Connections

Cal State LA’s nursing graduate program ranks among the best in the nation

Cal State LA’s Master of Science in Nursing program continues to be ranked among the best in the nation, according to the U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 edition of Best Graduate Schools. This year’s publication ranked Cal State LA at no. 41, making it one of only two public universities in Los Angeles County included in the 2024 Best Nursing Schools: Master’s listing. “This is the highest ranking we have ever had in the last 10 years I have been here at Cal State LA,” said Cinthya Sotelo, interim director of the University’s Patricia A. Chin School of Nursing. “Above all else, we are dedicated to student success and this recognition demonstrates how dedicated we all truly are.” Learn more about the ranking.

English professor receives Fulbright Scholar award

Andrew Lyndon Knighton, professor of English at Cal State LA, has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award to teach in the Literature and Theater Department at the American University in Bulgaria. As a Fulbright scholar, Knighton will also aim to establish a Humanities Lab at the American University to train literature students in Bulgaria to use their academic knowledge in public humanities projects. Read more about Professor Knighton.

Cal State LA hosts Olympic and Paralympic Judo Week

Thousands attend Preview Day

Over 7,000 people, including more than 2,000 prospective students, visited the campus on April 20 for Cal State LA Preview Day. All high school seniors and transfer students admitted for fall 2024 were invited to campus to learn about everything that Cal State LA offers and why they should become a Golden Eagle. The students and their families took tours of the campus and residence halls and had an opportunity to meet with University representatives from various colleges, student services departments, and student organizations.

Cal State LA students attend CSU Health Policy Conference

Students from Cal State LA and other CSU campuses traveled to Sacramento last month for the CSU Health Policy Conference. During the conference, students were introduced to public health officials and legislators who described the governmental process, health policy issues, and public health challenges for the future. The conference was created in 2013 by Cal State LA Professor Walter Zelman, chair of the Department of Public Health. Zelman and the students met with elected officials, including Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber who talked about the importance of voting and Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg who talked about ethics. They also interviewed a panel of officials from the California Department of Public Health.

Audiology professor assists Ukrainian refugees in Poland

Dr. Miwako Hisagi, professor of audiology at Cal State LA, recently participated in a humanitarian trip to Krakow, Poland to provide free audiology services to Ukrainian refugees. The group, led by Dr. King Chung from MGH Institute of Health Professions, consisted of eight members from across the United States who conducted hearing evaluations, hearing aid fitting, and hearing aid checks. They also provided hearing evaluations to more than 400 local school children.

Social work students advocate for new bills in Sacramento

Led by Social Work Professor Dr. Will Wong, a delegation of Cal State LA social work students traveled to the State Capitol as part of the National Association of Social Workers’ Legislative Lobby Days. During their time in Sacramento, the students learned about the legislative process and met with legislators to discuss policy issues affecting the social work profession. “I’m very much looking forward to working directly with my community via providing mental health services,” said current MSW student Nancy Zelaya. “But in the future, I think I would very much like to pursue being in politics.” Learn more about Lobby Days.

Cal State LA Athletics to host annual Golf Invitational

Cal State LA Athletics will host its 2024 Golf Invitational on Monday, June 10, at the Brookside Golf Club in Pasadena. Proceeds from the event will benefit Cal State LA Athletics and various programs for our student-athletes. There are sponsorship opportunities and individual tickets on sale. Please register in advance by visiting the golf invitational website.

Golf makes history with first NCAA bid

For the first time in program history, Cal State LA women’s golf earned a team berth to the NCAA West Regional this month. The Golden Eagles finished eighth in the region and earned its first national Top-25 ranking from the Women’s Golf Coaches Association. Sophomore Joshlyn Ayala earned Cal State LA’s top finish at 15th with a 220 total score over the three days, finishing just three shots back from qualifying for nationals as an individual.

Cal State LA alumnus delivers keynote speech at 2024 MBE Summit

Alumnus George L. Pla delivered the keynote address at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Justice and Equity’s annual 2024 Minority Business Enterprise Connect Summit on April 18, 2024. Pla is the founder, president and CEO of Cordoba Corporation, a nationally recognized civil engineering, program, and construction management firm. Pla earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Cal State LA in 1972 and was conferred an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters during the Cal State LA Commencement ceremony on May 24, 2023. The summit connects minority business enterprises (MBEs) with opportunities at DOE’s Program Offices and National Labs and other federal agencies, financial institutions, and nonprofit organizations working to realize an equitable clean energy future and build lasting, productive relationships. Watch Pla’s keynote address.

Alumna crowned Miss Black California USA

Compton native LaShania Davis was recently crowned Miss Black California USA. Shortly before completing her studies at Cal State LA, Davis and her mother were subjected to an illegal eviction. This experience led Davis to establish the community service platform Sisters Sheltering Sisters, an initiative educating the public about the pipeline between housing insecurity to actually becoming unhoused. In continuing to represent the city of Compton, Davis aims to “show young girls in [her] community and communities alike that…we can do anything we set our mind to.” Davis received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the College of Business and Economics in 2018. She is currently pursuing her MBA at Pepperdine University. Learn more about LaShania Davis. 

Distinguished alumni honored at the 2024 Alumni Awards Gala