Changing the World, One Student at a Time:
The 2006 President's Dinner Scholars

Four of the 19 students who received new and continuing Presidential or Honors Scholarships for the 2005-06 academic year will be highlighted at the annual President's Dinner, representing the academically and culturally diverse face of Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Senior Myeshia Price (Psychology) is planning to research and teach in her field at the university level. She also wants to establish a camp for young children who are at risk of joining gangs.

“Often, researchers study juveniles to see what’s going on when it’s already too late,” she says. “Some kids are already joining gangs by the age of 10, they don’t always see the other options they have.”

Price appreciates her Presidential Scholarships, saying that, “People think that students who don’t qualify for financial aid don’t really need it and that their parents will take care of their tuition, but that’s not always the case. Students who can’t get financial aid are struggling, taking part-time courses because they can’t afford to go full-time. The scholarship paid for my dorm, and enabled me to attend full-time so I could graduate in four years, without needing a full-time job like many students who have no other means to support their education.

“When you have to worry about how you’re going to get a book for a class, it’s a whole different ball game. It’s allowed me to get more study time in and keep my GPA up where it should be.”

Junior Tammy Masuda (Liberal Studies/Special Education) returned to college as a wife and mother after 25 years in the workforce, only to be laid off from her job. Her Presidential Scholarship has helped her to realize her longstanding dream of specializing in preschool or elementary special education.

“I had heard that the credential program for special education here was the best,” she says. “I’m really excited that Dominguez Hills will help me to achieve my goal. We didn’t know how we were going to balance finances and allow me to pursue something that I always wanted, to get my degree. So it really gave me the opportunity to be here without worrying about my tuition. I can pay more attention to my studies, not have to work, and have time for my 4-year-old son.

“I consider my education my full-time job. The Presidential Scholarship made me feel special. That was a huge bonus, like one you would receive at your job. It was not just receiving the money, but the actual award was very, very special.”

Freshman Danielle Lehman (Digital Media Arts) depends on her Presidential Scholarship to expedite her education so that she can reach her goal of becoming a recording producer.

“The scholarship helped me because otherwise I would not be able to afford a university yet, and I’d be at a community college right now,” she says. “I don’t have to worry about working a million hours a week to pay my tuition, I work only on weekends. I can focus on my studies, because I’m not stressed out trying to balance work and school.”

Lehman chose CSUDH because of her major, and found that the diversity of the campus has enhanced her education.

“This is one of the few schools with digital media arts as a major, none of the UCs had it,” she says. “It’s really cool to be here. I like how there are so many different kinds of people here, and I’ve learned a lot of new things.”

Senior Michael Shapiro (Computer Information Systems) has managed to afford his education while starting a family because of his Honors Scholarship.

“I’m married and can’t afford to pay for college on my own,” he says. “This really made it possible to get my degree. I haven’t really spent much, except on books, buying them on Amazon and selling them back right away, so it’s really amazing that I’ve gotten through my college degree without spending much money.”

As the founder of MuslimHipHop.com, Shapiro values his experience with acceptance at CSUDH.

“Basically, I wanted to share with the world the phenomenon of Muslim artists and music that has an Islamic message,” he says. It’s been really successful, and was recognized in the Associated Press and MSNBC, but it’s not really meant to be a business. I’m really doing it for young Muslims around the world to have a way to express themselves in a positive way that is relevant to their culture.

“Given that Dominguez Hills is one of the most diverse campuses on the West Coast, I feel like that’s why I’ve been embraced the way I have," he reflects. "I don’t think that would have happened at another school.”

For the story and information on the President's Dinner, click here, visit http://www.csudh.edu/InvestInUs/PresidentsDinner/ or call (310) 243-2666.

- Joanie Harmon

Photos above, top to bottom: Senior Myeshia Price; junior Tammy Masuda; freshman
Danielle Lehman; and senior Michael Shapiro. Photo of Danielle Lehman courtesy of Danielle Lehman.