Winner of the Community Development and Lifelong Membership award at the 2014­-2015 CSUSM Fraternity and Sorority Life Awards, Alpha Psi Rho epitomizes the benefits of brotherhood. The Asian-­Pacific Islander (API) fraternity was founded in 2000 at SDSU and continues to establish charters...

  Born in Bangkok, Thailand to Chinese immigrants, Dr. Ruttanatip (Dang) Chonwerawong came to the States as an immigrant, reliving the life her parents once led. But the U.S. stripped her of her identity, greeting her with discrimination and false assumptions. Chonwerawong’s parents...

  Priding themselves on being the first and only female Asian-interest sorority on campus, Alpha Kappa Delta Phi paves the way for their members, shaping them into tomorrow’s leaders. The CSUSM chapter Alpha Kappa Delta Phi was established May 2, 2015 and was originally an interest...

  Every student is made out of a different mold as they all come from different backgrounds. Student leader Joshua Foronda identifies as Asian-­Pacific Islander (API) and aspires to motivate youth with his testimony. Foronda was born in Japan and lived in Guam through his high school...

  As a woman who has maintained positions of leadership over the years, CSUSM President Karen Haynes strives to pave the way for other women who aspire to compete in a male-dominated position within higher education institutions. President Karen Haynes received her bachelor’s degree...

  As a full time mother, and the founder of the Children’s Museum in San Diego, Department Chair of History, Dr. Carmen Nava, serves as a role model for all women to strive to achieve a higher education. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Nava attended CSU Northridge for her undergraduate...

  Dr. Jay Robertson-Howell, Interim Associate Director of Student Health and Counseling Services (SHCS), is a dedicated health care professional who spreads positive messages on gender equality throughout his work. Howell was hired at CSUSM in 2012 after working for seven years at Seattle...

  Chrystal Zinni dedicated 10 years of service to the Marine Corps, her country and to her brothers and sisters, but due to a knee injury, her life took an unexpected turn. Initially, Zinni had her mind set on going to the Air Force Academy, but as a result of being an inch too short...

  By working with underrepresented populations and currently serving as the Coordinator for Student Involvement, Porcha Ingram strives to give students tools to support individuals in need, creating tomorrow's leaders.    Ingram received her bachelor’s in public relations and joined...

  Coming from an immigrant, working family, Minerva Gonzalez overcame her social and financial challenges by conquering cultural barriers on her path to academic success. Gonzalez became the Director of Pathways to Academic Success and Opportunities (PASO) in October 2015. At an early...

  As a professor of management in the College of Business Administration (CoBA), Dr. Rajnandini (Raj) Pillai has been a passionate faculty member at CSUSM for almost 18 years, developing innovative ways teach leadership. Originally from Mumbai, Dr. Pillai moved to Buffalo, New York to...