WASC Testimonials

Many thanks to the wonderful individuals who whole-heartedly gave up their time and were so willing to provide CSUDH their testimonials. In addition, thanks to the following for their contribution to the WASC Testimonials: Caron Mellblom, Shirley Lal, Donna Cruz, Charlie Torres, Raquel Cardiel, University Communications and Public Affairs, and a special thank you to Warren Ashley, Bernard Clinch and Mario Congreve from CEE Mediated Instruction & Distance Learning for all their work in the creation of the video testimonials...as always their work is stellar!

Lui Amador

Coordinator, Multicultural Center, CSUDH

I am an immigrant of this country. I came from the Philippines with my family at the age of three. As a person of color who was not born at this country I learned at a early age what social difference felt like...
[Read More & Video]

Jonny Baker

Graduate Student, MPA program
C.L.A.S.S. Tutor, Student Research Day Awardee
BS, Business Administration: Accounting, 2004

I am an International student from Jamaica and came in 2001 to pursue my bachelors in Business Administration in Accounting. "After I graduated though I still wanted to continue my education, but this time switching to Public Administration because it is more marketable".... [Read More & Video]

Ricky Bluthenthal, PhD.

Professor, Sociology Department
Director, Urban Community Research Center (UCRC)

I have had my PhD for almost 10 years now. I do a lot of research mostly on community health. Specifically, in HIV prevention and alcohol and substance abuse. I am married and I have two kids. [Read More & Video]

Giancarlo Bonora

Graduate Student, Biology
C.L.A.S.S. Gateway Tutor

My undergraduate degree is in Computer Science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. I was not raised here in California, but I am now a permanent resident. I spent 6 years programming and I realized I didn’t want to be a programmer my whole life. While working, I started to read science journals. I was particularly fancinated... [Read More & Video]

Raul Escobar-Rodas

Mathematics, Computer Science Minor
Founder/President
Math Club; Gateway Tutor, McNair Scholar

I’m an Undergrad and I’m a first-generation college student! I went to high school at Hollywood High which is about 25 miles away from campus, but I came to CSUDH because they showed that they wanted me to come over here. Actually, the other schools weren’t paying as much attention to me as CSUDH so I decided to come over here. [Read More & Video]

David Gamboa

Alumna, Mass Communications
Director, Government and Community Relations

I'm the first one in my family to attend college instead of going straight into the workforce. I grew up in the San Gabriel Valley and did not want to go to a college near home. CSUDH was a university that I really did not know much about, but liked the fact that it was such a small campus...
[Read More & Video]

Erick Garcia

Student, Business Administration, Management
Chairman, Board of Directors, Loker Student Union

I am a first generation college student. I am Hispanic (Central American) and my parents came from Guatemala. I was attracted to DH because of the small college feeling. I went to other school tours like UCLA and UCSB and you get that big college feeling of 100 students per class, but here we have that small college feel only like 20-30 students per class. [Read More & Video]

Lilyan Guillen

Freshman,
Sociology
UNV101

I am full Mexican, first time college student. My family pushed me to go to college, but they didn’t go to college. I choose CSUDH because you have my major and it is close to home. I really like the campus and the class size ratio to the teacher. I have had a wonderful experience so far in my first semester. [Read More & Video]

Jim Keville

Assistant Professor of Art, Visual Arts Department, CSUDH

I am a Assistant Professor in the Art Department, full time for a year and a half and previosly an adjunct instructor six years prior. I got my bachelors and masters degree from UCLA in the Design Department focusing primarily on ceramics. I also have a deep seeded interest in photography.
[Read More & Video]

Don Manning

Senior, Business Administration: Human Resources Management
ASI, Student at Large; Vice Chair, Board of Directors Loker Student Union

I transferred from El Camino College. The interesting part of about me is that I am adopted. I came from Korea when I was six. That is one unique thing about me. [Read More & Video]

Cheryl McKnight

Coordinator, Service Learning and Civic Engagement
Office of Community Service Learning

My family is Native American. I came from a family that didn’t believe that women should be educated. That it was a waste of time and money because after all they are just going to get married and have children. They were right, but what they didn’t tell me... [Read More & Video]

Karen Pérez

Graduate, Spanish, Language and Literature option, May 2007
McNair Scholar

I graduated May 2007 in Spanish Language and Literature. I applied directly into the Ph.D program. I was in the McNair scholars program. That’s the program that helped me! I am first generation college student. I am from Lima, Peru and came to America when I was 19. I didn’t speak English. I started taking ESL classes. [Read More & Video]

Keyoshia Ray

Communications: Public Relations
ASI, Vice President of Academic Affairs
Student Government

I am in my 3rd year here at Dominguez, 21 years old and first generation. I really like to play basketball. That is one of my favorite things to do. I’m really actively involved here on campus. I have been the president of a couple of organizations and I’m currently the Vice President of Academic Affairs for the Student Government here on campus. [Read More & Video]