was named a CSU Trustee Emeritus Kenneth Fong Scholar, will receive her award in person during a ceremony as part of the CSU Board of Trustees meeting in Long Beach on Sept. 22.

“Kaitlyn has overcome tremendous personal hardship while pursuing higher education and raising her young daughter,” CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said. “Her story is one of transformation, social mobility and an unwavering commitment to creating a better future for herself and others.

“She represents the very best of the CSU system, and she couldn’t be more deserving of this award.”

Stowinsky is pursuing a degree in molecular and cellular biology and is on track to graduate in May. She’s particularly interested in genetics, gender and development, and how human physiology influences neurological and psychological development.

“These fields fascinate me because they merge scientific exploration with deep human questions about identity, resilience and how biology and environment shape who we become,” she said.

From failing out of Grossmont, Stowinsky is now a dean's list student who's a member of Tau Sigma, a national academic honor society for transfer students who achieve 3.5 or higher GPA at the end of their first term. Beyond the classroom, she works for Project Rebound, a campus program that empowers formerly incarcerated and system-impacted students at CSUSM.

During her time at Grossmont, Stowinsky served as a biology peer mentor, chemistry tutor and workshop organizer for the school’s Math, Science and Engineering Achievement (MESA) program, which provides students with the support and resources needed to succeed academically en route to careers in STEM disciplines.

“Many students entering STEM fields feel isolated or intimidated, especially those from underrepresented or nontraditional backgrounds,” Stowinsky said. “Because I understand those feelings personally, I strive to create the kind of support system I once needed myself.”

Stowinsky entered the foster care system at age 4, after her mother went on deployment. When she was a few years older, she would wait by the door every night, wondering when her mom would come home. Instability became her normal – she attended eight different high schools and struggled with her mental health.

“I believed my future would always be limited by my circumstances,” she said.

That feeling of fatalism changed immediately when Aaleyah was born in August 2021. Stowinsky realized that overcoming obstacles and persevering as a student were no longer just about success for her; they were about a different, better future for her daughter.

“Education became more than an opportunity,” Stowinsky said. “It became my way out, my proof that I could rewrite my story.”

The odds might have suggested that Stowinsky would fall far short of a bachelor’s degree. Now, however, she wants even more. She aims to pursue a master’s in science, with an ambition to contribute to research that advances equitable healthcare outcomes and supports people with complex personal histories.

The Trustees’ Award is confirmation that she’s firmly on the right track – as a student and a mother. Aaleyah turned 5 and started kindergarten in August.

"This award is so much more than a recognition of an accomplishment,” she said. “To me, it is a reminder that people have seen my journey, my dedication, my growth and my dreams, and they too believe in me. Their belief is what continues to push me forward on the days when things feel difficult. It motivates me to keep growing into the person, and mother, I know I am meant to become and to continue working every day to honor the faith and support that has been placed in me."

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

Frank is a goldendoodle who’s the university’s first therapy and facility dog. Frank partners with students, faculty, staff and campus programs to create meaningful moments of connection – whether supporting mindfulness practices, helping students navigate stressful moments, visiting classrooms and campus events, or simply providing a welcoming place to pause and reset.

Frank is available on Mondays from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in front of Kellogg Library, on Tuesdays from noon- 1 p.m. at the Veterans Center and Thursdays from 11: 45 a.m.-1 p.m. on the third floor of the library.

He is here for you to de-stress, so come visit him when you need a boost, have an exam or are just dealing with the stressors of life.

You can learn more about Frank at the Mindful CSUSM website or follow him on Instagram and TikTok.

Media Contact

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

Intellectual engagement goals include co-curricular programs bridging academic and student life and interdisciplinary integration across curriculum. Community engagement goals include bringing together the campus community and the surrounding community.

“Stories as Mirrors, Windows & Sliding Doors” is the Common Read theme for the second year in a row.

Students can pick up a free copy of a Common Read book and participate in activities from noon to 12:50 p.m. in front of Kellogg Library on the following dates: Oct. 8, Nov. 5 and Dec. 10.

The five books selected this year are:

• Smoke Gets in Your Eyes and Other Lessons from the Crematory, Caitlin Doughty
• Somewhere we are Human, Reyna Grande and Sonia Guiñansaca
• Feeding Ghosts: A Graphic Memoir, Tessa Hulls
• If Cats Disappeared from the World: A Novel, Genki Kawamura (library's Student Advisory Board selection)
• I Can Write the World, Joshunda Sanders and Charly Palmer

Media Contact

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

The recognition reflects a lifetime of service and leadership shaped by Epstein’s own military experience and his dedication to creating opportunities for those who have served.

At CSUSM, Epstein’s support for veterans has been transformational. During the university’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign, which ended in 2018, the Epstein Family Foundation made a $1 million gift to expand the Veterans Center, now the Epstein Family Veterans Center. With one in nine CSUSM students being military-connected, it has since become a home base for thousands of students, providing academic support, career resources and community.

“Dan Epstein’s commitment to veterans is deeply woven into the fabric of CSUSM,” President Ellen Neufeldt said. “What distinguishes Dan is the way he leads with humility, compassion and a genuine belief in others. His generosity has created opportunities for military-connected students, while his time, perspective and leadership have strengthened CSUSM’s connection to the military community. We are grateful for his partnership and the lasting difference he has made for our students and our region.”

Epstein’s involvement with CSUSM extends well beyond philanthropy. As a member of the CSUSM Foundation Board and the President’s Military Advisory Council, he works alongside university leaders and community partners to expand educational access for those who have served.

He has advocated for meeting military-connected students where they are, whether through programs offered on military installations, accelerated pathways that recognize military training and experience, or innovative approaches that make higher education more accessible and relevant to the realities of military life.

Epstein and his wife, Phyllis, also established a $10 million matching gift challenge during CSUSM's current Blueprint for the Future campaign. The match drew additional giving from across the university, expanding support for students including recipients of the SDMAC Foundation Veteran Merit Scholarship.

For Epstein, the cause is personal. He often has said that helping veterans complete their education and transition to civilian life is among the most meaningful ways he can give back.

The award also connects Epstein to another longtime CSUSM advocate for veterans. Maj. Gen. Tony Jackson, a former chair of the CSUSM Foundation Board, received the SDMAC Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022. Together, the two recognitions reflect CSUSM’s longstanding connection to San Diego’s military community and its commitment to supporting veterans and military families.

Through the Mobile Wellness Initiative, Cal State San Marcos is helping bridge that gap while preparing students to become the next generation of community-centered health professionals. Thanks to new support from the Henry L. Guenther Foundation, the university is poised to expand that impact even farther.

The grant of $480,000 will enable CSUSM and the partnering departments and schools in the College of Education, Health and Human Services to enhance its Mobile Wellness Initiative, an interdisciplinary program that partners with Neighborhood Healthcare and other community organizations to bring health screenings, education and wellness resources directly to underserved communities throughout North County.

The initiative embodies CSUSM's commitment to community engagement by connecting student learning with meaningful service. Through hands-on experiences in real-world settings, students gain valuable professional skills while helping improve access to care for individuals and families who often face significant barriers to health services.

"At CSUSM, we believe that learning and community service go hand in hand," said Rachael Dombrowski, an associate professor of public health and a leader of the initiative. "This support allows us to deepen our impact in the community while providing students with invaluable experiences that prepare them to become collaborative, community-centered health professionals."

A key component of the grant is the purchase of a fully equipped mobile wellness van, which will significantly increase the program's capacity to serve communities throughout the region. The van will transport supplies for outreach events, including tents, tables, educational materials and screening equipment, while also providing a private and confidential space for wellness services and consultations.

As the only student-run mobile health program in North County, the Mobile Wellness Initiative brings together students and faculty from nursing, social work, public health, kinesiology, speech-language pathology and human development. Working across disciplines, participants address health needs through a holistic approach that reflects the complexity of community health challenges.

“The Mobile Wellness Initiative prepares our students to engage across various disciplines to help meet the health needs of our neighboring communities,” said Matt Mincey, a nursing lecturer and the founding director of the initiative. “Our nursing and other CEHHS students will have more opportunities to engage with community partners and collaborating disciplines in the healthcare field, all while gaining patient care experience in our mobile classroom.”

In partnership with Neighborhood Healthcare, a federally qualified health center serving communities across San Diego and Riverside counties, students help connect residents to preventive health services and critical community resources. Outreach efforts focus on underserved populations, including individuals who are uninsured or underinsured, as well as people experiencing homelessness, migrants, refugees and others with limited access to healthcare.

Many of the individuals served through the initiative face an increased risk of chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. By bringing screenings, education and support directly into neighborhoods, the program removes transportation barriers and helps identify health concerns before they become more serious.

For students, the benefits extend beyond the classroom. The initiative offers opportunities to work alongside healthcare professionals, collaborate across disciplines and develop the cultural responsiveness and community engagement skills that are increasingly essential in today's healthcare workforce.

The grant also will support personnel, travel expenses, outreach supplies and a community health assessment that will help guide future programming and ensure that resources are directed where they are needed most.

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

For Justin Perron, a physics professor at Cal State San Marcos, that pitch was the culmination of months of collaboration and preparation, resulting in a $2.1 million award from the California Jobs First Regional Investment Initiative.

This latest grant builds on previous investments from the National Science Foundation, Laboratory for Physical Sciences, Department of Energy and American Physical Society, and it positions CSUSM at the forefront of quantum education and workforce development.

For Adrian Schnepp, an applied physics major with a focus on quantum information science and technology, these investments translate into opportunities to use quantum technology, not just study the theories behind it.

“Being able to control the behavior and manipulate a single electron is incredible, especially as an undergraduate,” Schnepp said. “I’ve always been the type of person who has to touch the stove to see if it’s hot. I like figuring things out for myself, and that’s what I love about the hands-on research here.”

First-generation student Aiden Rodriguez came to CSUSM as a computer science major but found a new passion in quantum computing after reading about its potential impact on cybersecurity and encryption.

“I stopped by Dr. Perron's office to learn more about it even though I wasn't one of his students at the time," Rodriguez said. "He welcomed me in, answered my questions and became a mentor. That experience sparked my interest in quantum science and ultimately led me to add applied physics as a second major.”

Building California’s Quantum Workforce

As quantum technologies advance, the need for a skilled quantum workforce is becoming increasingly urgent. According to the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), California leads the nation in demand for quantum talent, with more quantum-related job openings than any other state.

To help address that need, CSUSM has offered quantum-focused bridge programs for incoming freshmen, professional development programs for faculty and quantum-centered undergraduate research opportunities.

A key part of this effort is reaching students before they go to college. Through the Center for Research and Engagement in STEM Education (CRESE), CSUSM brings hands-on STEM experiences to K-12 students at more than 20 schools and community sites throughout the region, with undergraduates serving as near-peer mentors.

“By interacting with college students, young learners can better envision themselves pursuing higher education and careers in STEM,” said Ed Price, a physics professor and the faculty director of CRESE. “This is especially important in quantum, which students typically don’t learn much about in high school.”

Access to specialized equipment remains a significant barrier to quantum education and training. With the new state funding, CSUSM will work with UCLA, UC Irvine and Pasadena City College to make the equipment and curriculum developed through its programs available to other training and education programs across the region. The hardware includes quantum optics systems, sensors that use quantum properties to make precise measurements, and NMR systems using magnetic fields to control the quantum behavior of atomic nuclei.

“CSUSM has invested in advanced quantum infrastructure and developed expertise that positions us as a valuable partner in Southern California's quantum ecosystem,” Perron said. “By sharing these resources with educational and industry partners, we can expand access to quantum education and training while further establishing the region's leadership in quantum innovation.”

These investments build on CSUSM's broader leadership in regional, state and federal quantum initiatives. As a founding member of the SoCal Quantum Alliance, CSUSM works alongside leading research institutions and industry partners – including UCLA, USC and Caltech – to advance quantum science and prepare the next generation of talent. At the state and federal levels, CSUSM is also a partner within the Challenge Institute for Quantum Computation (CIQC), one of the NSF’s recently renewed Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes.

“One of CSUSM’s greatest strengths is our focus on providing undergraduates with access to advanced research and technology,” said Charles De Leone, dean of graduate studies and research. “As quantum technology moves from the research lab into the economy, CSUSM is creating opportunities for students to engage with the tools, technologies and research shaping the future. This momentum strengthens our ability to prepare the next generation of talent while supporting California’s growing quantum workforce needs.”

For Perron, the five-minute pitch was the latest step in a much longer effort. With funding secured, the work continues: building out the curriculum, equipment-sharing partnerships and mentorship pipelines that will define California's quantum workforce for years to come.

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

Kicking off the month with HSI Week Sept. 14-18, the rest of the month will include a broader lineup of events hosted by the Latinx Center. Together, these programs recognize CSUSM’s identity and responsibilities as an HSI while creating opportunities to celebrate culture, strengthen community, promote inclusive excellence and advance student success.

Everyone is invited to participate in CSUSM Latine Heritage Month events.

CSUSM’s Inaugural HSI Week

5th Annual Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Summit

Sept. 14, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., USU Ballroom

This year’s summit marks five years of bringing together students, faculty, staff, administrators and community partners to learn from one another, build connections and strengthen efforts that promote student success. The theme of this year’s summit is “Seeds of Servingness: Growing Together.” Nationally renowned scholar and educator Dr. Daniel G. Solórzano will deliver the keynote address. The summit will officially launch CSUSM’s first-ever HSI Week, taking place Sept. 14-18, featuring educational, cultural, and community-building events. The week invites students and employees to explore what it means for CSUSM to be a Hispanic-Serving Institution.

2026 Latine Heritage Month Theme: Floreciendo Juntos (Blooming Together)

Week 1 theme: El Jardin de Comunidad (The Garden of Community)

Floreciendo Juntos: Latine Heritage Month Celebration

Sept. 15, 5-8 p.m., Forum Plaza

Floreciendo Juntos serves as the official kickoff to Latine Heritage Month, bringing together students, campus partners and the broader community in celebration of the diverse cultures, histories and traditions of Latin America. The celebration features interactive cultural activities facilitated by Latine student organizations, cultural food, entertainment and community-building opportunities that promote belonging, cross-cultural learning and meaningful engagement.

Reflejos de Nuestra Gente: Latinx Center

Mural Unveiling

Sept. 16, 5-7 p.m., USU 3200

Join the Latinx Center for the unveiling of Reflejos de Nuestra Gente, a new community mural created by CSUSM alumna and muralist Sandra Carmona and inspired by student voices. Gather with students, campus and community partners for the unveiling, refreshments and a community mixer. RSVP: Latinx Center Mural Unveiling: Reflejos de Nuestra Gente – Fill out form

The Milpa Project Showcase

Sept. 17, noon-1 p.m., Community Ethnobotany Garden

Join biology professor Erika Diaz Almeyda to celebrate and learn more about the Milpa Project. Located in CSUSM’s Community Ethnobotany Garden, the project centers on milpa, a Mesoamerican agricultural practice in which crops such as corn, beans and squash are grown together. A brief presentation will introduce the project and its cultural, ecological and community significance, followed by reflections from students involved in the project and Milpa Comunidad. Come connect, learn, and celebrate the students and community members who bring the milpa to life.

Beyond the Bachelor’s: Exploring Graduate School at CSUSM 

Sept. 17, 6-7:30 p.m., USU Ballroom C 
 

Hosted by: Career Center, Office of Inclusive Excellence, Office of Graduate Studies & Research, Alumni Engagement 

This special event highlights alumni experiences and pathways to graduate education. Join us for a special edition of Life After Graduation, featuring CSUSM alumni who continued their educational journey through graduate programs at CSUSM. Hear firsthand why they chose graduate school, how they selected their programs, what helped them navigate the transition and what they wish they had known before applying. Attendees will also learn about graduate education opportunities at CSUSM and how pursuing an advanced degree can support their academic, professional and career goals.

Conchas y Comunidad

Sept. 18, 10-11 a.m., Founders Plaza

Students, faculty and staff are invited to join us for conchas, conversation and connection. Stop by, meet someone new, and enjoy a little time in community. Attendees can also meet members of MEChA de CSUSM and learn more about the student organization.

Week 2 theme: En Pantalla: Latine Representation in the Arts and Media

Canta, Mami!

Sept. 21, noon-1 p.m., USU 3200

Celebrate the voices that move us at Canta, Mami, an exploration of queer Latina artists in music, from icons like Chavela Vargas to today’s stars like Young Miko. Enjoy food, learn how these artists have shaped culture and representation across generations, then make your own ribbon creation while their music plays.

The Latine Lens: Framing Our Stories

Sept. 24,noon-1 p.m., USU 3200

Explore how Latine artists use visual art, music, photography and media to tell their stories, celebrate culture and challenge stereotypes. Then create a magazine-style collage that brings your own identity, community and vision of Latinidad to life.

Week 3 theme: Haciendo Historia: Making History through Latine Leadership

Abriendo Caminos: Creating space for Latine Leadership at CSUSM

Oct. 1, noon-1 p.m., USU 3200

Join first-generation Latine staff leaders at CSUSM for an open conversation about navigating new spaces, finding your voice and creating opportunities for those who come next. Come connect, ask questions and hear real stories about the many paths to leadership.

Week 4 theme: Hecho en Casa: Honoring Families in our Community

Cena familiar

Oct. 6, 6-8 p.m., USU 3200

Celebrate familia, comunidad and culture at Cena Familiar. Students are invited to bring their families and loved ones to campus for a special evening of food, connection and celebration. Gather around the table, meet other members of the CSUSM community and enjoy a warm night centered on the people who support and inspire us.

Entre Familia: Family Collage Boards

Oct. 8, noon- 1 p.m., USU 3200

Students are invited to create a collage celebrating the people, traditions, memories and values that make their families unique. Use drawings, words, magazine cutouts and stickers to reflect on what you love doing together, a tradition you cherish or something that makes you proud. Materials and prompts will be provided.

Week 5 theme: “Latina Foreva”

Cafecito con Pan: Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. Viridiana Diaz

Oct. 13, noon-1 p.m., USU 3200

Join the Latinx Center for a special Cafecito con Pan featuring Dr. Viridiana Diaz, vice president for Student Affairs, as part of our “Latina Foreva” Week celebration! Diaz will share her personal and professional journey, her path through higher education and the experiences that shaped her leadership. Come enjoy cafecito, pan dulce and conversation with one of our campus leaders.

Chingona Fest in collaboration with the Women and Gender Equity Center

Oct. 15, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Forum Plaza

Chingona Fest is back with a vibrant tianguis (flea market) theme. In collaboration with the Women and Gender Equity Center, join us for a lively celebration of cultura, creativity and community. Swap clothes, make your own bouquet, create Latine-inspired crafts and enjoy free specialty coffee drinks from Tocho Café, a local Latina-owned coffee truck.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

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

President Ellen Neufeldt expressed excitement and optimism about the new academic year during her annual convocation address to faculty and staff last Thursday.

Neufeldt highlighted many of the university’s achievements over the past year, including progress on CSUSM’s fundraising campaign “Blueprint for the Future,” the largest capital campaign in university history.

“One year ago, we were preparing to publicly launch the most ambitious fundraising campaign in our university’s history,” Neufeldt said. “Today, our ‘Blueprint for the Future’ campaign has reached over $173 million toward our $200 million goal. That’s 87% of our goal!”

Neufeldt also highlighted some of the gifts that have been received this year, including:

• $10 million from Hunter Industries and the Hunter family toward the naming of the Hunter Hall of Science and Engineering;
• $3 million toward the CSU National Center for Social Mobility at CSUSM; and
• $1 million from the Prebys Foundation to provide stipends for students to pursue research opportunities and strengthen the region’s STEM workforce.

New Housing, Dining Facilities Open

Celebration was in the air on Aug. 3, as hundreds gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of Black Oak Hall and Kwíila Dining.

Black Oak Hall is CSUSM’s fourth housing community, and Kwíila Dining is the university’s second dining facility. Kwíila, the Luiseño word for “acorn,” was chosen to honor the local tribal heritage and the land on which CSUSM resides.

Located at 303 Campus View Drive, the seven-story Black Oak Hall features 555 beds – 390 of which are considered affordable thanks to funding from the Higher Education Student Housing Grant program established by Senate Bill 169. Just steps away, the 10,000-square-foot Kwíila Dining serves a variety of locally sourced foods and allows students to foster connection outside of class.

New Coffee Spot

El Kafecito, a local coffee shop with multiple locations, opened its sixth spot on Aug. 24 in the space vacated by Campus Coffee, whose owners retired after more than 20 years.

El Kafecito is owned by Rodrigo Rodriguez, a former CSUSM soccer player. A Valley Center native, Rodriguez started the company with a small, drive-through coffee hut in Vista in 2021, when he was just 21 years old.

El Kafecito specializes in Mexican and Hispanic-inspired flavors that, Rodriguez said, “bring something unique to the traditional coffee experience.” Its signature flavors include dulce de leche, horchata, mazapán, café de la olla, tres leches and Mexican mocha, though it also offers traditional favorites such as vanilla, caramel and mocha. El Kafecito also serves pastries and other food items.

CSUSM Named to Best Colleges List

CSUSM was named to the “Best Colleges in America 2026” list by Money magazine. The university received a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5.

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.

Weeks of Welcome

The annual Weeks of Welcome, which started Aug. 28, includes dozens of events for students to meet new people and kick off the academic year.

Visit the Weeks of Welcome calendar for a complete schedule.

Arts and Lectures Fall Series

The university’s longstanding Arts and Lectures series recently released its fall lineup. This season boasts a diverse selection of eight events.

Attendees can reserve tickets online via the Arts and Lectures website.

Summer Highlights

• CSUSM hosted “The Power of Us” Southwest Riverside County Community Breakfast on June 30, bringing together local business, government, education and community leaders to explore how partnerships are shaping the region’s educational and economic future.
• Howard Chan, the learning experience designer for the Innovation Hub, was recognized as one of the San Diego Business Journal's Asian American Pacific Islander Leaders of Influence for 2026.
• The Safety, Health and Sustainability department was recognized by a national organization for its program that allows students to borrow lab coats for academic use.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

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

The event, which was sponsored by North City, included remarks from, among others, President Ellen Neufeldt, Provost Carl Kemnitz, Vice President of Student Affairs Viridiana Diaz and Tristan Bugnot, the president and CEO for Associated Students, Inc.

“At Cal State San Marcos, we understand that the student experience stretches far beyond the classroom,” Diaz told attendees, who included family members of new students. “Students are the heartbeat of the Division of Student Affairs. Our professional staff is committed to offering intentional learning and development opportunities that stimulate self-discovery and personal growth, and I have no doubt that you’ll find that CSUSM will play such an impactful role in your lives.

“This is truly a place that not only helps students change the trajectory of their own lives, but also has a positive ripple effect on their families, friends and communities.”

As is tradition at New Student and Family Convocation, each student received a challenge coin from a family member or friend.

“We’re excited and appreciative that our kids are coming into their own and finding their niche, and the challenge coin ceremony is symbolic of that,” said Tony Reece, a family ambassador whose daughter Marisa transferred to CSUSM last year.

Relive some of the highlights from the two ceremonies in the New Student and Family Convocation photo slideshow.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

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

Under the leadership of Chair Simon Kuo, retired vice president of corporate quality at Viasat, and Vice Chair Kristin Crellin, senior vice president at SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, the Foundation Board advances philanthropic investments that support student success and academic excellence. 

The new directors join the board at a time of significant progress at CSUSM. The university is ranked No. 1 in the nation on the CollegeNET Social Mobility Index and is expecting a record 17,500 students this year. This momentum extends to Blueprint for the Future, CSUSM’s comprehensive campaign to advance student success, research and the university’s impact across the region. To date, the campaign has reached 86% of its $200 million goal in philanthropic and research funding. 

“I am pleased to welcome this new cohort of directors to the CSUSM Foundation Board,” Kuo said. “As CSUSM continues to evolve, their experience and leadership will help us harness the power of philanthropy to change the trajectory of students’ lives. I look forward to working with our new directors as we build on this progress and continue advancing the goals of Blueprint for the Future.” 

The Foundation Board’s newly elected directors are: 

Barbara Fischer  

Fischer is an attorney at Fischer & Ritchey LLP, a law firm that focuses on estate planning, business formation and planning, nonprofit formation, operations and compliance, and charitable and gift planning. She earned a master’s degree in legislative affairs at George Washington University and worked for two U.S. senators and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives as a legislative assistant. She then obtained a law degree from California Western School of Law and is a partner with her daughter in their law practice. 

Kevin Harkenrider  

Harkenrider retired from Viasat in August after a 19-year career with the company, most recently serving as executive vice president and chief corporate officer. Previous roles with Viasat included chief operating officer, president of commercial networks and president of satellite services. His background spans more than 40 years in diverse industries such as shipbuilding, information technology, electronics manufacturing and telecommunications. He earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Union College in Schenectady, N.Y., and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh. 

Greg Hunter 

Hunter is the CEO of Hunter Industries, an irrigation manufacturing company founded in San Marcos in 1982. A mechanical engineering graduate of Cornell University, he has spent his career helping advance innovative irrigation and outdoor solutions while continuing his family’s legacy of leadership at Hunter Industries. He also has a strong commitment to community service, having served for more than a decade on the Board of Managers of the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA in San Diego, including four years as chairman. A lifelong learner, he enjoys challenging himself academically and has been taking advanced mathematics courses at CSUSM. 

The Foundation Board’s newly appointed directors are: 

Rebeca Perren 

The new faculty representative, Perren is a CSUSM marketing professor whose work focuses on business education, emerging technology, consumer behavior and marketplace equity. An award-winning educator and researcher, she has led community-engaged student initiatives, including an internship program and a student-run digital marketing agency serving regional nonprofits. Nationally, she serves on the American Marketing Association Foundation Board of Advisors, which she will chair in 2027-28, and is an inaugural member of the PhD Project Advisory Council, advancing diversity and representation in business education. 

Rae Lynch (’27) 

A student representative, Lynch is a CSUSM senior majoring in communication with a minor in biological sciences. Passionate about science and healthcare, she plans to pursue a career in sales or marketing within the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industries. As an intern with CSUSM University Communications, she supports social media management and contributes stories to the CSUSM NewsCenter. She is also a member of the Student Philanthropy Council. 

Ashley Ortiz (’27) 

A student representative, Ortiz is a CSUSM senior studying global supply chain management. She hopes to pursue a career in procurement, production, logistics or demand planning, where she can leverage data, collaboration and strategic decision-making to improve business operations. She also serves as the director of student outreach for the Global Supply Chain Management Society and is a member of the Student Philanthropy Council.  

Julianna Hunt (’28) 

A student representative and shadow director, Hunt is a CSUSM junior pursuing studies in the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences (CHABSS). Following graduation, she plans to attend law school, with the goal of building a career in corporate law. She serves as a community adviser with CSUSM Housing and as a student assistant for the CSUSM Innovation Hub. She is also a member of the Student Philanthropy Council and the Delta Zeta sorority. 

About the California State University San Marcos Foundation Board 

The California State University San Marcos Foundation Board is composed of community leaders and philanthropists who cultivate and encourage charitable investment in the university, build meaningful regional relationships and encourage a culture of philanthropy. All gifts to the university are accepted and administered by the California State University San Marcos Foundation, an official 501(c)(3) auxiliary organization of CSUSM.  

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.

Media Contact

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

Black Oak Hall is CSUSM’s fourth housing community, and Kwíila Dining is the university’s second dining facility. Kwíila, the Luiseño word for “acorn,” was chosen to honor the local tribal heritage and the land on which CSUSM resides.

More than 200 people – including local and state dignitaries, CSUSM Foundation Board members, students, faculty, staff, and construction officials – attended the ceremony.

Located at 303 Campus View Drive, the seven-story Black Oak Hall features 555 beds – 390 of which are considered affordable thanks to funding from the Higher Education Student Housing Grant program established by Senate Bill 169. Just steps away, the 10,000-square-foot Kwíila Dining will serve a variety of locally sourced foods and allow students to foster connection outside of class. 

The project also reflects CSUSM's commitment to sustainability, from its LEED Gold certification ambition and renewable energy systems to the use of native landscaping and sustainable building materials. 

President Ellen Neufeldt said the project will serve CSUSM students – more than half of whom are the first in their families to attend college – while advancing the university's mission of social mobility. 

“When housing is affordable, close to campus and connected to a supportive community, students have more time to study, participate in campus life, build relationships with faculty and peers, and ultimately persist to graduation,” Neufeldt said during the ceremony. “That is why today's celebration matters.” 

In addition to Neufeldt, others who spoke were Tristan Bugnot, president of Associated Students, Inc.; Patrick Henning, chief deputy treasurer in the State Treasurer’s Office; San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones; Viridiana Diaz, CSUSM's vice president for Student Affairs; Richard King of project designer Gensler and Eric Halverson of builder McCarthy Building Companies; Deanne Ellison, associate vice president of business development and executive director of the CSUSM Corporation; and Travis Douglas, executive director of CSUSM Housing and Residential Education.

The emcee of the ceremony was Leon Wyden Jr., CSUSM's vice president of Finance and Administrative Services and chief financial officer.

During her speech, Jones issued a proclamation in support of the housing and dining project. After the ribbon-cutting, guests were invited into Kwíila Dining for the first meal, with food provided by Sodexo, the vendor for the facility. Students gave tours of the new dorm rooms in Black Oak Hall.

The project was funded in part by $91 million received from Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California Legislature.

Construction on the site of a former parking lot for University Village Apartments, CSUSM’s original housing complex, began in 2024. Students will begin moving in later this month.

Bugnot said the new facility perfectly illustrates CSUSM's culture of care, which was a big part of the reason why he chose to attend the university over other institutions.

“As ASI president, I think a lot about what students need in order to thrive,” he said. “Students need access. Students need affordability. Students need spaces that make them feel seen and supported. Black Oak Hall and Kwíila Dining move us closer to that vision. We are creating something that you probably can’t get anywhere else in the world: the San Marcos experience.”

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

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.

Media Contact

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

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.

Media Contact

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

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.

Media Contact

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

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.

Media Contact

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

For Cal State San Marcos alumnus Jaedon Spurlock, the decision was simple.

During commencement weekend last month, he and his dad, Jared Spurlock, elected to skip the ceremony and instead climb Mount Whitney.

“I just figured, since my friends aren’t going to the ceremony, maybe it’d be all right if I did this instead,” Jaedon Spurlock said. “I think it’d be cooler, and I think it’d be more memorable for me.”

So, on Monday, May 18, after a weekend spent preparing, father and son completed the 18-hour hike up Mount Whitney.

Mount Whitney is in the Sierra Nevada range of California. It’s the highest point in the lower United States, with an elevation of 14,505 feet. Thousands of people try to reach the summit each year, but not all make it, according to the U.S. National Park Service.

The Spurlocks, however, did. And since it was commencement weekend, they held a small ceremony at the peak.

“I brought a little grad cap that I bought on Amazon, and then I also had my honors cord that I got from the school, so I just brought that with me,” Spurlock said. “I didn’t have too much space in my backpack, so I brought what I could.”

It worked out that commencement weekend was the window of opportunity for the Spurlocks to go on this journey, because permits are limited due to the sheer number of requests and the conditions on the mountain at the time, according to the Park Service.

The climb allowed the family to grow closer.

“We’ve always enjoyed doing outdoor stuff, and we wanted to do things together,” Spurlock said. “So, we’ve just started hiking together.”

He said he is used to challenges such as climbing Mount Whitney.

Jaedon was born with congenital profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and now hears with cochlear implants. The implants are small rectangular devices that sit behind the ears and act as sound processors. Then then stimulate the nerves in his ear, allowing him to hear.

The implant on the right side isn’t working, however, so he’s living with low hearing.

“I’ve always grown up using only my left side,” he said. “So, I actually have full hearing on this side, but on this side, I can’t hear at all. It’s kind of like 50% hearing.”

Asked how he navigates this challenge, he said: “A lot of times I won’t get what someone says on the first time, so I always be like, ‘Oh, could you repeat that?’ And they’ll say the same thing again. Usually, I get it the second or third time.”

He said keeping a positive attitude helps him to accept his disability.

“I think it’s just years of growing up with this disability and then being able to accomplish things that other people can,” he said. “It’s knowing that I’m just as capable as a person as anyone else.”

His degree is in software engineering, and he graduated magna cum laude. One of his professors remembers Spurlock as smart and hard-working.

“He never mentioned to me the challenge that he faced”, said Yongjie Zheng, a professor of computer science and engineering. “Instead, Jaedon worked as hard as many other students and had lots of industrial experience. He kindly shared with us his technical knowledge and internship experience in some of our classes.”

Spurlock plans to move to Orlando, Fla., this summer to begin his career at Lockheed Martin – a massive aerospace, defense and technology corporation – as a software engineer. He said his time at CSUSM helped prepare him for his future.

As his recent climbing experience illustrates, he doesn’t accept limitations on what he can accomplish.

“Don’t put yourself in a situation where you put yourself to the same expectations as others,” he said. “Set your own expectations, set your own level of confidence and just find what you can do.”

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

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Cal State San Marcos researchers – along with colleagues from the San Diego Natural History Museum, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the Research Experiences for Southern California Undergraduate Ecologists network (RESCUE-Net) – recently discovered a population of banana slugs at Palomar Mountain.

Now they are trying to determine if they stumbled on a new species of the slug, or if it is an existing species far from its usual home.

The team was so excited about its discovery that it blasted the news on social media after a population was found in photos on a nature app.

Fun fact: The mascot for UC Santa Cruz is the banana slug, which was selected in the 1980s. And in 2024, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation making the banana slug the state’s official slug.

“This tells you about the importance of this slug … in the California culture,” said Sergio Nigenda Morales, a CSUSM assistant professor of biological sciences. “If it’s a different species and a really isolated population, that’s what I’m interested in studying. And it’s in our backyard, so we can just go and try to study them.”

“Great discoveries often begin with curiosity,” said Jackie Trischman, dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. “Dr. Nigenda Morales recognized a fascinating scientific mystery right here in our area and engaged students in the process of exploring it. That's exactly the kind of hands-on learning and discovery we value at CSUSM.”

The banana slug is a decomposer that eats dead organic matter such as fallen leaves, plants and moss, then recycles it into waste that fertilizes the soil. It got its name because it resembles a ripe banana, and it’s usually found on moist forest floors in the Pacific Northwest.

Nigenda Morales said there are two ways that the population of slugs could exist here in San Diego County. One, they could have been introduced from a population farther north. Two, the slugs could have existed on Palomar Mountain for a while but are now trapped there because of the hot, dry conditions in the area surrounding the mountain.

California is home to all six currently recognized banana slug species, which explains the cultural importance of these slugs for Californians, according to Nigenda Morales.

CSUSM got involved in the project after Nigenda Morales, who joined the faculty in 2023, spoke about his genetic research on mammals, particularly whales, at UC Santa Cruz in the spring of 2025. That’s when he was approached by Janet Leonard, a UCSC researcher who’s a leading expert on banana slug reproduction.

Leonard asked if he’d be willing to partner on research on the genetic makeup of banana slugs. UCSC provided the samples, and Nigenda Morales decided that the research would make a great class and lab for students at CSUSM in a course called “Population Genetics.”

The group started the process of extracting the DNA of the samples, and a few days later, Leonard connected Nigenda Morales with some researchers and scientists from Los Angeles.

The research and initial work began last August. A short time later, a discussion was held about possible banana slug sightings at Palomar Mountain, dating back to the 1980s or even '90s, that were never proven. However, on the iNaturalist app/website, which relies on citizen science for its data, photos of the slugs on the mountain were recorded for about 10 years before a decision was made to pursue the research.

The group decided to organize an expedition to the site and tried seven times to find the slug. Luckily, eight was the magic number.

As far as next steps, the group will send the samples it collected off to be studied against the other six known populations of slugs. Once that is done, an analysis will be conducted at CSUSM with students in Nigenda Morales’ lab.

“Once we get the samples back, we can work on figuring out how much genetic diversity there is and how big the population is,” Nigenda Morales said.

The researchers also are also studying to see if the slugs can survive on the mountain.

“With small populations, you can have genetic problems such as inbreeding; if we know about that, then we can take better care of them,” he said. “We cannot intervene, but because Palomar Mountain is a California state park, we can give some recommendations to the rangers.”

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

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But in spring 2025, the 22-year-old offensive midfielder was fighting to recover after a serious injury to his collarbone. Dobbins was participating in a game near the end of the season when tragedy struck, in this case literally.

“Someone came and blindsided me. I had broken my clavicle, and it broke into three pieces,” Dobbins said. “It was pretty gnarly.”

Tim Puls, the head coach of the CSUSM men’s lacrosse club, said it was the second time that Dobbins had been injured within a year.

“In the fall (2024), he broke his collarbone in one of our fall scrimmages, and he recovered from that,” Puls said. “Then he broke his other collarbone, his left side, in the spring.”

If you’re not that familiar with lacrosse, Puls described it as “hockey on grass and turf. You’ve got some big boys in these leagues, and you’re running around with sticks. It’s pretty physical.”

Despite the physicality and even after two injuries, Dobbins said he wasn’t ready to give up. After all, he has been playing the sport since he was about 4 or 5 years old.

But the path back to the field wasn’t easy. After the second injury, Dobbins was scheduled for surgery to repair his collarbone. The day before the surgery, however, he started having breathing problems and lower back pain.

That’s when doctors discovered blood clots in his lungs. Because of the collarbone injury, blood had begun slowly filling his lungs and becoming clots, which collected in his lower lungs.

“If I had gone in, it’s pretty scary to think about back then, it probably wouldn’t have been good for me,” Dobbins said.

After the surgery, he worked with a physical therapist, learning the basics.

“My rehab was grueling and not fun at all,” he said. “I pretty much had to relearn how to use my arm, how to eat, drink, grabbing cups. It was a process.”

But through it all, he knew he had to get back on the field and rejoin his team.

His coach said Dobbins, as a captain, is “like the heartbeat of our team.”

“He takes this sport very seriously, and he wants to play at the highest level,” said Puls, adding that Dobbins “does a great job of being a leader and helping out the young guys.”

A transfer to CSUSM in 2024, Dobbins previously played at Stevenson University, an NCAA Division III school in Maryland.

Founded in 2010, CSUSM’s lacrosse club competes at Division II level in the Southwestern Lacrosse Conference. Led by Dobbins, who recorded 40 goals and 15 assists, the team went 16-2 this spring, losing in the semifinals of the national playoffs.

It’s this team and family that Dobbins credits for helping him stay positive during his recovery.

“I missed playing with my boys, my best friends,” he said.

Puls, who is also Dobbins’ stepfather, credits the team with helping Dobbins by keeping his spirits up.

“These guys supported him, they were calling and talking to him, guys were coming over to the house checking on him, making sure he was good physically and mentally,” Puls said. “And soon as he was able to move around, he went out with the guys to get some shots and reps in.”

Dobbins, who will be a senior this fall, has a major in wildfire science and the urban interface. He said he wants to win a national championship in lacrosse and then focus on firefighting.

He also said his injuries taught him a valuable lesson.

“Luckily, the body is marvelous," he said. "I learned a lot through the process. The body will never let itself fail.”

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

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

A total of 4,352 students graduated as part of this year’s class. Spring commencement, with 3,312 graduates, follows on the heels of CSUSM holding its annual fall commencement in December. Those ceremonies drew 1,040 graduates.

CSUSM’s spring commencement took place on Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16 at Mangrum Track & Field on campus, with five different ceremonies stretched across the two days.  

“Class of 2026, today you join a distinguished group of more than 75,000 CSUSM alumni,” CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said. “You are the leaders of tomorrow. Leaders who will bring to our communities and our world the ability to listen and understand multiple perspectives, to find creative solutions to the most pressing problems, and to help make our society a more just and equitable place for all. Something I say often is that our students are the change we so desperately need to see in the world. And now more than ever we need your passion, your intellect, your spirit of resilience.”

CSUSM’s commencement featured a notable guest this year as Adam Schiff, one of the two U.S. senators from California, addressed graduates and the assembled crowd Friday afternoon at the first of two ceremonies for the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences.

In the Class of 2026, 52% of the graduates are the first in their families to earn a bachelor’s degree. More than 43% come from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds. Here are some other facts:

• 87% are graduating from bachelor’s degree programs, while 13% are completing master's degree programs.
• 61% of graduates are women and 39% are male.
• The ages of those graduating with a bachelor's degree range from 20 to 68.

For the Class of 2026, the top 10 bachelor’s degree majors are:

• business administration (664)
• psychology (344)
• kinesiology (311)
• nursing (242)
• criminology and justice studies (227)
• sociology (211)
• computer science (201)
• biology (160)
• liberal studies (150)
• fine and creative arts (134)

CSUSM awarded one honorary degree during commencement, with Theresa Mendoza Rios accepting a Doctor of Fine Arts degree on behalf of her late husband, Dan Rios, who died in 2023 at age 84.

Rios was a photographer who worked for the Escondido Times-Advocate and North County Times newspapers from 1968 to 2001. By the time he retired, he had amassed a collection of about one million photo negatives that he stashed in more than 40,000 envelopes and almost 200 boxes.

Nearly two decades later, Rios was connected with the CSUSM library, and in 2018 he donated his life’s work to the library’s Special Collections department. The Dan Rios Papers, as the collection is called, consists of not only the vast cache of images, but also large- and medium-format prints, contact sheets and hundreds of letters that Rios received over the years from readers who were affected by his photos.

Before his death, the library hosted a ceremony to honor his legacy as a photographer who chronicled people and events in San Diego's North County for decades. Rios said of his collection: “I can’t even express my feelings because it’s so overwhelming that they’re going to find a use for my photos and help students and researchers and people who are interested in history.”

Visit the commencement live website to rewatch the 2025 commencement ceremonies.

Helmantoler had planned to major in speech-language pathology, but a part-time job leading art classes for children shifted her direction entirely. 

“I realized I loved working with a group of kids and creating that classroom environment,” said Helmantoler, president of the Future Educators Association (FEA), an organization for aspiring teachers at Cal State San Marcos. 

This week, Helmantoler will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies, and this fall she will begin a multiple subject credential program to teach transitional kindergarten. 

Her involvement in FEA has been supported by Project R.I.S.E. (short for Recruiting Inclusive, Supportive Educators), a CSUSM initiative aimed at strengthening Southern California’s educator pipeline.   

Jared Leeds is on a similar path, one he has envisioned since childhood. 

“I remember playing teacher when I was in kindergarten,” said Leeds, who is pursuing a single-subject credential in English and plans to teach literature to middle and high school students. 

“It’s an interest that has always stayed with me. There’s something profound about building trust with students and knowing you can make an impact, whether it’s big or small. It’s a fulfilling career path.” 

Project R.I.S.E. also has shaped Leeds’ experience. Through program events, he connected with high school students exploring teaching, as well as educators who shared their perspectives and career journeys. 

The initiative is generously funded by SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, which provided an initial $40,000 grant to launch Project R.I.S.E. last year and has since committed an additional $120,000 to expand the program. 

“Supporting future educators is an investment in the future of our communities,” said Kristin Crellin, senior vice president at SchoolsFirst FCU and a CSUSM Foundation Board director. “Programs like Project R.I.S.E. create pathways for students to become teachers who will make a lasting difference for generations to come.” 

With this investment, Project R.I.S.E. hosted 400 high school students and their teachers at the Future Educators Summit, offering 14 sessions ranging from student panels and campus tours to hands-on classroom activities. It also organized mock interviews with school administrators for CSUSM students and launched its first College and Career Readiness Summit, bringing together regional educators to co-develop pathways that better support students from high school through college and into careers in education. 

“SchoolsFirst FCU makes this work possible,” said Cassiopeia Guthrie, Project R.I.S.E. faculty fellow and Distinguished Teacher in Residence. “It allows us to create opportunities for students at every stage, from bringing high school students to campus to helping credential candidates cover essential costs like testing and certification fees, while helping build a more diverse educator workforce.” 

Support from SchoolsFirst FCU helps students like Helmantoler and Leeds become educators who will shape and inspire the next generation. It also contributes to CSUSM’s Blueprint for the Future fundraising campaign to raise $200 million in philanthropy and research funding.  

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

While the Class of 2026 prepares to walk across the graduation stage in their caps and gowns, four Cougars athletics teams and one individual are gearing up to continue their stellar seasons with appearances in regional and national championship events.

Here’s a rundown of what’s on tap.

Softball Team to Host Regional

For the second time in school history, the CSUSM softball team (50-8) will host the NCAA Division II West Regional. They will be the top seed when they face No. 8 seed Hawaii Hilo on Thursday at noon.

Joining the Cougars and Vulcans at the same site will be two teams that CSUSM knows well as rivals from the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA): No. 4 seed Cal State Dominguez Hills and No. 5 Cal State Monterey Bay.

The Cougars enjoyed another historic regular season, earning the program's second CCAA championship with a 28-4 conference record.

When they held the No. 1 spot in the Division II national ranking for four weeks, it marked the first time any CSUSM team was ranked first in a national poll since the school completed the transition from NAIA to NCAA D-II in 2017-18.

The winner of the regional pod at CSUSM will advance to face the winner of the other NCAA West Regional – consisting of No. 2 seed Cal State East Bay, No. 3 Concordia University Irvine, No. 6 Biola and No. 7 Western Washington (34-20) – in the NCAA West Super Regional on May 21-22.

Baseball Team Picked for Regional

CSUSM’s baseball team (33-17) will make its second NCAA D-II West Regional appearance after being selected as the No. 4 seed by the NCAA selection committee.

The host of the regional is top-seeded Cal State Monterey Bay, a conference rival of the Cougars, who also will be joined by No. 5 seed Northwest Nazarene. CSUSM will begin the regional by facing Northwest Nazarene for the first time ever, on Thursday at noon in Seaside, with the loser of that game facing CSUMB at 3 p.m.

The winner of the regional pod will advance to face the winner of the other NCAA West Regional – consisting of No. 2 seed Point Loma Nazarene, No. 3 Cal Poly Pomona and No. 6 Cal State San Bernardino – in the NCAA West Super Regional on May 21-23.

Women’s Golf Makes Nationals

The CSUSM women’s golf team is in Florida as one of 18 teams to qualify for the NCAA D-II national championship.

The Cougars, ranked No. 7 in the country, are the top qualifier of the five teams to make the tournament from the West Region. The national championship started Tuesday and continues through Saturday at PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

CSUSM earned its spot last week by winning the first NCAA D-II West Regional title in program history. The Cougars posted a three-round score of 55-over-par 907 to defeat No. 2 Dallas Baptist by seven strokes at Pueblo, Colo. Avery Foster led the team with a second-place finish among individuals, carding an 11-over 224.

Men’s Golf Makes History

The men’s golf program has secured a berth as a team in the NCAA D-II national championship for the first time in school history.   

The Cougars are one of 20 teams that advanced from the regionals, with the national tournament taking place May 18-22 at Boulder Creek Golf Club in Boulder City, Nev.

CSUSM punched its ticket by finishing in a tie for fourth place at the NCAA D-II West/South Central Regional, posting a three-round score of 3-over-par 867 at The Reserve at Spanos Park in Stockton. Liam Weaver led the Cougars by tying for second in the field individually with a score of 9-under 207.  

Jumper Qualifies for Track and Field Championships

Jordyn Brooks of the women's outdoor track and field team has been selected to compete in the NCAA Division II outdoor track and field championships.

Brooks will make her NCAA championships debut in the triple jump after recording the 22nd-best mark in Division II (12.20 meters) during the recent CCAA championships. Her mark ranked second in the conference and the West region.

Athletes qualified for the championships by reaching a provisional standard established for each event. For each individual event contested, the top 22 declared athletes were accepted into the competition.

The NCAA championships will be held in Emporia, Kan., and Brooks will compete on May 22.

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

Julian, a Cal State San Marcos social sciences major who's graduating this week, grew up in Los Angeles. The youngest of six siblings, she dealt with surroundings that proved challenging. She said one of her sisters became addicted to drugs when Julian was young, and a brother got involved with gangs and was in and out of juvenile hall.

Julian said her father was an abusive alcoholic and that her parents divorced when she was 2 years old. Her mother worked nights at a hospital as a nursing assistant, and her oldest brother was often responsible for taking care of her and her siblings as best he could.

But Julian doesn’t have much memory of her siblings because when she was only 6, she and her next-oldest sister were placed in foster care. They previously had been in kinship care with their maternal grandmother, who lived across the street. However, they were put in foster care after often returning to their mother’s house, where they were not allowed to be because their mother’s new boyfriend had been accused of molesting one of Julian’s siblings. 

“A lot of my childhood was just surviving,” Julian said.

Julian moved 11 times during her 13 years in foster care, making it difficult to create a solid group of friends. In eighth grade, she attended one school for only 20 days, but those 20 days marked an important milestone for her. It was at that school that she tested into honors classes, which allowed her to take AP classes when she entered high school.

After graduating from high school, Julian was accepted into the Guardian Scholars program, which helps former foster youth pursue higher education. Though the scholarship helped her afford college, the overall experience proved traumatizing.

Julian was sexually assaulted at both her initial college and another college where she transferred after the first incident. Both times, she said, her feelings were never prioritized. She said she wasn’t believed the first time and the second time she was only asked if she was pregnant.

The assaults led to a challenging period. Julian couch surfed with friends until she eventually had to move back with her biological mother because she had nowhere else to go. That, too, was traumatic as Julian contended with learning that she had been molested as a child, which she said subconsciously contributed to many of the issues she experienced as a young adult.

To make matters worse, Julian also experienced an ectopic pregnancy that left her fighting for her life in the hospital, with only one of her foster parents around to support her.

Julian recovered and worked countless jobs just trying to survive without a support system. She ended up marrying a man she hoped could provide her with stability and love, but the relationship was both physically and verbally abusive.

It continued until one day Julian knew she needed to make a change.

“I just remember thinking, ‘I don’t deserve this. I’ve worked so hard and I know I am worth more than this,’ ” she said.

After a gap of almost 20 years since she’d been in college, Julian enrolled at Irvine Valley College during the pandemic. She earned an associate degree and transferred to CSUSM in 2024 to pursue a bachelor’s degree.

During orientation at CSUSM, Julian was unsure if she had made the right choice to pursue a degree in social sciences, as she originally went to college for psychology. But seeing sociology professor Matthew Atherton made all the difference.

“When I saw Dr. Atherton’s bright smile, he made me feel like I made the right choice,” Julian said.

It wasn’t just the encouragement of professors that made her time at CSUSM special. It was also the support she received from ACE Scholars Services when she needed it most. Being in her 40s, Julian no longer qualified for financial support from ACE. However, she still loved having community support when she was going through tough times.

“ACE gave me a safe space to let out my feelings and vent about situations I was struggling with, where I may not have even been able to go to class if I held these thoughts in,” she said.

The comforting space that ACE Scholars cultivates for former foster care students has helped many students achieve the higher education goals they thought were unattainable.

Over the last 15 years, Julian met the man she is currently living with and helped him fight for custody of his two daughters. She continues to support the girls, as their biological mother was not part of their upbringing. They are 18 and 20 now, and Julian has made it her top priority to give them the life she wishes she had.

“I never thought I would be a mom because I was afraid I would transfer all the trauma that I went through onto my children,” Julian said, “But it was actually the opposite. I took everything that I didn't like from my childhood and promised I would never be that type of parent.”

So, as Julian completes her finals, writes her last papers and orders her cap and gown for graduation, she is reminded of how much of a role model she has been for her daughters. She has worked to show them that, even when life seems like it has turned against you, you can always make it through.

Julian is applying to get her master’s in education counseling at San Diego State University and hopes to continue her passion for inspiring students, especially foster students, to achieve higher education.

“Foster care children come from a place where they just need a little more help to believe in themselves,” she said. “And I hope to one day be the support for those students.”

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

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

“You need to find something to stay active,” Tony said.

He picked up gardening, building raised beds as his first woodworking project since his youth.

“They were a little rough,” he said with a laugh, but now they harvest baskets of potatoes, carrots, onions, snap peas and more.

Even seeds that accidentally fell to the ground took root, turning into tomato vines. The Jacksons’ Fallbrook home also has avocado, citrus and pomegranate trees, along with native plants that Sue carefully manages.

It’s a fitting next chapter for a couple who always has put in the work.

Retirement also gave the Jacksons more time for philanthropy.

Tony first visited Cal State San Marcos in 2011, and one thing stood out to him immediately: a dedicated office for student veterans.

“That was impressive,” he said, “to see resources for a group with unique experiences.”

This would motivate him to serve on the CSUSM Foundation Board for 13 years.

Today, he and Sue continue to support student veterans through the Major General Anthony L. Jackson Veterans Endowed Scholarship. They also support ACE Scholars Services and men’s and women’s basketball.

Using QCDs Instead of Cash to Support Students

The Jacksons’ approach to giving recently evolved.

Tony had heard of qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) from individual retirement accounts (IRAs), but he didn’t take advantage of the strategy until last year.

“We love what CSUSM is doing and knew we were going to give,” he said. “QCDs were just the wisest way to do it.”

A QCD allows individuals age 70½ or older to make a distribution from their IRA directly to a nonprofit like the CSUSM Foundation. The distribution counts toward any required minimum distribution (RMD) but doesn’t count as income, thus avoiding income tax. That can help lower overall tax liability, reduce Medicare premiums and avoid certain income-based phaseouts. Individuals can give up to $111,000 per year this way, even if their RMD is lower.

Still, for the Jacksons, the strategy is secondary.

“I remember what it was like to be a struggling student,” Tony said.

As a former student-athlete on scholarship at San Jose State, he knows personally what a difference philanthropy can make.

“Sue and I have more than we need,” he said. “How can we share that and help the generations behind us? It’s the right thing to do.”

For the Jacksons, giving to CSUSM is about more than tax efficiency. It’s about investing in students, strengthening the community they’ve long called home and continuing a lifetime of service.

Interested in QCDs?

For information on QCDs and other tax-smart ways to give, contact P. Vien Walker, director of planned giving, at 760-750-8138 or vwalker@csusm.edu, or visit plannedgiving.csusm.edu.

Every contribution to CSUSM brings the university closer to its Blueprint for the Future campaign goal to raise $200 million in philanthropy and research funding.

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

Yang is part of Cal State San Marcos' Aspiring Scholars program, which helps students with intellectual disabilities fully experience campus life while building skills, confidence and a pathway to meaningful employment. Launched in 2023 by CSUSM education professor Rebecca Brooks, the program has grown from four students to 19, offering participants an opportunity to learn and grow in the CSUSM community while earning a certificate in higher education academic and career studies. Last fall, the program reached another milestone by securing on-campus internships for students like Yang.

Yang spent the spring semester as an intern in the University Communications office. Working with other student assistants and interns in University Communications, Yang documented campus life through photography and was always eager to help in the creation of social media content.

Yang has taken hundreds of photos throughout the semester, and some of his favorites were shared in March and April. With his internship ending this month, we're sharing one more selection of some of Yang's recent work.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

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

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

Alexis Medina, human development

President’s Outstanding Graduate Award

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

Medina was lauded as an exceptional scholar, mentor and advocate whose achievements reflect the highest ideals of CSUSM and the CSU’s mission of social mobility.

His academic excellence culminated in a 3.97 grade-point average and summa cum laude distinction. But it was his hands-on commitment to advancing student success for others that most distinguishes him.

Across more than 1,200 hours of community-engaged service, Medina has worked directly with K-12 students in under-resourced schools, providing individualized academic support, facilitating small-group instruction and mentoring young learners as they navigate their own educational journeys. In dual immersion classrooms, he leverages his bilingualism, supporting Spanish-speaking students in developing both academic confidence and a sense of belonging in spaces where they are often marginalized. He intentionally creates inclusive learning environments that affirm students’ identities, reinforce their capabilities and encourage persistence in the face of challenges.

Beyond the classroom, Medina extends this impact by guiding high school students, including first-generation and multilingual learners, through college and career exploration, helping them envision pathways that may have once felt out of reach.

Wendy Hardy, linguistics

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

Hardy, who also has a minor in French and American Indian studies, was praised for leaving a lasting impact academically and culturally across the campus community.

Hardy’s work demonstrates the transformative power of language to build understanding, preserve culture and advance justice. Graduating with a 3.958 grade-point average, she displays academic excellence that's matched by the depth of her applied work, from contributing to the Kawaiisu Language Documentation Project in support of Indigenous language revitalization to advancing research on linguistic justice through faculty-led scholarship. She is also a gifted educator, serving as a teaching assistant in French, teaching at the San Marcos Senior Center, and bringing creativity and care to tutoring and mentoring.

As founder and inaugural president of the Linguistics Collective, president of the French Club and a leader on the CHABSS Dean’s Student Advisory Council, Hardy has created spaces for belonging, professional growth and community that will endure well beyond her time at CSUSM.

Casey Budlong, business administration marketing

Gerevas Family Dean’s Award, College of Business Administration

Budlong has made a difference across many student groups on campus, and she was hailed as a purpose-driven student leader whose academic excellence and professional growth reflect the very best of CoBA.

Graduating with a 3.915 grade-point average, Budlong has distinguished herself as a top-performing marketing student with a strong foundation in both the analytical and creative dimensions of the field. Business professor Kristin Stewart said from her experience working with Budlong through a Professional Sales Center social media micro-internship, along with consistent feedback from her professors, she is repeatedly described as reliable, independent and collaborative. Budlong also was lauded for consistently taking initiative and producing work that is both thoughtful and results-driven.

Beyond the classroom, Budlong has made a meaningful impact on campus and in the broader community through leadership and service, including supporting environmental efforts through the Surfrider Foundation and serving as a volunteer board member for the Huntington’s Disease Society of America San Diego Chapter.

Isabel Serrano, biochemistry

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

Graduating with a 3.95 grade-point average in a demanding major, Serrano has distinguished herself through academic excellence and the depth and impact of her research.

In the lab, Serrano has made meaningful contributions to the field, developing novel compounds with potential applications in areas like medical imaging and next-generation technology. Her work has led to a peer-reviewed publication and a patent contribution through her internship with Novartis.

Serrano was lauded for how she brings others along with her. As the founding president of Out in STEM and a leader in multiple student organizations, she has created opportunities for her peers to connect and see themselves in STEM fields. She has helped raise funds so fellow students could attend conferences, mentored first-generation students and built communities where people feel like they belong. Outside of campus, she has carried that same commitment into her community, using her bilingual skills to advocate for others. Serrano’s journey is already opening doors for those around her.

Callie Steppat, biological sciences

Dean’s Award, Graduate Studies and Research

Steppat is completing a master’s degree with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average and will continue her education in a Ph.D. program at Cornell.

In the lab, Steppat has built an extraordinary track record by finishing her degree in one year, an unprecedented achievement in the program. She has led five research projects, contributed to six peer-reviewed manuscripts and introduced entirely new lines of inquiry that will continue shaping the lab’s work long after she leaves, according to biology professor Dennis Kolosov.

Kolosov praised Steppat for being an outstanding teacher and mentor, someone who creates supportive, inclusive spaces where students feel comfortable asking questions and building confidence in science. She has co-mentored undergraduate and graduate students in the lab and the classroom, truly embodying the teacher-scholar model, helping lead them to conference presentations and publications.

Outside the university, she volunteers in her community through beach cleanups, supporting dental care for underserved populations and working with veterans in need.

Nayelie Ortiz, sociology

Dean of Students’ Outstanding Leadership Award

Ortiz has built a strong academic record, but Interim Dean of Students Norma Larios said what stands out most is how Ortiz has used her time at CSUSM to lift up those around her.

Since her first year, Ortiz has been deeply involved with the COMPASS Center, supporting undocumented, mixed-status and immigration-impacted students through mentorship, advocacy and day-to-day care. She has helped students navigate challenges and persist to graduation, often stepping in during moments of real crisis to make sure no one feels alone. Whether organizing support for a peer in need or simply showing up consistently with empathy and encouragement, Ortiz leads in a way that is both powerful and personal.

That commitment to others extends far beyond campus. Ortiz mentors first-generation students, coaches youth soccer and volunteers in community safety patrols to support families in her hometown. Even while facing personal challenges, including the impact of devastating fires affecting her own community, she has remained focused on showing up for others.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

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

Bonnie Biggs was a longtime Cal State San Marcos librarian – so long that her tenure predates the university’s official founding by three years – who knew that her second act would revolve around canines. The colorfully named Koshare Squash Blossom Beignet Biggs – Koshi, for short – was a Catahoula leopard hound from Louisiana who had survived Hurricane Katrina and been rescued from a high-kill shelter in Fresno.

When their paths crossed at a local animal shelter two decades ago, Biggs knew she had found her next four-legged friend. What she couldn’t have anticipated was that the magic that happened between the two of them would ultimately spawn a magical event that has transformed the CSUSM community for the better.

Koshi has passed, but her legacy will be evident at CSUSM on May 7. On that Thursday, Biggs, her husband, Gunnar, and two of their current dogs – 12-year-old Zuni, who was Koshi’s little sister, and 3-year-old Molly – will be on campus along with 18 other teams of owners and dogs. They will be stationed outside the third-floor entrance to Kellogg Library to mark the 15th anniversary of Pause for Paws, the beloved, twice-annual event at which therapy dogs help soothe the jangled nerves of CSUSM students during the week before final exams.

To say that Biggs, fellow volunteers, their dogs and the campus community – not only students, but canine-crazy faculty and staff and even President Ellen Neufeldt – look forward to Pause for Paws would be an extreme understatement.

“There are hundreds of volunteers who I’ve worked with over the years, and this is everybody’s favorite visit,” Biggs said. “The students come swarming up the dogs and drop to their knees, hug them, love them. Even these big athletes go goo-goo. Everything changes when they’re around dogs.”

During the three-hour event (which runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.), hundreds of students will get their fur fix as they enter or exit the library. They will love on not only Zuni and Molly, but a menagerie of mutts – among them Lucy, a maltipoo whose owner, Liz, has been with Biggs from the beginning; Daisy, a terrier/dachshund mix; Katie, a cavalier King Charles spaniel; Dude, a standard poodle; Biscuit, a chocolate Labrador; Myles, a golden retriever; Bear, a mixed mutt; Sammy, a corgi; and Camper, a silken windhound.

Students can write and post messages on pieces of paper cut into the shape of chew bones, and in past years the sentiments have included things like:

• “Thank you for bringing the dogs. I really needed them.”
• “So grateful to you and our fur friends!”
• “This is amazing. This is the best day ever.”
• “All the beautiful pups brought me so much joy today.”
• “Thanks for making our lives not so ruff! XOXO”

With finals staring them in the face, students might derive the most benefit from the dogs, but plenty of employees mark their calendars as well. Regina Eisenbach, who retired as dean of academic advising and academic programs last year and is now serving as a faculty fellow, owns two dachshunds and jokingly calls herself a “crazy dog lady.” Pause for Paws is perennially her favorite day of the semester.

“Seeing so many different kinds of dogs is amazing to me,” Eisenbach said. “How can a corgi and a Great Dane be the same species? And how did they all descend from wolves? Truly incredible creatures.

“At Pause for Paws, I get to pet them all, release all the stress in my day and just get doggie kisses. Nothing better than that. Also, seeing how happy the students are to see the dogs warms my heart – I firmly believe it helps them study for finals.”

Biggs is a lifelong dog lover, but it wasn’t until her retirement years that she had time to make this present work her passion project. Her career had been a foundational one in CSUSM history. She began working at the university in 1986, when it was still a North County extension campus of San Diego State, housed in a Jerome’s furniture store.

As a librarian, Biggs was a member of the founding faculty when CSUSM was instituted in 1989, and she doubled as the assistant to longtime library dean Marion Reid. Early in her tenure, a professor who was Lakota Sioux asked her to reach out to tribal libraries that recently had lost funding from San Diego County. One of the unexpected outcomes of what became a long and fruitful partnership with local American Indian tribes is that, when students (seeking a school mascot) came to Biggs wondering about the Luiseno word for mountain lion, she consulted the tribe’s language keeper and came back with “Tukwut.” The name stuck.

Biggs planned to retire in 2003, but then-President Karen Haynes convinced her to stay on by creating the job of tribal liaison – the first such position at the college level in California. In her role, Biggs established another state first in the Native Advisory Council, a body that counsels the president on university relations with American Indian communities and fosters collaboration with area tribes.

“After we developed them, almost everyone in the state, all the way up to Berkeley, wanted to have some kind of tribal liaison, some kind of native council,” Biggs said. “So that’s something I’m proud of, and CSUSM should be, too.”

Retirement held for Biggs in 2007, and one of the first things she did was sign up for obedience training with her new dog, Koshi. Told by the trainer that Koshi would make a good therapy dog, Biggs admitted that she didn’t know what that was.  

She learned that therapy dogs are different from service dogs and emotional support animals. They are specifically trained to tolerate a wide range of environments and to provide companionship and comfort to many people.

Biggs was introduced to Love on a Leash, an organization founded in Oceanside in 1984 by Liz Palika, a dog obedience instructor who introduced the idea of pet-provided therapy to schools, hospitals and nursing homes. Love on a Leash has since expanded nationwide, with thousands of members across the country.

Biggs put Koshi through the Love on a Leash certification and began volunteering with her at hospitals, hospice facilities and – close to Biggs’ heart – libraries, where shy children gain confidence by reading books to eternally patient dogs. It seemed only natural to expand dog therapy to CSUSM, and that’s just what Biggs did in 2011.

“The idea of bringing all this love and support back here to such a special place for me was the best of both worlds,” she said.

Biggs and Koshi – joined by other volunteers and dogs – debuted at CSUSM in May 2011 for an event that they called the first University Stress Buster. By the second edition that fall, a volunteer had tagged it with the catchier name Pause for Paws.

“I knew I was on to something the minute I came here with Koshi, just based on the reaction,” Biggs said.

From the outset, CSUSM’s library has been a hand-in-hand partner with Pause for Paws – starting with Melanie Chu and continuing for the last nine years with Rosa Rodriguez, Chu’s successor as outreach coordinator. Rodriguez has broadened the scope of the event to include arts and crafts, creative activities and supply giveaways in collaboration with campus groups like Student Health & Counseling Services and the Cougar Care Network.

“I appreciate the joy it brings to students during finals,” Rodriguez said. “I love seeing the smiling faces around me as students, staff and faculty join the event to get some fur love.”

When Koshi was in her later years, Biggs and her husband – Gunnar is a bass musician who used to be an instructor at SDSU and Palomar College – adopted Zuni from Arkansas. A treeing Walker coonhound, Zuni also was certified through Love on a Leash and picked up the finer points of the therapy dog craft by observing her big sister. Molly, a “stubborn” beagle adopted from Calexico, in turn has learned from Zuni, who has been read to by children so often that a friend of Biggs awarded the dog an honorary Master of Library Science degree (the same one earned by her owner, of course).

The Biggses have a third dog, a chihuahua-beagle mix named Lupe, but she’s not people-friendly enough to be a therapy pet.

What do the dogs derive from their work?

“I think it’s that oxytocin exchange,” Biggs said. “It’s a comfort hormone, and they know they’re being loved. They know they make people happy. They feel useful.”

Pause for Paws has grown so popular that Biggs and her crew now make three other appearances on campus annually: the “What Gives Your Life Meaning?” campaign organized by the CSU Shiley Haynes Institute for Palliative Care each semester and Super STEM Saturday every March.

The event on May 7 outside the library, however, is what Biggs lives for – what she has lived for the last 15 years.

“I get the same good, warm feeling being on the other end of the leash,” she said. “I can’t imagine not doing this.”

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306