Students from Cal State San Marcos had the chance to connect with students from Ohio University during a collaborative class session that highlighted shared experience, leadership group and cross-campus engagement. The Center for Leadership Innovation and Mentorship Building (CLIMB) hosted the students from Ohio as part of its signature In the Executive’s Chair (ITEC) series. Rajnandini “Raj” Pillai, director of CLIMB and professor of management, explained that the course brings students into direct conversation with influential leaders and creates meaningful opportunities for interaction with peers worldwide. “CLIMB always believes in collaborating with other entities on campus as well as other universities, both domestic and international, especially when it pertains to our speaker series for the community or our signature In the Executive’s Chair class,” Pillai said. The Nov. 4 visit included a joint class session featuring Jordan Marks, San Diego County Assessor, as well as an informal conversation and lunch on campus. The Ohio University students spent the afternoon exchanging insights with CSUSM students about academics, career plans and student life. CLIMB was established in 2004 by CSUSM’s College of Business Administration, with the mission of fostering the development of effective leaders at the individual, team, organizational and community levels. The center focuses on promoting innovative leadership and research through educational programs and mentoring opportunities. The ITEC series brings high-level leaders from diverse industries to speak with students about topics such as communication, decision-making, ethics and professional development. Previous cohorts have included international participants, such as master’s students from Sweden who joined ITEC via Zoom. Ohio University students also visited CLIMB over the summer. During this visit, the Raymond A. Lancaster Executive Leadership Fellow, Dan Squiller, said the experience exceeded expectations. “The feedback from our students was uniformly positive,” Squiller said. “This first engagement and eating lunch on a sun-soaked CSUSM campus was the perfect way to kick off their week of sessions in San Diego. So, thank you for orchestrating our inclusion, handling the logistics, and making us feel so welcome.” Pillai said she hopes to continue the partnership and host the leadership fellows annually, noting that opportunities like these enrich the classroom experience and strengthen CLIMB’s commitment to developing leaders through connection, conversation and community. CSUSM students also reflected on the value of the exchange. “Talking with the Ohio University students during class was a really interesting experience because it showed me how, even though we go to different schools, we share a lot of the same goals and challenges,” Lysandra Lyman said. “The main difference I noticed was in the size and culture of their school, which gave them different kinds of opportunities. But overall, it made me realize how much we all relate to each other when it comes to learning, growing and preparing for the future.” Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Up until recently, Darci Strother’s acting career consisted entirely of playing the lead role of a hippopotamus in one play. This was in third grade. So imagine her surprise when director Antonio Muñoz de Mesa approached Strother — a Spanish professor in CSUSM’s modern language studies department — about playing a significant role in his international revenge action film, “Santa Zeta.” “He wanted someone who looked fairly innocuous, kind of like a soccer mom,” said the 59-year-old Strother, who has taught at CSUSM since 1993. “He wanted someone to surprise the audience that looked like your everyday innocuous person who would actually be a villain.” The Spanish film wrapped in 2024 and recently made the film festival circuits, which included winning an Award of Excellence in the Feature Film category at the third annual Santa Barbara Indie Film Festival in September. The film made its U.S. debut at the festival. CSUSM’s Global Commitment Committee will screen it as its featured film March 9 in the USU. De Mesa has agreed to join the discussion for the screening either in person or via Zoom. “Santa Zeta” was filmed in Spain and South Korea with Strother’s scenes shot in San Marcos. Her scenes are listed as being filmed in Escondido because Escondido means “hidden” in Spanish, and it’s a play on words for the many hidden meanings within the movie. The film’s synopsis (from IMDB): A super famous travel influencer, Santa Zeta, uses her social media as a cover to travel the world hunting pedophiles, obsessed with finding her little sister’s killer. Strother played the role of Amelia, a seemingly innocent woman with a sinister dark side. “I caught the bug of embracing other new challenges,” Strother said. “I think when you’re asked to do something difficult, you’re not sure if you can do it. And then you do it, and it turns out well. That gives you the confidence of ‘Well, I wonder what’s next.’ ” Strother spoke on the panel after the screening in Santa Barbara, which was also attended by her family along with de Mesa, the production manager and other cast members. The film was the feature event Friday night for the weekend’s festivities. In addition to teaching and service, every CSUSM tenure-track faculty member must perform research and creative activity as part of their duties. For Strother, that has consisted before 2024 of writing academic articles and books about 17th century Spanish theater. What the film experience did was give her a new perspective on viewing the creative process of cinema from a new vantage point. She said she was thrilled to be on the panel for a Q&A session after the debut screening so the audience could see her true personality. “I play a very unflattering character,” she said. “I play a character who does something evil, despicable things. It was kind of exhilarating. I was able to step outside of myself and say, ‘Oh wow, I really did that.’ It’s an accomplishment I achieved in life that lives there forever.” De Mesa has 48 credits to his name on IMDB, including actor, director, producer, writer and editor. He directed “Santa Zeta” and knew immediately he wanted Strother for the role despite her lack of acting experience. They had connected many times in the past when Strother was performing research for her area of expertise. “Although Darci didn't have experience as an actress working in films, I knew her for many years and was totally sure that she could perform this role with the help of an acting coach,” said de Mesa, who was born in Madrid. “I needed an actress for the role of Amelia with a calm, intelligent energy. That's why I thought of Darci right away. Her sensibility and closeness to the acting community made it super easy to work with her in her sequence.” The request from De Mesa came at what can only be described as an inopportune time. Strother had just begun caring for her daughter, who was recovering from what Strother described as a serious surgery. In the same week, she was also asked to moderate the Global Commitment Committee’s informal conversation with students leading up to the 2024 presidential election. She was acting as GCC’s interim chair. She also was asked to sub for a class of a subject she “really didn’t know.” “All of these things that came together that made me actually feel weirdly relaxed because it felt like, OK life is throwing me all these curveballs and opportunities, and I'm not expecting of myself to do anything more than what I can do,” Strother said. “I think if I had only done the film that week I would have just been obsessing and worrying about it. Because there were so many things going on, I was taking things one step at a time. I'm going to do it and everyone in the cast and crew made me feel really really relaxed.” CHABSS faculty are often looking for new avenues to create and innovate. To go beyond the classroom to share experiences that inspire and introduce career paths beyond a straight line. Earlier this semester, Strother showed some still photographs from the film as well as pictures from the festival to her classes. She presented the images from the perspective of doing big things when you’re not expected to. Particularly when it comes to art, she wanted her students to understand it’s never too late to take risks. Even a faculty member with decades of experience in academia can become a screen actor.   “It was very unexpected, but I’m kind of at that point in my life where if someone asks me to do something and I don’t think I can do it, I say, ‘Sure, why not? I’ll try it anyway,' ” Strother said. “I might succeed, I might not succeed. I have the luxury of being at a point in my career where I can try new things and take risks.” Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Growing up in Mira Loma, a rural community in Riverside County, double alumna Amy Barrera remembers cows and few examples of social mobility. “We never heard about people going to college,” said Barrera, who earned her bachelor's in human development in 2018 and her master of public health in 2024. “If it weren’t for Upward Bound, I wouldn’t have known it was a possibility for me.” Through Upward Bound, a program that helps low-income and first-generation high school students prepare for college, Barrera received academic support, mentoring and help with applications.   When Barrera arrived at Cal State San Marcos, she discovered a community that was both welcoming and unfamiliar. “I met an international student for the first time," she said. "Back home, everyone is Hispanic. It was so interesting to be in a place that celebrated diversity. The campus and the student life centers showed me that there’s a place for everyone.”  After earning her bachelor’s degree, Barrera began working in health-related fields and discovered a passion for research. Returning to CSUSM for a master of public health helped her refine that passion and find belonging. “That’s when I really felt seen as a Mexican-American researcher,” she said. Receiving a scholarship from the Alumni Association was another milestone. “The money was helpful, but more importantly, being selected was super validating,” she said. Today, Barrera works at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash., and hopes to pursue a doctorate in public health. As an employee benefit, she was able to create a will and decided to include a $10,000 scholarship for public health students at CSUSM. “Making a will was so easy, a lot easier than I thought, and I’m extremely grateful to be in this position to give back,” she said. Supporting students like her and the public health field is at the heart of Barrera's motivation to give. When asked what she’d tell her future scholarship recipients, she doesn’t hesitate. “You received this scholarship for a reason," she said. "There are people out there who see your potential and have invested in it. Lean into that and trust your capabilities to do incredible things. Keep going!”   How you can support future students in your estate plan Barrera’s story is a powerful example of how anyone, at any age, can help future students thrive. Gifts in estate plans — through wills, trusts or retirement accounts — can be changed by the donor at any time and there are many possible planned giving options to suit your needs. Gifts at all levels make a difference for students. “I want young people to know it’s easier than they think,” Barrera said. “Even with modest assets, you can still set up a planned gift. You don’t have to wait until later in life.” To learn more about planned gifts, contact P. Vien Walker, director of Planned Giving, at (760) 750-8138 or vwalker@csusm.edu or visit plannedgiving.csusm.edu. Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

A member of the Cal State San Marcos family is about to celebrate a special birthday. Frank the Facility Dog will be turning 3 years old on Saturday. To celebrate, Frank had a special birthday party in the third-floor lobby of Kellogg Library on Thursday. Nearly 100 students came by to wish the party animal a happy birthday just before U-hour. Frank’s party included cupcakes and candy for the guests and photos with the birthday boy. He even received a special visit from the Cougar Care Network cart, a special birthday handkerchief and an outfit from some well-wishers. Frank, a goldendoodle, is a therapy and facility dog. According to his mom, Tracy Daly, a CSUSM kinesiology lecturer and registered dietitian/nutritionist and sports dietitian, he is a beloved member of her family. She said Frank’s presence is just the present CSUSM needs. “He is bringing a lot of joy to students who are struggling or stressed,” Daly said. “And not only students, but faculty, staff and administrators.” Just this semester, Daly said, Frank has completed more than 1,500 visits, supporting mental health and building community connections. Animal-assisted therapy has shown significant reductions in both psychological and physiological stress, a recent study found. “A lot of folks on this campus are away from home, and they might be missing their dog,” Daly said. “I’ve had a lot of students tell me they recently lost their dog or they’ve had loss in their family, and they come visit Frank and he’s just this warm, fuzzy ball of love.” Vera Lee, a junior nursing major, agreed. “I met Frank during a class Tracy was doing and started following him on Instagram,” Lee said. “Frank brings me a lot of joy and helps me during the stressful times. I see Frank three times a week, and I recommend that anyone who loves dogs or animals or who has pets they’re not able to see come by and visit Frank.” Frank is fully trained and certified as both a therapy and facility dog through Pawsitive Teams and Love on a Leash. His work aligns strongly with CSUSM’s values around well-being, belonging and student success. “What we found is that Frank has a very good demeanor when it comes to therapy work,” Daly said. “He passed his canine good citizen test with flying colors.” Frank was certified as a therapy dog in just eight weeks. His journey to CSUSM took more than a year – starting with the kinesiology department; working his way through to Integrated Risk Management; the Office of Safety, Health and Sustainability; all the way up to the provost. That journey was worth it, Daly said. “I see the changes in students’ faces when they come out and hang out with him,” she said. During the fall semester, people can come by and visit Frank on Mondays from 12:15-2:15 p.m. in front of Kellogg Library, on Tuesdays from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Epstein Family Veterans Center and on Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. in the library's third-floor lobby.  Media Contact Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

The California State University system released its economic impact report today, highlighting the significant role that the CSU and Cal State San Marcos play in driving regional economic vitality, strengthening key industries and preparing a skilled workforce essential to the economy.  “The CSU and Cal State San Marcos continue to be among the state’s most powerful engines of economic mobility, opportunity and innovation as their influence extends across industries, communities and generations – especially here in the San Diego region,” CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said. “This report shines a light on our collective impact and the powerful role we play to keep our economy strong and thriving in every corner of the state.”  “An investment in the CSU is an investment in California,” said Assemblymember Darshana Patel, whose 76th district includes CSUSM. “That’s why it is imperative that we continue to fund public education to ensure that our state remains one of the top economies in the world.” The report, “Moving California Forward: The Economic Power of the CSU,” highlights the lasting return on investment for the people of California at every level, and CSUSM specifically:  Economic return: For every dollar the state invested in CSUSM, $18.50 was generated in statewide industry activity. The figure rises to $64.62 when including alumni earnings. Statewide impact: CSUSM-related activity supported 7,900 jobs annually across California and contributed $361.5 million in wages earned. The university’s overall statewide impact reached $923.6 million in industry activity and $69.2 million in state and local tax revenue. Regional reach: As part of the San Diego region, CSUSM helped generate a substantial economic impact – supporting 7,600 jobs annually and contributing $342.8 million in wages earned. The total regional impact was $861.5 million in industry activity and $65.4 million in state and local tax revenue, underscoring the campus’s vital role in regional economic vitality. Workforce power: Nearly half of all bachelor’s degrees in California are awarded by the CSU. At CSUSM, students are prepared for in-demand careers in health care, education, business, biotechnology and public service – fields that power the region and state. Research impact: Despite recent funding challenges, CSUSM’s research initiatives continue to address urgent challenges – from health disparities and environmental sustainability to STEM innovation and social mobility – while contributing to globally significant science and scholarship.   Learn more about the economic impact report and CSUSM's impact at https://www.calstate.edu/impact. Download the one-page summary of CSUSM’s economic impact here.  Media Contact Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

After he stopped touring full-time as a musician several years ago, Aaron Humble increased his pace of sending out feelers to conductors of groups that fly in musicians for a week-long project that often ends in a CD-quality recording. As it often goes, he didn’t hear back from one of the groups he reached out to – True Concord Voices and Orchestra based out of Tucson, Ariz. On a gig months later in Santa Fe, N.M., the Cal State San Marcos associate professor of music was approached by a fellow tenor explaining how a group in Tucson needed another tenor for an upcoming project. Humble booked the trip and enjoyed a week of recording and camaraderie. “The first conversation I had with the conductor was him sort of sheepishly saying, ‘Hey, I’m really sorry that I never responded, but I do really like your audition materials and we’d love to have you sing with the group,' ” said Humble, who is co-chair of the music department and also filling the role of director of the dance studies program. About six years later, a weeklong recording session with True Concord resulted in “A Dream So Bright: Choral Music of Jake Runestad,” which debuted in August 2024 at No. 2 on Billboard’s Classical Albums chart. Three months later, the recording was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Choral Performance, a realization of a lifelong dream for Humble. True Concord didn't win when the Grammys were held last February. But the experience of recording and, months later, riding the wave of the highest nomination for a recording artist is one that Humble puts high on his list of career accomplishments. And it came with the group that previously had ignored his inquiries. “It’s up there in the top for sure,” said Humble, who has performed at such iconic venues as the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center and the Library of Congress. “It’s not something you can will to happen because you’re relying on democracy. You’re relying on the members of the (Recording) Academy, the majority of whom I don’t know. And so it does feel like this sort of grassroots recognition of an accomplishment.” In his career as a solo artist, Humble has performed in opera, recital, concert and chamber music venues, enjoying solo appearances with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and the Boston Pops. During his tenure singing with Cantus out of Minneapolis, he sang more than 800 concerts and recorded 10 albums with one of the nation’s premier vocal ensembles. CSUSM's School of Arts is making a concerted effort to hire and encourage its faculty to stay active in their respective industries. Ching-Ming Cheng, music co-chair, gives piano concerts both solo and with renowned performers routinely. She just completed a fall series of concerts with cellist Paul Tseng and harpist Vanessa Fountain throughout San Diego County, including on campus and at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. “Part of it is to feed my artistic soul and sort of keep that fire burning,” Humble said. “Creative activity is part of our scholarship as applied faulty in the arts, so that’s part of it. But in terms of teaching, it also helps me stay relevant. I’m teaching students how to practice, how to perform, and if I stop doing it, I won’t be as good at teaching that.” Originally from northeast Ohio, Humble was the director of choral activities at Minnesota State University, Mankato before coming to CSUSM. A graduate of Millikin University in Illinois, he has a Doctor of Music degree in vocal performance and literature from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Humble and his husband, Xu Zou, have a home in New York primarily for Zou’s work there. Their main residence is in South Park with their two cats, Chopstick and Toothpick. Humble and Cheng are in the process of proposing a music recording and production degree program in the music department. Music technology is currently a minor. “I think that will bring a whole different set of students here as well,” Humble said. “And for the students who are really looking for that ramp into a vocation, into a career, that’s a great degree for them.” His dream is to host a music therapy program at CSUSM. There are no such programs in San Diego, an area rich with the therapeutic power of music. Humble directs the university choir, which is an SATB (soprano, alto, tenor and bass) ensemble that is open to students of all majors and other members of the campus community. The choir does not require an audition. Humble slowly has been building small group opportunities for students who are looking for more advanced repertoire. That’s innovation. For him, it’s about finding the right pace and fit while pushing the students to discover new opportunities within themselves. That’s acceleration and cultivation, the key tenets behind CSUSM’s Blueprint for the Future fundraising campaign, in which the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences lists “Anchoring the Arts” as one of its two initiatives. “I don’t know if we’re quite there yet, but we’re close,” he said. “It’s just nice to give those students who want that extra challenge with harder repertoire, with things that are a little more on the art music side of things and might challenge students in a way that those kids want but other students don’t want. To have space for them to do that.” The concert that the music department is working on this semester is about belonging and unity. Earlier this semester, Humble wasn’t feeling well at choir rehearsal while recovering from getting vaccinated. He ended up having a great rehearsal and left feeling much better. It reminded him that he hears the same from students often. They may arrive to campus in a bad mood but leave their interactions upbeat and ready to go on with their day. Being on the receiving end of that community of care is a gentle reminder that he and other faculty often provide the same. “People need those safe spaces more than ever and those moments of community,” Humble said. “I feel really fortunate that I get to teach in a place that wants that for all of our students. And that I get to make music and build that community in an artistic environment with my students as well.” Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314