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...

As a man of great wisdom and integrity, Professor Jonathan Bechtol serves as an inspiration for those who have an appetite for success within higher education due to his experience of having been a first-generation college student. Bechtol was originally a CSUSM student himself and commuted from...

CSUSM offers various programs that allow students to travel overseas and study in another country of their choice. There, they have the opportunity to experience a new way of learning. Cassandra Steppat spent an entire semester in the medieval towns of Belgium Europe. She had never traveled before...

Tukwut Leadership Awards Night (TLAN) is held to acknowledge CSUSM leaders who are making a difference both on campus and the community. This year, the nominations are open until 4 p.m. on Friday, March 11. “People at Cal State [San Marcos] are doing good things and we want to really highlight...