CSUB student selected for California Pre-Doctoral Program

Kyle Winn designated Sally Casanova Scholar, to receive $3,000 research scholarship

By California State University, Bakersfield

July 20^th, 2022

California State University, Bakersfield student Kyle Winn has been selected as a 2022-23 Sally Casanova Scholar as part of the California Pre-Doctoral Program.

Winn will receive a $3,000 scholarship that will fund a summer research experience in summer 2023 as well as help cover graduate school application fees. The program also offers one-on-one guidance provided by faculty members within the CSU as well as the opportunity to work with faculty from doctoral-granting institutions.

The goal of the program is to help students prepare for success in a doctoral program in their field of study.

“It’s a great honor,” Winn said. “I’m really excited about the summer research experience and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to work with scholars in my field.”

Around 40% of accepted Sally Casanova Scholars go on to fully funded doctoral programs across the nation, according to the university. Around 8% of current CSU faculty are former scholars.

Winn is currently pursuing his bachelor’s in history at CSUB and is on track to graduate next school year. He plans to go to law school after he graduates and would also like to get a master’s in business administration.

After graduating from those programs, he aims to get his Ph.D. in the history of law and business in Africa.

Dr. Sean Wempe, associate professor of history, has had Winn in a few of his classes and believes he is a worthy recipient of the scholarship.

“Mr. Winn is an ambitious, hard-working, highly ethical and intelligent student and would be well-suited to pursue a doctorate in law,” he said.

Winn’s research focuses on the history of public health in south Africa, specifically the spread of influenza in the early 1900s and the impact it had on mining colonies and the indigenous population.

Winn is grateful that the scholarship will give him the opportunity to continue and expand his research.

“I think it’s going to really help me develop as a scholar,” he said. “I want my research to be part of the narrative of the history of public health in South Africa.”

Winn said he’s also excited for the opportunity to connect with professors and institutions who share similar interests and is looking forward to networking sessions that will be held next school year as part of the program.

“This is a very purposeful scholarship with a lot of moving parts to it. I plan on taking advantage of it as much as possible,” he said. “It’s so cool that the CSU has a program like this for us students who are interested in research.”

Current students who are juniors, seniors, or in masters’ programs are eligible for the California Pre-Doctoral Program. The 2023-24 scholarship application cycle will open in December 2022. For more information about the program, visit the CSU website.