When Brandilynn Villarreal (Class of '09, M.A., clinical psychology) took a job as a grad assistant for the McNair Scholars Program at California State University, Dominguez Hills, she had thought the responsibility of helping underrepresented, first-generation college students prepare for advanced degrees was interesting. So much so, that as a doctoral candidate in social and personality psychology at the University of California, Irvine she decided to analyze how that same student population copes with graduate school. “I had to come here and see that I was really interested in doing that,” says Villarreal, who had earned her bachelor's degree in psychology at UCLA with a focus on ... Read More
Features
Unveiling of “Manifest Diversity” Celebrates Mural of Diverse American History
On Sept. 9, students, faculty and staff, alumni, and other community supporters gathered near the Loker Student Union at California State University, Dominguez Hills for the unveiling of “Manifest Diversity,” a mural that was created under the guidance of muralist Eliseo Art Silva. The large-scale work with its depiction of a multiethnic view of American history as painted by students and volunteers from the university community is now on view in the Multicultural Center. “Manifest Diversity,” which was inspired largely by the writings of historian and social activist Howard Zinn, features approximately 95 images of individuals and iconic scenes in American history, from Pre-Columbian ... Read More
Pete Van Hamersveld: Fight Against Cancer Won at Marathon Finish Line
In December, 2007, Pete Van Hamersveld (Class of '92, M.A., sociology) was told on his 50th birthday that he had colon cancer. It had been discovered during a routine colonoscopy, and the resulting surgery revealed that the cancer had spread to his lymph nodes. Van Hamersveld had Stage 3C colon cancer, which is one level before a terminal diagnosis. That was in January 2008, and throughout more than a year's worth of chemotherapy, radiation, and a second surgery, he decided to take on a regimen of physical conditioning that included running–thus entering a race to save his life literally and figuratively. “When I was going through chemo, I was given a lot of material by the American ... Read More
Monika Martinez: Life’s Work is a Sustainable Journey
As Lomita's assistant city clerk, Monika Martinez (Class of '00, B.A., public administration) is proud to be part of a local government that has always operated lean enough to ensure that getting through the state's economic crisis would not be as dire as the circumstances other communities are facing. As a fiber artist whose knitted and felted creations will be featured in the prestigious Contemporary Crafts Market in November, her personal philosophies of green living and sustainable practices are interwoven through both her personal and professional life. “I'm very much into the green lifestyle,” she says. “When I wash my dishes, I'll use the [leftover] water to water my garden. ... Read More
Joni Johnson: English Master’s Student Receives University’s Graduate Equity Fellowship
Joni Johnson (Class of '10, B.A., English literature) has received a Graduate Equity Fellowship, a two-year grant awarded by California State University, Dominguez Hills. Johnson, an administrative support assistant in the Child Development Program in the College of Professional Studies, says that her work environment at the university has been a great influence on her performance as a student - and on her career goals as an educator. “Knowing what offices to go to, who to speak with, forming relationships that help me to do my job efficiently, as well as being surrounded by faculty who are so motivated about teaching students, have all aided in my [own] accomplishments,” she says. ... Read More
