Growing up in East Los Angeles in the 1970s, Marisela Chávez had a front-row seat to the grassroots activism of the Chicano movement. Her parents, who had immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico as children, brought Chávez with them to meetings, marches, and political organizing events. “The organization was like an extended family,” says Chávez, now a professor of Chicana and Chicano studies at CSUDH. “I was little at the time, but seeds were planted in me. I saw very strong women who were speaking publicly and being active leaders.” Chicana Liberation: Women and Mexican American Politics in Los Angeles, 1945-1981 (University of Illinois Press, April 2024), is Chávez’ new book, and the ... Read More
Campus News
Super Regional Loss Ends Another Strong Toro Softball Season
The Toro softball team suffered a tough 7-6 extra-inning loss to the Western Washington University Vikings in Game Three of the NCAA West Super Regional on Wednesday, May 15. The result eliminated CSUDH from the tournament and put an end to another stellar season. The Toros reached the Super Regional after sweeping through the NCAA Regionals, defeating Concordia University Irvine and Northwest Nazarene University twice. That set up a best-of-three matchup against the Vikings at their home field in Bellingham, Wash. In Game One, the Toros grabbed an early 3-1 lead after a three-run homer from Kaylee Hull. The blast pushed Hull into first place on the CSUDH career RBI list with 129, ... Read More
Benefactors Give Big to College of Ed in Annual Scholarships for Aspiring Educators
The distribution of scholarships each year by the College of Education (COE) demonstrates the generosity of CSUDH’s many benefactors, but it also reinforces the university’s commitment to education and to the training of our next generation of educators. “We’re awarding more than 40 scholarships today, totaling more than $100,000,” said Jessica Pandya, dean of the COE, during opening remarks at an awards ceremony on April 27. “In the current context, with the state budget as it is and with rising tuition costs, these dollars are so critical to our students’ success.” Thomas A. Parham, President of CSUDH, gave a warm welcome to student recipients and their parents, as well as the many ... Read More
President Parham Receives Distinguished Service Medal, Addresses Graduates from Teachers College, Columbia University
At the Teachers College, Columbia University Convocation ceremony in New York on May 14, CSUDH President Thomas A. Parham received a Medal for Distinguished Service—the highest honor bestowed by the college. As an award recipient, he also addressed graduates, families, and guests during the ceremony for the departments of Counseling & Clinical Psychology, and Human Development. During his address, Parham implored graduates to live and work with integrity, compassion, and a willingness to be of service to others. “You graduates will be challenged to align your consciousness with your destiny, and determine what your destinies will be,” he said. “You’ve got to ask yourself, ‘what is ... Read More
Kennedy Center Honors Toro Student Playwright
Whenever CSUDH student and aspiring playwright Wayne Sam needs inspiration or motivation, he glances over at an old typewriter that was given to him by his late grandfather. “He was a writer as well,” says Sam. “He really wanted me to write and pushed me forward. He promised me his old typewriter when he passed. It doesn’t work, but that’s not the point. It’s always there to remind me that there have always been people who believed in me.” All that motivation, inspiration, and belief has led to Sam being awarded the Distinguished Achievement Award at the inaugural Nathan Louis Jackson Playwriting Awards, part of the Kennedy Center’s American College Theater Festival. He won for his ... Read More
