When Johnny Gonzales was a student in CSUDH’s Television Arts program, the topic for his student film was an easy choice. An aspiring water photographer, he decided to focus his lens on his intrepid colleagues who spent their days in the ocean, shooting action shots of surfers and bodyboarders. “I really wanted to tell their story,” says Gonzales. “Most people don’t quite get it—they have no idea what goes into getting great surf photos, and what it takes to get the perfect shot. I feel like water photographers are the unsung heroes of the surfing world.” The resulting 9-minute student film, “Surf Photography: The Watermen,” produced with fellow students Jon Domingo and Cynthia ... Read More
Alumni
CSUDH Alumni Bring OT Skills to Their Texas Practice
CSUDH Occupational Therapy (OT) alumni Hiram Corona Martinez and Vanessa Yanez long dreamed of running their own practice – and in June 2021, their plans came to fruition with their Bravo Therapy & Independent Living Center in San Antonio, Tex. The married couple’s practice quickly become a success due to their patient-first focus on quality care. During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the couple began to recognize certain patterns in health care that they wanted to change and do differently, explains Yanez. “We saw a real lack of diversity in health care administration and management. Many of them didn't understand our culture, even though a lot of the patients and clients ... Read More
CSUDH Alumna Helps the Public Stay Healthy
During her first meeting as a member of the McNair Scholars Program, CSUDH alumna Kristi Sprowl (BS, ’16) was asked how she would impact the world if given the chance. Her answer: “I would like to create opportunities for people of color to live in equitable spaces, and also be a part of what health equity looks like for them.” Today, after years of hard work and study, Sprowl is living her dream as the community impact director for the American Heart Association in Atlanta, Ga., while simultaneously working towards a doctorate of public health at the University of Georgia. She attends night school with other working executives in the field—the people who will be “creating and ... Read More
Homecoming 2022 Brings Toro Alums Back to Campus
CSUDH celebrated Homecoming 2022 on Saturday, Feb. 19, welcoming hundreds of Toro alumni and their families back to campus for a day of fun activities, reunions, and discovery. It was the first large-scale public event on campus since the resumption of in-person courses, and the first chance for many attendees to see all of the changes that have occurred on campus recently. “I couldn’t be more excited and elated to welcome home all these Toro alums, many of whom have not seen the transformation of the campus over the years,” said CSUDH President Thomas A. Parham, who spoke at the event. “I’m thrilled to showcase not just the infrastructure changes, but to highlight the curriculum changes ... Read More
New Platform Makes Alumni-Student Connections Easier
Whether you’re a CSUDH alum who wants to share your knowledge and advice with an up-and-coming protégé, or a Toro student looking for a mentor in your field, the new Toro Connect platform promises to make establishing those relationships easier than ever. “As mentors, Toro alumni can continue to make an impact in the life of a student by providing guidance and helpful tips as students embark on their professional journey,” adds Felicia Hernandez, director of CSUDH Alumni Relations. “Toro Connect provides a unique opportunity for students to connect with alumni one on one to gain insight on points of interests, majors, and industries.” Created in conjunction with the CSUDH Career Center ... Read More
