CLA Equity Scholars

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Meet Edward! Edward is currently pursuing a master's in history. He graduated with a B.A. in History in the fall of 2022. As an undergraduate student, he was not able to participate in many clubs because of work obligations, but as a graduate student, he has become involved in the Graduate History Students Association.

Learn more about Edward below!

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

I am excited for the opportunity to work with distinguished faculty and to be part of the small cohort of students selected as an Equity Scholar.

What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program?

I am looking forward to learning and growing as a historian. I am also very excited about all the opportunities and doors this program will and already has opened to me, like scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships, as all of these are great ways to grow as a person and scholar.

What are your future goals or career plans for life post-grad?

I plan on applying to Ph.D. programs in History and after that, I am excited to look for jobs all over the country and the world.

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Meet Cynthia! Cynthia is a CSULB alum and received a B.A. in Political Science at 20. She’s a proud CSULB graduate from Spring 2023! She just started working for Vice Mayor Cindy Allen who represents the second district of Long Beach. In her free time, she likes to roller skate.

Learn more about Cynthia below!

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

What excites me the most is getting the opportunity to meet students who have similar stories and backgrounds as I do. I love being able to connect with students who are first-generation like myself because we all have the same shared experiences.

What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program?

I am looking forward to being in a space where students are just as excited as I am to learn!

What are your future goals or career plans for life post-grad?

Post-grad I hope to become a Professor of Political Science, teaching about politics and government in the United States.

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Meet Shawn! Shawn graduated with a BA in Geography and a certificate in Urban Studies from CSULB in the spring of 2023. A first-generation student, currently pursuing a master’s degree in Geography, he spent years working and dreaming of going back to school. He is proud of himself for following his lifelong dream of going to college and still finds it a bit surreal to be a graduate student. In his spare time, he enjoys photographing urban spaces and landscapes with his mirrorless camera, reading, and watching B-movies.

Learn more about Shawn below!

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

What excites me most about being selected as an Equity Scholar is the opportunity to conduct research within my department. I hope to straighten my research skills and be able to use my geographic knowledge.

What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program?

I am excited to develop a deeper understanding of geography, especially urban geography. I am also looking forward to developing my thesis and working with the awesome professors in my department.

What are your future goals or career plans for life post-grad?

After graduation, I hope to work in research and more specifically on community-based research. I believe geography is a great field to focus on community-based research, especially as we become more urbanized. It has always been my dream to pursue a PhD, but I'm not 100 percent sure if I should do it at my age.

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Meet Sarah! Sarah is currently pursuing a master’s degree in philosophy. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading fiction, and cooking vegetarian food. She hopes to hike every National Park in her lifetime.

Learn more about Sarah below!

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

I am excited to be involved with the community at CSULB. I hope that being an Equity Scholar allows me to make new connections with fellow students and faculty members.

What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program?

I am most looking forward to the new research opportunities that will become available as I continue my graduate career. I have already learned so much in the single semester I have completed. I hope the rest of the graduate program offers the same rigorous academic setting.

What are your future goals or career plans for life post-grad?

One of my main goals is to pursue work with non-profits. I hope to work on an ethics committee or with grant writing.

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Meet Nathan! Nathan, a history major, graduated in Spring 2023. He enjoys spending his time playing golf, restoring his classic car, and being with his family. These interests keep him grounded and most importantly at peace.

Learn more about Nathan below!

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

I'm thrilled to be selected as an Equity Scholar. It is a fantastic opportunity to work alongside remarkable faculty.  I'm looking forward to taking advantage of this opportunity. This experience is set to deepen my grasp of history in a way that is academically rigorous yet personally enriching. I am excited about how it will open new doors and positively shape the next steps in my educational journey.

What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program?

I am genuinely excited to continue my educational journey, especially as a first-generation Chicano student navigating a predominantly white academic space. This journey represents not just personal growth but also the breaking of barriers and challenging of norms. Being in this unique position fuels my passion to excel and contribute a diverse perspective that enriches the academic community. I am proud to pave the way for future students who share my background, showing that success is not defined by where you start, but by the perseverance and dedication you bring to your journey.

What are your future goals or career plans for life post-grad?

Navigating my plans is like being at an interesting crossroads – I'm keeping my options open and there is a lot to consider. Thinking about a Ph.D. is on the table as it is a chance to dig deep academically. At the same time, I am drawn to writing, especially about Chicano culture, which is close to my heart. I believe in blending my academic interests with personal passions, exploring different avenues where my heritage plays a central role.

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Meet Jennifer! Jennifer embarked on a transformative journey that reshaped her perspective and broadened her horizons. It began when she left China for America at the age of twenty-five. Through a variety of job experiences, she discovered a deep passion for exploring Asian and Asian American issues. She realized that to truly make a difference she needed to further her education. After obtaining her B.A. in Asian American Studies, she followed her heart and worked as a cabin crew visiting twenty-five different countries in five years. This experience gave her the unique opportunity to develop a global perspective that reaffirmed her true passion for teaching.

After years of exploring the world, Jennifer never lost sight of her long-term goal to become an educator. With this dream in mind, she decided to pursue a graduate degree in Chinese studies. Having completed her first semester, she is thrilled to have taken one step closer to achieving her goal. She is excited to grow her expertise in education. Sharing her global perspective and experiences, she hopes to inspire her future students to make a positive impact on the world.

Learn more about Jennifer below!

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

I am deeply humbled and honored to have been nominated as an Equity Scholar by my graduate advisers and the AAAS department. Their recognition of my dedication to identifying and combatting social inequality through research projects has inspired me to continue striving for positive change in our society.

I am especially grateful for the opportunity to work closely with my graduate advisers, who have provided invaluable guidance and support throughout my academic journey. In collaboration with them, I am eager to continue pursuing projects that can make a tangible impact and contribute to a more equitable world.

I am truly grateful for this recognition and remain committed to using my education and skills to promote social justice and empower marginalized communities. Thank you for this incredible honor!

 What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program?

As a Chinese language educator, flourishing involves a comprehensive understanding of Chinese and English-speaking cultures. I am eager to delve into the profound Chinese civilization and traditions while concurrently honing my pedagogical abilities.

What are your future goals or career plans for life post-grad?

I am thrilled to embark on my journey as a Chinese language educator while simultaneously pursuing a doctorate. This adventure will allow me to hone my skills as a professional educator while immersing myself in Chinese culture and language. I am eagerly anticipating the challenges and rewards that this endeavor will bring, and I am confident that this exhilarating journey will strengthen me both personally and professionally.

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Meet Priscilla! She completed her undergraduate studies with a B.A. in French Education in 2021. Before her university studies, she obtained a Diploma in Basic Education with a French major and taught French at the basic level in Ghana for three years. She was a French teacher at a Senior High School in Ghana and mentored university students learning how to teach French as well.

Learn more about Priscilla below!

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

I am very grateful to my Department Graduate chair for giving me the wonderful opportunity to be an Equity Scholar. I am passionate about the French language and would love to delve into research based on gender and women's writing in French and Francophone literature.

What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program?

I hope to gain in-depth knowledge of the French language and literature as well as other Romance languages such as Spanish.

What are your future goals or career plans for life post-grad?

Upon graduation, I intend to pursue a Ph.D. and teach French at the college or university level. I also intend to work with International Organizations such as the UN.

Information coming soon

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Meet Amber! She graduated from the Study of Religion program at UCLA in June 2023. She is a non-traditional student who went back to school at 28 and rocked her way through community college and university while taking care of her now 8-year-old. Being a wife, mom and student is hard, but her goals are greater than her struggles. She enjoys being involved with the Student for Justice in Palestine and the Muslim Student Association on campus.

Learn more about Amber below!

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

I am most excited that I will be able to fully experience and sink into my first semester as a grad student and learn how to be a scholar without feeling all of the stress of having to work right away to pay for my classes.

What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program?

I am so excited to be well on my way to being a corrections social worker. I can't wait to meet my new professors and dive deeper into my studies.

What are your future goals or career plans for life post-grad?

I plan to combine religious studies with social work and to work in prisons as a corrections social worker to serve and advocate for imprisoned populations.

Information coming soon

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Meet Hsuan or as she says you may also call her Christine! She is from Taiwan and came to CSULB to pursue a master's degree in teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language. Before coming to CSULB, she mostly served as a high school English teacher in Taiwan. She obtained one TESOL Master's degree from the University of Bristol in the UK. However, during 2021-2022 she received a Fulbright scholarship to teach Mandarin at a university in Georgia. She loves Taiwanese cuisine and sharing Taiwanese beauty with foreigners.

Learn more about Hsuan below!

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

I am excited about the opportunity to study and at the same time assist with teaching Chinese studies, and the chance to get to know more about the practical aspects of teaching at the university level. This enables me to know the lives and backgrounds of CSULB students learning Chinese online or in person. I can observe experienced teachers teaching Chinese classes, too.

What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program?

I’m looking forward to learning about Chinese teaching methodology and the K-12 educational system in the U.S.A. context. Also, I can learn from my fellow classmates who had Chinese teaching experiences already and who used different teaching materials or styles than me.

What are your future goals or career plans for life post-grad?

I am still exploring Chinese teaching opportunities in the U.S.A. I may choose to teach in a Chinese immersion bilingual school or a community college in the U.S.A

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Meet Muskan! Her name means “smile.” She graduated from California State University, Long Beach in Spring 2023 and will be returning to pursue a Master's in Industrial/Organizational (I/O) psychology. She was actively involved in the psychology department during her undergrad years and was a part of research labs, and the Psychology Resource Office.  She was also a board member as the Historian for the Psychology Honor Society (PSICHI). She enjoys hiking, traveling, reading, spending time with her friends, and having beach days.

Learn more about Muskan below!

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

What excited me the most as an Equity Scholar is having the opportunity to receive mentorship from the psychology department. The program provides an incredible opportunity for personal and professional growth.  As an Equity Scholar, I can be a role model for disadvantaged students, and contribute to the intellectual vibrancy of the university and graduate community. I am humbled and honored that the professors at CSULB believe in my ability to succeed. I am confident that being named an Equity Scholar will help me become a better researcher and contribute to my overall success.

What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program?

What I am most looking forward to in my graduate program is that it will allow me to obtain a thorough understanding of the area of Industrial/Organizational (I/O) psychology and the opportunity to use my knowledge in real-world professional settings. What first drew me to this field was the adaptability of I/O psychologists as behavioral scientists focusing on human behavior in the workplace. Another component of the curriculum that interests me is the prospect of conducting research. I am excited to learn about the most recent advances in the field, do research, and contribute to the current body of knowledge in I/O psychology. Lastly, I am excited to discover if I prefer either the I side or the O side of I/O psychology and which pathway I will end up pursuing.

What are your future goals or career plans for life post-grad?

My future goal after graduation is to work in organizational development. Since it focuses on enhancing organizational effectiveness, employee engagement, and overall performance, organizational development is a field that perfectly relates to my interests and objectives. In particular, I want to work as an organizational development consultant or specialist, where I can help businesses grow and succeed while navigating numerous obstacles and changes.

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Meet Kimia! She graduated from UCLA in 2023 with a B.A. in economics and a minor in Middle Eastern studies and is attending CSULB for her MA. She will be a full-time student and thus will finish the program in one and a half years. She will be making the long commute to campus from Conejo Valley.

Learn more about Kimia below!

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

This will be my second time doing research and I'm excited to learn more about how I can apply my economics skills towards research. I also hope to get closer to the professors involved in the program, as am I sure that they can be great mentors for me.

What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program?

I'm looking forward to refining my focus within Economics to apply for a Ph.D. after my time here. While I've already identified three key fields in Economics that align with my purpose, I anticipate that the graduate program here will provide further clarity in making my decision.

What are your future goals or career plans for life post-grad?

I hope to apply to schools for my Ph.D. Some fields I am currently considering are developmental economics, international trade, and/or public economics.

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Meet Andrea! Andrea earned a B.S. in Environmental Science from the Jesuit University of San Francisco in 2018. Andrea has been actively involved with the CA Native Vote Project since 2020 and regularly visited Puvungna before beginning an academic journey at CSULB to obtain an M.S. in Geographic Information Science (GIS). Andrea loves gardening, kayaking, and being outdoors.

Learn more about Andrea below!

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

I am most excited about the opportunity to have mentorship and do research on the use of remote sensing to support Indigenous Sovereignty.  In particular, my interests lie in agricultural management, identifying native plants important for cultural practices, and more.

What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program?

I value the opportunity to challenge myself and have access to brilliant professors who can guide me. I am also excited to have the opportunity to earn my remote pilot license!

What are your future goals or career plans for life post-grad?

Applying the remote sensing skills, I refine in the M.S. in GIS program, I plan to continue doing research and apply for a Ph.D. I want to build a career that allows me the opportunity to work outdoors, using geospatial technologies to support the work being done to elevate Indigenous Knowledge and Practices.  An example of such practice is cultural burns, which are part of the move towards policy changes to mitigate extreme wildfires through prescribed/controlled burns.

Information coming soon

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Meet Iliana! Iliana graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in English in 2021 with a keen interest in teaching education. She upheld the stereotype that the only thing you can do with an English degree is teach. However, she found her educational journey so enriching and transformative that she wanted to pass this experience on to young new students.

She began her teaching career as an On-Site Coordinator for the UCLA Writer's Den delivering weekly creative writing classes to high school students at John R. Wooden High School. She continued teaching at Franklin Classical Middle School in Long Beach with the Design Make Learn, trained with Teach for America at Camino Nuevo Burlington Charter School, and briefly taught as a 10th-grade English teacher at Morningside High School.

However, she always stayed close to her community, working for her community college as an embedded tutor and subbing around charter schools in the greater LA area. While she remains dedicated to her students, she joined the MA program in English to pursue her interest in game-based learning and how to bring it forth in her teaching.

Learn more about Iliana below!

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

Being an Equity Scholar will give me the financial mobility to learn under a professor I believe aligns best with my interests. I look forward to learning more about digital literacy and exploring the implementation of different mediums of writing in the English classroom.

What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program?

I thoroughly enjoyed video games as a medium for teaching storytelling conventions to my students. I find that students respond best to mediums they feel most comfortable with. Even the most reluctant readers found success with digital media. As the field rapidly grows, I hope to learn more about digital literacy in literary education, making significant contributions to the scholarship in the field.

What are your future goals or career plans for life post-grad?

My time working with high school students set up the prospect of higher education for them. While I found fulfillment in cultivating those learning spaces for younger students, I am most intrigued by delving into the more compelling and nuanced writing forms in higher education. I aspire to be a community college English professor, hopefully seeing familiar faces in the classroom.

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Meet Randy!  He graduated from UCLA in 2019, with a B.A. in English. He took some time off to work in restaurant kitchens and ruminate on the nuances of life, but ultimately felt compelled to return to the world of literature. In  his free time, he enjoys a variety of non-literary activities, among them rock climbing and rollerblading.

Learn more about Randy below!

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

I am excited for the opportunity to engage with, and form connections with other scholars from diverse social backgrounds. It is encouraging to have some notion of belonging and community going into the graduate program.

What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program?

I am looking forward to meeting and learning from my peers and professors, and the opportunity to engage in mentored writing and research. I am especially looking forward to exploring critical theory, where I like to see how the human faculty of empathy fits into different theoretical structures.

What are your future goals or career plans for life post-grad?

Post-graduation I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in English, and eventually teach at a college or university, where I can help motivate the next generation of students to achieve their goals, regardless of their educational background and socioeconomic status.

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Meet Nhi! She is from Vietnam. She graduated from CSULB in May 2023 with Linguistics TESOL and a minor in Translation Studies. While studying at CSULB, she also worked at the Learning Center as an ESL tutor. Even though she always complains about how heavy her homework is, she enjoys school. She also likes to watch movies, especially at the movie theater, and enjoys making bullet journals too.

Learn more about Nhi below!

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

My nomination as an Equity Scholar is a reflection of the support and encouragement, I received from the Linguistics Department throughout my academic career. I am trusted to have the potential to do my own research and make valuable contributions to our professional field. Thank you so much for this chance.

What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program?

I am looking forward to connecting with my mentor(s), having fun and collaborating with my classmates on the same projects, and graduating on time.

What are your future goals or career plans for life post-grad?

I would like to become a lecturer at the Foreign Language Department at Tra Vinh University, Vietnam.

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Meet Camille! She recently graduated from Chapman University with a B.A., in philosophy and a minor in integrated educational studies. She loves weight lifting and hot yoga. She is super excited to research consciousness and technophilosophy.

Learn more about Camille below!

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

I am excited about the opportunity to engage in research at a higher level. I didn't have the opportunity to do research as an undergraduate student, so I am fully prepared to take advantage of this opportunity. It is a huge honor to be able to pursue research that I am interested in and passionate about while being supported by the graduate program.

What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program?

I am most looking forward to exploring my passion for philosophy. I am very excited to be able to engage in research for the first time and dive deeper into my philosophical interests with professors who specialize in these topics. I am incredibly grateful to be joining such an excellent program.

What are your future goals or career plans for life post-grad?

Upon obtaining my Master's, I hope to go on to get my Ph.D. and become a professor of philosophy at a university. I would like to teach metaphysics or a class on special topics, such as reality and simulation theory.

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Meet Steven! While his graduate degree is in Anthropology, he is also passionate about archaeology.  In the summer of 2023, he was a TA at an archeological field school in the remote mountains of Northern Arizona.

Learn more about Steven below!

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

I am excited to be able to participate in more research and to aid my department when able.

What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program?

Working closely with the professors and being able to further develop my academic writing and research skills.

What are your future goals or career plans for life post-grad?

I would like to pursue a career in academia and in Customer Relationship Management (CRM).

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Meet Jazmin Arellano Gallardo! She obtained her B.A. in Linguistics with minors in German and Writing at Cal Poly Pomona. At CSULB, she is studying German with Russian as a secondary language. She is also an assistant copy editor for the Daily 49er and the treasurer of the Grupo Folkorico Mexica de CSULB club. In her spare time, Jazmin reads German classics and manga, writes, and submits her writing to literary journals.

Learn more about Jazmin below!

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

I'm grateful for my education and what it's allowed me to accomplish. I love being an Equity Scholar, not just for myself but for other students like me that have doubted their place at university. I love proving this fear wrong.

What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program?

I can't wait to advance my German and Russian to a more advanced level and read more classics in both languages.

What are your future goals or career plans for life post-grad?

I hope to work at a newspaper or publishing house as an editor. I'd like to use both German and Russian in my future career, wherever that may be. I'd also like to travel and study Japanese formally.

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Meet Thai Butterfield! He is very excited to be a part of the Beach community. In his senior year of high school, Thai developed a passion for Christian studies and received his B.A. in Religious Studies at Cal State Fullerton. Now he is on the path to achieving his M.A. at Cal State Long Beach. His research interests include biblical queer studies and historical-critical Guadalupan studies. I enjoy listening to music, hanging out with friends, and going to raves in my free time.

Learn more about Thai below!

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

I am excited and honored to show others that underrepresented students, too, can succeed in academia and serve as a model for those who face hardships that make being a scholar a little more difficult.

What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program?

I look forward to developing critical research skills that will teach me how to engage in independent research.

What are your future goals or career plans for life post-grad?

After graduating, I hope to be accepted into a Ph.D. program as my final step before entering the professoriate.

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Meet Victoria Cinquegrani! She is a first-generation student who recently graduated from the University of California, Irvine, with BAs in Philosophy with a Specialization in Law and Society and Public Health Policy. Her research interests lie at the intersection of social and political philosophy, a niche of philosophy that provides space to contemplate the philosophy of law, legal rights, and natural rights and how these rights are forsaken in instances of social injustice. This topic area incites Victoria's deepest apprehensions and hopes due to the power of legal rights to impact those belonging to persecuted groups. This research is also deeply personal for Victoria because of her Armenian ancestors, who actively suffered the consequences of the Turkish state's ideological continuity with its Ottoman past.

Learn more about Victoria below!

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

I am most excited about finding a mentor to guide me as I pave my career path and grow academically.

What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program? 

I look forward to cultivating more compelling analytical and argumentative skills while gaining a deeper understanding of the philosophical discourse.

What are your future goals or career plans for life post-grad?

My career goals include earning a law degree and pursuing a legal career, as well as teaching philosophy.

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Meet Taufik! He graduated from Padjadjaran University in Indonesia in 2012 with a B.A. in French Literature. He worked as an Assistant Teacher in French at an international school called Bandung Independent School in Indonesia. His students were from international backgrounds, such as South Korea, Ireland, Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, France, etc.

Learn more about Taufik below!

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

I appreciate that my department graduate advisor nominated me for this big opportunity. I'm always willing to learn more about French culture and language, especially to do research on contemporary French literature.

What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program? 

I'm looking forward to learning more about contemporary French literature as well as medieval, 16th-century, 17th-century, and 19th-century works of literature. I am also fascinated with romance linguistics and sociolinguistics.

What are your future goals or career plans for life post-grad?

After graduating, I plan to pursue a Ph.D. and teach French at a community college or university. Before that, I would love to study abroad in France and visit Spain, Italy, Portugal, and Romania to study Romance Linguistics more extensively.

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I am currently a first-year graduate student in Philosophy, as well as a board member of CSULB's Student Philosophy Association. When I am not on campus. I enjoy cooking, reading non-fiction books, playing with modular synthesizers, and petting my cat.

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

I am looking forward to all the opportunities and events that come with being an Equity Scholar, as well as making close connections with all the folks in the program.

What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program?

I am most looking forward to more exposure to areas of interests that I wasn't exposed at the undergraduate level, as well as building friendships with people in the program and staff.

What are your future goals or career plans for life post-grad?

I am hoping to be accepted into a Philosophy PHD program in order to impact and guide young aspiring academics in a way that many professors have impacted me throughout my academic career. Giving back in any way I can to my immediate community is the closest thing to fulfillment that I can think of.

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Meet Jesse Ocampo! She is a first-year graduate student pursuing a master's degree in applied anthropology. She graduated from CSULB with a B.A. in Anthropology and a minor in dance in 2022. Along with graduate school, she is also a dance teacher and school coordinator for a ballet dance studio in Bixby Knolls!

Learn more about Jesse below!

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

What excites me most is growing a stronger relationship with my department staff and colleagues!

What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program?

I am looking forward to the research that I will be conducting. I am currently working on creating a dance movement therapy workshop in collaboration with the staff in the dance department and the student health services to help combat compassion fatigue in health care professionals. This collaborative process has been eye-opening and fun, and I look forward to the finished product.

What are your future goals or career plans for life post-grad?

I would love to take my research into diversity, equity, and inclusion training by incorporating embodied curriculum & dance movement therapy techniques to re-humanize the current healthcare system. I genuinely think everyone deserves the right to creativity and play and that incorporating these concepts into "professional" environments will create an empathetic and community-based cultural shift in professional workplaces :)

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Meet Alejandro Smit! He recently graduated with a B.A. in German and a B.S. in Physics, along with a minor in Mathematics. He is pursuing an M.A. in German and serving as the president of the German Studies Student Association at CSULB.

Learn more about Alejandro below!

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

I am particularly excited about collaborating with my advisor and fellow German Equity Scholar, as I believe that our collective interests and experiences will enhance our discussions about what research interests each of us most. I also look forward to building lasting professional relationships through this exciting opportunity and gaining experience conducting research in the humanities.

What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program?

I'm excited to improve my German language skills, become more familiar with German literature, and collaborate with other students. My goal is to gain a deeper understanding of the cultural and historical context behind these literary works and their relevance today and to make thoughtful connections with other students in the program.

What are your future goals or career plans for life post-grad?

After graduation, I am considering either pursuing a career in education or applying to a Ph.D. program in German. Ideally, my future career would allow me to combine my passions for teaching, German, and physics. I am interested in teaching these subjects at the university level, where I can share my knowledge and inspire students to develop their own passion for these subjects and make a meaningful contribution.

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Meet Athena Vasquez! She is a graduate student in the MFA Creative Writing program. Athena is a Mexican transgender woman who comes from a low-income community. She is a fiction and nonfiction confessional writer. She is also the social media manager for RipRap, a literary journal on campus run by MFA students. She completed her undergrad at CSULB in the fall semester of 2021. She has also had two of her creative pieces published by DIG Mag, a lifestyle magazine on campus. A lot of her writing is influenced by her many social identities.

Learn more about Athena below!

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

I am excited about the opportunities to advance in my field of study!

What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program?

I look forward to learning from my peers and professors and completing my biggest project yet: a Roman à clef.

What are your future goals or career plans for life post-grad?

After I earn my MFA (since it is a terminal degree), I plan to teach creative writing at the college level while simultaneously attending an English Ph.D. program! I want to narrow down my research interests and work as a Ph.D. student to study gender with a focus on transgenderism. I want to demystify transness and locate the source of transphobia using theoretical frameworks like Foucault (power, knowledge, and institutional structures) and Butler (gender performativity).

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Meet Sandy Vu! Born in Da Lat, Vietnam, Sandy lives in Orange County and graduated with a BA in History, with an emphasis on Asia and World from the Beach in 2021. She is the first in her family to attend college, let alone graduate school! In her free time, Sandy loves napping, bunnies, fashion, and "trying all of the delicious food the world has to offer."

Learn more about Sandy below!

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

I am honored that I was selected for the Equity Scholar program! It means a lot that my potential as a student was recognized. I am excited to be mentored by a professor I greatly respect and admire. Furthermore, I'm excited to participate in a program that lifts up and supports passionate students in the liberal arts who come from disadvantaged backgrounds like me.

What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program?

I look forward to further developing my skills as a historian and writer and learning even more about historical topics I am interested in.

What are your future goals or career plans for life post-grad?

I don't know what exactly I want to pursue as a career yet, but I am considering working in education, law, or government.

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Meet Wendy Barahona! She graduated from CSU Northridge in 2021 with a BA in Geography.

Learn more about Wendy below!

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

What makes me most excited about my selection of an Equity Scholar is the opportunity to learn alongside with a mentor and gain knowledge from their wisdom. Researching topics that spark interest in me makes me look forward to this opportunity.

What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program?

I am looking forward to getting to know everyone and being surrounded by classmates that are genuinely interested in the topic of geography and all it entails!

What are your future goals or career plans for life post-grad?

I look forward to many things after grad school, I would love to one day become a professor and share the how great geography is. My goal is to spark interested in geography, to help them realize geography is so much more than maps! It has everything to do with the world!

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Meet Jose Chavez! He transferred from Long Beach City College to CSULB and graduated in 2022 with a BA in Economics. Jose expresses his gratitude to the Long Beach community and hopes “to return the favor in the future.”

Learn more about Jose below!

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

Meeting all of the Equity Scholars excites me for the possibility of collaborating in research. They all have some unique insight from their respective fields.

What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program?

Getting involved in my professor's research project.

What are your future goals or career plans for life post-grad?

Post-grad, I do not currently know what my career plan will be. I am sure the graduate program will help me decide on my career plan.

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Meet Adrian Cox! He graduated with a BA in History from CSULB in 2022. He is currently teaching Humanities and Social Science courses for middle and high school students. Adrian has been busy – he earned his first publication in August 2022 about post-secondary prison education in the Made by History section of the Washington Post. You can read here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/made-by-history/2022/08/23/educational-aid-prisoners-works-yet-its-politically-precarious/

Learn more about Adrian below!

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

I am excited to work closely with the faculty in our department to further develop my professional and academic skills. Most importantly, I am excited to represent first-generation minority graduate students in my hometown of Long Beach.

What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program?

I look forward to creating relationships with my graduate cohort; with individuals that I will one day call "colleague". I also look forward to working/learning with a group of individuals who are just as motivated and driven as I am to become better historians.

What are your future goals or career plans for life post-grad?

Post-secondary history instructor, post-secondary prison education instructor/program director.

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Meet Bryan Corona Martin! A first generation Latino, Bryan graduated this summer with a BA in Economics. In his spare time, he likes to play soccer, go to concerts, and game.

Learn more about Bryan below!

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

Being selected as an Equity Scholar enables me to dedicate and prioritize my education by allowing me to allocate more time to digest and retain my studies.

What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program?

Expanding my knowledge of Economics and learning more applications to the information I have learned in my undergrad.

What are your future goals or career plans for life post-grad?

As of know I do not have a concrete idea if I want to go into the public, private or government sector. I do know by participating and when I complete this graduate program, I will have the necessary tools to be able to enter either sector well prepared.

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Meet Crystal (Junlei) Du! She moved to the United States in 2013 when she was 15 years old. When she graduated high school, she decided to pursue her dreams in film. Crystal graduated from CSULB in 2021 with a degree in Film! She has always been “passionate to share Chinese culture and languages with more and more local kids,” which prompted her to join the Intercultural Diploma Program at CSULB while pursuing her undergraduate degree. Crystal graduated from CSULB in 2021 with a degree in Film! After she completed her degree, Crystal worked as a Chinese teacher and social media specialist. She is a filmmaker, director, editor, and influencer – Crystal is busy! In her spare time, Crystal likes to hike, swim, watch K-dramas, and eat desserts!

Learn more about Crystal below and on her social media channels at @Crystal小葵!

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

I appreciate our department advisors and professors for giving me this opportunity. I have always been eager to learn more knowledge in order to better help research the field of Asian cultural studies and pass on the correct and useful information to more local people.

What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program?

I‘m looking forward to learning more about teaching methods and Chinese cultural background during my graduate program. I'm also looking forward to meeting more friends who have the same interest as me, and we could help and learn from each other.

What are your future goals or career plans for life post-grad?

After I graduate from my master's program, I'm going to go back to work on my film career, I'll prepare to direct and film a story as a portfolio, and apply to another film master's program. Meanwhile, I would like to teach Chinese as a part-time teacher and keep doing research with professors. I might look for an opportunity to teach at an elementary school because I have always loved to stay with kids.

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Meet Courtney Jackson! She graduated from CSU Channel Islands in 2021 with a BA in Political Science. While in undergrad, Courtney was a part of the Model United Nations team in 2020. In her free time, she enjoys playing piano and practicing the guitar.

Learn more about Courtney below!

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

The thing that excites me the most about being an Equity Scholar is the fact that I get to do research. My main interest in Political Science has always been researching and finding new data to contribute to the current discussions.

What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program?

I'm excited to get to know my professors and peers in my graduate program. We all have different backgrounds and different skill to contribute to society, and I'm excited to partake in that exchange.

What are your future goals or career plans for life post-grad?

After graduating, I hope to travel the world and assist humanitarian organizations with the many issues that the global community faces today. That might include being a journalist or researcher. It might also include being on the ground assisting people in person.

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Meet Iyree Jarrett! She recently received her BA in Religious Studies from Westmont College. She loves studying Comparative Theology, World Religions, and Apologetics, and hopes to teach as a professor in the future. In her free time, she loves listening to music, watching TV, riding her unicycle, writing, and playing her guitar named Java Chip. While Iyree is studying in her MA program and keeping busy with her hobbies, she is playing on the CSULB Women’s Basketball team. Go Beach!

Learn more about Iyree below!

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

I am most excited to learn from dedicated professors and like-minded classmates. I am also really thrilled about my research as a graduate assistant.

What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program?

I’m looking forward to good conversations, growing in knowledge, and forming positive relationships with mentors, classmates, and professors.

What are your future goals or career plans for life post-grad?

Post-grad, I hope to play professional basketball before pursuing a PhD in Religious Studies. My goal is to become a college professor and researcher.

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Meet Fabian Lugo! He graduated from CSULB with a BA in Political Science and is a first-generation Latino graduate student. Fabian is a photographer and cinematographer! He loves traveling to new places and “immersing myself in their natural environments and histories.”

Learn more about Fabian below!

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

The great research opportunities and the chance to represent my program!

What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program?

I am most looking forward utilizing my passion for film, environmental justice, and civil rights in directing and producing an ethnographic documentary for my thesis project. This department has great opportunities for multimedia Anthropology that I am very excited to explore.

What are your future goals or career plans for life post-grad?

I hope to continue my academic career in a PhD program in pursuit of becoming a professor shedding light on true history. I would also love to work for a film production company as a cultural researcher, and hopefully direct my own films.

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Meet Janessa Moung Seng Phanh! She recently graduated with a BA in Anthropology from UC Merced and is now studying Asian Studies here at the Beach. She is first-generation Mien American and has the oldest of five. She loves music, food, writing, and poetry. Since moving to Long Beach, Janessa says she loves “exploring and going to beaches.”

Learn more about Janessa below!

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

What excites me most about my selection as an Equity Scholar is I get to continue my undergrad research about Asian Diaspora, continuing to build it into a new foundation/understanding, and learn new things along the way.

What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program?

I am most looking forward to meeting all the different faculties and learning about them. I’m also looking forward to making new connections with other graduate students.

What are your future goals or career plans for life post-grad?

My future goals and career plans for life post-grad is to open up a community center specifically for Iu Mien people and their families. I want to build a foundation to help with translation, homework, tutoring, and crisis needs.

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Meet Esther Sims! She graduated with a BA in Philosophy in 2021. She has recently been getting involved with the CSULB LGBTQ+ Resource Center and Philosophy Club. In her spare time, she likes to listen to music, read, or “stare at cute animals.”

Learn more about Esther below!

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

I am most excited for other Black transwomen to hopefully see my selection as a testament to their own importance.

What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program?

I most look forward to writing a thesis I feel proud of.

What is your best advice for students looking into graduate school?

Research a career/life path that interests you and only join a program if you're truly interested in the faculty and their studies.

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Meet Summer Sylvester! She graduated from UC Irvine in 2022 with a BA in English. She is excited to be involved with the Equity Scholars – so are we! – and to connect with other students.

Learn more about Summer below!

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

I am extremely honored to have been selected, as I believe the university fully embraces their students of diverse backgrounds. I am glad that my presence on the campus is celebrated by the university, and I hope to connect with other students in the program. I believe that our diverse backgrounds can help contribute to the university as they continue to support their students.

What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program?

I am most looking forward to being in the classroom and engaging with my cohort. Earlier in the pandemic I truly missed the classroom and I could not wait to be back. I feel that the nature of my major is successful, as least for myself, while being in the classroom amongst other students and participating in the discourse. I hope to gain answers to my questions that were unanswered in undergrad, and provide clarity on how to utilize my knowledge post-grad.

What are your future goals or career plans for life post-grad?

My future goals would include continuing with higher academia and either obtaining a doctorate or law degree (could be both)! I want to use my knowledge to help others and contribute to society in a meaningful way. Ultimately, I would love to teach at a university or community college; I highly value helping students reach their goals through academia, especially Black and students of color.

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Meet Marcus Woolfolk! He graduated in 2021 with a double major in Creative Writing and English Literature and received a certificate in the Professional Writing Program. Marcus recalls that he would tell stories about his classmates “instead of bringing in new toys or stuffed animals for show & tell.” He likes going to festivals, cooking, and spending time with his family and friends in his free time.

Learn more about Marcus below!

What excites you most about your selection as an Equity Scholar?

What excites me most is to be a part of a such a diverse group of academics who are not only recognized, but celebrated in the space of scholarship and education, which was predominantly only open to white, cisgendered, heterosexual men.

What are you most looking forward to in your graduate program?

I am most looking forward to surrounding myself with some of the best up and coming minds in my field. To constantly be inspired and learn how to surpass the limits that we all unknowingly confine ourselves to.

What is your best advice for students looking into graduate school?

My best advice is to take a chance and bet on yourself.