For their strong academic achievement and extensive service to the university and the community, Talina Minasian, an Occupational Therapy (OT) student, and Kristina Chandler, a public administration major, have received the California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) Alumni Scholarship. Minasian, a graduate student who lives in La Crescenta, plans to use the skills and knowledge she acquired at CSUDH to “help individuals prevent, cope, or manage a diagnosis or injury” so they may live as independently as possible. “I felt so many emotions as I read the [scholarship award] letter. I was so excited to have been selected and felt privileged and very appreciative toward the ... Read More
College of Business Administration and Public Policy
Class of 2015: Erik Ceja, B.S., business administration, entrepreneur
KNWRZN? What could that possibly mean? For Erik Ceja, a business administration student at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) who graduates May 15 with his bachelor's degree, it is a growing streetwear apparel business and brand, an investment in his future, and a tribute to a lost friend. “My best friend Omar 'Reazn' Valdez passed away in 2007 at the age of 24. He was a local graffiti artist who greatly influenced me when I was growing up,” said Ceja, whose degree concentration is in marketing and advertising. “After he passed away, I wanted to keep his spirit alive and created the first incarnation of KNWRZN.” He shelved the name after a couple of years to ... Read More
Class of 2015: Benjamin Clinton, 65, B.A, interdisciplinary studies, giver
At 65 years of age, Benjamin Clinton, an interdisciplinary studies student at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH), has no plans to hold back his career aspirations. In fact, like most of his fellow graduates who will walk across the commencement stage May 15 and 16, he sees his bachelor's degree as a critical step toward professional advancement. “Just by having a bachelor's degree while working for Los Angeles County will enable me to move up in the system,” said Clinton, a Carson resident who has been working in Los Angeles County's Department of Public Social Services' (DPSS) GAIN (Greater Avenues for Independence) program for 31 years. “My degree will make me eligible ... Read More
2015 Faculty Award Winner: Professor Fahimeh Rezayat
When Fahimeh Rezayat, professor of information systems and operations management at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH), knows she has significantly influenced a student, she doesn't rest on her laurels; she becomes inspired to work harder. Rezayat received the Lyle E. Gibson Dominguez Hills Distinguished Teacher Award, which recognizes individuals whose teaching is not only exemplary, but who demonstrate an active interest in the progress of students and seeks new and creative ways to engage them. The award was named after CSUDH's founding university vice president of academic affairs. “Working for students who work full-time, have children and still come to learn at ... Read More
2015 Faculty Award Winner: Associate Professor Mekada Graham
Mekada Graham brought a unique distinction with her to California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH): she is the first in her family to earn a college degree. How is that unique at CSUDH, where many among the campus community are from local underserved communities? The difference is she earned her Ph.D. at the University of Hertfordshire, in Hertfordshire, her Master of Social Work (MSW) at the University of Hertfordshire, and her B.A. with honors at Middlesex University, which are all in England, where she was born and raised. “I am the first in my family to gain college degrees let alone become an academic, which seems improbable given my working-class background and ... Read More