psychology major receives top graduate student awardTravis Shivley-Scott. Photo by Nestor Garcia.
By Marc Evangelista May 2013 Community@CSUN After facing rejection from 10 different doctorate programs as a senior undergraduate student, Travis Shivley-Scott felt defeated. The 24year old native of Colorado thought he’d never get into a doctoral program. However, California State University, Northridge restored his confidence that he could excel as an academic scholar. Today, he has proven himself victorious. Shivley-Scott is this year’s Nathan O. Freedman Outstanding Graduate Student award recipient, the highest honor presented to a CSUN graduate student who shows the best record of distinguished scholarship, has made significant contributions to his field and maintains a minimum GPA of 3.5. He has a grade point average of 4.0. “This is the biggest award I have ever received, and it’s an affirmation of all my hard work,” said Shivley-Scott. “It truly speaks to CSUN and its graduate programs because it comes to show how much they can help you improve your capabilities.” Read More... |
Harambee Conference Inspires Student successBy Marc Evangelista
February 28, 2013 CSUN Today After nearly 300 mostly African-American high school students proudly repeated the phrase “I am somebody,” those same students on Friday, Feb. 22, met with California State University, Northridge alumni and students to find out how they can secure a place at a college campus like CSUN. The students, from nine high schools from throughout California including two from the San Fernando Valley, were brought to their feet by former NFL player Michael Stewart. His presentation, titled “Character: Do You Have What it Takes,” called on the students to take the necessary steps to get a college education. “Everyone in here is a leader,” said Stewart. “If you lead, you can lead people to victory.” The students were invited to campus by the Harambee Student Association and the CSUN Office of Student Outreach and Recruitment Services. The annual event, the Harambee High School Conference, aims to “encourage” African-American students to “get excited” and begin to prepare for college. “This is an event unique to our campus,” said William Watkins ’74 (Urban Studies), CSUN’s vice president of student affairs, who welcomed those in attendance. “Seven years ago, there was recognition of the need for our campus community to come together to address the issues of African-Americans, our hopes, our dreams and our aspirations.” Read More... |
Same-sex marriage supporters remain hopeful with Obama re-electionBy Marc Evangelista
December 18th, 2012 EL NUEVO SOL, Feature As her voice began to shake and her words began to slur, she repeated the frustrations she faced. She isn’t afforded that option, nor is she allowed what so many people call a basic human right. All she really wants is to be happy and to enjoy the benefits, like everyone else. Erline Aguiluz, 26, was born and raised in Los Angeles and received her undergraduate degrees from the University of San Diego in English and Philosophy. After finishing her paralegal certification in May, she is currently working in insurance law with a fellow practitioner in San Francisco. Now living in San Mateo, Aguiluz is a proud pet owner, enjoys reading and is intrigued by social issues. She’s your average people person, who loves going out and meeting new people – the only difference is her relationship status. “I’ve been living in the Bay Area for four years now and I moved here with my girlfriend Theresa,” said Aguiluz. “It just sucks because even until now, as open as I am with being gay and being in a relationship with a woman, I still have to feel people out and see if it’s something I can even mention.” Read More... |
New contract, new chapter president and no big changes for CSU employee unionBy Marc Evangelista
June 8th, 2012 Daily Sundial, News The California State University Board of Trustees voted May 20 to approve a new three-year contract agreement, previously ratified by the California State University Employees Union. The agreement, which extends until June 2014, covers more than 15,000 CSU employees. The union consists of staff members throughout the 23 campuses of the CSU which include registered nurses, custodians, library assistants, information technology consultants and performing arts technicians. “There are no big changes to this new contract from the previous one except the wording,” said Hai-Ling Tang, president of the union’s Northridge chapter. “We make sure that they used better wording because the meanings can be understood in different ways.” Read More... Joe Biden leads national financial aid transparency conferenceBy Marc Evangelista
June 22nd, 2012 Daily Sundial, News Earlier this month, Vice President Joe Biden and other national leaders met with 10 colleges and universities who made a commitment to provide understandable financial data about their higher education investments. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Richard Cordray joined Press Secretary Jay Carney to call on all college and university presidents to make the commitment. Read More... |
New Metro orange line station in Chatsworth adds four miles to the bus lineBy Marc Evangelista
July 2nd, 2012 Daily Sundial, News The Metro Orange Line Extension kicked-off its grand opening Saturday with music, food, family fun and free rides from the Canoga station to the newly extended Chatsworth station. The 4-mile extension is set to offer faster travel times, improved bus connections, and better access throughout LA county. “We’re here to celebrate the expansion of the Orange Line to this Chatsworth station,” said Claudia Osorio, event staff member. “We have a lot of people here today to take part in our festivities including different vendors, booths, speakers and a special ribbon cutting.” Read More... Congress extends Stafford loan low interest rates for one yearBy Marc Evangelista
July 4th, 2012 Daily Sundial, News Congress agreed to keep federally subsidized Stafford loans at an interest rate of 3.4 percent over the next fiscal year, delaying the increase to 6.8 percent that had been scheduled for July 1. The measure, bundled in a package that included a major transportation funding bill, passed by a 74-19 vote after passing the House 373 to 52. Congress has not extended the 6-month grace period on student loan payments after graduation that college borrowers had previously enjoyed. Also, loans for graduate students will now begin accruing interest while the student is still in school. Read More... |
Gov. Brown's budget revision tightens the screws on Cal Grant
By Marc Evangelista
June 14th, 2012
Daily Sundial, News
College students receiving Cal Grants, a financial aid system for thousands in California, may be at risk as Gov. Jerry Brown looks to tie the program to the Pell Grant in his revised budget plan.
Final approval of the plan will depend on the State Legislature’s budget, due Friday.
Under Brown’s plan, if a student qualifies for half of the maximum federal award, they would qualify for only half of the maximum Cal Grant award. Students who receive the full Pell Grant would receive the full Cal Grant.
Students who currently qualify for the Cal Grant would not be affected by this revision. It would affect freshmen starting in fall 2013.
“Cal Grants are GPA oriented and have a lower family income requirement,” said Stephanie Thara, web communications specialist of the CSU Chancellor’s Office. “The Pell Grant is family oriented and takes into account various factors like family size, income and assets.”
Read More...
June 14th, 2012
Daily Sundial, News
College students receiving Cal Grants, a financial aid system for thousands in California, may be at risk as Gov. Jerry Brown looks to tie the program to the Pell Grant in his revised budget plan.
Final approval of the plan will depend on the State Legislature’s budget, due Friday.
Under Brown’s plan, if a student qualifies for half of the maximum federal award, they would qualify for only half of the maximum Cal Grant award. Students who receive the full Pell Grant would receive the full Cal Grant.
Students who currently qualify for the Cal Grant would not be affected by this revision. It would affect freshmen starting in fall 2013.
“Cal Grants are GPA oriented and have a lower family income requirement,” said Stephanie Thara, web communications specialist of the CSU Chancellor’s Office. “The Pell Grant is family oriented and takes into account various factors like family size, income and assets.”
Read More...