Ali Shabazz: Film Follows Dance in History’s Footsteps After 21 years as a professional dancer and choreographer, Ali Shabazz decided to expand his range of expression to filmmaking when, in 2005, he entered the Digital Media Arts program at California State University, Dominguez Hills. Now, two years later, he has successfully combined the two art forms into an award-winning documentary.

Photo above: Students, faculty and staff celebrate another year to come in the McNair Scholars cohort. The McNair Scholars Program provides guidance for first-generation students on the path to graduate school with mentoring, research opportunities and networking experiences. For more information on the McNair program, click here.

Seated (L-R): Angelica Mendoza (Class of ‘07, psychology/Chicana/o studies; Karen Perez (Class of ‘07, Spanish/English literature); Raslyn Rendon, assistant director, McNair Scholars Program; Dominguez Hills President Mildred García; Michelle Waiters, director, McNair Scholars Program; La Tanya Skiffer, assistant professor of sociology; Maria Aguirre, senior, sociology; Nancy Gamino, sophomore, Spanish/mathematics; and Brandon Becker, senior, psychology/sociology.

Standing (L-R): Mario Carrasco, senior, psychology/Spanish;
Kellye Franklin, senior, English literature/sociology; Monica Rosas-Baines, psychologist, Student Development; Benito Gomez, assistant professor of foreign languages; Jeffrey Govan, senior, English literature; Jennifer Vega La Serna, former director, McNair Scholars Program; Ray Riznyk, executive director, McNair Scholars Program; Jose Luis Serrano, McNair Scholars Program graduate assistant; Heather Ruoti, senior, psychology; and Kevin Montes, senior, psychology. Photo by Joanie Harmon