• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Features
  • Campus News
  • CSUDH.edu
  • Contact
  • People
    • Staff Spotlight
    • Faculty Highlights
    • Alumni
  • Magazine
  • For Journalists
    • CSUDH In The News
    • Press Releases
    • Facts and Figures
    • Find Media Experts
    • Gallery
    • News Reporting on Campus

CSUDH News

The primary source of news and information about California State University, Dominguez Hills, its students, faculty, and staff.

You are here: Home / Archive / News / President Willie J. Hagan, Student Asia Watkins Honored During Black History Month Celebration

President Willie J. Hagan, Student Asia Watkins Honored During Black History Month Celebration

March 2, 2017

CSUDH President Willie J. Hagan accepts the Leadership and Community Commitment Award.
CSUDH President Willie J. Hagan accepts the Leadership and Community Commitment Award.

California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) President Willie J. Hagan was presented the Leadership & Community Commitment Award at the Torrance Chamber of Commerce’s and the Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce’s 20th Annual Black History Month Celebration on Feb. 24 at the Torrance Marriott.

The celebration honors the contributions of the many African Americans who “span our nation’s past, present, and future,” have “made a difference on the world stage,” and have changed lives in South Bay communities.

“Anytime that you get an award like this you know it wasn’t achieved by you as an individual. These awards represent the work of a lot of people, and in the case of our university, a lot of hard-working faculty, dedicated and persevering students, and a very engaged community,” said Hagan during his remarks.

He accepted the award on behalf of “your university, working for our community,” noting several of the university’s academic programs that strengthen the workforce and help local communities thrive, such as the Entrepreneurial Institute @ CSUDH, the Orthotics and Prosthetics program, and the Center for Innovation and STEM Education, as well as CSUDH student mentor-based programs that help young people excel in life and better prepare for college, such as the Male Success Alliance.

“We have numerous promise programs in the community that engage young kids to let them know that if they do certain things, they have a guaranteed place in college,” Hagan said. “We also have programs that work directly with school districts by engaging teachers and students face-to-face, which is critical to their overall success.”

Watkins and family member Marquel Reid, CSUDH Africana Studies major.
Watkins and family member Marquel Reid, CSUDH Africana Studies major.

CSUDH human services major Asia Watkins was also honored at the event with the Inspirational Spirit Award. The award was created to recognize individuals who inspire and motivate mentally and emotionally challlenged individuals.

Watkins, who carries a 4.0 GPA, will graduate this spring with the bachelor’s degree in human services and holds a certification in mental health recovery, has been actively involved on campus throughout her college career, and currently works in both CSUDH’s Multicultural Affairs program and the recently opened Black Resource Center (The Rose) as a student program coordinator. Inspired by her mother, who served time in prison, she started a support group on campus called Shattering My Silence, which helps African-American women engage in safe dialogue about mental health, intersectionality, self-care, and sisterhood.

“An amazing career lady at my local high school, named Anne, pushed me and told me that once I get into a college and find that one person to pour into me, that I would be all right,” said Watkins. “Now at Cal State Dominguez Hills, being involved is the most important thing I can do… It has continued to encourage me to be who I am, and to remind me that I am good enough. So now I’m off to apply to graduate school for social work—fingers crossed and prayers going up that I get in.”

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Administration, Human Services, Students

Primary Sidebar

Social Media

Facebook
Twitter
Youtube
Instagram
LinkedIn
SOCIALICON

Recent Campus News

student and advisor at the CHHSN Success Center

New Student Success Centers Open Their Doors

In Conversation with Lauren Halsey

Amber Riley onstage

Amber Riley Shares Struggles, Triumphs at Presidential Distinguished Lecture Series

2022 Division II Conference Commissioners Association West Region Player of the Year Sulaiman Bah

Sulaiman Bah Named West Region Player of the Year

CSUDH student at computer

CSUDH Receives $5.3 Million to Address Digital Divide in the South Bay

... see all Campus News

Recently In the News

Students using microscopes

Insight into Diversity: California Grant Expands Health Professions Access for Underrepresented Students

January 4, 2023

Video still: 2:24 CSUDH can boast about graduating 5 current mayors

NBC4: CSUDH Can Boast about Graduating 5 Current Mayors

December 16, 2022

Recent graduates holding certificates from the Small Business Growth Academy

Daily Breeze: Carson Celebrates 1st Graduates of Small Business Growth Academy

December 16, 2022

... see all In the News

Footer

California State University, Dominguez Hills Logo

1000 E. Victoria Street, Carson, CA 90747
1-310-243-2001 • Send Email

Related Sites

  • csudh.edu
  • magazine.csudh.edu
  • gotoros.com

EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get CSUDH News directly in your inbox

Copyright © 2023 · California State University, Dominguez Hills