According to Daniel Cano (Class of '77, B.A., English; '84, M.A., Spanish), all one needed to make it as a journalist in 1920s Los Angeles was the ability to read and write, and a good mentor. In Cano's case, all that was needed to become an award-winning novelist was his desire to become a writer and his education at California State University, Dominguez Hills and Santa Monica College (SMC), where he now teaches literature, composition, and creative writing. This fall, Cano received the 12th International Latino Book Award for historical fiction with his third book, “Death and the American Dream.” The Los Angeles native says that the protagonist of his 1991 “Pepe Rios,” which was ... Read More
Features
Gerardo Yepez: Principal of Torrance Elementary Works Toward Collaboration
Although the afternoon dismissal bell has rung at Torrance Elementary School, principal Gerardo Yepez (Class of '93, liberal studies; '96, teaching credential) isn't finished working. He can be seen at the school's entrance, greeting parents and saying goodbye to students for the day. Yepez, a Los Angeles native, taught for many years in the Lennox and San Mateo-Foster City school districts before becoming an administrator. During his eight years as principal at Torrance Elementary, the school has consistently earned high marks on real estate sites such as redfin.com and trulia.com for its high level of service to the community, a population that Yepez regards as his ... Read More
School of Nursing Cuts Ribbon on Clinical Skills Lab
On Nov. 8, the School of Nursing (SON) at California State University, Dominguez Hills cut the ribbon on a dedicated clinical skills lab, the first such facility on the university campus in the program's 29-year history. Construction began in 2008 to convert four classroom spaces on the lower level of the Social and Behavioral Sciences building into a 4,000-square-foot skills lab. The project was made possible with $1.6 million allocated through the CSU Chancellor's Office system wide nursing facilities improvement fund. “This lab will make all the difference in the world, because it will give our students enhanced tools to practice competently and safely in the clinical area,” said ... Read More
Gayle Elliott: Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies Brings Ethnic Literature to Life
When Gayle Elliott, lecturer of interdisciplinary studies at California State University, Dominguez Hills, shows a film to her students, she doesn't just screen it, she invites one of the film's stars to speak to her class. A Martinez starred in the 1989 “Pow Wow Highway,” the story of the struggles of Native Americans living on a modern-day reservation. The Emmy-winning actor is a regular visitor to Elliott's classes when she shows “Pow Wow Highway,” and addressed students from her “Power of Myth” and Native American and Chicana/o literature classes again last month about his journey as the film's protagonist and as an actor. Elliott says that while an instructor can help students ... Read More
Annual CBAPP Awards Luncheon Celebrates Scholarships, Community Partners
The 4th annual College of Business Administration and Public Policy (CBAPP) Awards Luncheon took place on Nov. 4 in the Loker Student Union at California State University, Dominguez Hills. The event, which is the college's main fundraiser, brought together nearly 400 students, faculty, and members of the local business community that support CBAPP. Approximately $54,000 was raised, the largest amount since the luncheon's inception in 2007. In addition, three Paragon Sponsors joined the roll call of donors. Club Deportivo Chivas USA, Providence Little Company of Mary Community Health Foundation, and Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. each gave a gift of $10,000 to support CBAPP student ... Read More
