The best advertisement for CSUB? For Randi Hilton, who will graduate on Dec. 11, it was while she was a child of 7 or 8, watching her mother go through the kinesiology program. When the time came to follow in her mother’s footsteps, she did so – literally.
“We both owe many thanks to the CSUB kinesiology department and the more than caring professors who have made a difference in our lives, as we pursued our higher education,” said Stacey Rodriguez, Randi’s mom. “As mother and daughter, how lucky are we to share this unique connection.”
A transfer student from Bakersfield College, Hilton knew in high school she wanted to work with students with special needs but didn’t want to limit herself to teaching. She also wanted to educate people on the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
The problem: BC doesn’t have kinesiology studies, so she was placed in child development.
But with the help of CSUB professor Dr. Jeff Moffit, who was also one of her mom’s professors, Hilton was able to find out what credits she needed to transfer to CSUB with the ultimate goal of becoming an occupational therapist.
“While Randi is the first child of a former student I have had take my classes, there are now a second and third currently in our program,” Moffit said. “I foresee this becoming a trend. I believe students in our program receive a great education and genuine, caring support from faculty.
“Whenever students bring their children, I always make a comment to them to remember that when it’s time to go to college, they should be like their parent and come to CSUB.”
Rodriguez started her own college journey at CSU Northridge in 1986 as a dance major, under the kinesiology department, rather than fine arts.
In 1992, with only one semester left at CSUN, Rodriguez moved to Bakersfield and decided to put the pursuit of her degree on hold to got married and start a family. But after losing her management job in 2004, she decided she was ready to go back to school and finish her degree.
Hilton remembers being 7 or 8 when her mom started her journey at CSUB and tagging along with her mother to campus.
“Being able to have professors that my mom had when she was in the department has been pretty cool,” Hilton said.
Rodriguez agreed.
“I felt a huge sense of pride when Randi approached me and shared her decision to transfer to CSUB and complete her OT degree through the kinesiology major. I was even more happy that she was going to receive her learning with two of the professors that I admire and appreciate from my degree experience.”
Although Hilton didn’t get married or start a family while going to school, like her mom, she had her challenges, like the need to work full time, which delayed her degree, she said.
“I’m thankful that I’ve been able to work because I have that work experience and I’ve learned a lot from that,” said Hilton of her time working at Terrio Kids Therapy as an early interventionist.
Hilton is also the head color guard coach at Mountain View Middle School, growing the program to 45 students.
And on top of that packed schedule, Hilton has interned at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital, observing and learning from occupational therapists, also graduates of the CSUB kinesiology program.
But now is the time to savor her accomplishments. As commencement approaches, Hilton is excited.
“It is a proud moment for myself because, looking back, it’s been a long journey,” Hilton said.
“I am honored that Randi will be walking the stage in the December graduation,” Rodriguez said. “I, too, walked the stage in the December ceremony in the Icardo Center upon my credential completion.”
Hilton’s biggest takeaway from the program is the need to educate other people.
“Not a lot of people understand how important it is what you’re putting into your body or what you’re doing on a daily basis to help themselves live a better and healthier lifestyle overall,” Hilton said.
She credits finding a study group and connecting with people in her classes for helping her through the program. Hilton met someone her very first semester on campus in anatomy lab, and they’ve had almost every class together since.
“They really care about what professions you’re going into. They all really want you to be successful and they’ve all kind of impacted me in a way, and I feel like a lot of the stuff I have learned – I can relate this to my life, as well as educate others and I feel like that’s going to stay with me forever.”
As for Hilton’s next step, she’s applying to grad schools and enjoying the professional connection she has with her mom.
“It has been very special to discuss coursework and experiences with each other – something that not many mothers and daughters get to do,” Rodriguez said.
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