Cal State San Marcos welcomed hundreds of students to the University Student Ballroom on Sept. 4 for the annual Student Organization Fair.  The event provides students an opportunity to learn about the many ways to get involved on campus. With more than 100 recognized student organizations in a variety of categories, there is something for everyone. Relive some of the event highlights in the Student Org Fair photo slideshow. To learn more about available student organizations, visit the student organization directory. Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Cal State San Marcos’ School of Education has received a $40,000 grant from SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union to launch Project R.I.S.E. (Recruiting Inclusive, Supportive Educators), an initiative aimed at strengthening and broadening Southern California’s educator pipeline. Project R.I.S.E. will focus on multiple priorities, from building pathways into teaching through future educator summits to hosting workshops that will connect high school, community college and university students interested in education. The project also will support the Emerging Leaders Academy, which will prepare teachers for equity-based leadership roles in partnership with local districts and remove financial barriers by expanding a  fund that helps credential candidates cover essential costs like testing and certification fees. Cassiopeia Guthrie, a member of the Distinguished Teachers in Residence program in the School of Education, is leading the project activities as the Project R.I.S.E. faculty fellow. She will coordinate programming and planning, helping to create sustained outreach and support across partner districts. That role also will lay the groundwork for a future Project R.I.S.E. center, envisioned as a hub to strengthen regional recruitment and pipeline development for aspiring educators. Moses Ochanji, director of the School of Education, said the initiative is rooted in opportunity and equity. “By opening doors early, supporting students along the way and removing financial barriers, we are ensuring that students in as early as high school grades see teaching as a viable and welcoming profession and also that our schools will be led by educators who reflect and understand the communities they serve,” Ochanji said. “The School of Education is grateful for the partnership with SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union in working to remove barriers before they become roadblocks.” Jennifer Ostergren, dean of the College of Education, Health and Human Services, called the partnership with SchoolsFirst a timely investment. “This is more than a grant,” Ostergren said. “It is a commitment to building pathways for the next generation of teachers and leaders.” The announcement comes at a critical time as California continues to face teacher shortages, particularly in high-need communities. With Project R.I.S.E., CSUSM is positioning itself at the forefront of solutions by engaging students early, supporting them through credentialing and preparing them for impactful careers in education. Media Contact Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

Cal State San Marcos biology student Oscar Loyola Torres has been selected as the campus’ recipient of the 2025 CSU Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement, the California State University’s highest recognition of student accomplishment. Students are selected based on academic achievements, financial need, excellence in community service and personal hardship. Awardees have all demonstrated inspirational resolve along the path to college success, and many are the first in their families to attend college.  The CSU recognizes 23 students every year – one from each campus – with the Trustees’ Award. Loyola Torres was named a CSU Trustee Emeritus Kenneth Fong Scholar. Loyola Torres and the other awardees will recognized during a ceremony as part of the CSU Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 9. Growing up, Loyola Torres was interested in filmmaking and acting. But he found himself gravitating toward the medical field after taking anatomy and a biomedical elective course at San Marcos High School. A molecular and cellular biology major, he’s the first person in his family to attend college. Loyola Torres is a Pathmaker intern at Palomar Medical Center Escondido, working alongside health care professionals to provide patient support under the guidance of staff. He also serves in CSUSM's COMPASS research internship, which recruits local high school students and trains them in stem cell science. Loyola Torres works in biology professor Carlos Luna Lopez’s lab, studying breast cancer cells. Along with a master’s student, Loyola Torres investigates cell culture and how breast cancer cells grow.   This fall, Loyola Torres is acting as president of the campus’ MedLife club, which aims to combat health care shortages and help increase essential health care services to low-income communities in Latin America and Africa. Almost 500 students have been honored with the Trustees' Award since the scholarship program was established in 1984 by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation. In 1999, the Hearst Foundation partnered with the CSU Board of Trustees to supplement the endowment with contributions from CSU Trustees, CSU Foundation board members and private donors. Each student scholarship bears the name of a donor. 

Cal State San Marcos has been awarded a $10,000 grant by the grocery chain Sprouts to support and enhance “Cougars Cooking for Wellness,” a program offered through Student Health & Counseling Services (SHCS) to provide students with the proper skills and knowledge to live healthier lifestyles through nutrition education, cooking and community connection.  The Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation selected CSUSM during its 2025 grant cycle themed “Wellness Across the Lifespan” to fund programs that encourage hands-on nutritional education. CSUSM is committed to promoting student wellness and working with SHCS to advance a campus culture of health and resilience.  “We’re incredibly grateful to receive the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation grant to support our Cougars Cooking for Wellness program," said Cathy Nguyen, CSUSM's coordinator of health promotion. "This funding allows us to expand our efforts in educating students about nutrition through hands-on cooking demonstrations and empower students with practical nutrition skills, cooking confidence and access to healthy food resources. This support helps us build a culture of wellness that strengthens student health, connection and academic success.” CSUSM aims to host four cooking demonstrations, four education sessions and two “Cook and Connect Events” through the program during the 2025-26 academic year. CSUSM also will provide in-person and online sessions for ongoing student access.   Online nutrition workshops will include many important food- and health-related topics, and cooking demonstrations held on campus will provide students with strategies for cooking in dorm kitchens. Students also will learn how to make meals with ingredients provided at the ASI Cougar Pantry.  “Cougars Cooking for Wellness” will aim to increase students’ nutrition literacy, influence healthy behaviors, build confidence in food preparation and ultimately stimulate academic success and retention.   Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Oscar Loyola Torres never wanted to become a doctor until he saw a sheep's brain.   Growing up, Loyola Torres was interested in filmmaking and acting. But he found himself gravitating toward the medical field after taking anatomy and a biomedical elective course at San Marcos High School (it was in the latter class that he saw the sheep’s brain).   Loyola Torres, a molecular and cellular biology major at Cal State San Marcos, is the first person in his family to attend college. Elementary school teachers told him that there would be a spot for him at CSUSM when the time came, thanks to CSUSM's K-12 Alliance, which motivated him to work hard from an early age.  Loyola Torres’ efforts paid off, as he was honored recently as CSUSM’s recipient of the 2025 CSU Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement, California State University’s highest recognition of student accomplishment.   The CSU recognizes 23 students every year – one from each campus – with the Trustees’ Award. Students are selected based on academic achievements, financial need, excellence in community service and personal hardship. Awardees have all demonstrated inspirational resolve along the path to college success, and many are the first in their families to attend college.   “It's almost like imposter syndrome,” Loyola Torres said. “It was just an honor to receive the nomination.”  Loyola Torres’ decision to attend CSUSM over other universities, including UC Riverside, was based on community and affordability. It was a place where he could be close to home while affording school, and his parents supported his decision.   “My parents weren’t able to pursue higher education, so that motivated me,” Loyola Torres said. “I have the privilege of pursuing it, so I have always planned on it.”  As a Pathmaker intern at Palomar Medical Center Escondido, Loyola Torres saw the language barriers that Spanish-speaking patients often experience in health care.   “I have the privilege of speaking both English and Spanish,” he said. “A lot of the patients struggle with understanding what the doctors are saying. I'm going to be able to almost close that gap in the language barrier.”  Loyola Torres also serves in CSUSM's COMPASS research internship, which recruits local high school students and trains them in stem cell science. Expanding hands-on learning opportunities through internships like this is one of the goals of CSUSM’s recently launched “Blueprint for the Future” fundraising campaign. Research and industry partnerships are a key part of how the university prepares students such as Loyola Torres to thrive in the workforce.  Loyola Torres works in biology professor Carlos Luna Lopez’s lab, studying breast cancer cells. Along with a master’s student, Loyola Torres investigates cell culture and how breast cancer cells grow.   This fall, Loyola Torres will serve as president of the campus’ MedLife club, which aims to combat health care shortages and help increase essential health care services to low-income communities in Latin America and Africa. He calls it one of his biggest accomplishments.   Reflecting on his journey, Loyola Torres is proud of his growth. From entering his first year as a quiet student to working internships, serving as a club president and being nominated for an award, he is thankful for these opportunities.   “My GEL professor freshman year told me I have to be comfortable with the uncomfortable,” Loyola Torres said. “I'm proud of myself, because I don't know what I would have been doing right now if I didn't open up or didn't receive that advice."  Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

The Cal State San Marcos community celebrates the life and work of the indelible David Avalos, Eternal Emeritus Professor of Art. Eternal is added to his title due to his core contributions as a founding faculty member at CSUSM, champion and steward of the arts program, and the ongoing impact of his work, words and deeds on the campus community and on the region – a community that he prodded ever to be our best selves, our most critical, creative and brave selves.   Avalos joined CSUSM in 1991 and was active under the umbrella of emeritus professor as artistic mentor and union advocate until his passing. He was often the first person whom new faculty engaged with on campus, initiating conversations that drew out ideas and created connections with fellow faculty; and he held our campus memory, reminding newcomers of the university’s foundation on radical interdisciplinarity. Campuswide, Avalos was known for his strolls with colleagues, his signature synthesis of ruminating walks and talks while making salient connections across ideas and with passersby from all areas of campus. He introduced generations of faculty and students to the murals in Chicano Park and served as faculty adviser to the Danza Azteca and Ballet Folklorico student groups on campus. Avalos was a mentor and collaborator to his colleagues in the arts; he contributed last year with an oral history about the border for the artwork of Cognate Collective, the collective composed of Misael Diaz and Amy Sanchez Arteaga, and collaborated with Lucy HG Solomon and CSUSM students on a performative study of the equinox, presented at grade schools in 2017.  Avalos gained a national and worldwide reputation for his multimedia and avant-garde art that focuses on border and labor-related issues, often advocating for the rights of Mexican immigrants, raising concerns over police brutality, and protesting a racist anti-immigration movement that burgeoned dramatically in the 1990s. Many of his works are in permanent collections, including those of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. He made a political statement with the artwork “Donkey Cart Altar” (1985) when he placed it in front of the San Diego federal courthouse to protest that immigrant laborers working to feed their families were being treated as criminals. Judge Gordon Thompson Jr. ordered the work, which he deemed a “security risk,” to be removed, with the ACLU rallying to defend Avalos’ freedom of expression in a court filing against the judge – a filing that was ultimately dismissed. Avalos petitioned to the Supreme Court in David Avalos and Sushi, INC. vs. Gordon Thomposn, Jr., et al. While the Supreme Court did not take up the case, it garnered national attention.  Beginning in 1988, Avalos worked alongside artists Louis Hock and Elizabeth Sisco, and he also collaborated with Deborah Small (CSUSM professor emerita) and James Luna, developing artworks that addressed the complex issues of immigrant labor, border politics and multiculturalism in California. “Welcome to America’s Finest Tourist Plantation” (1988) – designed by Avalos, Hock and Sisco as a rear advertising panel and placed on nearly half of the city’s local buses – taunted San Diegans leading up to the Super Bowl, held in January that year. Publicizing the plight of undocumented workers, the artists turned the artwork into a major media event, asserting art’s right for free expression. Avalos became known for his conviction that artists have the responsibility to interact with their environment and community. “Art Rebate/Arte Reembolso” (1993) by Avalos, Hock and Sisco, a public art project that involved distributing $10 bills to undocumented workers in San Diego, aimed to challenge the perception that undocumented workers negatively impact the economy by highlighting their contributions and providing an art rebate in leu of the tax rebate that the workers could not claim, despite paying taxes and into Social Security. Commissioned by the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego and Centro Cultural de la Raza, the project sparked debate and criticism in local and national media and in Congress.  A descendent of one of the oldest families in National City (his mother’s family arrived in the 1910s and his father’s family arrived in the '20s), Avalos was an instigator of creative ideas whose art and activism became a fixture within National City’s rich community of Chicano/a artists, activists, scholars and educators. He attributed his rise in political consciousness to his upbringing: “… I think that that consciousness came only with my involvement with the civil rights organization in my hometown, National City, the Committee on Chicano Rights” (Smithsonian oral history interview with Avalos, 1988). A Vietnam-era U.S. Army veteran stationed in West Germany in the late 1960s, he connected with veteran students and he valued the education that the G.I. Bill afforded him, at San Diego State and later at UC San Diego, where he contributed illustrations to a student newspaper called Voz Fronteriza. He worked at the Chicano Federation and in 1978 he began working at the Centro Cultural de la Raza and with the Committee on Chicano Rights. At the Centro Cultural de la Raza, he worked with multidisciplinary artists throughout the 1980s, and with Victor Ochoa and Michael Schnorr (plus the collaborative entities Cinewest Productions and Poyesis Genética), he co-founded the Border Art Workshop/Taller de Arte Fronterizo, which he described as “a collective focused on the dynamic balance of U.S.-Mexico absurdities.” Avalos’ art provocations and teachings will long be remembered by students and colleagues alike.  An active member of the National Latino Research Center advisory board as well as a faculty associate of the center and longtime California Faculty Association chapter rights representative, Avalos stood in solidarity with the NRLC and CFA throughout his career and was a vital mentor and colleague, providing invaluable guidance and inspiration to generations of faculty, staff and students. The School of Arts, NLRC, CSUSM’s CFA chapter and Center ARTES collectively remain committed to continuing the legacy of Avalos both on campus and in the community. A committed thinker, he never stopped learning, always probing others about their understanding of the world. Prescient in his artmaking about contemporary politics, Avalos continues to move new generations of thinkers and creators with his percussive art and legacy of activism.   Avalos is survived by his wife, Veronica Enrique Avalos, their four children (Xima, Tona, Graciano and Adrian) and grandson, Leon, and in the campus community, his cousin Fredi Avalos. In May of this academic year, the School of Arts will commemorate David Avalos as artist, thinker, professor and provocateur, with an opportunity to share reflections on his impact on the community and on the arts in the border region and beyond. Further communication about this opportunity to celebrate Avalos and his lasting impact at CSUSM will be shared across the campus community.  To hear Avalos in his own words across the years, you are invited to follow the links below:  Interviews in Califas: Chicano Art and Culture in California (1983) David Avalos on his work Loteria Chicana “La Placa” (1983)  Oral History with David Avalos, Smithsonian Archives of American Art (1988)  David Avalos on Chicana/o Art (2007)  Charla with the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (2021)   David Avalos ¡Presente! 

Cal State San Marcos is one of seven schools selected by the American College Health Foundation, which received educational grant funding from Hologic, as part of the 2025-26 STI Prevention and Testing (SPT) Mini Grant Program. The grant will fund the creation of the Cougars Sexpert Station, a name voted on by CSUSM students, which will be a mobile outreach station hosting monthly information stops across campus. “This mobile station run by HOPE peer educators will provide CSUSM students access to free safer sex supplies, STI testing information and birth control resources, empowering students to make informed choices about their sexual health,” said Cathy Nguyen, coordinator of health promotion at CSUSM. Student Health & Counseling Services (SHCS) also will launch a digital awareness campaign on social media and the SHCS website, and a print and digital STI resource guide will be distributed to students living in campus housing. SHCS will utilize the grant to expand its efforts in STI (sexually transmitted infection) education and prevention through peer education, community partnerships and inclusive health promotion. STI testing is available through SHCS for all currently enrolled students who have paid the university’s health fee. Testing is done by licensed medical professionals in a confidential and supportive environment. The SPT Mini Grant Program offers financial support to institutions that aim to enhance access to STI education, prevention and testing services on their campuses. More than 40 institutions submitted proposals for the grant. Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Teaching in a student population environment of around 2,500 and then moving to one with 17,000-plus is one of the many challenges that Roni Kay O’Dell, a new assistant professor of political science and global affairs, has signed up for this semester. “I’m really impressed with high student participation in my classes,” said O’Dell, who is particularly moved by the contributions of her global governance class, which is essentially an introduction to international relations. “I’m really excited that the students are so interested in the subject matter. We’ve also already had some really good conversations about current events that are happening in my environmental politics class, which is called Green Planet Politics.” O’Dell is one of four newly hired tenure-track faculty in the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences. She is spending this week at the University of Bradford in the United Kingdom at the Human Development and Capability Association Conference, where she will present her research on how humans can agree on sustainable use and management of Earth’s resources. O’Dell is also a board member (director at large) for the organization. O’Dell comes to CSUSM from Seton Hill University, a Catholic liberal arts university in Greensburg, Pa. There, she was program coordinator (essentially the chair) of the political science and global studies program, led the Model United Nations program and was the adviser for the Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Science Honor Society chapter. In addition to the larger student population here, another adjustment she has enjoyed is the change in lifestyle. Along with her husband and dog, O’Dell already has basked in beach days and local hikes, including traversing Torrey Pines recently. “There are a lot of wonderful things about where I’ve lived before, but there’s nothing like being able to go for a walk by the ocean so easily, or be on the beach or even do some of the hikes around here and enjoy the beautiful views,” said O’Dell, who grew up in Montana and earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington, a master’s from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey and a Ph.D. from the University of Denver. O’Dell is not unlike many CSUSM students. She was the first in her family to graduate from college, beginning that journey at the community college level. Social mobility was a crucial part of her path, so she’s excited to help guide students here by utilizing the same tools of hard work and a caring support system. “I know that CSUSM has that amazing opportunity for students, and so many people who come here are the first people in their family who have gone to a college or are thinking about a university degree or thinking about expanding what they want to do with their lives,” she said. “That was one of the things that definitely drew me.” O’Dell wants to support students to learn and practice how to protect the environment. Essentially, how to make sure humans can thrive while also utilizing our resources sustainably. Putting the theoretical into practice. “There are so many ways CSUSM focuses on sustainability, on the concern for the environment,” she said. “That’s deeply connected to my study of public policy, my study of international relations – my academic interests and research interests, but also practical interests. So that’s really exciting.”   Hyunjin Koo Hyunjin Koo is an assistant professor in the department of psychological science. She earned a Ph.D. in social psychology from UC Irvine and worked as a postdoctoral research associate at the University of British Columbia before joining CSUSM. As a social psychologist, Koo has two main research programs. First, her work examines how experiences and beliefs about socioeconomic mobility shape everyday thoughts and behaviors, including attitudes toward work and leisure, views of the rich and poor, perceptions of inequality, morality, and social class. Second, in an emerging line of research, she studies a novel psychological construct that she and her team have introduced – leisure guilt — which refers to the guilt people feel when taking leisure time instead of being productive. Her research explores the antecedents and consequences of leisure guilt, as well as the cultural and social factors that influence it.   What drew you to CSUSM? Koo: I was drawn to CSUSM for its strong commitment to student success and social mobility. My main research interest is social mobility, so I was excited to find that my work aligns perfectly with the university’s mission and goals.   What are you hoping your students will take away from your classes? Koo: I hope that through my classes, students come to see how psychology connects to many aspects of their daily lives and experiences, and that they discover the joy of engaging with psychological topics.    What is one of your professional goals you hope to accomplish while you’re here? Koo: I want to embody the teacher–scholar model. My goal is to be both a strong researcher and a dedicated teacher who helps students achieve their own success.   What is your favorite activity during your downtime? Koo: In my free time, I enjoy exploring new coffee shops and restaurants and finding new favorites. I’m especially excited that San Diego has so many places to discover!   Kiana Maillet Kiana Maillet is an assistant professor in the American Indian studies department and is a member of the Lone Pine Paiute-Shoshone Tribe. She is a double CSUSM alumna and a licensed clinical social worker with multiple certifications, and she has extensive volunteer and job experience working with youth, families and communities. Her research interests include American Indian experiences within systems such as foster care, schools and mental health, as well as traditional teachings and experiences with language, foods, plants, places and ceremony.   What drew you to CSUSM?   Maillet: I went through the Master of Social Work and the joint doctoral programs at CSUSM and have been a lecturer here for several years in the AIS department.    What are you hoping your students will take away from your classes?   Maillet: I hope that students will learn about the beauty and complexity of Native ways of being – our side of history, science, mental health, ecology, language, the real impacts of colonization and the strength and resilience of our people.   What is one of your professional goals you hope to accomplish while you’re here?   Maillet: I hope to not only share my knowledge, but also to continue to grow and learn myself. I want to be able to make a positive impact on our students, our campus and in our communities.   What is your favorite activity during your down time? Maillet: I enjoy hiking, gardening, playing with my grandsons and attending our Nüümü Yadoha (Paiute language) classes.   Carlos Rosas Carlos Rosas is a new assistant professor in the psychological science department. He’s also no stranger to campus. Rosas earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from CSUSM and a Ph.D. in psychology with a concentration in community and prevention research from the University of Illinois Chicago. Rosas completed epidemiology-focused postdoctoral fellowships at UC San Diego and San Diego State. For the past two years, he also has taught various classes as a lecturer at CSUSM. His research program integrates social and health psychology theories, epidemiological methods, and community-based participatory research approaches to examine the social, cultural and psychological drivers/determinants of mental and physical health (particularly in the context of chronic disease prevention and management), and to develop, implement and evaluate culturally informed and tailored, community-based interventions to promote healthy behaviors and mitigate risk factors. His research places special emphasis on communities of color and other historically understudied populations. Rosas regularly teaches multicultural perspectives in psychology, social psychology and statistics in psychology.    What drew you to CSUSM? Rosas: CSUSM is my alma mater. As an undergraduate, I found CSUSM to be an incredibly supportive and intellectually nurturing academic home. The encouragement and guidance I received from the psychology faculty were quite literally life-changing. I would not have pursued a doctoral degree without their unwavering support and mentorship. Hence, returning to CSUSM was the natural choice for me, and I'm really excited for the opportunity to provide my own students with the same support, motivation and inspiration that I once received from my own professors.     What are you hoping your students will take away from your classes? Rosas: I want my students to leave my classes inspired. In particular, I hope students from low-income and historically underrepresented backgrounds see that it is possible for people like us – the first in our families to attend college, from working-class families, etc. – to move up the socioeconomic ladder and pursue careers that often seem inaccessible. I also want to instill in my students a passion for psychology and psychological research. I still remember walking out of my first social psychology class in awe of the studies we had learned about, and I hope my students leave my classes with that same sense of wonder and curiosity.    What is one of your professional goals you hope to accomplish while you’re here? Rosas: I'm looking forward to establishing partnerships with local community organizations and clinics to collaborate on research projects that improve the health and well-being of underserved communities.    What is your favorite activity during your down time? Rosas: I enjoy working out, primarily lifting weights, though I also like to add a cardio session from time to time.  Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Monika Consunji transforms into her alter ego for one week every summer. She takes time off from her job at Cal State San Marcos, turns off her phone and becomes Mushu, the pint-sized Chinese dragon from the Disney movie “Mulan.” Developing an alias is standard for all counselors at Resident Oncology Camp. It offers privacy while counselors work with children who have had their lives upended by cancer. Consunji picked Mushu as a nod to her Asian heritage, but the choice carries deeper significance. “He is so bold, fierce and just really supportive,” Consunji said. “He knows when to come in and help Mulan out and is just an underdog. I chose the name because of all of that, but it really has taught me so much more. Each year, I'm able to set my personal life aside and just be there for the kids. Mushu has provided me so much grit, motivation, protection and strength.” Resident Oncology Camp, part of the nonprofit Oncology and Kids, was developed for children affected by cancer to create memories, forge friendships and build the resiliency needed to heal. It’s a mission that resonates with Consunji. Not only is she a cancer survivor herself, she attended Resident Oncology Camp from the time she was 7 until she turned 18. Giving back to the camp that did so much for her is why Consunji takes a week off every summer from her job as a marketing specialist in the University Communications office. “It’s really special,” she said. “Many of the counselors were once campers, and they truly want to bring back the magic that they felt as campers.” Consunji was diagnosed with cancer when she was just 2 years old. She wasn’t able to articulate the pain she was experiencing, but she was constantly crying and her stomach was hard as a rock. Doctors initially couldn’t find anything wrong, but when the pain persisted, her parents took her back to the hospital and doctors discovered a tumor on one of her ovaries. Although Consunji’s cancer has a high survival rate, having one of her ovaries removed took an emotional toll on her family, and the repercussions are still felt more than two decades later. “At a young age, the doctors were like, ‘Hey, she's not going to be able to have kids, she's going to have complications,’ ” Consunji said. “Now that I'm in my 30s, as I'm thinking about family and the future, it's not the normal options.” Consunji had another cancer scare as an undergraduate student studying business administration at CSUSM (she’ll become a double alumna in December when she completes her MBA). When she was 21, Consunji started experiencing severe stomach pain. Doctors thought it might be a virus, but the pain persisted and her stomach started hardening, exactly what she had experienced as a toddler. A trip to the emergency room uncovered a large cyst on Consunji’s remaining ovary. Though it was benign, it required removal of the ovary and caused Consunji to miss most of the semester. “I kept my cancer and the cyst such a secret before I finally started to tell my close friends,” she said. “I had so many low moments during that time of just anxiety and depression going through another major surgery.” Consunji confided in a friend she knew from Resident Oncology Camp about the emotional difficulties she was experiencing after having her second ovary removed. The friend told Consunji how she returned to the camp as a counselor and how helpful it had been, inspiring Consunji to give it a try. Nearly 10 years after that conversation, Consunji continues to return to the camp each summer. It’s free for campers thanks to donor support and grants, and Consunji is grateful that it continues to give children affected by cancer the same joy that it brought her. “Camp helped me navigate all of those feelings,” she said. “It helped me to feel OK in my own skin and celebrate that I have another chance at life. It also provided me a lot of humility and acceptance because you realize it’s not just you and that there are people who have it worse than you. It helps you appreciate life a little bit more.”   Oncology and Kids has provided free, year-round programs for people ages 4 to 25 affected by cancer since 1983. Visit the Oncology and Kids website to learn more about its programs and support of children and families affected by cancer. Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Cal State San Marcos welcomed 27 students to campus this summer for the inaugural SWIFT Summer Start, a five-week residential bridge program designed to smooth the transition to university life and set participants on a path toward accelerated bachelor’s degrees in health-related fields. SWIFT, short for Scholars in Wellness and Innovation Fast-Track, is backed by a $10 million grant from Price Philanthropies Foundation. The initiative enables eligible students, including those who earned college credits in high school, to complete a bachelor’s degree in three years while gaining the skills and experience needed to address the region’s growing demand for behavioral health and social service professionals. “This program is about more than speed – it’s about support, belonging and ensuring that students have the tools to succeed from day one,” said Martha Garcia, senior director of SWIFT. “SWIFT Summer Start creates a community of scholars who are ready to thrive academically, socially and personally.” During the summer, students enrolled in First-Year Seminar with professor Russ Neuhart, with some also taking credit-bearing math and English courses. Outside the classroom, the program partnered with CSUSM’s Office of First-Year & University Programs to offer activities and workshops designed to build community, strengthen academic skills and familiarize students with campus resources. Students said they appreciated that the program enabled them to acclimate to the campus, connect with their success coaches and create friendships with peers.  The inaugural SWIFT Summer Start cohort has been joined this fall by additional students admitted directly to the three-year degree pathway. Forty students in total will pursue degrees in either public health or human development (with a concentration in counseling), each receiving a $4,500 annual scholarship. “SWIFT reflects CSUSM’s deep commitment to meeting the workforce needs of our region while expanding access and opportunity for our students,” said Jennifer Ostergren, dean of the College of Education, Health and Human Services. “Through its accelerated format, hands-on learning and strong support network, SWIFT prepares graduates to make an immediate and meaningful impact in their communities.” During the program, students will participate in three summers of experiential learning and internships, earning professional certifications and gaining paid work experience that positions them to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation. CSUSM’s innovative approach to launching SWIFT earned recognition at the recent “Devvies” awards, which honor standout higher education marketing and communication initiatives. “This is just the beginning,” Garcia said. “We’re building a model for how higher education can respond quickly and effectively to both student needs and workforce demands.” Media Contact Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

Cal State San Marcos welcomed the largest freshman class in university history as the fall semester began this week.  First-year and transfer students got a head start on the semester last Saturday during New Student and Family Convocation, an annual event to welcome new students into the Cougar family. The event included remarks from, among others, President Ellen Neufeldt, Provost Carl Kemnitz and Illeana Carmona Chavez, the chair and chief of staff for Associated Students, Inc. Relive some of the highlights from the two ceremonies in the New Student and Family Convocation photo slideshow. Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

As a new academic year begins, Cal State San Marcos has received three federal grants totaling more than $1 million. The grants come from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The faculty members involved from CSUSM include assistant biology professor Mallory Rice, associate biology professor Jane Kim, biology professor George Vourlitis, kinesiology professor Todd Astorino and assistant math professor Kim Ayers. Rice is the principal investigator (with Kim and Vourlitis as co-PIs) of a three-year, $499,970 grant from the NSF’s Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI Program). The project aims to increase student success by ensuring that every CSUSM biology student participates in multiple research experiences while enrolled in their lower- and upper-division courses. Research projects will investigate how urban development impacts wildlife and natural resources in North San Diego County. The grant will be supported by the CSUSM-based National Latino Research Center, with Konane Martinez (faculty director of the NLRC and chair of the anthropology department) serving in a senior personnel role. Astorino received a $442,590 Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) from the NIH. He will conduct a randomized controlled trial with 60 inactive adults, who will complete 24 sessions of reduced exertion high-intensity interval training (REHIT), a variation of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) that requires only two 20-second sprints within a 10-minute session. Astorino then will compare the resultant changes in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), substrate metabolism and psychological response to a non-exercising control group. The trial will expand work in the field showing that REHIT increases CRF and other health-related outcomes, but that has been criticized due to its small sample size, serving to question the broad application of REHIT in adults. Ayers received a $173,098 grant from the NSF in collaboration with Florida International University and the University of Virginia. The three universities will adapt and implement the Modeling Practices in Calculus (MPC) approach, which has been shown to significantly improve learning and success for a broad collection of introductory calculus students. At the core of MPC is the opportunity for students to work cooperatively and discuss key mathematical ideas in a face-to-face, small-group setting. After adoption and implementation, CSUSM and its partners will identify three additional sites that will join the project in its second year.  Media Contact Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

Cal State San Marcos is ranked 73^rd out of 1,421 colleges in Washington Monthly’s “2025 Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars.” Institutions are assessed on accessibility for non-wealthy students, affordability, academic and financial outcomes post-graduation, and promotion of public service.  Using the same ranking criteria, CSUSM is also 16^th out of 585 colleges in Washington Monthly’s “2025 Master’s University Rankings” for institutions awarding a significant number of master’s degrees.   CSUSM is 36^th in the “2025 Best Bang for the Buck Rankings: West,” which highlights colleges that help non-wealthy students receive degrees at more affordable prices.   Washington Monthly also included CSUSM in its list of best four-year Hispanic-serving colleges, placing it 26^th out of 50. Collaborating with the nonprofit organization Excelencia in Education, Washington Monthly gathered data on transfer and graduation rates of Hispanic students to determine these rankings. CSUSM has also received the Seal of Excelencia, showcasing the school’s dedication to helping Hispanic students.   In June, CSUSM received 4.5 out of a possible 5 stars on Money magazine’s list of “Best Colleges in America.”  Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Cal State San Marcos welcomed more than 17,000 students, including the largest freshman class in university history of more than 2,700, to kick off the fall semester Monday. Official enrollment numbers will be available following the 2025 fall census in October. President Ellen Neufeldt expressed excitement and optimism about the new academic year during her annual convocation address to faculty and staff last Thursday. “As we think about the start of school, in this moment in time – now more than ever – it is important that we remember why we are here,” Neufeldt said. “Why we show up. Why we keep going. We believe in the power and the promise of higher education. And we believe in the mission of this university.”  Neufeldt highlighted many of the university’s achievements over the past year, while also looking ahead to what is in store. That includes CSUSM’s fundraising campaign, the largest capital campaign in university history.   The campaign aims to raise $200 million through philanthropic support and sponsored research to expand programs, fund scholarships, advance faculty work and strengthen the infrastructure that drives social mobility and lifts the entire region.   “This is not just about dollars,” Neufeldt said. “It’s about lasting impact.”    New science building On July 31, CSUSM broke ground on its future Integrated Science and Engineering (ISE) Building, which will allow the university to respond to the critical need for STEM programs, including new engineering majors and enrollment growth. The ISE building is estimated to cost $110 million and will be funded through commitments from California State University and private support. It will cover more than 70,000 square feet over three stories. The first publicly funded academic structure on campus in more than a decade, it’s expected to open in fall 2027.   Name for new housing project The new University Village Housing and Dining Project, which is expected to be ready in time for the fall 2026 semester, has been formally named Black Oak Hall and Kwíila Dining. The names were determined following thoughtful input from a campus naming committee and student representatives. Kwíila is the Luiseño word for “acorn” and was chosen to honor the local tribal heritage and the land on which CSUSM resides.   CSUSM named to best colleges list  CSUSM was named to the “Best Colleges in America 2025” list by Money magazine. CSUSM received a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5. The list, which includes 732 colleges, showcases the country’s top values, based on graduation rates, cost of attendance, financial aid, alumni salaries and more.   Weeks of Welcome The annual Weeks of Welcome, which started Aug. 22, includes dozens of events for students to meet new people and kick off the academic year. Visit the Weeks of Welcome calendar for a complete schedule.   Arts & Lectures for fall The university’s longstanding Arts & Lectures series recently released its fall lineup. This season boasts a diverse selection of five events. Attendees can reserve tickets online via the Arts & Lectures website.   Summer highlights CSUSM was selected for the third straight year as an Angeles Higher Education Impact Award honoree. A new master’s degree program in clinical counseling psychology was approved by the CSU Chancellor’s Office to accept applications this fall. Edward Mills was appointed as interim chief enrollment officer, beginning his tenure on July 28. Cinthya Ippoliti started in her position as the new dean for the University Library on July 1. Two alumni were selected for the CSU Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program, also known as CDIP, for the incoming 2025-26 cohort.  Surfer and business student Tanner Vodraska captured his second consecutive national title at the National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA) Interscholastic Championships. Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Cal State San Marcos has announced the appointment of Michelle Rosenthal Clark as its interim vice president for University Advancement. “We are thrilled to welcome Michelle to CSUSM,” CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said. “Her depth of experience and collaborative leadership style will be instrumental as we launch the biggest fundraising campaign in the university’s history and continue to build on the strong foundation.” Clark brings more than 30 years of experience in philanthropy advising, nonprofit management and fundraising strategy. She has led development programs at institutions including Caltech, UC San Francisco, Emory University, USC and The Music Center. During her career, Clark has contributed to more than $500 million in philanthropic gifts supporting higher education, scientific research, health equity and the arts. She has served in executive roles, advised presidents and provosts, and built high-performing teams. Her expertise includes planning and executing multibillion-dollar campaigns, navigating public-private partnerships, and shaping academic and community programs. “I’m honored to join CSUSM at such a pivotal moment in its journey,” Clark said. “The campaign represents a bold vision for the university, and I’m delighted to partner with President Neufeldt, the advancement team, the Foundation Board and the entire campus community to help bring that vision to life."  Clark also has a strong track record of working with fiduciary and fundraising boards, supporting governance, development and marketing committees. As a consultant and interim leader, she partners with universities, nonprofits and philanthropic advisory organizations to elevate strategy, optimize operations and drive results. She earned a bachelor’s degree in art history and a certificate in management effectiveness from USC. Clark will serve in an interim capacity while CSUSM continues to advance its fundraising and engagement efforts. A national search for a permanent vice president of advancement will begin this fall.

Jason Magabo Perez, a Cal State San Marcos associate professor of ethnic studies, will be a featured performer at the inaugural KPBS San Diego Book Festival this weekend. Perez, who’s also the poet laureate emeritus for the City of San Diego, will read some of his poetry on the main stage Saturday from 2:30-3 p.m. at the University of San Diego. He will appear alongside Paola Capo-Garcia, San Diego’s current poet laureate, and award-winning poet Karla Cordero. The festival, which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., is a free event featuring panel discussions with award-winning authors, activities, live entertainment and exhibitors including local authors and independent booksellers. Hired in 2019, Perez is entering his seventh academic year at CSUSM. In January 2023, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria selected him as the city’s poet laureate, a two-year appointment to write poems, hold workshops and add to the cultural richness of the region. Also in 2023, Perez was awarded a $50,000 poet laureate fellowship by the Academy of American Poets. He helped launch a youth empowerment poetry project that included youth mentorship and workshops on poetry, performance-making, filmmaking and video art. Media Contact Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

Adam Petersen, assistant dean of undergraduate studies at Cal State San Marcos, has been appointed chair of the advisory board for the CSU Student Success Network.   Student success efforts are underway at every level of California State University to support educational opportunities and close opportunity and outcome gaps. The network offers forums for sustained, cross-campus, cross-role, evidence-based, professional learning opportunities.  Petersen, who has served on the board since 2018, will help guide the network into its next phase.  At CSUSM, he leads efforts to improve student retention and graduation, particularly for traditionally underserved groups, by overseeing academic support programs such as peer-led tutoring and developing systems to identify and assist students experiencing academic challenges.   Petersen received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science from the University of San Diego and San Diego State, respectively, and earned a doctorate in educational leadership from the joint program at CSUSM and UC San Diego.  Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Soudeh Khoubrouy came to Cal State San Marcos two years ago with an unorthodox mix of expertise: a background in electrical engineering (in which she holds a Ph.D.) combined with a research interest in neuroscience (in which she has a master’s degree). Entering her third fall as an assistant professor of electrical engineering, Khoubrouy runs the Neural Signal Processing and Artificial Intelligence Research (NSPAIR) Lab, a small room in Academic Hall where she and a group of students work on projects fusing her two academic fields – using engineering skills to advance neuroscience applications. This summer, the NSPAIR team began a project that they hope could someday contribute to helping people with paralysis use brain signals to accomplish everyday tasks. As part of the long-running Summer Scholars Program on campus, the three students in Khoubrouy’s lab – Aleks Gonzalez, Moises Nelson and Manuel Villa-Hernandez – started modestly. They learned about the electroencephalogram (EEG) cap that Khoubrouy purchased through a Hispanic-Serving Institutions STEM grant during her first year at CSUSM. The EEG cap is worn over the head, where 32 electrodes connect to the scalp (non-invasively), measure brain signals and send them wirelessly to a computer. The students then learned how to interpret EEG signals and the type of software employed to process them. They discovered how eye blinking by the person wearing the cap can disrupt the signal and how to remove that interference. They also reviewed methods used for EEG-based brain-computer interfaces that will assist them in designing their human data collection and decoding the collected EEG signals. When the fall semester commences, the students will split into teams and continue the project as part of their capstones (all three are senior electrical engineering majors who are on track to graduate next May). Gonzalez and Nelson, joined by a third student, will work with the EEG cap – designing experiments for human subjects (mainly student volunteers), collecting data and applying machine learning and deep learning methods to decode the EEG signals. Villa-Hernandez, joined by two other students, will focus on the robotic arm – collaborating on the experiments for human subjects and designing an interface to allow the team to take brain signals from the cap and use them to control the robotic arm. Khoubrouy said the Summer Scholars students built on the efforts of previous students, who accelerated the training process by sharing their work and resources. But she also saluted the current students for diving headlong into a mostly unfamiliar discipline this summer. “They had to go outside their comfort zone, because the project was an interdisciplinary topic,” she said. “Before this, they were only focusing on electrical engineering, and this was more related to neuroscience. The literature that they studied is high-level papers written by scientists, Ph.D. students. I know it was really difficult for them to understand, and I was impressed by the progress they made.” Gonzalez is a two-time Summer Scholar in the NSPAIR Lab who has been mentored by Khoubrouy since his sophomore year. The first project he worked on involved training AI software to interpret brain waves and predict if the subject was responding to an audio or visual stimulus. The team next increased the complexity, presenting the subject only with a visual stimulus and trying to determine if it was a food or non-food image. “I've been able to see how the projects have grown from their simplest form to now moving to controlling a robotic arm, which has been cool,” Gonzalez said.   The robotic arm features four joints and a gripper. This school year, the objective is to exert basic control – which joint to move and in what direction. In future years, Khoubrouy hopes to reduce the processing time to make it as close to instantaneous as possible. The ultimate goal of the multiyear project is to help people with paralysis to move prosthetic limbs or other devices using only their thoughts. “I know some labs have been working on it,” Khoubrouy said. “They have been very successful, but the goal is to make it more natural and faster and easier.” All three of the lab students are from the local area (though Villa-Hernandez was born in Ithaca, N.Y., where his father worked for Cornell University), and all three have caught the research bug to the extent that they intend to pursue a master’s or even doctorate in engineering. “It’s really nice to be given the opportunity to partake in undergrad research,” Gonzalez said. “That pushed me to want to go to graduate school.” For now, however, there are experiments to design, subjects to recruit – and a robotic arm to move. “It’s fun, it’s interesting,” Villa-Hernandez said of the project. “It’s learning new things that you’ve never seen before.” Media Contact Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

A paintbrush, a stage, a story — the arts inspire innovation, evoke empathy and spark thoughtful conversations. Now, thanks to a generous three-year investment from the David T. and Dorris E. Staples Foundation, Cal State San Marcos students are turning creative passions into career pathways through paid academic internships.  In partnership with CCAE Theatricals, CSUSM’s College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences (CHABSS) launched Pathways to Purpose, a career readiness program that provides structured, paid internships for students in arts education and theater arts. Future educators gain experience designing curriculum and teaching in Escondido elementary schools, while theater students gain an introduction to administration, performance opportunities and invaluable production experience through set design, prop creation and behind-the-scenes work on live performances.  “While there are clear career paths in fields like nursing or business, the pathway for liberal arts students may not seem as obvious at first glance,” CHABSS Dean Liora Gubkin said. “For our students, especially those who are first-generation, paid internships open doors to opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.”  More than half of CSUSM students are the first in their families to attend college, often balancing academics with multiple jobs. For liberal arts students, especially those drawn to nonprofit and public-sector work, most internships are unpaid. Pathways to Purpose helps level the playing field by reducing financial barriers and offering real-world experience. Research shows that students who complete internships are more likely to graduate on time, secure employment and earn higher wages. And with eight out of 10 CSUSM graduates staying local, the program also strengthens the region’s cultural and educational landscape.  “We’re proud to support CSUSM’s Pathways to Purpose program, which reflects the university’s commitment to student success,” said Joe Bowe, president of the David T. and Dorris E. Staples Foundation. “By combining paid internships, mentorship and career skills training, the program prepares students for meaningful careers in the arts and education while strengthening the local workforce.” The Staples Foundation’s support builds on a longstanding relationship with CSUSM. Over the years, the foundation has contributed nearly $500,000 to programs such as the Alliance to Accelerate Excellence in Education, the ASI Cougar Pantry, the School of Education and the university’s All-Steinway School designation – a tribute to co-founder Dorris Staples’ love of music.  “We’re immensely grateful to the Staples Foundation and thrilled to collaborate with CSUSM,” said Julianna Crespo, executive director of CCAE Theatricals. “The arts are essential to building vibrant communities. Partnering with CSUSM to provide students with real-world experience ensures that the next generation of artists and educators can thrive and make a lasting impact.”  With Pathways to Purpose, the Staples Foundation is helping shape the future of the arts at CSUSM, providing students with the resources they need to transform their passions into purpose-driven careers that will benefit our region for years to come.  “Our vision is to expand this program across all liberal arts disciplines, giving every student a chance to apply their education in real-world settings,” Gubkin said.  Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

The Cal State San Marcos Foundation Board has announced the move of two directors into new leadership roles and the addition of three new directors for the 2025-26 academic year.  Simon Kuo, vice president of corporate quality at Viasat, is the board’s new chairperson. Kristin Crellin, senior vice president of community and membership development at SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, is the vice chair. A longtime supporter of CSUSM, Kuo played a pivotal role in establishing the university’s electrical and software engineering programs and was instrumental in securing funds for the new Integrated Science and Engineering Building. Before joining the Foundation Board, he served on the advisory board of CSUSM’s College of Science and Mathematics (now College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). In 2023, CSUSM recognized Kuo for his contributions to campus and the local community by awarding him an honorary Doctor of Science degree.  Crellin is a respected leader in education advocacy and community engagement across California. With more than 35 years at SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, she has forged deep partnerships with school districts, universities and community organizations. She serves as chairperson of the CSU Foundation Board of Governors, representing all 22 campuses.  “Simon and Kristin have been tremendous supporters of CSUSM over the years, and we’re thrilled to have them leading the Foundation Board,” CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said. “With Simon’s unwavering commitment to STEM innovation and Kristin’s deep roots in education advocacy, their leadership will be instrumental in shaping the future of CSUSM and ensuring that our students and region thrive for generations to come.”  In addition, the Foundation Board’s three new directors are: Carol Lazier  Lazier is philanthropist who’s a longtime champion of CSUSM and advocate for social mobility. Besides participating on CSUSM’s Campaign Committee as an ad hoc director, she has served on numerous nonprofit boards. She is best known for leading the effort to rebuild the San Diego Opera, which was on the brink of closure in 2014. Lazier was named San Diego Philanthropist of the Year in 2016. In recognition of her community impact, CSUSM awarded her an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree in 2022.  Richard Armenta, Ph.D.  The faculty representative, Armenta is a social epidemiologist and associate professor of kinesiology. He also serves as associate director of CSUSM’s Center for Training, Research and Educational Excellence (CTREE), supporting STEM education and student success.    Mitch Kuvinka (’24, ’26)  The student representative, Kuvinka is a Navy veteran and graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in history. He serves as a teaching assistant and works at the Epstein Family Veterans Center on campus. He is also a member of the President’s Inclusive Excellence Advisory Council and the History Club.  “I’m pleased to welcome Carol, Richard and Mitch,” Neufeldt said. “The combination of a philanthropist, faculty member and graduate student brings a powerful mix of perspectives that will enrich the work of the Foundation Board.”   About the CSUSM Foundation Board  The CSUSM Foundation Board is composed of community leaders and philanthropists who cultivate and encourage charitable investment in the university, build meaningful regional relationships and encourage a culture of philanthropy.  All gifts to the university are accepted and administered by the Cal State San Marcos Foundation, an official 501(c)(3) auxiliary organization of CSUSM.