CSUSM Alumni Association

Kimberly Dark ‘98 is a writer, professor and storyteller, working to reveal the hidden architecture of everyday life so that we can reclaim our power as social creators. She’s the author of Fat, Pretty and Soon to be Old, The Daddies and Love and Errors, and her essays, stories and poetry are widely published in academic and popular online publications alike. Her ability to make the personal political is grounded in her training as a sociologist, and you can find her co...urse offerings in Sociology at Cal State San Marcos and Writing/Arts at Cal State Summer Arts. In fact, you can catch her this month as part of the CSUSM Arts & Lectures Series. She will be sharing stories from her most recent publication on Monday, March 15. Drawing from her own experience as a fat, queer, white-privileged, recently disabled, inevitably aging, gender-conforming girl with a pretty face, Dark deftly blends storytelling and social analysis to reveal the presence of everyday appearance privilege (and stigma). Join her to explore how the architecture of this social world constrains us and how we might help one another break free. Register for the zoom link by visiting the link in our profile. #AlumniFeatureFriday@

The pandemic has had a particularly harmful impact on California's farmworkers, according to a new study led in part by CSUSM anthropology professor Bonnie Bade. https://news.csusm.edu/professor-leads-study-of-pandemics-/

The University Library will present a virtual reception for the exhibit Stories & Snapshots: Documenting a Year of the Pandemic, which will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 23 from 6-7 p.m. The event will feature contributions to CSUSM’s Together/Apart COVID-19 Community Memory Archive collection website.

"At Cal State San Marcos, I learned the importance of speaking up and the role that advocacy can have in moving policy forward. Now as a schoolboard member for Vista USD and advisor for a County Supervisor, I am part of a team that is shaping not just our schools but our entire region. Every day is an opportunity to make a difference, and we must move with urgency." It's no surprise that Cipriano Vargas ’14 made the list of 40 Under 40, a collection of young talented leade...rs presented by the Vista Chamber of Commerce. Vargas was an engaged student leader and was appointed to serve on the California State University Board of Trustees by then Governor Brown. As a trustee, Vargas championed affordable education, programs to support first-generation college students, and advocacy efforts that led to hundreds of millions of additional state funding in higher education. In 2016, with the support of innumerable community members, Vargas became the youngest person elected to the Vista Unified School Board. Despite his numerous commitments, we are grateful to have Vargas serve on our Alumni Association Board of Directors. #alumnifeaturefriday See more

Despite the difficulties of this time, we continue to get up every morning with the same sense of purpose and mission, Neufeldt said, to be the engine of this region, partnering with you to solve our most pressing issues and preparing our students to be the leaders of our changing future.

A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Bryon L. Garner ’06 earned a bachelors in History from CSUSM, his Master of Liberal Arts from Johns Hopkins University and is currently pursuing his PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies at the Union Institute & University. A 2020 Ril M. Beatty Fellowship recipient, Bryon has presented and written about intersectionality, masculinity and patriotic identity and is a contributing writer for Black & Magazine. Bryon is an honored awardee at the 2020 Associa...tion of Graduate Liberal Studies Program Annual Conference, where he presented, Her Brave Black Soldiers: Black Veterans, Patriotism, and the Soldier-Athlete Archetype. Bryon has recently been invited to be guest editor of the Journal of Veterans Studies special issue on Patriotism. I have spent my academic life as a "non-traditional" student but from my time at CSUSM to now, I have embraced what I call climbing mountains. While at CSUSM, I was a single parent to my son and a recently out of work disabled veteran. My time at CSUSM revealed resiliency and determination and opened my imagination to the greater academic possibilities for me -- among them pursuing the dream of graduate education. During the time I was as an undergrad, the average age of a Black Ph.D. recipient in 2003 was 37.8 compared to 33.5 for all Americans. On average, Blacks take longer to achieve their post baccalaureate degrees, than their white peers. Blacks on average took 12.5 years to earn a doctorate after receiving their bachelor's degree and 9.7 years after they first entered graduate school. I am both older and it has been 16 years since I earned my undergraduate degree. Nonetheless, I am pursuing my degree because: 1) I dreamed it was possible when I was 14 years old; 2) I spent many years either unemployed or under-employed because I was behind the rising tide of more educated peers; and 3) I believe in always having a mountain to climb. #AlumniFeatureFriday

Tune in to "Life After Graduation" to hear personal stories of transition from student life to career professional from 5 CSUSM alumni. View the panelists' bio and register at https://www.csusm.edu/alumni/events/lifeaftergraduation.html

After working a few years in neurological research, Francisco Solis decided to make a life-changing, career move; he followed his passion and pursued a future in education. Upon earning his multiple subjects teaching credential (‘05) from CSUSM, he had the opportunity to serve as a bilingual teacher in the Chula Vista Elementary School District. In developing his teaching craft, he was heavily influenced by CSUSM professors who provided opportunities to engage with the Border... Pedagogy Initiative at CSUSM. This led him to continue his studies towards a master’s degree (‘12) in education which aided his work as an elementary school instructional coach, and subsequently school administrator at Bayfront Charter High School. Understanding the importance of effective teacher preparation and cultural proficiency, Solis became involved as an adjunct lecturer at CSUSM’s School of Education, helping both single and multiple subject credential students. Currently, Solis is the coordinator for the Migrant Education Program at San Diego County Office of Education and is a doctoral candidate (‘21) in UCSD/CSUSM’s Joint Doctoral Program focused on Latinx teacher preparation research. CSUSM has provided me with the supports that ensures social justice and equity for our students, families, and community. Hear from Solis when he and 4 other alumni panelists share their personal experience at the Life After Graduation event on Thursday, Nov. 5. Register now at https://www.csusm.edu/alumni/events/lifeaftergraduation.html #AlumniFeatureFriday

This year has been one wild ride, especially for Neacy Contreras who graduated last spring from the College of Business Admin. The entire Class of 2020 transitioned to virtual classes in their final semester and had their commencement postponed. Despite setbacks, Contreras persevered and is now the Senior Business Systems Analyst for Greenwich Biosciences, a pharmaceutical company in Carlsbad. Contreras will be one of 5 alumni panelists sharing their stories and tools for success at the virtual Life After Graduation event on Thursday, November 5. Visit link in profile for details and to register. #alumnifeaturefriday https://www.csusm.edu/alumni/events/lifeaftergraduation.html

The weather is perfect for the CSUSM Alumni Fun Run. @fidthesquid ran a portion of the Oceanside strand. Don’t miss your chance to participate in this first ever Homecoming event and get your custom swag. #ICSUSM https://www.csusm.edu/alumni/events/alumnifunrun.html

Alex Caratti graduated from CSUSM in 2017 with a BS in Applied Physics and minors in Math and Spanish. Caratti was an engaged student; volunteering on O-Team, co-founding the Sustainability Club, serving as ASI Representative for Sustainability, officer of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, SPC member and chair, and Outdoor Adventure Coordinator at Campus REC (shown pictured on the trail). He says this involvement did the most to enrich his time at CSUSM. Since graduating, Alex ...has been working for the last three years at the cutting edge of the semiconductor industry; literally upgrading the machines that are driving forward Moore’s Law. In this role as Senior Plasma Quality Upgrades Engineer at ASML, he's been able to travel the world, pursue mastery over this incredible machine, and interact with co-workers from all different backgrounds. He looks forward to the easier futures that new technologies can create for us! Mark your calendar to hear more from Alex when he serves as one of five alumni panelists at the virtual Life After Graduation event on Thursday, November 5 at noon in partnership with @csusmcc. #alumnifeaturefriday

If this story gives you a sweet tooth, be sure to sign up for next week's cooking class, when Chef Dayleen will teach us how to make crème brûlée! https://cbs8.com//509-039e7589-6b8c-4e31-b63d-8bb4/iframe D'liteful Chocolat

Let's learn how to mix a proper cocktail for a happy hour at home. The Alumni Association invites you into the personal kitchen of alumnus Taylor Lax, professional mixologist and brand manager for KIN Whiskey. Taylor will lead us in step-by-step instruction to craft classic bourbon based cocktails - Whiskey Sour, Manhattan, & Mule. But act quick, registration closes Friday at noon. Visit: https://www.csusm.edu/alumni/events/homecoming.html

Run, walk, bike, or even skip in our first ever Alumni Virtual Fun Run 5k during Homecoming week, Oct. 19-24! All who register will receive a hat, neck gaiter, and finishers medal, pictured. For details on this and all our Homecoming events, visit https://www.csusm.edu/alumni/events/homecoming.html. #ICSUSM

After living in Madrid, Spain for 2 years, Laura Marquez ‘18 decided to return to her coaching roots. Her extensive volunteer experience includes having been a Peer Educator for Student Health & Counseling Services and a Head Coach for Coaching Corp. After attending trainings on how to continue serving their communities virtually, Marquez is making a career out of it. As part of the founding team for a non-profit organization called Step Up Tutoring, she provides volunteer tu...tors to mentor and educate students from under resourced communities in the LAUSD area. Step Up Tutoring has launched a pilot program focusing on helping 5th and 6th graders in Math and English, while engaging in virtual tutoring sessions via Zoom. Their goal is to recruit volunteer tutors that would be great role models and mentors for the students as well to provide the 1 on 1 attention they deserve during this pandemic. Marquez earned her degree in Criminology and Justice Studies with minors in Spanish and Psychological Science. #AlumniFeatureFriday See more

Please join the University Library for an evening of art appreciation featuring the photography of CSUSM alumnus Jake Northington. Chasing Andromeda is a virtual Context exhibit highlighting the many layers of Black beauty and joy, specifically on our campus. October 15th 6-7PM For details, visit: https://biblio.csusm.edu/content/events-1

Join us the week of October 18-24, 2020 for our Virtual Homecoming events! https://www.csusm.edu/alumni/events/homecoming.html

INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine selected CSUSM for the diversity award based on the institution’s exemplary diversity and inclusion initiatives, and ability to support a broad definition of diversity on campus, including gender, race, ethnicity, veterans, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, as well as all others.

Giancarlo Vallejo, who graduated with a bachelor's in biological sciences in 2018, launched his company Proper Cell Biotechnologies in June. With this company, Vallejo seeks to help others and bring real cures to cancer. In his 15 years experience working in a pharmacy, Vallejo saw first hand the effects of unaffordable cancer drugs & poor drug substitutions. This led him to form his company with a mission to change lives. "As a student, I always knew that I was here to s...erve a purpose and my motto has always been to build a good team with good people that will want to do good for humanity and will help the world change one day at a time and now I have the capabilities to accomplish that journey." Read the full News Center story. https://news.csusm.edu/giancarlo-vallejo-proper-cell-biote/ #AlumniFeatureFriday

San Diego is known as the succulent capital of the world, and a recent CSUSM grad is taking advantage of it. While many small businesses are struggling due to the pandemic, Jessica Cain's succulent business is flourishing. https://www.10news.com//cal-state-san-marcos-grad-in-love-