Maria Hernandez '80

I'm so grateful for the amazing education I received at California State University Long Beach. I was a unique individual at the time, being one of the few Latinos transferring from a community college to a four year institution. I was lucky enough to have Dr. Alan Lowenthal as my professor in the Department of Psychology. He was a great mentor and guide, and even helped me apply for the Danforth Fellowship, which I was fortunate enough to receive upon graduation. I wouldn't be where I am today without his and Dr. David Dowell's support. My time at CSULB helped me gain a better understanding of the different ways psychology can be applied to many disciplines. It opened my eyes to the possibilities and I ended up majoring in community psychology in grad school. I'm so thankful for the education I received and the relationships I built there. It's been a great foundation for my career and life after graduation.