2006-2007 McNair Scholars
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[ Back to the top ]	Aguirre Maria Maria G. Aguirre is proud to be a first generation college student. She grew up in Compton and in Los Angeles. Maria is married, has three boys and works as a community service officer/dispatcher at Cerritos College, where she attended school before transferring to California State University, Dominguez Hills. She is currently a senior majoring in sociology with a minor in psychology. Maria is currently doing gang research with her mentor, Professor Skiffer in the sociology department. She has been involved in her campus community since her time at Cerritos College, where she was a senator and Vice-President for the Alpha Gamma Sigma sorority. Maria received the Bronze Falcon award from Cerritos College for her service. She is currently a member of Nosotras, a Latina support group at California State University, Dominguez Hills. It has always been in her heart to support others, especially in the Los Angeles area. She has been a volunteer for LAPD and for LA County Probation. Maria’s experience with law enforcement has been a positive one and this led her to attend the police academy, and graduate in 2003. However, she hopes to earn her PhD in criminology from UC Irvine to pursue a career in teaching.
[ Back to the top ]	Alatorre Andres I am a student at California State University, Dominguez Hills where I am majoring in Spanish Language and Literature with a Minor in Kinesiology (Physical Education). I have a black belt in Shoto-Kan Karate-Do and I have taught martial arts to children. My previous involvement as a martial arts instructor has resulted in me having a particular interest in youth sports, particularly in low-income neighborhoods. I am interested in conducting research among Zapotec and Mixtec children in an elementary school during physical education, specifically in the North County area of San Diego. I choose to conduct my research in this area, because there is a high prevalence of Latino students there. Obesity plagues this community, since over 30% of Latinos and African-Americans are obese here in the United States. I would like to help children in elementary schools gain healthy lifestyle habits at the youngest age possible. My research interests include exploring Indigenous groups in Latin America, particularly the Zapotec group of Southern Mexico. I am currently doing research in the Zapotec language with Dr. Michael Galant at California State University, Dominguez Hills.
[ Back to the top ]	Becker Brandon Brandon is a junior at CSUDH, recently transferred from Cerritos College. Brandon is majoring in psychology with a minor in sociology. Throughout his tenure at Cerritos College he achieved and maintained his status on the President’s and Dean’s Lists. In addition, he has been inducted into several honor societies, including Psi Beta, Phi Theta Kappa and the National Dean’s List. Brandon plans to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology. He is fascinated with all aspects of psychology, especially in the abnormal, social, forensic, and research fields. While at CSUDH and participating in the McNair Scholar program, he hopes to gain a deeper insight into his future career goals and possibilities.
[ Back to the top ]	Carrasco Mario Mario Carrasco transferred from Cerritos College in the fall of 2006. He is majoring in psychology with a minor in Spanish. Mario is a native Mexican who immigrated to the United States in 1980. He is the first member of his family to attend college and is making the best of it by maintaining a 3.7 GPA. Mario is happily married and has four daughters and one son. In his spare time, he enjoys going fishing and biking with his family. Mario’s motivation is the example he is setting forth for his kids in the area of education. His ultimate goal is to see that his wife and kids achieve a college degree in whatever area they find fascinating.
[ Back to the top ]	Chaidez Sandra Her last year as an undergraduate is indicative of what Sandra Chaidez has come to realize: futures are formed through overlapping paths. Once unsure of what major to choose, Sandra came to embrace Sociology and Political Science after riding tenuous waves of change. Her collegiate beginnings took place at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, a place so vastly different from “the mainland” that it may well have been another country. Norms were turned upside-down, and “commonalities” such as speaking English did not mean sameness—Sandra’s appeal for Sociology increased. Upon returning to California, she enthusiastically studied Sociology at CSU Dominguez Hills until a course on political behavior in Latin America clarified intricacies of government, at home and abroad, and harnessed a deeper interest in politics in all levels of everyday life. One semester before concluding her Bachelor’s in Sociology, Sandra saw a natural coupling of the two disciplines and decided to double major. At this point, a Bachelor’s was no longer enough—she aspired to participate in research and claim more knowledge at the Ph.D. level. She began by acquiring an internship with the California Faculty Association, which serves to move students on campus in politics directly related to their education. She then became a research assistant at the Urban Community Research Center on campus which evaluates community health and policy through some of its projects. She will graduate Summer 2007 as a McNair Scholar, forging onward with the assurance that she will complete her academic goals and contribute her own perspective to academia.
[ Back to the top ]	Franklin Kellye Kellye Franklin is a senior at California State University Dominguez Hills, double majoring in English and Sociology and aspires to ultimately become faculty at a university as an English Professor. Kellye is especially interested in exploring the realm of Transnational Literature. She hopes to work in developing a comprehensive definition of this area while identifying its roots and further developing it as a genre through theory and criticism. Recently awarded an apprenticeship with Dr. Roderick Hernandez through the CSUDH Alumni Association and the CSUDH Honor’s Program, Kellye continues to move forward in her research pursuits and aspirations of becoming faculty. Currently, Kellye is also a member of both the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and the CSUDH Honors Program. Kellye's experience, however, is not untouched by challenges; she must balance full-time employment with a government agency, a part-time position as an English tutor in Student Support Services and family obligations. Nevertheless, the college preparation she received at the Brentwood School and her work at CSUDH enables her to actively work toward her goal of graduating with honors while overcoming the challenges that life brings. In addition, Kellye also makes time to engage in personal interests which include community service involving children and continues to improve her knowledge of Japanese and American Sign Language.
[ Back to the top ]	Gamino Nancy Nancy Gamino is a senior at CSUDH with a double major in mathematics and Spanish with a concentration in literature. She is the first person in her family to graduate from high school and attend college. Nancy plans to pursue a PhD in Spanish Literature and become a Spanish professor. She is especially interested in medieval Spanish literature and wishes to continue researching literature from around the world. In addition, she would like to travel around the world to learn more about other cultures. Nancy is happy to participate in the McNair program, because it will give her the tools to attend graduate school in the future.
[ Back to the top ]	Govan Jeffrey Jeffrey Govan is a person committed to excellence. He graduated with Honors from El Camino College with an A.A. in Liberal Studies and earned the merit-based Presidential Honors Scholarship at CSUDH. He is an English Literature major at Dominguez Hills and maintains a 3.92 GPA in his major. Jeffrey is also part of the Honors program at CSUDH and had the honor of presenting his research at the spring 2006 Western Regional Honors Conference in Denver, Colorado. He enjoys being a student at CSUDH and looks forward to entering graduate school and working towards a PhD. His goal is to become a university level professor of Ethnic Studies and English Literature. As an older student, Jeffrey’s first successes came from his musical endeavors as a bassist. These experiences afforded him the opportunity to tour the United States extensively. His wide palette of musical tastes which include reggae, ska, alternative rock, cumbia, soca, vallenato, salsa and various types of blues reflects his love of diversity in life and his bi-cultural upbringing. In 2003, his Colombian cumbia band named Cumbeley won the LA Weekly Music Award (LAWMA) for “Best Salsa/Latin Artist”. Jeffrey believes that music will always play a major role in his life. He continues to compose, perform and record occasionally; however, at this point in life his focus is school. When he is not studying or performing, you will find him spending time with his family…finding ways to make them smile and laugh.
[ Back to the top ]	Herron Antwan I am a senior at California State University, Dominguez Hills majoring in English: Literature with a minor emphasis in Theater. I moved to L.A. from Gary, Indiana. I love the arts, especially poetry and theater. Three years ago, I became involved in Educational Theater at L.A. Harbor College in an effort to help the television and digital arts department globalize their program and connect with students around the world. Since then, I have traveled internationally and across the country performing a one-man show called WhiteWash, which deals with issues of African-American heroes. Last year I was published in the CSUDH literary magazine called “Enjambed.” In the future, I hope to publish more poetry and utilize theater in my life's work. Upon graduation I will pursue a degree in African-American Studies, and, subsequently, attain a law degree.
[ Back to the top ]	Jones Pernell Pernell R. Jones is currently a sophomore at CSUDH majoring in Health Sciences. For the past two semesters, he has maintained a 3.5 grade point average. In addition, Mr. Jones has been involved in numerous programs on campus such as the Associated Students Inc, Judiciary, T.O.R.O. Network, The Black Men’s Group, The Science Society, and The Organization of Africana Studies. He is striving towards graduating with honors, a goal that was set the first day he set foot on campus. After the competition of his undergraduate coursework, it is his intention to earn a Master of Sciences degree in Biokinesiology and to enter a doctoral program that offers a Ph.D. in Biokenisiology.
[ Back to the top ]	Miller Erika Erika Miller is a transfer student from Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. Her major is anthropology and she is a double minor in dance and English. She is a Dean's List awardee and participates in dance productions both on and off campus. Erika is a dedicated student and mother of one and she aspires to earn a PhD in urban anthropology. She hopes to understand how displaced communities express their cultural identity. Erika plans to use her studies to aid in displacement rehabilitation in the U.S. and abroad. She is extremely excited to be selected to the McNair Program and hopes to represent her family, friends, and fellow cohorts through academic progress.
[ Back to the top ]	Montes Kevin Kevin Montes is currently a senior at California State University, Dominguez Hills majoring in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. Kevin aspires to be a college professor in the field of cognitive psychology after completing his PhD. Kevin is interested in the decision making process of adults as well as human perception. He is a current member of the Psychology Club and Psi Chi, which is the National Honor Society in Psychology. He is also currently working on a research project about the availability and content of advice parents can use when talking to their kids about smoking.
[ Back to the top ]	Rosas Mitchell Mitchell Rosas is a 21 year old senior majoring in Political Science with an emphasis on Global Politics and Economics. He is interested in pursuing a PhD in International Relations with an emphasis on Sustainable Development. He served as President of the Latino Student Business Association during the 2005-2006 academic year. He is currently a volunteer for the Los Angeles Superior Court where he provides low income litigants with free legal information. His goal is to become a professor in the area of International Relations and do research which will reduce poverty in third world countries through the efficient use of available social, political and economic mechanisms.
[ Back to the top ]	Ruoti Heather Heather Ruoti is currently a senior at California State University, Dominguez Hills, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Sociology. She works part time as a mentor for elementary school children in Palos Verdes and goes to school full time. Heather has maintained a 3.9 GPA and is currently a member of Psi Chi, the Psychology Club, the National Honor Society in Psychology, and the Honors program at Dominguez Hills. Her areas of research interest include child development in relation to trauma, abuse, deviancy, and parental relations, and the effects those influences have on adulthood. She is conducting research with her mentor Dr. Carl D. Sneed, analyzing the content of programs and information available for parents to talk to their kids about smoking. Heather will graduate with honors in the spring of 2008, and plans to continue on to pursue her PhD in clinical psychology with the goal of beginning her own private practice. She enjoys hanging out with her friends, reading, running, surfing, kickboxing, and snowboarding in Utah.

CSUDH McNair Scholar Highlights

• Maria Aguirre ~ University of California, Irvine, Criminology
• Brandon Becker ~ University of California, Irvine, Psychology
• Jeffrey Govan ~ University of California, Riverside, English Literature
• Kevin Montes ~ University of Iowa, Psychology

In addition, the following recent McNair and CSUDH graduates are conducting summer research prior to the start of their respective Ph.D. programs: 

• Elizabeth Bermudez ~ University of California, Riverside, English Literature
• Karen Perez ~ University of California, Riverside, Spanish Literature

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• Margarita Gomez
• Pernell Jones
• Monica Lomeli

CSUDH 2007 Águila Negra Awards:

• Student Leadership Award: Margarita Gomez
  

Phi Kappa Phi ~ 2007:

•  Karen Perez
• Jeffrey Govan
  

CSU Research Competition: Elizabeth Bermudez ~ 2nd Place in her category

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• Michelle Albertella: CUNY, Queens College, Ph.D.,Neuropsychology
• Elizabeth Bermudez: University of California, Riverside, Ph.D., English Literature
• Esther Castillo: University of California, Irvine, Ph.D., Sociology
• Janette Diaz: University of California, Santa Barbara, Ph.D., Sociology
• Margarita Gomez: University of Denver, Master of Social Work
• Antwan Herron: University of California, Los Angeles, M.A. in African-American Studies
• Monica Lomeli: University of California, Santa Barbara, Ph.D. Sociology
• Angelica Mendoza: University of California, Los Angeles, M.A. in Higher Education and Organizational Change
• Karen Perez: University of California, Riverside, Ph.D., Spanish
• Victor Tovar: California State University, Dominguez Hills, M.A. in Clinical Psychology

Nancy Gamino