A graduate ready to serve

Madelyn Gaines to volunteer in Peace Corps after graduating with two degrees

By California State University, Bakersfield

May 5^th, 2023

Madelyn Gaines didn’t intend to major in religious studies when she first came to California State University, Bakersfield in 2019.

She originally planned to pursue a biology degree. However, after realizing it wasn’t a good fit for her, she switched her major to psychology and took a religious studies course to try it out. That decision ended up significantly altering her journey at CSUB.

“It just really opened my mind to the world in more ways than any of my other classes,” she said.

And that decision has set her on a path that will lead her to a Peace Corp posting in Morocco starting this fall and eventually to Harvard Divinity School.

Gaines first thought she would minor in religious studies. However, she realized after taking four classes that she wanted to take more and that it would make more sense to go on a double major track.

Now, she will be graduating in May with bachelor’s degrees in both religious studies and psychology despite having only been at CSUB for four years.

“I’m so excited to graduate, but it’s really bittersweet because I’ve really had a great time,” she said. “CSUB has really surprised me with the opportunities here. I think it is very underrated.”

Gaines, 22, has enjoyed her experience with religious studies because it gave her the opportunity to not only learn about different religions but also how they factor into the perpetuation of war and social injustice.

“I like looking at how religion impacts our lives, how it intersects with so many different dimensions of our lives in ways we’re not always aware of,” she said. “I was never very religious growing up, but a lot of important people in my life are religious, so it had more of a personal aspect for me.”

Gaines’ father, Justin, is looking forward to seeing her graduate next month.

“It’s a great accomplishment. She put in a lot of hard work and took a lot of pride in her work,” he said. “I’m extremely proud of her.”

‘A life-changing opportunity’

Gaines will soon put what she has learned at CSUB to practice, as she has been selected for a position in the Peace Corps. She will begin a two-year placement this September in Morocco, Africa, during which she will be working with adolescent girls.

“I am terrified but extremely enthusiastic to go,” she said. “It’s really scary being by myself, but I feel like I’m ready for it. I know it’ll be a life-changing opportunity.”

Gaines has been admitted to Harvard Divinity School in Massachusetts and was intending to begin a Master of Theological Studies program this fall after graduating from CSUB. However, she decided to join the Peace Corps to get some real-world experience.

Justin Gaines was concerned about his only child being away from home for such a long time. Although he was resistant at first, he did some research about Morocco and the Peace Corps and eventually warmed up to the idea.

“She’s a caring and loving person who loves helping people,” he said. “I’m really proud of her for wanting to do this, for wanting to make a difference in the world. It’s an exciting period in her life.”

One of the aspects of the service Gaines is most looking forward to is gaining a better understanding of the Muslim culture in Morocco. She will be staying with a host family for the first few months, which she hopes will be a good opportunity to gain a better sense of the culture and customs of the region.

“I hope that will help me get adjusted to the customs they have there,” she said.

Gaines believes her religious studies classes have prepared her well for her upcoming service.

“Religious studies has really taught me and encouraged me to learn about breaking boundaries and the importance of freedom in everyday life,” she said. “For me, education has been my path to freedom and creating a new life for myself, doing the things my mom and dad didn’t get to do when they were my age.”

Harvard Divinity School has placed Gaines on deferred admittance so that she can begin the master’s program once she has completed her Peace Corps service.

Gaines never imagined she would actually be able to attend an elite institution like Harvard Divinity School. However, she decided to apply after visiting the school last fall as part of its Diversity and Explorations Program and loving her time there.

“It’s something I never thought I would even be able to think about, so this is a really exciting time for me. It’s still sinking in,” she said.

Madelyn Gaines visited Verseilles during a faculty-led trip to France last year.

A busy schedule

While Gaines is excited about the future, she is also sad to be leaving CSUB. She has really enjoyed her experiences at the university, including participating in a faculty-led trip to Paris last summer.

The 10-day trip was funded by the Dennis and Anne Beaver Foundation as part of a $51,500 donation to the university for the Beaver Family French Scholarship Fund. It was CSUB's first-ever faculty-led trip to France.

The trip served as an inspiration to the 10 students who participated, including Gaines. It helped her gain more confidence about the new direction her life was taking.

“Getting to spend 10 days in a new country opens up your worldview. You get to see a whole other culture,” she said. “Doing the trip has made me more comfortable about going to Morocco.”

Another highlight of Gaines’ time at CSUB has been being a mentee in the `Runner Alumni Mentor Program. President Lynnette Zelezny herself has been Gaines’ mentor.

Through their monthly meetings, Gaines said the president has given her great advice on what her next steps should be after graduating from CSUB and has even written grad school recommendations for her.

“This program was my first time meeting her, so it’s been great,” Gaines said. “She’s really been an amazing support for me. She’s always there to talk when I need it.”

Outside of school, work has also been keeping Gaines busy. She has been a tutor on campus this senior year and also has a part-time job as a behavior technician for California Spectrum Services in which she works with 2- and 3-year-olds who are on the autism spectrum.

As part of her work, Gaines visits the homes of children who are having behavioral issues and works with them to develop their cognitive, language and motor skills.

“I’m trained to help redirect their behaviors into something more positive,” she said. “Oftentimes they lash out because they have a hard time communicating. I work with a lot of nonverbal kids, so a huge part of my job is teaching them how to communicate, whether it’s by pointing at something or doing sign language.”

Gaines said the work can be difficult at times, but she ultimately finds it to be very rewarding.

“It’s so fulfilling seeing the kids grow every day,” she said. “Every time I work with them, they’re learning things, and having parents later tell me how much they’ve improved is great. It’s definitely the best job I’ve ever had.”

An 'impressive' transformation

Gaines believes all of her experiences at CSUB have allowed her to grow and significantly develop her skills in ways she never imagined.

“I’ve seen myself grow since I was a freshman,” she said. “Looking back, it’s been really rewarding to see how I’ve changed.”

Gaines credits her religious studies courses for being an integral part of that growth by expanding her worldview.

“I don’t think I understood the way the world worked before in terms of oppression, how it transcends institutions and education,” she said. “It’s made me learn and be more self-aware of how social injustice has transformed over time.”

While Gaines is ready for what the future brings, she will always look fondly on her time at CSUB and appreciate how much it changed the trajectory of her career path.

“I think I got more than what I was looking for at CSUB,” she said. “I think if I went to another institution, I wouldn’t have had the experience I’ve had here. I wouldn’t have transformed like I’ve had here. It’s been a great experience.”

Gaines would eventually like to become a religious studies professor, but she is also interested in social work and helping people from underserved communities.