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 donors in attendance.
“I want to thank all those who have given of their time and treasure to support these students,” he said. “There’s no better investment that we can make than in the personal and intellectual growth and development of students, particularly in this College of Education.”
Vice Provost Ken O’Donnell reminded attendees that state universities in California began as teacher’s colleges. “That was their goal, some of them dating back to the 1800s, and that remains at the very center of what we do,” he said.
“A college of education funded by the state is our institutionalized way of paying it forward,” O’Donnell added. “That’s our work. It’s thinking ahead in building something of value for the generations after us. It’s perfectly selfless and really inspiring.”
Jasmine Saffell graduates this May with a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies and will begin working toward a multiple-subject teaching credential in the fall. Funding from a Kaufman Family Endowment Scholarship will help her realize a longstanding goal of becoming an educator.
The scholarship honors Paul Kaufman, a committed educator who earned his MA at CSUDH, and his parents. Paul’s death at the age of 36 cut short a teaching career that had made a real difference in the lives of students from underrepresented communities.
As a full-time student, Saffell worked part-time while raising two daughters. She prides herself on doing whatever was necessary to stay in school. “I was actually really surprised that I got this scholarship, which is usually given to undergraduates.”
Members of the Kaufman family were unable to attend this year’s event, but they said in a statement sent to the COE that they were so proud of all the recipients of this year’s scholarship awards, and particularly proud of Saffell.
“Jasmine, do good. Make a difference in every student’s life. Keep learning, and be awesome,” the family said in the statement.Saffell says she has a good perspective on the hardships that students often face in pursuing their education.
“Many students have some sort of safety net, either with parents or a guardian of some kind,” she said. “I was raised in foster care growing up. When you turn 18, you get a plastic bag, you grab your stuff, and you’re out on your own. I experienced homelessness, and I’ve always had to struggle to stay on my feet.”
Representation among educators is critical to student success, Saffell adds. “I grew up in Orange County and never had a teacher of color until I attended CSUDH. It was difficult as a child not seeing myself reflected in teachers.”
She says the scholarship awards, no matter what the size, make an incredible difference. “They can be the vital turning-point on whether a student can afford to go to school or not. For me personally, it’s something that will change my everyday life. It will dictate how many hours I’m going to sacrifice away from my family.”
