Almost 100 educators, researchers, and administrators descended on the CSUDH campus for the UC|CSU Collaborative for Neuroscience, Diversity, and Learning summit on Nov. 18. The event’s theme was “Bridging Research, Practice, and Policy to Improve Educational Opportunities,” and offered a chance for neurodiversity experts from across the state to meet, exchange information, and strategize. “Through this convening of leading researchers, faculty practitioners, and school district leaders, we hope to not only share the most recent research, but to inform the preparation of current and future teachers to meet the needs of all learners,” said Kate Esposito, professor and chair of the CSUDH ... Read More
Administration
First Gen College Celebration Highlights Generational Success
Hundreds of students, staff, and faculty gathered on Nov. 7 for the sixth annual First Gen College Celebration to honor the accomplishments of CSUDH’s first-generation students. But this year also marked a new beginning for the development of support strategies for a campus community that is so central to the university’s mission and values. Mayra Soriano, associate VP for student success and belonging at CSUDH, says that the university’s recent membership in the FirstGen Forward Network has been critical to providing even greater resources for meeting the unique challenges that first-generation students face. “For this year’s event, I started to look at how we as an institution can ... Read More
Leadership Program Gives Black Students the Tools to Thrive
It’s never been more important for young people of color to fully engage in civic life and to know they can shape the way we move forward as a state and as a country, says California Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland). “On the eve of one of the most consequential presidential elections ever, we need to give our future leaders the tools they need to face these moments,” said Bonta. “They need to know they can do something.” Bonta visited CSUDH on July 17-20 for the ninth annual African American Leaders for Tomorrow program, an event coordinated by the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) and hosted by the Mervyn M. Dymally African American Political and Economic ... Read More
No Time To Waste: Toro Gets Her Psychology Degree at Just 19
From a young age, Mariah Sarabia understood that education was a vital lifeline to the future she envisioned for herself. “I knew the value of higher education,” she recalls. “When my parents immigrated from Mexico, they didn't have any education at all. My mom didn’t even speak English when they moved here.” Sarabia’s mother served as an inspiration, taking ESL courses to learn the language before attending nursing school and eventually becoming a licensed vocational nurse. “I saw how valuable higher education is, especially as a woman of color,” says Sarabia. “I knew that if I had an education and got a good paying job that I was happy at and interested in, no one could take that ... Read More
Shooting Star: DH Alum Creates Lasting Images for NASA
High-speed aerial photography is not something that CSUDH alumnus Jim Ross ever saw himself getting into. “Aerial photography was right in line with exotic dancing as jobs I never thought I would have in my lifetime,” he laughs. But despite some hiccups (so to speak) regarding motion sickness, Ross has now been shooting spectacular pictures of aircraft and other NASA projects for almost 35 years. He currently serves as the photo lead at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, Calif. His work was recognized in April 2024, when his picture of research pilot Nils Larson making aerobatic maneuvers was named NASA Photo of the Year. Born and raised in Bozeman, Montana, Ross ... Read More
