Alumni Spotlight

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Assistant Director of Systemwide Affairs for the Cal State Student Association 

1. How has obtaining this degree and/or credential positively affected your employment experiences and life overall? 

Obtaining my master's in education with an Option in Social Cultural Analysis of education gave me the knowledge I needed in regard to social and educational injustices to become a better higher education professional. Upon completing my degree, I was able to put theory to practice in my profession and in my everyday life. Upon graduating I was offered a position to work for Congressman Robert Garcia where I was a Field Representative representing the cities of Long Beach, Signal Hill, and Catalina Island. What I learned in my graduate program allowed me to be a better-equipped political staff member who viewed serving the communities we represented through a lens of equity. 6 months later I was offered another job to re-enter the higher education space as the Assistant Director of Systemwide Affairs of the Cal State Student Association. The Cal State Student Association is a nonprofit, auxiliary organization of the CSU Chancellor's Office that is recognized as the official voice of all CSU students. I now get to work on advocacy efforts, policy implementation, and more for all 23 CSU campuses in the state of California. My role allows me to directly influence systemwide policies and proposals that affect the everyday lives of all CSU students and I know the fact that I feel confident in doing so is due to what I learned in my graduate program. I can officially say I'm in my dream career, doing what I'm truly passionate about, and making a difference in the lives of others, which is what I always wanted to do. 

2. Where are you currently working and what is your title/position? Please also let us know if you have earned, or are in the process of earning, an additional degree or credential since you finished this program. 

As previously mentioned, I am the Assistant Director of Systemwide Affairs for the Cal State Student Association. The Cal State Student Association is a nonprofit, auxiliary organization of the CSU Chancellor's Office that is recognized as the official voice of all CSU students. I now get to work on advocacy efforts, policy implementation, and more for all 23 CSU campuses in the state of California. My role allows me to directly influence systemwide policies and proposals that affect the everyday lives of all CSU students. I hope to apply to get my doctorate in education this next cycle or the following. I feel like obtaining my doctorate will eventually allow me to obtain a director-level position as that would be the next career step for me as I'm currently an assistant director. 

3. What advice do you have for a prospective student to your program? 

My time in graduate school was a truly transformative experience for me. It challenged me academically, professionally, and personally in all the best ways. The faculty members are so supportive and the community I built among my classmates is what empowered me to complete the program. The social and educational justice focus of this program is not just what they advertise it to be, it's truly embedded in the program and in every class. I can't recommend this program enough to folks who really want the knowledge to become better social and educational justice advocates to make an even greater impact in their respective careers. 

4. What was your favorite/most memorable part of being a graduate student at CSULB? 

My favorite part was the sense of community that was built within my graduate program among faculty and students. I had never experienced an academic space that was so empowering. Many of my classmates are still my friends to this day and I think that speaks to the fact that very genuine and authentic relationships were built thanks to the environment that was established by our faculty members who genuinely cared about our success in and outside of the classroom. 

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PH.D Student at UCLA for Social Sciences & Comparative Education 

1. How has obtaining this degree and/or credential positively affected your employment experiences and life overall? 

I entered graduate school with the intention of trying to reimagine my role as a college advisor in a TRiO program serving low-income and first-generation college students, but this program gave me so much more than that. Choosing SCAE allowed me to better examine the social, cultural, academic, and economic forces that influenced the educational experiences of my students and me. In addition, SCAE faculty and my cohort were amazing to learn from and faculty always worked to ensure the material we learned could always be brought back to our professions. This in turn provided me with the tools and space to construct safer spaces for not only myself, but for my students. I believe choosing SCAE to continue graduate education was such a healing space for me. Furthermore, SCAE gave me the confidence to venture out professionally and reevaluate the scale on which I can make an impact for students. During my time in SCAE, I was a teaching assistant and a research assistant. I also was able to complete a master’s thesis on experiences of Pilipino 1.5 generation college students in higher education. It was through these experiences in SCAE that I became more confident in my voice and my personal experiences to make the transition into academia. 

2. Where are you currently working and what is your title/position? Please also let us know if you have earned, or are in the process of earning, an additional degree or credential since you finished this program. 

I am a first-year PhD student in the Social Sciences and Comparative Education program at UCLA specializing in Race, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies. I am also a Cota-Robles fellow and a UCLA Graduate Dean’s Scholar. My research interests center around elucidating the experience of Pilipino students while exploring the histories and institutions that produce their liminal positionality in higher education institutions. 

3. What advice do you have for a prospective student to your program? 

SCAE is unlike any other graduate program since this program is rooted in critical dialogue about educational issues and histories. It will feel uncomfortable at times but understand that you are in a space in which everyone is coming to the table with the desire to learn and grow. Everyone in SCAE is coming to the table with different lenses and positionalities, which means your colleagues are the best people to engage in the experience of learning with since they are like minded in wanting equity and social justice in education spaces. Keep an open mind when in SCAE because you never know what you’ll learn and take from these discussions. Engaging in these dialogues can help you in more ways than you think, since these conversations will be ones you remember even after the program is over. In addition, do not be afraid to find and utilize resources within SCAE and the Long Beach community at large. Finding community in my cohort was the reason why I got through graduate school and full-time work. They were the people I studied with, cried with, and laughed with. In addition, talk to the SCAE faculty! Attending office hours really helped demystify graduate school, alleviate my imposter syndrome, and better learn about avenues that exist in education outside of my current profession. Outside of all the professional development, they were truly welcoming and made me feel like I belonged. Lastly, utilizing the graduate resource center and writing center helped me become more comfortable with my academic writing and knowledge of the university. 

4. What was your favorite/most memorable part of being a graduate student at CSULB? 

Truthfully, it was the memories that were made during late night SCAE courses that will stand out to me the most. From the walks from the parking lot to our classes, grabbing coffee and snacks before class starts, to the engaging and meaningful dialogue, to working in the library after class to finish assignments. The people that I met through this program became lifelong friends and I could not be more grateful for that. 

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Coordinator of Peer Learning for the College of Natural Science & Mathematics & Lecturer for the College of Education at CSULB 

1. How has obtaining this degree and/or credential positively affected your employment experiences and life overall? 

Obtaining my master's from CSULB CED has greatly improved my employment experiences by providing me the experience to facilitate group projects that translate into an organizational setting, put theory into practice in educational settings, and improved my communication skills evident through writing, speaking, and presenting. 

2. Where are you currently working and what is your title/position? 

I am currently the Coordinator of Peer Learning for the College of Natural Science and Mathematics at California State University, Long Beach. As Coordinator of Peer Learning, I oversee tutoring and peer mentoring for the Jensen SAS Center and Lindgren Math Center. In this role, I have been able to implement the results of my thesis researching academic counterspace and university-facilitated community cultivation. I am also a lecturer for the Advanced Studies in Education department in the College of Education. As a lecturer, I utilize the pedagogies we learned in our program to create culturally relevant curriculum that is reflective of the students I teach 

3. What advice do you have for a prospective student to your program? 

Know that your classmates are in the same boat as you. Being a grad student isn't easy, so utilize the support system your professors have built for you. Everyone in the program has been selected with intention and your professors know that you all have the potential to excel in your coursework and research. 

4. What was your favorite/most memorable part of being a graduate student at CSULB? 

My favorite moment from the SCAE program was during Dr. Nina's seminar where she invited Captain Jack, a children's hospital entertainer. Sharing his experience in a setting like that reminded me that passion isn't always going to be there in your work. Your true passion doesn't need to make you any money, more so, passion provides you with a canvas to show the world the true content of your character and heart. 

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Regional Admissions Counseling for the University of Oregon

1. How has obtaining this degree and/or credential positively affected your employment experiences and life overall? 

Being in the program required critical analysis and observation. I use those skills on a regular basis to ensure I am checking my own bias and serving students ethically and with an objective lens. 

2. Where are you currently working and what is your title/position? Please also let us know if you have earned, or are in the process of earning, an additional degree or credential since you finished this program. 

I am currently working in higher education as a Regional Admissions Counselor for the University of Oregon. In my role I serve prospective students in their pursuit of higher education through a wide range of programing that is rooted in college counseling and academic advising. 

3. What advice do you have for a prospective student to your program? 

Feel comfortable owning your learning while being open to being challenged. This program taught me the value of others' prospective and how it can enrich my own. Lean on your faculty, peers, and network to apply what you are learning as the magic happens when theory and practice come together! 

4. What was your favorite/most memorable part of being a graduate student at CSULB? 

The people. The love, support, challenge, and growth that come from learning with a a group of people is unmatched, and I have long life friends and mentors because of this program. 

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College and Career Pathway Advisor at Tri-Cities ROP in Whittier

1. How has obtaining this degree and/or credential positively affected your employment experiences and life overall? 

Getting the chance to go back to school and earn my master's degree in education, Social and Cultural Analysis of Education at CSULB helped me pave the way into the educational field after working in behavioral health for three years. It was one of the best opportunities I received since it helped me begin my professional trajectory in education as a College Advisor Mentor, while I was a graduate student. After graduate school, I earned great work opportunities in student support programs partnered with K-12 schools. The dialogue I had and pedagogies I learned in SCAE helped me build rapport with the student populations and communities I work closely with today. Learning and analyzing the SCAE content with my cohort built a foundation of knowledge in both my professional and personal life – valuing the lessons and discussions until this very day. 

2. Where are you currently working and what is your title/position? 

Currently, I am a College and Career Pathway Advisor at Tri-Cities ROP (Career Technical Education) for two high schools in Whittier, CA. I present career exploration, resume building, financial literacy workshops in our ROP classes. Additionally, I provide academic advising to ROP students who need information or support on CTE Pathways, employment and labor market material, college and career guidance, and resources to help them succeed in their professional and educational journeys. 

What advice do you have for a prospective student to your program? 

Be willing to learn and unlearn things and make strong relationships with the CSULB faculty and staff as well as your cohort. This program allows students to understand interdisciplinary concepts outside of their professional settings that allows an eye-opening experience. I fully enjoy the program and the space to have insightful conversations. 

What was your favorite/most memorable part of being a graduate student at CSULB? 

My favorite part of being a graduate student at CSULB was the community I found in my SCAE cohort. I met some of the best individuals in this program that I still talk to today. I built friendships and a great network of educators. Additionally, the mentorship I received from Dr. Nina Flores and Dr. Lindsay Perez Huber will never go unnoticed as their guidance helped me become the educator I am today! 
 

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Senior Manager of Educational Partnerships at Dallas College

1. How has obtaining this degree and/or credential positively affected your employment experiences and life overall? 

It would be impossible to summarize the overwhelmingly positive and long-lasting effects that this program has had on my life. During my time in this program, I never felt excluded, underestimated, or unwelcome in any class. I left every class, whether in person or online, reflecting on the conversations we had together, and processing what it means to create just and equitable environments. When I think about who I was before I started the program, and who I am now, as a graduate, I can confidently say: this program met me exactly where I was and changed my life for the better. Because of it, I am a better critical thinker and a more intentional writer. Because of it, I approach every personal and professional interaction in my life through a more inclusive lens, and never view people in a deficit manner. And because of what I read, discussed, learned, unlearned, and unpacked, I am a better educator and I recognize the precious value and agency of all students. 

2. Where are you currently working and what is your title/position? Please also let us know if you have earned, or are in the process of earning, an additional degree or credential since you finished this program. 

I currently work at Dallas College, a community college system with several campuses across North Texas, serving approximately 70,000 students. As a Senior Manager of Educational Partnerships, I have the privilege of collaborating with school districts and industry partners to develop dual credit and early college student programs, and work with teachers, parents, and community members to reflect on culturally relevant approaches. Through these programs, students earn both college and high school credits, often graduating with an associate degree. This is especially significant because the population of students I serve are mostly first-generation Students of Color, from low-income households, and often from marginalized communities. I’m currently enrolled in an online course through edX/Harvard University, “Leaders of Learning”, where I’m exploring different learning environments, and the transforming world of higher education. I’m also currently looking into PhD programs in the humanities and social sciences. 

3. What advice do you have for a prospective student to your program? 

I hope you enroll, because you will find yourself completely transformed as an individual. Being a part of this community doesn’t just mean that you’ll take classes and graduate with a degree; it means that you’ll have the gentle guidance of past alumni, the unwavering support of your fellow classmates, and access to the most incredible faculty members you’ll come across. The best part of being in this program is that you’ll get to co-create the community you want with other folks and make long-lasting connections with them (several of my closest friends are also alumni and despite being thousands of miles away, we talk nearly every day). You’ll learn how to question established “truths”, and you'll get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Because of how much you’ll learn about the world, you’ll never see things the same way again. After all, in how many other graduate programs do you get to explore radical joy, read the literary masterpieces of bell hooks, and discuss the health of educational institutions – all in one class session? 

4. What was your favorite/most memorable part of being a graduate student at CSULB? 

My favorite part about being a graduate student at CSULB was the faculty. Dr. Ryan Santos was an incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and encouraging individual who brought positivity and practicality to his lectures. Dr. Lindsey Pérez Huber made every class feel more like a conversation, and I admire her passion and commitment to her work and her students. Dr. Nina Flores always reminded us that we can create change in multiple ways, whether big or small, and she saw things in us that we hadn’t yet seen in ourselves. I believe that the quality of the faculty reflects the quality of the program, and these faculty members truly made this program what it is. 

1. How has obtaining this degree and/or credential positively affected your employment experiences and life overall?

This program changed my life. I was exposed to readings, theories, discussions, and curriculum that centered around Queer, Black, Indigenous, scholars and activists of color. In these spaces, we validated each other's experiences, addressed systemic barriers of oppression, and always allowed room for growth. Professionally, I share everything I gained from SCAE with my own students and family. In my various career trajectories, folks are always interested to learn more about my degree and I glow with pride every time!

2. Where are you currently working and what is your title/position?

Currently, I am the Learning Specialist at Charles R. Drew University in South Central Los Angeles, specifically Watts/Willowbrook. In this position, I oversee our Supplemental Instruction Program, Peer to Peer Mentor Program, Tutoring Opportunities, First Year Experience, and Enrichment Series. I work with students 1:1 and in group settings to identify areas of growth and develop customized tools and practices that allow them to thrive in their academic studies and personal goals. In this position, I assign many of the readings we had in our own class discussions. I saved every SCAE paper, syllabus, assignment, exercise, project and reading and incorporated them into my own curriculum. When met with a challenge, I open it up to my SCAE community and together we navigate various solutions!

3. What advice do you have for a prospective student to your program?

This program asks you to look within as well as your surroundings. Really decide if this is the right program for you and if you're committed to that self journey. You will be encouraged to live your truth and to deconstruct, reconstruct, and repeat!

4. What was your favorite/most memorable part of being a graduate student at CSULB?

There are too many to list, but I will always be grateful to Dr. Perez-Huber for sharpening my academic writing skills, Dr. Flores for challenging and strengthening my analytical skills, my Thesis Crew for keeping me sane throughout the thesis process, Mary Anne Rose for being so patient and understanding with all of my emails and questions, and my SCAE family for being the most badass, loving, and resilient people I know. This journey allowed me to grow and heal parts of my identities that I didn't even know needed some love. I would experience and relive every moment...especially the ones filled with tears, cheers, and my peers. GO BEACH!

1. How has obtaining this degree and/or credential positively affected your employment experiences and life overall?

I am extremely happy to have been part of the SCAE program. SCAE is a space that challenges its students to think critically about education and to create solutions for a more equitable world, so I take that lens with me wherever I go. Being part of SCAE furthered my understanding of what it means to be an advocate for social justice, which will continue to influence how I approach my current and future employment experiences.

2. Where are you currently working and what is your title/position?

I am currently working as a Program Coordinator for the California Reading and Literature Project at Center X within the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies at UCLA. In addition to providing administrative assistance, my role is to support the professional development of educators concerning language and literacy for marginalized students. We also consistently work to create programs and resources that abolish systems of oppression.

3. What advice do you have for a prospective student to your program?

I would advise a prospective student to really think about what they want out of the program. SCAE is a supportive space that provides plenty of opportunities to explore your academic interests, so you will get out of it what you put into it. I would also encourage prospective students to build community with their cohort mates and establish those relationships early on because that would really help ease their journey through graduate school.

4. What was your favorite/most memorable part of being a graduate student at CSULB?

My favorite part of being in graduate school was meeting all of my amazing cohort mates and professors. Through this program, I met some of the most brilliant people who pushed me to be a better person and advocate every single day. Our SCAE professors were the best I have ever had in any educational space. They really made us feel like we could succeed in higher education and make a difference in the world. I feel lucky every day to have crossed paths with such incredible folks!

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Literature in Spanish Ph.D. Student & Teaching Assistant at UC San Diego 

How has obtaining this degree and/or credential positively affected your employment experiences and life overall?

Obtaining an MA from the Social & Cultural Analysis of Education program allowed me to understand the importance of our identities, positionalities and intersections as educators and agents of social change. Understanding in this program encompasses more than theory, it is the practice, rooted in care for our communities, that impulses us to create alternative futures. Because of this degree, I was able to fulfill my position as the Long Beach Public Library’s Literacy Coordinator incorporating a critical lens to serve the Long Beach community.

Where are you currently working and what is your title/position? Please also let us know if you have earned, or are in the process of earning, an additional degree or credential since you finished this program.

I’m currently a Literatures in Spanish PhD student at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). I’m employed as a Teaching Assistant by the same institution. Before deciding to pursue a doctoral degree, I served as the Literacy Coordinator for the Long Beach Public Library for three years.

What advice do you have for a prospective student to your program?

Apply. Being part of this program is a unique opportunity to shape the education professional you’ll become. I’ve never been in space that nurtured me to grow as a professional and as a person as much as SCAE.

What was your favorite/most memorable part of being a graduate student at CSULB?

Engaging in dialog-based learning. Being encouraged to think critically while feeling supported by my mentors and peers changed my understanding of the possibilities of educational practices.

1. How has obtaining this degree and/or credential positively affected your employment experiences and life overall?

Obtaining the SCAE degree has changed the way I work completely. This program opened my eyes to so many injustices that I didn’t know about, and gave me the space to go deeper into the ones I was aware of. It has completely changed my experience of walking into a classroom and the way I interact with my students and my colleagues. This program taught me to think critically and ask questions I never knew I should be asking myself, as well as my students. It taught me to check and think about my own privilege and how I can use that to make necessary changes in my classroom. I am a better teacher and a better person for it.

2. Where are you currently working and what is your title/position?

I am an elementary school teacher at Anaheim Elementary School District.

3. What advice do you have for a prospective student to your program?

If you’re thinking about it, I would suggest dropping into one of the classes to get an idea of how the program is structured. It’s so different than traditional programs and I think it would help make the final decision if you can see firsthand what your experience will be like. I would also reach out to other alumni to get a better understanding of the student experience.

4. What was your favorite/most memorable part of being a graduate student at CSULB?

My favorite part of being a graduate student at CSULB was the amazing community I was part of. There are so many graduate programs across the campus, but each program offers a way to get involved with the community. I loved being able to build relationships with my peers in a way that I would not have been able to had I not done this program at CSULB.

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Bilingual Community Liaison 

1. How has obtaining this degree and/or credential positively affected your employment experiences and life overall? 

Obtaining this degree has been one of the biggest accomplishments in my adult life. It has allowed me to speak publicly about (in)equity in education from both an urban and global perspective. As someone who has always been outspoken about social justice issues, this degree helped me to confidently enter situations where antiquated ways of approaching teaching/learning/community engagement need to see change. I carry my SCAE toolkit in my heart and enjoy every opportunity I get to use it. 

2. Where are you currently working and what is your title/position?   

I am currently working at the Huntington Beach City School District as the Bilingual Community Liaison: in this position, I provide language access to Spanish-speaking families to help facilitate equitable delivery of academic and social resources. Additionally, I am a serve as a bridge for families in our District seeking community supportive services and are unable to seek them on their own. Additionally, I am a teaching artist at CASA 0101 Theater in Boyle Heights. I have the privilege of being a co-creator of a trauma-informed/trauma-responsive writing program for adults, titled En Mi Jardín. This writing program was created to meet the social-emotional needs of writers in doing healing work through guided writing prompts. We address intersectionality and identity in a safe(r) space, creating 10-minute plays that are featured on the stage at the CASA 0101 Gloria Molina Amphitheater. 

3. What advice do you have for a prospective student to your program? 

Trust that you are exactly in the space you belong. Imposter syndrome may arise, but if you are in the program and doing the work to move forward in your learning, know that you cannot be an imposter! It is so important to go in with realistic expectations: I thought I already knew it all, but just needed the degree to legitimize it. Be humble and open to learning from each and every member of your cohort. Lastly, find the right time management tool and stick to it: for example, I maintained my weekends for family activities, so I only did schoolwork on weeknights. 

4. What was your favorite/most memorable part of being a graduate student at CSULB? 

My most favorable part of being a graduate student at CSULB was the welcoming nature of my Program. I was so scared going in as a non-traditional student, feeling that having a family and being older would be a hindrance. Dr. Lindsay Pérez Huber and Dr. Nina Flores were exactly the advisers I needed to show me that I was worthy of taking up space in higher education, and the friends I made within my cohort are the medicine I continue to draw upon for strength when navigating oppressive systems and situations--and also when seeking joy! 

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Senior Program Office for Racial Equity and Inclusion

1. How has obtaining this degree and/or credential positively affected your employment experiences and life overall? 

This program further cemented my career goals of doing impactful work. The course content and material were challenging and helped me gain a better understanding of systemic and institutional issues within education and in our society at-large. This program also provided the opportunity to engage and dialogue with others to unpack social issues with people of diverse backgrounds and varying viewpoints - this was and is still a critically key skill for my career today. 

2. Where are you currently working and what is your title/position? 

Central Valley Community Foundation (philanthropy sector) as a Senior Program Office for Racial Equity and Inclusion. My role at the foundation is to embed and implement equitable and inclusive practices at varying levels of the foundation, from grant making to technical assistance for nonprofit organizations, and culture and climate. 

3. What advice do you have for a prospective student to your program? 

This program will transform you in ways you didn't think possible! There is balance of academic rigor and human dignity that we are people pursuing advanced degrees in the face of life obstacles. All professors foster students' academic and personal success throughout the program and that's something I found so valuable in taking on a graduate degree. 

4. What was your favorite/most memorable part of being a graduate student at CSULB? 

Meeting peers in graduate programs.