For the last two years, students at California State University, Dominguez Hills and CSU Long Beach have been participating in a unique opportunity to gain field work experience through community-based service learning and hands-on research. The institutions, who signed a memo of understanding in 2008, have been creating the Cambodian Community History and Archive Project (CamCHAP). The project is directed by Susan Needham, professor and chair of anthropology at CSU Dominguez Hills, and Karen Quintiliani, assistant professor of anthropology at CSU Long Beach, with support from the Historical Society of Long Beach (HSLB), which has provided space in their offices for the physical archive and ... Read More
Archive
Chicana/Chicano Studies Department’s 40th Anniversary Recognized by City of Carson
In 1970, an interdisciplinary program called Mexican American studies was offered at California State University, Dominguez Hills. In 1994, it was designated as a stand-alone program and the Chicana/Chicano studies department was established. On Sept. 1, Irene Vasquez, chair and professor of Chicana/Chicano studies was recognized with her students at a meeting of the Carson City Council in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the discipline at CSU Dominguez Hills and in conjunction with Hispanic Heritage Month. Vasquez, who arrived at the university in 2005, said that she was attracted to teaching Chicana/Chicano studies at CSU Dominguez Hills because of the student demographics and ... Read More
CSU Dominguez Hills Students to Work with Local Preschoolers through New Jumpstart Partnership
California State University, Dominguez Hills has become the newest Jumpstart early childhood education location in Southern California. Jumpstart Los Angeles County at CSU Dominguez Hills will pair college students with preschoolers at Rainbow Child Development Center and Immanuel Children Development Center in Compton for twice-weekly sessions that will include helping the children with basic language and math skills, reading, and assisting teachers. The corps will also be working with children in the university’s Child Development Center. Among the first activities the new location will participate in is Jumpstart’s nationwide “Read for the Record” read-a-thon campaign on October 7. ... Read More
Unveiling of “Manifest Diversity” Celebrates Mural of Diverse American History
On Sept. 9, students, faculty and staff, alumni, and other community supporters gathered near the Loker Student Union at California State University, Dominguez Hills for the unveiling of “Manifest Diversity,” a mural that was created under the guidance of muralist Eliseo Art Silva. The large-scale work with its depiction of a multiethnic view of American history as painted by students and volunteers from the university community is now on view in the Multicultural Center. “Manifest Diversity,” which was inspired largely by the writings of historian and social activist Howard Zinn, features approximately 95 images of individuals and iconic scenes in American history, from Pre-Columbian ... Read More
Pete Van Hamersveld: Fight Against Cancer Won at Marathon Finish Line
In December, 2007, Pete Van Hamersveld (Class of ’92, M.A., sociology) was told on his 50th birthday that he had colon cancer. It had been discovered during a routine colonoscopy, and the resulting surgery revealed that the cancer had spread to his lymph nodes. Van Hamersveld had Stage 3C colon cancer, which is one level before a terminal diagnosis. That was in January 2008, and throughout more than a year’s worth of chemotherapy, radiation, and a second surgery, he decided to take on a regimen of physical conditioning that included running—thus entering a race to save his life literally and figuratively. “When I was going through chemo, I was given a lot of material by the American ... Read More
Jumpstart: CSU Dominguez Hills Launches Partnership with National Mentoring Program for Preschoolers
In the early weeks of the fall semester at California State University, Dominguez Hills students are not just buying textbooks and reading syllabuses for their new classes. Students from a wide variety of majors are preparing to serve 300 hours over the course of the 2010-11 academic year as Jumpstart Corps members. The students will be working to ensure that preschoolers in Carson and Compton receive mentoring and encouragement that will propel them to do well in school and to begin to think of themselves as college-bound. Jumpstart, a nonprofit focused on early childhood education, addresses school readiness among preschool children in low-income communities. The 30 members of the ... Read More
Monika Martinez: Life’s Work is a Sustainable Journey
As Lomita’s assistant city clerk, Monika Martinez (Class of ’00, B.A., public administration) is proud to be part of a local government that has always operated lean enough to ensure that getting through the state’s economic crisis would not be as dire as the circumstances other communities are facing. As a fiber artist whose knitted and felted creations will be featured in the prestigious Contemporary Crafts Market in November, her personal philosophies of green living and sustainable practices are interwoven through both her personal and professional life. “I’m very much into the green lifestyle,” she says. “When I wash my dishes, I’ll use the [leftover] water to water my garden. ... Read More
Recent Grants to CSU Dominguez Hills Focus on Meeting L.A.’s K-12 Educational Needs
In the past few months, the School of Education at California State University, Dominguez Hills has been awarded three prestigious grants totaling more than $13 million that will allow the university to have a greater impact in meeting the educational needs of the Los Angeles region. “These significant projects, along with existing grant-funded programs, support teacher development from the undergraduate level all the way through the administrator level,” said Dr. Cynthia Grutzik, acting director of the School of Education. “All three projects are pushing the envelope in terms of how we think about teacher and administrator preparation. Each one addresses a specific need in Los Angeles ... Read More
CSU Dominguez Hills to Unveil 8’x32’ Multicultural Mural
As part of the 50th anniversary of California State University, Dominguez Hills, the university’s Multicultural Center (MCC) will unveil “Manifest Diversity,” a large-scale multimedia mural created by students under the guidance of award-winning and nationally recognized Los Angeles muralist Eliseo Art Silva on Sept. 9. The mural was created to celebrate the diversity of CSU Dominguez Hills and its surrounding areas, as well as historical social accomplishments that have contributed to a more inclusive and multicultural America. Family and friends of mural honorees such as the late United Farm Workers of America labor leader Larry Itliong, along with local officials, students, and ... Read More
Synthia SAINT JAMES: Renowned Artist Unveils First in Series of 50th Anniversary Commemorative Paintings by Local Artists
Every year, the Annual Fall Reception at California State University, Dominguez Hills welcomes faculty and staff to the new academic year. On August 23, this year’s celebration was especially memorable with the unveiling of a commemorative painting and poster by renowned artist Synthia SAINT JAMES. “Cincuenta” (Fifty) is the first in a series that will be created by locally based artists to celebrate the 50th anniversary of CSU Dominguez Hills. “What I really want is for everyone who is a part of this school – faculty, staff, anyone who is an alumni – to have something to feel proud of in celebration of the 50th anniversary,” said SAINT JAMES at the unveiling in the ballroom of the ... Read More
