High-achieving students and organizations that have enhanced the lives of both the campus and local community were honored at the inaugural President's Student Leadership and Service Awards on May 3 in the Loker Student Union. Marco Dowell, director of the Office of Student Life who presided over the event, says that the students who were honored “represent some of the best of the best and I am confident that those students have much success in their futures.” “Just about any job announcement will indicate the need for some level of leadership experience, capabilities or skills,” he says. “Getting involved in leadership experiences while in college allows our students to ... Read More
Features
Grad Students First to Complete Special Interdisciplinary Major in Africana Studies
While many members of the Class of 2011 at California State University, Dominguez Hills celebrated becoming the first in their families to earn a college degree, Tamanika Ferguson (Class of '07, B.A., Africana studies/public administration) and Betty Knight (Class of '08, B.A., performing arts) earned the distinction of becoming the first graduate students to complete a master's degree in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in Africana studies. Each student was required to use two disciplines to develop a specialized interdisciplinary program; Ferguson included sociology in her emphasis, while Knight's studies encompassed negotiation, conflict resolution, and peace ... Read More
CSU Dominguez Hills One of Nation’s Top Institutions for Civic Engagement
California State University, Dominguez Hills has been recognized as one of the top colleges and universities in the nation for its support of volunteerism, service learning and civic engagement. For the second year in a row, the university was selected by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to receive designation to the 2010 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with distinction. CNCS, which has administered the honor roll since 2006, looked at 641 colleges and universities for their impact on issues including literacy, neighborhood revitalization, and at-risk youth. Of that total, 511 were named to the Honor Roll, 114 received the recognition ... Read More
Ryan Traylor: Moving Beyond Disability, Finding a Purpose
Ryan Traylor is a communications major and an intern in the Office of Communication and Public Affairs at California State University, Dominguez Hills. Diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome as a child, he has overcome many challenges while moving toward becoming a college graduate, and is discovering new strengths and a direction for his life. As told to staff writer Joanie Harmon I had normal development from birth, but I stopped talking at two years old. My mother was concerned and took me to several doctors for a medical evaluation because she felt something was wrong. Initially my diagnosis was autism, based on my lack of speech, a dislike of being held, and staring into space. This ... Read More
Esther Castillo: Alumna Returns to CSU Dominguez Hills to Teach
By Erin Hardy, Class of 2011, B.A., communications For many students, California State University, Dominguez Hills is a great place to learn, make new friends, and form relationships that will last a lifetime. Alumni of the school often return to lecture, sponsor students and participate in school activities. To alumna Esther Castillo (Class of '07, B.A., sociology), the opportunity to return to her alma mater offered her the chance to see the school from a brand new perspective–as a professor. “Working at Dominguez as a part-time instructor this spring has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional career. The exchange of knowledge that my students and I have ... Read More