The Snap Inc. Institute for Technology and Education (SITE) at CSUDH honored three local primary and secondary teachers for outstanding achievement in curriculum development and commitment to equitable and engaging computer science education during the second annual SITE Awards held on campus on Dec. 2. Housed within the College of Education (COE), SITE was founded in 2022 with a $5 million gift from Snap Inc. and a transformational mission of making computer science an integral part of K-12 education in Los Angeles. “We’re here today to celebrate three amazing local K-12 teachers,” said Mike Karlin, director of institute and host of the SITE awards event. “As a former K-12 teacher, I ... Read More
Students
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
EXP Helps High School Students Find New Pathways for Career Success
The nonprofit group EXP—The Opportunity Engine held its GPS Your Future event at CSUDH on Nov. 7, bringing to campus about 400 juniors and seniors from 15 Los Angeles and Orange County high schools to participate in its annual career discovery event. Participants got a first-hand look at college life, the diverse range of career options available to them, and the opportunity to meet industry professionals during a networking lunch and Shark Tank-style “entrepreneur experience.” Founded in 1999, EXP bridges the gap between education and industry to better prepare them for college, work, and life success through innovative career readiness programs, says EXP’s CEO Mary ... Read More
Jesus Trejo’s “Roots of Comedy” Takes Viewers to the Stories Behind the Laughs
CSUDH alum Jesus Trejo wears several professional hats—standup comedian, actor, writer, award-winning children’s book author. What informs all these roles and serves as the touchstone for his humor is a deep connection to community. “Comedy is being able to speak my truth in a funny way that resonates with people in my community,” says Trejo, who returned to his alma mater to screen two episodes of his new six-episode PBS docuseries Roots of Comedy. “And if you’re not in the community, you’ll get a deeper understanding of it.” The screening and subsequent panel discussion took place at the Marvin Laser Recital Hall on Oct. 15 as part of the university’s Hollywood ... Read More
Passion, Drive at Heart of Women in Comedy
“Having stories to tell is your sustenance—that’s what pushes through the breaking points.” So said screenwriter, actor, and director Lake Bell, who moderated “Women in Comedy” on Oct. 7 for an audience of students, faculty, and staff. Presented by the Women’s Studies Department and Hollywood by the Horns, the event brought prominent comedy creators and performers to CSUDH to discuss their triumphs and setbacks in the entertainment industry. In addition to Bell, the panel included screenwriter and producer Nicole Jefferson Asher, comedy writer and stand-up comic Erin Foley, playwright and TV writer Janine Nabers, and actor and comedian Michaela Watkins. Among the themes discussed ... Read More
