There's an art to surgery, and while surgeons orchestrate and perform, technicians in the operating room also make important contributions. California State University, Dominguez Hills alumnus Andrew J. Leist is one such technician, bringing his digital media arts skills to the medical field. After receiving his bachelor's degree in digital media arts in 2008 and while continuing to work in the music industry, Leist landed a job as an audio/visual technician at USC University Hospital Department of Surgery in Los Angeles, where he manages media technology used by surgeons performing endoscopic procedures. “It's fascinating. Before I started [working at USC University Hospital], I ... Read More
Digital Media Arts
Gayle Elliott: Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies Brings Ethnic Literature to Life
When Gayle Elliott, lecturer of interdisciplinary studies at California State University, Dominguez Hills, shows a film to her students, she doesn't just screen it, she invites one of the film's stars to speak to her class. A Martinez starred in the 1989 “Pow Wow Highway,” the story of the struggles of Native Americans living on a modern-day reservation. The Emmy-winning actor is a regular visitor to Elliott's classes when she shows “Pow Wow Highway,” and addressed students from her “Power of Myth” and Native American and Chicana/o literature classes again last month about his journey as the film's protagonist and as an actor. Elliott says that while an instructor can help students ... Read More
Digital Media Arts Alumnus a Winner at CSU Media Arts Festival
California State University, Dominguez Hills alumnus Todd Smaretsky (Class of '10, B.A., digital media arts, television option) wasn't going to enter the 2010 CSU Media Arts Festival film, video and interactive media competition. But now he's glad he listened to the encouraging words of his professor, Dr. George Vinovich, coordinator of the Digital Media Arts Program. Smaretsky took home first place in the television category at the festival's awards ceremony held at CSU Fullerton on Saturday, Nov. 6, for his public service announcement (PSA), “Letting Go of Anger.” He received a monetary prize of $500 and a Rosebud Award. The DMA program also received $250. “I'm honored and ... Read More
Samantha Hernandez: Sociology Major Featured in U.S. Dept. of Education Promo for Latino Education
Samantha Hernandez didn't set out to be a role model when she made good grades in high school and got accepted to college. In fact, if anything, she was inspired by others to set those goals. However, the sociology major at California State University, Dominguez Hills has become just that as the featured student in a Spanish-language video produced by the U.S. Department of Education intended to promote college attendance among children of Latino families. The video is also currently streaming on the website for the documentary “Waiting for Superman.” For Hernandez, her educational superheroes were her teachers at Bishop Conaty - Our Lady of Lorreto High School in Los Angeles. “The ... Read More
Veterans Alliance: Student Support Organization Screens Documentary on Nov. 10
In honor of Veterans Day, the Veterans Alliance, a student support group for veteran students at California State University, Dominguez Hills, will screen the documentary “Striking a Chord” on Wednesday, Nov. 10, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Loker Student Union. Erika Valdez, military advisor, says that the film is powerful despite its brevity. “It's only 40 minutes long but very educational, especially for those of us who did not serve in the military,” she says. “It's a real eye-opener about the struggles that our soldiers face while serving our country and how music helps them deal with those issues, especially being away from family for prolonged periods of time and missing out on ... Read More
