Honors College Ashley Colstock Horn

How Research and the Honors College Shaped One First-Gen CSUSB Student

When Ashley Colstock Horn arrived at Cal State San Bernardino from her hometown of Hemet, she carried with her both ambition and uncertainty. As a first-generation college student, she believed higher education could open doors, but navigating that path would require guidance, opportunity and a supportive community.

At CSUSB, Colstock Horn found all three — particularly through early access to undergraduate research and the close-knit academic community of the Honors College.

Now a junior biology major, Colstock Horn has built a college experience shaped by hands-on research beginning in her first year, meaningful faculty mentorship, and leadership within the Honors College, where she serves as a student assistant.

“I am a first-generation college student, and one thing that really drew me to CSUSB was the very large population of first-generation students,” she said, referring to the nearly 80% of CSUSB students who are the first in their families to attend college. “I felt like the community that I was going to be entering was going to be very understanding of where I was coming from.”

That sense of understanding proved essential. Without family members who had previously navigated college, Colstock Horn relied on campus resources, faculty support and peer networks to help guide her academic and professional decisions.

Ashley Colstock Horn, right, and her mom, Jennifer Frank, moving into the dorm on move-in day, August 20, 2023.

A pivotal moment in her academic journey came when she was awarded the Presidential Academic Excellence Scholarship (PAES), a full-ride, invitation-only scholarship for top high school students from Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The award removed financial barriers and allowed her to fully engage in campus life and academic opportunities from the very beginning.

“That scholarship was life changing,” she said. “Without the scholarship, my college experience would have looked very different.”

With that foundation in place, Colstock Horn was able to pursue experiences beyond the classroom, including undergraduate research early in her academic career.

“I started my journey here in research during my second semester as a freshman,” she said.

She joined a research lab in the kinesiology department under the mentorship of Associate Professor April Karlinsky, gaining hands-on experience in data analysis, research design and scholarly collaboration. That work led to presentations at conferences throughout Southern California and at international venues, strengthening her confidence as both a researcher and a communicator.

"The absolute biggest skills I have gained through my early research exposure was public speaking and professionalism."

Ashley Colstock Horn

“I am confidently able to express myself in any setting or in front of any number of people,” she said.

Those research experiences helped clarify Colstock Horn’s long-term goals. Through coursework, lab work and exposure to professionals in the field, she developed a strong interest in women’s health and began mapping out a future career as a physician assistant.

“Being able to get first-hand interaction from real-life professionals so early on completely shaped the trajectory of my career goals,” she said.

Building community and leadership through the Honors College

Alongside research, the Honors College played a central role in Colstock Horn’s experience, particularly during her transition into college.

"As a first-year student, [the Honors College] really helped me build a sense of community here."

Ashley Colstock Horn

With small class sizes and discussion-based courses, the Honors College fostered an environment where Colstock Horn felt known and supported. Many of the classmates she met through Honors courses remain part of her everyday life, forming a close-knit network rooted in shared academic goals and first-generation experiences.

“Being able to connect on a deep level due to being first-generation students made all the difference,” she said.

Today, Colstock Horn gives back to that same community as a student assistant for the Honors College, helping support students navigating the transition she once faced.

Her commitment to connection and service also extends beyond the classroom. She is active in several campus organizations, including the Biology Club, and recently co-founded Samaritans in Action with her classmate and friend, Samantha Coronado. The student-led organization addresses healthcare equity gaps by assembling and distributing health kits to underserved communities throughout the Inland Empire. In just six months, the club has assembled more than 315 kits, served more than 300 community members, engaged 40 student volunteers, and collaborated with six organizations.

“Seeing how much of a difference we can make in such a little time has been truly inspiring,” Colstock Horn said.

The work closely aligns with her academic and professional goals, particularly her passion for women’s health.

“One of my biggest motivators is the desire to change the narrative for the future patients I hope to treat,” she said.

Colstock Horn continues to build on her research through her Honors senior project, which focuses on women’s health awareness. With support from faculty mentors and the Office of Student Research and Innovation, she is developing a survey-based study examining gaps in students’ understanding of key women’s health topics.

When she reflects on how far she has come, Colstock Horn sees how research opportunities, the Honors College and campus involvement worked together to shape her path — from a first-generation student unsure of where she fit to a confident scholar preparing for graduate study.

"When I take a step back, I’m like, 'Wow, I’m here.' The things that I wanted to do when I was growing up, I’m actually doing them now."

Ashley Colstock Horn

With the perspective that comes from experience, she now knows what she would tell her younger self.

“I think the biggest advice I would give that version of myself is to just go for it,” she said. “Know you’re not alone, because so many feel just as you do, and with that, you can make a huge difference.”

Ashley Colstock Horn found a close-knit community in the Honors College — where students are supported, challenged and encouraged to grow together.

Learn More About the CSUSB Honors College

Cal State San Bernardino, set at the foothills of the beautiful San Bernardino Mountains, is a vibrant hub of education and culture in Inland Southern California. The university offers more than 70 traditional baccalaureate and master’s degree programs, education credential and certificate programs, and a doctoral program, all housed within five academic colleges and the Palm Desert Campus.

Not only is a degree from CSUSB affordable and attainable, it is also a pathway to a brighter future. Ranked No. 2 nationally for social mobility by the Wall Street Journal, CSUSB helps students rise to great opportunities, securing high-paying jobs while keeping costs low.

The university is consistently recognized for its academic excellence, affordability and commitment to empowering students and communities to achieve their fullest potential.