For Brandon Laurent, the path to academic success has been anything but conventional. A U.S. Navy veteran, fashion photographer, and soon-to-be Ph.D. student, Laurent’s story is one of perseverance, purpose, and a deep commitment to cultural advocacy.
This spring, Laurent will graduate with a Master of Arts in Communication Studies from Cal State LA. The 32-year-old Burbank resident is part of Cal State LA’s Class of 2025 and will participate in the Commencement ceremony for the College of Arts and Letters on Wednesday, May 21, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
His journey to this milestone has been marked by remarkable accomplishments, including acceptance into the University of Connecticut’s (UConn) prestigious Communication Ph.D. program.
He will begin his doctoral studies in fall 2025 through an Impact Scholar Fellowship and Distinguished Graduate Fellowship, awarded to fewer than 1% of incoming graduate students. Laurent has also secured a graduate assistantship, which recognizes his commitment to research and teaching.
“I’ll be attending UConn in the fall, where I look forward to furthering my studies and becoming more grounded in the field of communication and the other disciplines it interacts with,” Laurent said. “My career goal is to become a scholar focusing primarily on health communication, interpersonal communication, and the spaces where they meet.”
A first-generation college graduate and proud St. Lucian American, Laurent attended Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn, New York, after serving five years in the U.S. Army. He later transferred to Cal State LA, where he completed his undergraduate degree before continuing on to graduate studies in communication.
As a teaching associate, Laurent taught multiple sections of public speaking each semester. He said, “The ability to become a teaching associate has directly influenced my success as a graduate student. As an instructor of record, I refined tools like reflexivity, organization, and discipline, which have positively affected how I show up as a student.”
Laurent’s master’s thesis, “Navigating Higher Education with an Invisible Chronic Illness,” draws from his personal experience of living with cancer.
“I’ve been living with cancer since my junior year of college and through all of grad school,” he said. “I know I’m not alone in facing tough challenges at Cal State LA, but I’m really proud of how I’ve not only made it through, but found ways to thrive along the way.”
In 2024, Laurent presented his research at the National Communication Association Conference. His project, “Soul Food: Cultural Currency and a Preserver of Black Diasporic History,” analyzed the Netflix docuseries High on the Hog to explore how food operates as a cultural symbol, preserving oral history and identity within the Black diaspora.
“I argued that Soul Food is a supportive symbol of ingenuity and a preserver of oral history, while also being the connecting thread between the Black Diaspora as a collective,” he said.
Laurent credits his academic success to the mentorship of Cal State LA faculty, particularly Professor Angela Cooke-Jackson.
“Dr. Cooke-Jackson has been a mentor throughout my undergraduate and graduate school career,” he said, attributing her guidance and belief in him to shaping his identity as a scholar.
In addition to his academic pursuits, Laurent is a fashion photographer whose work centers on Black cultural representation.
“Fashion photography [is] why I originally moved to L.A.,” he said. “Sharing the rich depth and unfathomable grasp of Black culture throughout the world is paramount to me and the imagery I create.”
He encourages fellow students, particularly veterans, to consider Cal State LA.
“I’d definitely recommend Cal State LA to others, especially fellow veterans,” he said. “My advice to prospective students: no matter what, have a game plan for the next chapter of your journey. It’s the best way to make sure you get the most out of the experience.”
Laurent’s time at Cal State LA has been defined by his unwavering commitment to uplifting others through scholarship and representation. As he prepares for the next chapter at UConn, his contributions continue to resonate across campus and beyond.
A nomination letter for Laurent stated: “Brandon is an invaluable part of the college and university’s mission, highlighting how ‘We Are LA’ through our investment in those who foster spaces of inclusion and intellectual growth.”
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California State University, Los Angeles is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles. Cal State LA is ranked number one in the United States for the upward mobility of its students. Cal State LA is dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good, offering nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education, and the humanities. Founded in 1947, the University serves more than 26,000 students and has more than 250,000 distinguished alumni.
Cal State LA is home to the critically-acclaimed Luckman Fine Arts Complex, Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs, Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center, Hydrogen Research and Fueling Facility, Billie Jean King Sports Complex and the TV, Film and Media Center. For more information, visit www.CalStateLA.edu.
