CSUSB alumni advance to graduate and professional schools
One in five Cal State San Bernardino students who earn a bachelor’s degree attend graduate or professional school. In fact, one of the top universities that CSUSB graduates attend for their master’s degree is their alma mater.
One of those students was Ariana Cano ’16 ’18. After earning her bachelor’s degree in communication studies with an emphasis in media studies/film studies, she received her master’s degree in communication studies from CSUSB.
Previous Article
Covering the Basics: Helping students in need during the COVID-19 pandemic
Next Article
CSUSB receives national cybersecurity designation and $10.5 million grant
“During my graduate experience at CSUSB I learned to articulate complicated research findings to a wider audience, to incorporate intersectional framework to my research, and develop a professional demeanor,” Cano said.
Her thesis was titled “Performing Stereotypical Tropes on Social Networking Sites: How Popular Latina Performers Reinscribe Heteropatriarchy on Instagram,” which was called a “sophisticated study,” by her CSUSB advisor and mentor Rod Metts, associate professor of communication studies.
Following her graduate program at CSUSB, Cano was then accepted into four prestigious doctoral programs, all fully funded.
Cano received offers from the Department of Communication at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, the Institute of Communications Research (ICR) Ph.D. program in the College of Media at the University of Illinois, the Department of Communication and Journalism at the University of New Mexico, and the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Minnesota.
While she notes the decision was difficult, she ultimately chose the ICR Ph.D. program in the College of Media at the University of Illinois.
“All four institutions are well-recognized in their respect and are heavy research institutions. Therefore, my decision was not easy,” she said. “However, I had to come to terms with what better suits my research and what institution would allow me to explore all avenues of such research. Yes, it was difficult to decline all other offers, but I know that the ICR interdisciplinary program best compliments my research needs in race, gender, and media studies.”
Following their undergraduate studies at CSUSB, many alumni pursue graduate degrees in business administration, the third top graduate program that CSUSB alumni pursue.
Owen Odigie ’15, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in finance, is one of those alumni; he is currently attending Columbia Business School at Columbia University for a master’s degree in business administration.
Odigie, who graduated from CSUSB’s Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration with a 3.9 grade-point average, said Columbia Business School is very challenging, extremely busy and simultaneously very rewarding.
As a CSUSB student, Odigie served as president of Sigma Chi, as the chief financial officer of Associated Students Inc., and as founder of the Office of Student Money Management. In an email to campus, he praised CSUSB for helping and preparing him for the future.
“As I reflect on my journey, I cannot overemphasize just how instrumental my experience and support at CSUSB was to get me to this point,” he wrote. “Coming out of high school, I was restless, not academically focused, and had minimal interest in getting a college degree. CSUSB opened up its doors to me and this vote of confidence marked a shift in my mentality to make the most of the opportunity. From my days as freshman housing president, fraternity president, senior leadership in student government, and my memorable internship in Washington, D.C., I have only ever been supported and embraced by the CSUSB community.”
Another CSUSB alumnus who advanced to graduate school is Emmanuel Gaeta ’16, who received his degrees in biology and anthropology.
After attending CSUSB, Gaeta went on to earn a master’s degree in public health with a concentration in epidemiology from Yale University. In fall 2020, the CSUSB alumnus started attending the University of California, Davis School of Medicine to continue the pursuit of his goal: become the first doctor in his family. And he credits CSUSB faculty members, advisors and classmates for being “a big part of my support network” that helped him get closer to a career in medicine.
“I am beyond excited to start this new chapter since it will allow me to develop new skills to continue doing the work I am so passionate about,” Gaeta said.
But there were times when his dreams of pursuing medicine seemed daunting. He came from a low-income family. He graduated from a low-performing high school. He was the first in his family to go to college.
“I had no idea how to be a good college student,” Gaeta said.
But things changed. Gaeta said he was able to develop thanks to “some incredible professors” such as the Department of Biology’s Mike Chao, who also serves as the department’s chair, and Stuart Sumida.
“They’re phenomenal instructors and their teaching style helped me learn difficult topics,” he said.
After Gaeta learned of his acceptance to medical school, he emailed Chao.
“As a first-generation college student and son of immigrants, my journey has not been easy,” he wrote, “but it is because of the support from people like you that I am now on my way to become the first doctor in my family.”
