California State University, Bakersfield student Susan Rodriguez has been selected for the 2021-22 California Pre-Doctoral Program Sally Casanova Scholars.
Rodriguez will receive a $3,000 research scholarship and one-on-one guidance provided by faculty members within the CSU, as well as the opportunity to work with faculty from doctoral-granting institutions.
To date, 2,333 students have received this prestigious award, many of them were from CSUB, according to Dr. Luis Vega, interim associate dean of graduate and undergraduate studies and CSUB coordinator of the program.
“We have a record of excellence in sponsoring Sally Casanova Scholars, many of whom are now in doctoral programs, many others who are now CSU professors,” he said. "The program is particularly beneficial for students who are first-generation students, who are underrepresented in the faculty of the university, who come from modest economic means, and who otherwise would not pursue a job as a professor.”
Around 40% of accepted scholars go on to fully funded doctoral programs across the nation, Dr. Vega said. On average, since 2015, 12 scholars have been admitted to Ph.D. programs at the University of California campuses. Around 8 % of current CSU faculty are former scholars.
Rodriguez's research examines the role of suicide in countries as portrayed in their respective national literature. She is investigating the political, religious and social movements in countries that have shifted the literature portrayals of suicide from a tragic and romantic notion of individual psychological distress to one of selfless acts interpreted as heroic, patriotic, or rebellious for a greater cause.
Furthermore, she examines the similarities and differences observed in national storytelling through literature amongst countries with and without a history of colonization. Altogether, Rodriguez hopes to gain a better understanding of the relationship between culture and suicide, and literature and society.
“Were it not for Dr. Merry Pawloswski inspiring my research interest in literature, I would not have thought of applying to graduate school. Because of her, I am now pursuing a master’s degree at CSU Fullerton," she said. "I will pursue a doctoral degree and my hope is to come back and be a professor, perhaps here at CSU Bakersfield, my undergraduate alma matter."
Three CSUB students also received honorable mentions, and they will also explore graduate opportunities and resources by participating in numerous workshops offered by the California Forums for Diversity in Graduate Education, all sponsored by the Sally Casanova scholarship.
Planned by a consortium of public and private colleges and universities from throughout California, these diversity forums are designed to meet the needs of advanced undergraduates and master's candidates who belong to groups that are currently underrepresented in doctoral-level programs.
Here are this year's honorable mentions: