Kandis Newman

Occupational Therapy Student Wins 2023 CSU Trustees’ Award

September 12, 2023 By Kandis Newman

Krystal Lopez is pursuing an advanced degree in occupational therapy (OT) for one simple reason. “I want to help people,” she says.

“A lot of us don’t realize how much we take the things that we’re able to do for granted, until we’re no longer able to do them,” Lopez continues. “Being able to help people regain their independence, become happier, and have a better life overall—that’s what really inspires me.”

Born and raised in Santa Ana, Calif., Lopez is an OT graduate student at CSUDH. After graduating from the University of California, Irvine (UCI) in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and social behavior, she decided to transition over to OT studies for her graduate work. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in OT from CSUDH.

Lopez’s hard work and dedication have earned her a 2023 CSU Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement. The Trustees’ Award is the California State University’s highest recognition of student achievement, providing annual scholarships to one student from each CSU campus who demonstrates superior academic performance, personal accomplishments, community service, and financial need. In addition to the CSU Trustees’ Award, Lopez was named the 2023 TELACU Scholar.

“The life stories of these extraordinary students who have triumphed over personal hardships to stand among the university system’s most distinguished scholars are a testament to the transformative power of public higher education,” said CSU Interim Chancellor Jolene Koester in announcing the awards.

Lopez’s OT journey began during her senior year at UCI, when she started volunteering at an OT clinic as part of her studies. The COVID-19 pandemic limited her options, but she eventually found a clinic that was accepting new volunteers.

“I really liked it there,” she says. “I loved the people, the staff, and especially the kids I got to work with. I ended up getting offered a job there.”

Many of Lopez’s co-workers at the clinic had an OT background and were familiar with the program at CSUDH. “They spoke really highly of it and said to be prepared because it was really competitive. But I took a chance, applied, and got in! My peers were very happy for me because they went through the same process and knew how difficult it was.”

As a first-generation college student, Lopez is proud to be a part of the CSUDH OT community. “We have really amazing professors that bring a lot of great insights. They’re able to help us understand what we need to learn to be to become better professionals. Even though there’s a big cohort of us in the program, it’s divided into individual sections, which helps us get close to and rely on each other.”

After earning her master’s, Lopez would like to return to Santa Ana and work with children there. “I want to be able to give back to my community. I grew up there and know what kinds of struggles the people go through. I want to bring back the knowledge I’ve gained and bring resources back into the community.

“Basically, I just want to help kids so that they’re also able to do whatever it is that they want to do!”

Staff Spotlight: Cesar Mejia Gomez

September 6, 2023 By Kandis Newman

“Construction is in my blood,” says Cesar Mejia Gomez, which is just one of the reasons that he loves his job as lead carpenter in CSUDH’s Facilities Services department.

“I enjoy that I can make a difference for our students,” he says. “The work I do helps students enjoy their learning process more by beautifying, transforming, and maintaining our classrooms and other important areas of our campus. It gives the campus a more welcoming feeling.”

Gomez’ days usually begin by checking for new work requests that have come in for him or the staff he supervises. Then he’ll either head onto campus or go to his shop in Facilities Services to work on current projects. Gomez often heads off campus to procure materials for the office’s various repair and construction projects, as well.

Gomez has been at CSUDH for 12 years, working his way up from laborer to being in charge of the carpentry shop. He’s proud of the work he’s done to keep the campus up and running, saying, “I’ve been able to impact the lives of many of our students and staff by providing quality repairs, renovations, and beautifying different areas of our infrastructure, while delivering great customer service.”

A native of El Salvador, Gomez started in construction work when he was a child in his native country, working for his uncle Jaime, a general contractor. He fled El Salvador during the 1980’s due to the nation’s bloody civil war, initially immigrating to Mexico. Gomez crossed the border into the United States illegally, but obtained permanent residency five years later–and became a U.S. citizen five years after that.

Gomez’ early years in the U.S. were marked by a series of jobs–from dishwasher at Bob’s Big Boy to restaurant chimney and exhaust system cleaner. He found his way back into the construction trade thanks to a TV cabinet he built to try and earn some extra cash. While shopping the cabinet around, Gomez stopped to get gas for his truck.

At the gas station, Gomez noticed a black truck just pulling out that sported a sign advertising construction services. Gomez ran over, knocked on the truck’s window, and told the man driving he was looking for a job. Gomez showed him the cabinet he had just built, and a week later the man called an offered Gomez a job as his helper.

The two built the company up over the next eight years, and Gomez went into a 50/50 partnership running it. Three years later, Gomez decided to branch out and form his own contracting firm. He ran that company for 20 years, and soon after leaving that behind, he landed the job at CSUDH.

When he’s not working, Gomez loves music and enjoys singing karaoke. His favorite place to hang out is at home with his family, and likes to put his skills to work fixing up his house or taking long walks with his wife on the beach or around their neighborhood.

Gomez feels blessed to have a beautiful family and a job he knows contributes to the learning environment at CSUDH. “I love my job, I love what I do, and I love the people around me,” he says. “I don’t see myself working somewhere else–our campus has become my second home!”

Fun Facts About Cesar Mejia Gomez

Favorite movie:
The Ten Commandments.

Favorite book:
The Bible.

Favorite song:
“Cómo Quisiera Decirte,” by Los Ángeles Negros

Favorite food:
“I like pretty much everything!”

If a movie was made about your life, who would you want to play you?
Tom Hanks.

Favorite childhood memory?
Going to the beach with my family.

What inspires you to get up in the morning?
That I am blessed to be alive and have a beautiful family.

Describe yourself in three words.
“A happy man!”

CSUDH Receives $1 Million STEM Grant from U.S. Department of Homeland Security

August 15, 2023 By Kandis Newman

CSUDH sign on Victoria, Innovation and Instruction building in background

California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) has been awarded a portion of an $8.9 million Scientific Leadership Award (SLA) grant from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate. CSUDH was one of eight Minority Serving Institutions nationally to be included in the grant, and joined CSU Northridge as one of only two in California.

CSUDH will receive $1 million over the five-year length of the grant for their program Securing the Future of Los Angeles: CSUDH Homeland Security Initiative, which will launch the Homeland Security Initiative at CSUDH. The initiative aims to build the university’s capacity in interdisciplinary research, education, and workforce development for Homeland Security Enterprises (HSE).

The initiative has three major goals: to recruit and support students towards completing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) or Homeland Security-related degrees through improved, relevant curricula, experiential learning, and integrated research; to build research capacity in HSE topics at CSUDH through supporting innovative, interdisciplinary research projects and funding development; and to develop a diverse and qualified workforce that is ready for future security challenges, especially in the Los Angeles region.

Qiyuan Jin, assistant professor of public administration and the principal investigator for the grant said, “HSE requires a diverse, competent workforce that specializes in areas such as counterterrorism, border security, cyber security, supply chain management, and disaster management. This challenge is particularly salient in the L.A. and Southern California region, where we have critical security challenges in areas such as international trade, immigration, and transportation.”

“As a Minority Serving Institution, our university can play a critical role in training a qualified and more diverse homeland security workforce by creating evidence-based education and career pathways from community college to our campus, and also potentially to advanced degrees and then on to successful careers.”

The grant will help CSUDH create new courses and adapt existing coursework to focus on the STEM-related goals of the project. The university will also partner with local community institutions on the project, including working with community colleges to recruit interested students.

The grant team proposed numerous impactful interdisciplinary research projects, which cover topics including cybersecurity, maritime security, supply chain disruption, systems engineering, disaster management, counterterrorism, and social media analytics. CSUDH will also work with the Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Threats and Emergencies (CREATE) at the University of Southern California on collaborative research projects and joint research events to support experiential learning.

The SLA grant will provide Toro students with a wide range of additional education, research, and career development opportunities such as SLA Scholarships, research assistants, internship programs, and mentorship programs. In addition, the university will team with local partners such as the South Bay Workforce Investment Board, Los Angeles International Airport, Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, and Los Angeles County to create internships and professional development and networking events, providing career pathways for Toro students.

“The Department of Homeland Security firmly believes that STEM innovation allows us to solve the complex challenges of today and make a difference in how we secure and protect our country into the future,” said DHS Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “We are proud to partner with minority serving academic institutions to conduct Homeland Security research and find innovative ways to execute the DHS mission.”

“The Scientific Leadership Award grants are critical investments in protecting the nation from future threats, and we are proud to support the work of these outstanding institutions,” said Dr. Dimitri Kusnezov, DHS Under Secretary for Science and Technology. “We believe that by partnering with these institutions, we can bring fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to the field, and ultimately make our country safer and more secure.”

“The DHS’s Science and Technology Directorate offers very well-regarded research opportunities to institutions of higher learning, often centering on collaborations and partnerships with DHS-sponsored Centers of Excellence,” said Gus Martin, professor of criminal justice administration and Director of the CSUDH School of Public Service and Justice. “Within this context, the grant represents the recognition by the directorate of the professional excellence of CSUDH faculty. The contribution to regional policy will be significant.”

For Jin, the grant aligns perfectly with CSUDH’s mission of student success. “This program will help our students better prepare for future challenges in homeland security and related fields,” he said. “Our university is all about providing opportunities and social mobility for students from traditionally underserved communities. This grant is a perfect opportunity to further our mission and also deepen our impact in the community.”

Staff Spotlight: Ludivina Snow

July 26, 2023 By Kandis Newman

Ludivina Snow in black turtleneck and patterned blazer.

“I’ve always wanted to help people from underserved communities,” says Ludivina Snow, Director of the Toro Guardian Scholars (TGS) program at CSUDH. “While I was in grad school, I had the privilege of working at an alternative school for current and former foster youth, and young people involved in the youth and adult carceral systems. I knew then that I would always want to work serving these populations.”

In her role leading TGS, Snow is doing exactly that. The TGS program is designed to help support college students that have transitioned from the foster care system, providing a wide range of services and resources that assist them throughout their educational journey.

Working at CSUDH is a dream come true for Snow, who earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2012 from the university. While she was a Toro student, the mentoring she received from her professors was an invaluable inspiration.

“They saw the potential in me and knew I would be able to achieve my dreams,” says Snow. “Since then, I knew I wanted to work at CSUDH if the opportunity allowed. I want to provide other students with the same supportive experience I had.”

After graduating from CSUDH, Snow went on to attain a master’s degree in clinical psychology from the University of Tulsa, and a master of public administration degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Prior to joining TGS, she served as Youth Justice Program Manager at CASA of Los Angeles, an organization that mobilizes community volunteers to advocate for youth in the foster care system.

As Director of TGS, Snow says, “Every day is so different! That’s one of the things I enjoy most about my role. I do everything from writing reports and updating procedures to collaborating with other departments. And I have lots of meetings!”

Over the past few months, Snow and her team have restructured TGS to ensure that each member has responsibilities that align with programmatic and personal goals. It’s an effort she’s especially proud of, as it will allow TGS to help students even more effectively and efficiently.

Snow is also enthusiastic about the newly remodeled TGS office, located on the third floor of Welch Hall. The comfy space now includes a bank of computers for students to use, a food pantry, health and hygiene supplies, television, and spaces where students can just kick back and relax between classes. “I am so proud that we’ve been able to make our office space more welcoming and student-centered,” says Snow.

As far as she’s concerned, Snow has the best job at CSUDH. “I really love my work,” she says. “I love coming in every day, working with my team, and helping our students. I enjoy thinking creatively to develop workshops and opportunities for students, and love working with my colleagues here–they’re all so dedicated!”

Snow credits much of her work ethic to her family and upbringing. As a teenager, she used to spend weekend nights helping her parents clean upscale restaurants. “It taught me a lot about what it means to work hard, and it gave me something to aim for,” remembers Snow. “I always thought that maybe one day I would be able to eat in those restaurants, too.”

In fact, she says that exploring new restaurants is one of her favorite ways to spend her time these days. She’s also a big fan of plant shops, and enjoys baking, traveling, watching scary movies, and visiting family and friends when she’s not busy helping Toro students. Her “dream space” to spend time is at home with her husband and two dogs–a black Maltese and a beige Havanese Poodle mix.

Ultimately, it’s her connection with CSUDH’s mission that keeps Snow excited about her job at TGS. “I really want to help bring educational opportunities to underserved communities,” she says. “I want to help create a culture of care and increase access for students, especially current and former foster youth. As administrators, we all have a duty to provide a buffer against oppressive systems and create more equitable and trauma-informed systems.”

Fun Facts About Ludivina Snow

Favorite movie:
Coraline

Favorite book:
Corduroy by Don Freeman

Favorite song:
“I have so many! Right now, I love listening to anything by Kali Uchis.”

First concert/last concert/best concert?
First: My Chemical Romance
Last: Bad Bunny
Best: Probably Beyoncé’s upcoming Renaissance Tour…

If a movie was made about your life, who would you want to play you?
“Me!”

Favorite food? Least favorite?
“I love Oaxacan food and chicken fingers from Raising Cane’s! My least favorite is liver and onions.”

What is a place you’ve never been that you would most like to travel to?
“Probably Phuket Island in Thailand or Bora Bora.”

What inspires you to get up in the morning?
“The endless possibilities!”

What is one thing you couldn’t live without?
My family

Describe yourself in three words.
Fun. Nice. Thoughtful.

CSUDH Alumna Brings Toro Pride to DC Politics

July 5, 2023 By Kandis Newman

Ruby Robles loves being where the action is. That’s one big reason that the CSUDH alumna’s current job, working in Washington, D.C., as the press secretary for Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, suits her to a T.

“I’m right here where the laws are made,” says Robles. “Washington, D.C., is at the center of the news all the time. I’m really drawn to that–the excitement and the atmosphere.”

As press secretary, Robles is part of Warren’s communications team and is responsible for everything from writing press releases and coordinating interviews to pitching stories to reporters or providing the public with background information on pending legislation. Robles also helps manage Warren’s social media platforms, so is deeply involved with both traditional and digital communications for the senator.

Robles is also proud to be the current president of the Congressional Hispanic Staff Association (CHSA), an official, bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Staff Organization, whose mission is to recruit, retain, and advance Hispanic staffers in the Senate and House of Representatives. CHSA supports its members by providing professional development, networking opportunities, job placement, and mentorship for Latinx individuals working in Congress. The group has over 400 members in Washington DC and across the country.

“I think the best part of my job is that my work can make a difference in the lives of lots of people,” says Robles. “I’m just one person, but I work for a senator that is always fighting for the right things.”

As an example of the work she takes so much pride in, Robles points to the Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022. “That bill included the biggest investment to fight climate change ever. It also included provisions to lower the cost of prescription drugs. A lot of work went into that–a whole year of negotiations between lawmakers.”

“The staff played a really critical role in making it happen,” says Robles. “On my end, I drafted tweets about the difference this bill would make, and now that it’s passed, I continue to highlight the ways that people are benefiting from it. That’s one of my favorite things about my job. I’m able to fight for what I stand for and help make a difference.”

Born in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico, Robles’ family moved to Southern California when she was five years old, eventually settling in Pomona. She learned English while attending elementary school, showing the determination and hard work that have guided her ever since.

Robles didn’t always have her sights set on a career in politics. Upon graduating from high school in Pomona, she was accepted into CSUDH as a first-generation college student, majoring in international business. She soon discovered that business courses weren’t her thing and switched her major to a subject she had long had a passion for–art.

Robles’ mother was active in politics, having served as a local councilwoman for the National Action Party when the family was still living in Mexico. At her mother’s urging, Robles added a second major in political science to her art courses. “She wanted me to study something else as well, so I could get a good job after college,” she laughs. “I was like, ‘Okay, fine, Mom, I will study politics, too.’ It’s a subject that I also really enjoyed.”

While studying at CSUDH, Robles grew more and more involved with the campus community. She volunteered in the Associated Students, Inc. office and found student government interesting and exciting. Robles also served as the president of the CSUDH Political Science Club and co-founded the CSUDH Arts Collective, the first art club on campus.

Robles got her feet wet in national politics while still a Toro undergraduate. She interned at the San Pedro district office of Rep. Nanette Díaz Barragán and found herself drawn to the work and the atmosphere. “I really enjoyed that experience. I thought this was something I could really see myself doing.”

After spending a year abroad studying international relations in London, England, Robles wanted to resume her work in politics. She landed a summer internship in Rep. Barragán’s Washington office and found that she felt right at home. “It felt like I was living a dream,” says Robles.

In 2018, following her internship in Washington, she returned to Southern California to finish her last semester at CSUDH. While attending school as a full-time student, she interned on the congressional campaign of Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr., who was running for a recently vacated seat in a battleground district covering Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino counties.

When Cisneros won the election, Robles stayed with his team, moving back to DC to serve as a staff/press assistant. She worked with him for a year before joining Sen. Warren’s presidential campaign in 2019.

“I really wanted to work on a presidential campaign for a candidate that I believed in,” says Robles. “So I applied to work for Senator Warren’s presidential campaign. I didn’t think I would, but I got the job and joined her social media team.” Robles moved up to Boston to work at the campaign headquarters.

A couple of months after Sen. Warren’s presidential campaign ended, Robles saw that a job in the senator’s office had opened up. She applied and got the job as a press assistant. Robles was promoted to deputy press secretary a year later, then into her current role as press secretary.

Going forward, Robles plans to continue on her current path and see where it takes her. “I can’t really see myself not working in politics. There are just so many different levels to explore.”

For Robles, the most important lesson to be learned from her success is, “Don’t be afraid to dream too big! You can do it. I never thought that a person like me, an immigrant from Mexico, would end up in a place like this, working in Congress. You’ve just got to dream big and go for it!”