At 18, Christian Somoza didn't know what he wanted to do with his life. He was enrolled in Cerritos College but was struggling a bit. After a semester he decided he wasn't ready for college, and joined the Marine Corps, where he could develop discipline, serve his country, and earn a G.I. Bill, which covers a range of veteran benefit programs, including college tuition assistance. After four years in the Marine Corps, leaving at the rank of sergeant, Somoza returned to Cerritos College ready to focus on his education. While there, he took an introductory psychology course, during which he learned more about post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSDs). It piqued his interest. “[In the ... Read More
Students
Dedicated Job Searches at Education Fair and Green Panel
Finding a job in this economy can be particularly challenging. To make it easier, the Career Center at California State University, Dominguez Hills has improved on the general job fair by creating targeted events for those looking for specific careers. Recently the Career Center hosted two such events, one in education and the other focused on the “green” (environmentally conscious) sector. For graduating seniors looking to start their teaching careers, the education job fair held on April 20 was an opportunity to meet with more than 30 recruiters from school districts, charter schools, and organizations that hire tutors, child care personnel, and professionals that provide ... Read More
Toro Iron Chef V Cooks Up School Spirit and Great Dishes
Four teams of competitive student chefs cooked up some school spirit and Swai, an Asian catfish primarily found in the coasts of Cambodia and Vietnam, at the Fifth Annual Iron Chef event held on April 24 in the University Palm Courtyard. Contestants from the groups “Honey Dipped Chocolate,” “Pre-Health Society (PHS) Chefs,” “Peace, Love and Politics,” and “LSBA Skillet” were advised a week before the grand event that there were three possibilities for the secret ingredient: Swai, eggplant, or chicken thigh. They did not learn that Swai was the ingredient they would have to cook with until the day of the Toro Iron Chef challenge. The competition began at 4 pm, and the teams had one ... Read More
Outstanding Students Recognized for Leadership and Service
Some students accomplish so much during college, others endure so much to even get there, and still others manage to do both. For their outstanding leadership and extraordinary services to California State University, Dominguez Hills and surrounding communities, students nominated by their peers and members of the faculty were honored at the Second Annual President's Student Leadership and Service Awards held in the Loker Student Union ballroom on April 25. “We are acknowledging leadership. We are acknowledging relationships. We are acknowledging stewardship.” CSU Dominguez Hills President Mildred García said. This year, two female students were honored with both the Presidential ... Read More
Summit Aimed to Empower Minority Male Students to Succeed in School and Life
Ten young men, all African American and Latino students, stood in front of an audience of about 600 of their high school and college peers during the California State University, Dominguez Hills Male Success Alliance Third Annual Spring Summit held in the Loker Student Union ballroom on April 24 as part of an exercise to illustrate a point: the odds against male students of color completing high school or college are staggering. Making the point graphically real, motivational speaker and guest keynote Ernesto Mejia of CoolSpeak, a youth engagement company that campaigns for minority students to stay in and finish high school and college, asked the students why they want to go to ... Read More