Ricardo Vargas, an earth science major at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH), is eager to acquire new knowledge about the natural world, engage and network with peers, and explore the nation's capital during the warm summer months as an intern in the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Department of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS). Vargas will be in Washington D.C. from May 29 to Aug. 9 as part of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities' (HACU) National Internship Program. A 33-year-old Long Beach resident, Vargas will be part of an NSF team that will be running statistical analysis related to the demographics of students participating in ... Read More
Archive
Commencement 2015: big on pomp, deep in circumstance
Eagerly emerging from deep within the StubHub Center Tennis Stadium tunnel like teams about to compete in a sporting event, California State University, Dominguez Hills' (CSUDH) Class of 2015 waved to throngs of family, friends, faculty and staff as they walked toward their seats amid rumbling cheers during five college-based commencement ceremonies. The difference: victory was already theirs. After taking their seats, students listened to words of well wishes, personal reflections from their own college years, and offerings of insightful advice that trumpeted from the platform party, Academy Award-winning actor Forest Whitaker, and local and national civic and business leaders. For two ... Read More
CSUDH students help Charles Drew Saturday Science Academy strengthen STEM among under-represented youth
Ten kindergarteners bounce up and down and cry out, “What are we going to plant? What are we going to plant?” as California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) biology major Jessica Munoz-Mora leads them to a small vegetable garden on the campus of Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science. In a nearby building, middle and high school students sit in classrooms and work out complex math problems with help from CSUDH biology majors Hector Meza-Lopez and Ronald Gonzalez and biochemistry major Amarachi Okafor before they move on to lessons in the life and physical sciences. It's a Saturday, and these youth–and their college-aged teachers– could be enjoying a sunny day with ... Read More
University Receives $3 Million for Higher Education Innovation
California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) has been awarded a $3 million one-time infusion of state funds in recognition of its innovative efforts to reduce the average time to earn a degree and increase graduation rates among its students. The university was one of 14 California public colleges and universities–and one of only five CSU campuses– selected to share a pool of $50 million allocated by Governor Jerry Brown in the 2014 state budget. The Awards for Innovation in Higher Education reward colleges and universities for implementing creative techniques that improve educational outcomes and have the potential to be replicated at other institutions. “The award recognizes ... Read More
‘STEM in Action’ conference at CSUDH stirs the imagination of K-12 students
Scaling a rock wall to learn about human energy output, discovering why solar tubes float, and launching paper rockets to put Newton's Law to the test are just a few of the learning activities that were offered to local school children during the first “STEM in Action: A Kid's Conference” at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH). Hosted on May 5 by the California STEM Institute for Innovation and Improvement (CSI3), a component of the Center for Innovation in STEM Education (CISE) at CSUDH, the conference featured a dozen booths designed to stir wonder, arouse the imagination and evoke the ingenuity of the nearly 450 K-12 students who attended the conference. “The ... Read More
Class of 2015 raises most money ever, helps hydrate future Toros
Surrounded by an enthusiastic and seemingly thirsty group of seniors and other California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) students, the Class of 2015 unveiled its Senior Class Gift on May 7, the first of four new clean water drinking stations to be installed on campus. The unveiling of the filtered water station took place in a high-traffic outdoor hallway on the second floor the Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) building. The event included brief remarks and a table full of water bottles ready for students to grab and fill with fresh and free water at the end of the ceremony. “I like the clean water drinking stations because they're convenient for the students to get ... Read More
Class of 2015: Audrey Edwards, B.A., theatre arts, performer
For many of the California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) students who will graduate May 15 and 16, being conferred a university degree will significantly help them to find a career, a calling, or even a future. For theatre arts major Audrey Edwards, the years she spent on stage at CSUDH as an actor and scholar has helped her find a voice. “When I was little I was super shy, super little and had no voice. But getting on stage helped me find my voice,” said Edwards, a Los Angeles resident who first began performing in middle school. “I wish I could have found the arts when I was younger, but I have it now and I want to use it to help inspire others.” Edwards likes dancing ... Read More
Class of 2015: Erik Ceja, B.S., business administration, entrepreneur
KNWRZN? What could that possibly mean? For Erik Ceja, a business administration student at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) who graduates May 15 with his bachelor's degree, it is a growing streetwear apparel business and brand, an investment in his future, and a tribute to a lost friend. “My best friend Omar 'Reazn' Valdez passed away in 2007 at the age of 24. He was a local graffiti artist who greatly influenced me when I was growing up,” said Ceja, whose degree concentration is in marketing and advertising. “After he passed away, I wanted to keep his spirit alive and created the first incarnation of KNWRZN.” He shelved the name after a couple of years to ... Read More
Class of 2015: Benjamin Clinton, 65, B.A, interdisciplinary studies, giver
At 65 years of age, Benjamin Clinton, an interdisciplinary studies student at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH), has no plans to hold back his career aspirations. In fact, like most of his fellow graduates who will walk across the commencement stage May 15 and 16, he sees his bachelor's degree as a critical step toward professional advancement. “Just by having a bachelor's degree while working for Los Angeles County will enable me to move up in the system,” said Clinton, a Carson resident who has been working in Los Angeles County's Department of Public Social Services' (DPSS) GAIN (Greater Avenues for Independence) program for 31 years. “My degree will make me eligible ... Read More
CSUDH Biology Major Wins at CSU Student Research Competition
California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) biology major Ashley Potter took home second place at the CSU Student Research Competition that occurred May 1 and 2 at CSU San Bernardino. The Long Beach resident won for her presentation on “Bleaching and its Effect on the Competitive Interactions of the Symbiotic Cnidarian, Anthopleura elegantissima,” which garnered her first place at the CSUDH Student Research Day earlier in the year and advanced her to the statewide competition. “There were so many talented students who worked so hard on their research and presentations,” said Potter of her win. “I felt grateful that my hard work and research efforts had been acknowledged and ... Read More
