“I think my life's purpose is to inspire and influence people to be their best selves–lifting as I climb, and leaving a positive impact in people's lives,” says Hakeem Croom. As the new director of CSUDH's Male Success Alliance (MSA), he's in a position to do just that. Initially formed on the CSUDH campus in 2009, MSA is a support program and campus resource designed to improve access, retention, and graduation rates for undergraduate men of color. MSA aims to support the college and career success of its members by providing academic support, professional development, and mentoring. Croom says that his primary goal in his new position is to “help others recognize what they have ... Read More
Physics Student Wins 2022 CSU Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement
When CSUDH physics major Jeisson Pulido was a child growing up in Las Cruces, an impoverished neighborhood in Bogotá, Colombia, he used to stare up at the stars in wonder. He never imagined that he would one day be working with the European Space Agency (ESA), helping to create a cutting-edge research satellite. “The resources in my neighborhood schools were very low,” he remembers. “I didn't receive a lot of education in math or physics, just the basics. I was never able to see myself studying in college or pursuing a science degree, because of the lack of funding in my schools. I was very good at math, but I didn't even know that subjects like astronomy or physics existed.” After ... Read More
CSUDH Women’s Soccer Aims to Exceed Expectations
Marine Cano, head coach of the CSUDH women's soccer team, has one thing on his mind as his squad begins the 2022 season: “Respect.” After a disappointing 5-11-1 record in the 2021 season, the team was placed at the bottom of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) standings in this year's preseason coaches' poll. “I was kind of mad at first,” says Cano. “But now I'm kind of happy they picked us last. It really fired us up. We're starting the season with a big chip on our shoulders. It will be great motivation.” For his part, Cano believes that this year's Toros can make some noise in the CCAA. “We've got a group of young women who want to bring some notoriety to CSUDH,” ... Read More
Toro Volleyball Looks to Strike Back This Season
After a rough 2021 season in which the team compiled a 2-21 overall record, head coach Jennifer Adeva is aiming to get the Toros back on the winning track. “I'm optimistic,” she says. “We're young, but we're talented. I feel like we have the talent this year that we haven't had at CSUDH in a while.” The 2019 CSUDH women's volleyball team finished their season with a record of 14-10, and were looking to build on that success in 2020. But when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the entire 2020 season, the program was forced to take a step back. “That was a really tough year,” says Adeva, who has been heading the program since 2011. “I felt we had created a pretty good team, ... Read More
Staff Spotlight: Catherine “Cat” Jermany
The program director of CSUDH's Rose Black Resource Center (RBRC), Catherine “Cat” Jermany is dedicated to helping Toro students succeed. When the center opened in 2017, it was the only space of its kind on campus, and its success has paved the way for the Queer Culture & Resource Center, Latinx Cultural Resource Center, and more. Located on the first floor of the Loker Student Union, the RBRC provides a network of academic, personal, and professional support services for Black students at CSUDH. After coming on board as a program coordinator in 2019, Jermany was named the center's first program director in July 2020. “I'm proud of the fact that I have been able to contribute to ... Read More
