The primary source of news and information about California State University, Dominguez Hills, its students, faculty, and staff.
Source: Univision 34 (video, Spanish)
In his commencement address at California State University, Dominguez Hills, Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Superintendent Alberto Carvalho stressed that there is a great need for credentialed teachers. “I am here recruiting the talent that we need in our schools,” said Carvalho. There is an aid program for those who are interested in becoming certified educators, and this is what they should know.
Source: Daily Breeze
California Attorney General Rob Bonta urged the Cal State Dominguez class of 2023 to find a calling they love – and to fight injustice wherever they see it.
Bonta, the state’s 34th attorney general and the first person of Filipino descent to occupy the office, also congratulated the 730 graduates of CSUDH’s College of Business Administration and Public Policy for overcoming myriad challenges and for advocating for societal change during a commencement address on Saturday afternoon, May 20.
“No one pursuing a college degree expects it to be a walk in the park,” Bonta said, “but what each of you had to endure over the last few years,it was unprecedented.”
The coronavirus pandemic; a rise in xenophobia, homophobia and racism; the specter of mass shootings; and the conequences of climate crisis were among the challenges the attorney general mentioned.
“But your generation hasn’t let that hold you back,” Bonta said. “Instead, you’ve declared Black Lives Matter, March for Our Lives, demand real climate action. You’ve been impatient for change and rightfully so.”
Bonta spoke at the second to last of six commencement ceremonies that took place on Friday and Saturday at Dignity Sports Health Park’s tennis stadium, in Carson. In all, there were more than 3,300 graduates.
“I’m excited to complete this journey and begin a new one,” said Jasmine Jones, who received her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Jones also said she was excited to hear the attorney general speak at her ceremony.
“It’s a big deal that he’s taking time out of his day to come and speak with us and give us encouraging words because I’m sure pretty sure once he was in our shoes,” she said, “and to show us how far we can go.”
Bonta began his speech by encouraging graduates to soak up the moment – but also to continue fighting for change.
“I urge you, keep being impatient for change,” he said. “Keep being intolerant of injustice because you aren’t just the leaders of tomorrow. You’re the leaders of today, and you’re inspiring all of us to do better to be better.”
Bonta was born in Quezon City, Philippines, but immigrated to California with his family as an infant. During his speech, he shared how his passion for justice and fairness was instilled in him by his parents, both of whom were frontline activists on behalf of United Farmworkers and the civil rights movement.
Bonta decided to become a lawyer to help right historic wrongs and fight for people who have been harmed, he said. He worked his way through college and graduated with honors from Yale University, then went on to attend Yale Law School.
When he was a student, Bonta said, there was a lot of uncertainty and doubt, financial struggles, and family problems that tried to get in the way of him finishing college.
“When you hear my bio, it sounds like I followed a linear path,” he said. “I didn’t. It weaved around obstacles and detours and I learned and grew along the way.”
After he was admitted to the California Bar in 1999, Bonta became a deputy city attorney in San Francisco. He then served as an Alameda city councilmember for two years before being elected to the California State Assembly, where he had been a strong advocate for corporate accountability, workers’ rights and stronger environmental protection policies.
He has also fought for criminal justice reform, the end of private prisons and detention centers, and the elimination of cash bail across the state.
Bonta went on to tell graduates to believe how far they have come, and gave them advice on how to silence any fears of not belonging.
“I’ve learned the best way to silence impostor syndrome and make that voice of doubt fade away is to find a calling that you love so much that it doesn’t feel like a job and then focus on the work,” Bonta said. “If you do, you’ll be so focused on what you’re doing that you won’t have time for doubt. It’ll be something different for each of you. For me, it’s public service.”
The many doors that will open for the graduates, Bonta said, will be both exhilarating and paralyzing. His advice for the class of 2023 was to channel their calling and focus on the work they are passionate about.
“Each of you have the ability and responsibility to fight injustice wherever you see it,” Bonta said. “When I look at you, I see an impatient ambition and unlimited potential to make our world a better place.”
Source: La Opinión (Spanish)
Desde el barrio marginal de Las Cruces, en su natal Bogotá, Colombia, Jeisson Pulido solía mirar las estrellas con asombro y nunca imaginó que algún día estaría trabajando con la Agencia Espacial Europea (ESA), ayudando a examinar un componente que es parte de unsatélite de investigación de vanguardia.
Jeisson Pulido Calderón, de 24 años, se graduó esta semana y obtuvo una licenciatura en física, en Cal State University Domínguez Hills (CSUDH) y se enfila hacia obtener un posgrado en astrofísica de alta energía en la Universidad del Sur de California (USC).
“Quiero estudiar las estrellas supernovas usando la inteligencia artificial”, dice a La Opinión. “Hasta ahora, no sabemos cuáles son los mecanismos de las explosiones de las supernovas ni lo que conlleva los gases que emiten en el espacio”.
Una supernova es la explosión más grande que los humanos hayan contemplado jamás. Todas las explosiones de las estrellas son extremadamente brillantes y superpoderosas.
“Cuando explotan, las explosiones dejan mucha luz que se puede estudiar con telescopios”, afirma. “Gracias a esa luz, nosotros podemos entender que tipo de supernovas suceden, y yo creo que habrá una forma de usar la inteligencia artificial para descifrar las enormes cantidades de combustible nuclear en sus núcleos o centros”.
Esto produce toneladas de energía, y, por lo tanto, el centro de la estrella se calienta mucho. El calor genera presión, y la presión creada por la incineración de la estrella también evita que se la estrella se derrumbe.
Ese es el motivo de la carrera universitaria de este joven colombiano aspirante a científico, ahora que el ser humano cuenta con grandes telescopios, y, quizás pueda descubrir lo que se desconoce sobre las leyes físicas.
“Sabemos que después de un tiempo determinado las estrellas terminan explotando en el espacio”, dice. “Son supernovas gigantes, a veces estrellas de neutrones, y, sin embargo, no hay una ley específica en astronomía que diga cómo son las explosiones de las supernovas”. Varias personas ya trabajan en este proyecto.
Estas investigaciones, -indica-, ayudarán mucho en física nuclear porque en la actualidad no se tiene mucho conocimiento de las partículas subatómicas cuando hay una explosión de las estrellas.
Inmigrante de cuna humilde
Gracias a su abuelita Raquel Quintero, quien vivía en Los Ángeles, Jeisson y sus padres, Olga Calderón y Hugo Pulido emigraron a Estados Unidos y lograron obtener la residencia permanente. Jeisson tenía 16 años.
En su tierra natal, Jeisson solamente estudio lo básico de las matemáticas o física. Pensar en cursar una carrera universitaria era algo más que imposible.
El padre, Hugo Pulido se desempeñaba como zapatero y la madre, Olga Calderón vendía comida. El presupuesto familiar no alcanzaba.
“En mi familia no hay millonarios; venimos de clase baja y claramente que el dinero era un obstáculo”, indica el recién graduado. “Pero, con el tiempo uno busca formas de continuar y, al menos, mis mentores de la universidad sabían de mi situación económica y me guiaron para obtener becas y oportunidades de trabajo”.
Antes, Jeisson cursó la secundaria en Carson High School. Por la falta de conocimiento de un nuevo idioma no tenía un rendimiento académico impresionante (GPA de 2.7).
“Tuve problemas con las clases de geografía, inglés e historia”, recuerda. “Me iba mal”.
Mientras más aprendía conoció los recursos que ofrecían en su escuela, practicó de manera incesante el inglés, aunque sabía que las matemáticas eran su fuerte.
Descubrió un nuevo mundo de posibilidades, y desde entonces se ha destacado e impresionado.
Ello lo dirigió hacia la titulación en física y mejoró todas sus calificaciones, al grado de graduarse con honores en CSUDH.
Notables premios
Gracias a su determinación obtuvo un Premio de los Fideicomisarios de CSU 2022 por sus logros sobresalientes. El llamado Trustees’ Award es el reconocimiento más alto de la Universidad Estatal de California al logro estudiantil. Otorga becas anuales a un estudiante de cada campus de la CSU que demuestre un desempeño académico superior, logros personales, servicio comunitario y necesidad financiera.
Además de ese premio, Jeisson Pulido fue nombrado ganador de la Beca Ron y Mitzi Barhorst, lo que elevó su premio total a $10,000.
Agradecido con sus mentores
Por su capacidad en matemáticas, el profesor de la secundaria Carson, José Torres le recomendó que siguiera una carrera en ciencias; otro consejero le sugirió física.
Jeisson aceptó el reto y, de hecho, se convirtió en mentor de matemáticas para otros estudiantes en CSUDH. El trabajo de 20 horas por semana le ayudaba a pagar sus libros, la renta donde vivía y los arreglos de su carro.
“La primera computadora que compré me costó $600, pero luego ahorré dinero y pude comprar una mejor de $1,500”, expresa. “La necesitaba porque en la primera no tenía los programas que yo necesitaba para mis estudios”.
Jeisson agradece también a la doctora Ximena Cid, una física chicana e indígena americana.
“Ella fue parte primordial al mostrarme diferentes oportunidades a donde podía obtener ayuda como estudiante latino de primera generación, pues nadie en mi familia ha ido a la universidad”, valora.
Cada semana, el profesor asistente de física, Horace Crogman guió a Jeisson en su especialización en física y astronomía, sobre los requisitos necesarios para graduarse y aplicar para becas.
“Parte importante de mi carrera lo ha sido el profesor Aaron Barth”, añadió. Barth es un astrónomo en el Departamento de Física y Astronomía en la Universidad de California en Irvine (UCI).
“El me ayudó a buscar oportunidades en astronomía y fue mi mentor para graduarme”, dijo.
Además de sobresalir en sus estudios, Jeisson es becario de Cal-Bridge, fue presidente del Club de Física de CSUDH y miembro del California Bridge Electron-Ion Collider (CB-EIC) en UCLA, investigando física nuclear como parte del Grupo de Investigación Kang de esa universidad.
En 2021, este joven de origen colombiano trabajó con el Centro de Astrofísica: Harvard-Smithsonian, analizando datos de Parker Solar Probe.
“Es básicamente la nave espacial hecha por el hombre más rápida en el espacio”, dice Pulido Calderón. “Usamos sus datos para analizar algo llamado ‘cuerdas de flujo’ en el espacio: los campos electromagnéticos en el espacio que se originan en el sol”.
Una familia llena de orgullo
Jeisson llegó a la ceremonia de graduación en el Dignity Health Sports Park Tennis Stadium con dos horas y media de anticipación.
En su rostro brillaba la alegría, así como en la de sus padres, sus hermanos Andrea y Kevin, su abuelita Raquel, y su novia Ruth Paulos.
“Me siento agradecida con Dios porque mi nieto se ha graduado”, dijo Raquel Quintero a La Opinión. “Jeisson es un muchacho humilde que supo aprovechar las oportunidades”.
“Es una bendición de Dios que los sueños de mi hijo se hicieron realidad”, añadió la madre, Olga Calderón.
Y, con las lágrimas a punto de desbordarse, el progenitor, Hugo Pulido dijo: “Estoy seguro de que este es el primer triunfo de muchos para Jeisson; es algo formidable lo que quiere lograr en la ciencia”.
Una carrera hacia las estrellas
En su ascendente carrera hacia las estrellas, este año Jeisson tuvo una pasantía en Niza, Francia, para trabajar en el proyecto de la Antena Espacial interferómetro Láser (LISA), una sonda espacial propuesta para detectar y medir con precisión ondas gravitacionales. Es una colaboración entre la Agencia Espacial Europea (ESA) y la NASA. Su lanzamiento al espacio está previsto para 2034.
“En el futuro, me gustaría alentar a los estudiantes en los campos STEM, sirviendo como un ejemplo de determinación y de cómo el trabajo duro puede dar buenos frutos”, asevera Jeisson. “Algún día la gente verá mi historia, conocerá de dónde vengo y se inspirará para hacer las cosas que yo hice, ¡O cosas incluso mejores!”.
Source: Daily Breeze
Cal State Dominguez Hills kicked off two days of commencement ceremonies on Friday morning, May 19 – with an alum-turned-political leader serving as the keynote speaker.
Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson, who was elected to that post in November, addressed the colleges of Arts and Humanities, and Education on Friday, empowering the class of 2023 to work to change their communities for the better.
The ceremony at which Richardson spoke was the first of six, with three taking place Friday and the final three set for Saturday. State Attorney General Rob Bonta is slated to address CSUDH’s College of Business Administration and Public Policy during its commencement ceremony, scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
In all, the class of 2023 comprises more than 3,300 students, with more than 40,000 guests expected to attend the ceremonies at Dignity Sports Health Park’s tennis stadium, in Carson.
“Because of the leadership development legacy right here at Cal State Dominguez Hills, we have an opportunity to reimagine and renegotiate the covenant with our communities throughout our region,” Richardson said in his address, “to shape a future where our families and our youth can reach their full potential. You’re all a part of that legacy now.”
The mayor originally enrolled for classes at CSUDH as an 18-year-old in 2001. He was elected president of Associated Students, Inc. during his time there. But left the university a few years later, several credits shy of completing his degree, after he accepted a full-time job as a community organizer with a local labor union.
Years later – after rising up the city government ranks and winning a seat on the Long Beach City Council – Richardson returned to CSUDH and finished out his degree, earning a bachelor’s of art in philosophy in 2020.
Richardson represented Long Beach’s Ninth District for two terms before getting elected as mayor in November. He also served two terms as vice mayor – a total of four years – under his mayoral predecessor, current U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia.
Richardson has often talked about the leadership skills he developed at CSUDH.
“We’re proud of what the class of 2023 has accomplished and overcome – we all witnessed as you overcame incredible challenges,” Richardson said, referencing the coronavirus pandemic and the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder in 2020. “You confronted your generation-defining struggles.”
“By diving into uncertainty, you found grit and a spirit of determination to make a difference,” he added. “Despite your plight, you overcame – you understood the assignment.
Now, Richardson said, it’s time to celebrate. And after that, the mayor said, the graduates should make a difference in the world.
“Class of 2023, I want to empower you to go forth into the world and seek the opportunities in uncertainty,” Richardson said. “Know who you’re meant to be, stand up for what you believe, chart your own path and most importantly – make a difference in the lives of the next generation.”
Miguel Terán López, assistant to the dean and college communications lead for the College of Education (COE), isn’t just a CSUDH staffer – he’s also a proud alumnus of the university, having graduated with a double bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Chicana/o Studies.
“As an alumnus of CSUDH, what I enjoy the most about my job is knowing that I am giving back to this campus and contributing to our students’ success, especially to first-generation students who come from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds, just like I did,” he says.
Terán López has been at CSUDH for almost 13 years, landing a part-time staff position in the Department of Modern Languages soon after graduating. From there, he transitioned to the Department of History, then to the COE’s Division of Graduate Education, eventually landing in the Dean’s Office.
While there’s no such thing as a “typical day” in his position, Terán López’s tasks include coordinating meetings for the dean with internal and external groups, interfacing and providing support to students, staff, and faculty in the COE, managing the college’s social media channels, and leading or supporting COE events throughout the year.
“Everything about working at CSUDH is special, but particularly knowing that we are serving a student population that will benefit immensely from earning an undergraduate or advanced degree,” he says. “Nelson Mandela said, ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,’ and I wholeheartedly agree with this belief!”
Terán López is proud of the fact that each day, he plays a small part in CSUDH students’ journey to reach their academic goals, and break stereotypes. As he puts it, “Former President Hagan’s theme during his tenure was ‘America Happens Here,’ and current President Parham’s theme is ‘Transforming Lives that Transform America.’ I take both of these themes to heart, because I truly believe that our students are the future and that they will create a better tomorrow, and I am proud of being able to contribute to this transformation.”
His contributions have been recognized by the university, as Terán López was the recipient of the Staff Award of Excellence in Student Success in 2015.
Prior to landing a job at CSUDH, Terán López worked as a laborer on construction sites. He sometimes reflects on this occupation and its heavy physical workload, which could have been his life if he had not continued his education. “I used to carry buckets of mixed cement, sand and rocks up flights of stairs, and now I help build lives instead of buildings,” he says. When he’s not working, Terán López is a self-proclaimed “homebody” who loves to spend time with his family, listen to music, or watch movies. In fact, he’s got a collection of about 1,000 movies and is running out of space to store them all. “Thankfully, we now have digital formats that can be stored in the cloud!” he says.
Favorite movie:
V for Vendetta
Favorite book
The Autobiography of Malcolm X
Favorite song
“Latinoamérica” by Calle 13. “It celebrates the struggles and resilience of Latin America.”
Favorite food:
Authentic Mexican food!
What’s a place you’ve never been that you would most like to travel to?
Chilé
If a movie was made about your life, who would you want to play you?
Diego Luna or Gael Garcia Bernal
What inspires you to get up in the morning?
“Becoming a better version of myself than I was the day before.”
Describe yourself in three words:
“Genuine, friendly, perfectionist”
