Connections

13 Cal State LA students receive prestigious pre-doctoral scholarships

A group of Cal State LA students recently received the CSU’s 2023-24 Sally Casanova pre-doctoral scholar awards. These awards are granted each year to support the aspirations of students across the 23-campus California State University system. Each scholar receives a $5,000 award to help fund graduate exams, fees for professional conferences, and other costs related to graduate school. The Casanova award honors the late Sally Casanova, who launched the program in 1989. Learn more about the scholars. 

Acclaimed author, former Poet Laureate to host poetry reading at Cal State LA

Sal Castro Academy partners with local school districts to equip ethnic studies educators

The College of Education’s Sal Castro Academy for Urban Teacher Leaders has partnered with Hacienda La Puente Unified School District and El Rancho Unified School District to equip educators to deliver high-quality ethnic studies curriculum in preparation for a statewide mandate. The program offers a collective space for educators to engage in discussions on ethnic studies pedagogy and enhance their ability to champion student-centered approaches in their work. These partnerships come at a time when California has become the first state in the nation to require high school students to take at least one semester of ethnic studies before graduation. Under the new legislation, high schools must begin offering ethnic studies courses in the 2025-26 school year, resulting in the need for more ethnic studies teachers quickly. Learn more about the Sal Castro Academy.

AAPI Heritage Month at Cal State LA

Join us as we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month from mid-April to mid-May. This year’s curated events aim to engage the Cal State LA community in conversations around resilience and empowerment while honoring the stories and contributions of the AAPI people and cultures. Visit the AAPI Heritage Month website for the full calendar listing of events.

Golden Eagles show their pride at LA Kings Cal State LA Night

On March 7, the Cal State LA community came out in full force to show their Golden Eagle pride at the annual LA Kings Cal State LA Night. As part of the LA Kings’ Women’s History Celebration, President Berenecea Johnson Eanes rode the Zamboni during the second intermission. A group of Cal State LA students, alumni, and their families participated in the Tunnel Team experience, cheering on the LA Kings as they took the ice for the next period. Winners of the opportunity drawing participated in a post-game bench photo. A portion of each ticket purchased went to the Cal State LA Alumni Scholarship Fund, garnering over $1,200 in donations. Click here to view photos from the event. 

Cal State LA receives federal grant to upgrade the hydrogen station on campus

Cal State LA has received a $7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to upgrade the University’s Hydrogen Research and Fueling Facility. Through the federal grant, the facility will be transformed into a cutting-edge, high-capacity hydrogen fueling station for multi-modal light- to heavy-duty vehicles, which will service public customers and fleets, including the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. The Hydrogen Research and Fueling Facility is the largest such facility on a university campus in the United States that produces its own hydrogen on site via electrolysis. Read more about the hydrogen station.

Jonon Young wins individual title at NCAA Indoor Championships

Jonon Young, who joined Cal State LA women’s track and field in January, soared to a personal best of 43-3.25 in the triple jump to win the NCAA Division II national championship at Pittsburg State on March 9. Young’s individual championship is the 17th for Cal State LA in women’s indoor track and field, and the first since 2008. 

Golden Eagle hoops post stellar seasons

Both Cal State LA basketball teams concluded a historic winter season that saw the men’s and women’s squads advance to the NCAA Tournament in the same season for the first time in school history. Men’s basketball completed the year with a program-best 24 wins and earned their first-ever CCAA Tournament Championship. 

Alumna selected for Disney writing program

Jaleese Ramos is the first Cal State LA graduate chosen to participate in the Disney Entertainment Television’s 2024 Writing Program. A launchpad for fresh voices in television storytelling, the year-long writing program is widely recognized as one of the best in the entertainment industry. Only seven drama writers were selected for this year’s program, which is renowned for helping participants secure their first staffing assignments in a Disney TV series. Ramos, a second-generation Mexican American raised in the Central Valley of California, received her MFA in Television, Film and Theatre from the College of Arts and Letters in 2021. Learn more about Jaleese Ramos.