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Meet our scholarship recipients

Students share what the support means to them.

Por California State University, Bakersfield

05 de July de 2022

The CSUB Alumni Association recently awarded $25,000 in scholarships to 17 alumni who will be pursuing their graduate degree on campus during the 2022-2023 academic year. The funds came from investment earnings from the Alumni Scholarship Endowment established in 1990 and proceeds from fundraisers such as the CSUB Alumni Hall of Fame awards ceremony.

Our recipients include future teachers, counselors, businesspeople, social workers and more. We asked them to share, in their own words, a little more about their career plans and how the scholarship money will help them achieve their dreams.

Lisset De La Rosa

Studying: I will be starting my graduate studies in the master’s in school counseling/pupil personnel services program.

Future plans: I hope to someday become either a high school counselor or community college academic advisor to help students reach their own goals, whether it be pursuing higher education or completing a vocational program. I want to support and guide others just as I have been helped throughout my educational career. I want to be that support, mentorship, and inspire students to believe in themselves.

What the scholarship means/how it will help: The scholarship money will greatly help me as I will also be starting my teaching career in the fall. I will be a full-time teacher while completing the program, for which I will have to complete a numerous number of practicum and fieldwork hours. I will need to take time off from work to complete these hours.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I'm beyond grateful for this support! I will give it my all and am determined to reach my goals in completing the program and become an educational counselor. I aspire to help all students, and students like me (first-generation minority students), find their passion and reach their goals.

Beth Lewis

Studying: Teaching credential

Future plans: I am returning to CSUB to get my credential after years away. I deeply love English literature and despite attempts to do other things before and during the pandemic, I look at my own history with education and access and the impact that CSUB and my professors had on me... And I want to be that person. I want to have that impact and help students, especially and specifically high school students, like I was helped.

What the scholarship money means/how it will help: I cannot thank you enough for this incredibly generous gift. I have been struggling to determine how I'm going to fund the rest of my post-grad education here at CSUB, and a huge weight has just been lifted off my shoulders.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I made it through my undergrad education solely because of the support, compassion and understanding of my professors, the work that they put into me. I will repay their kindness and continue their legacy, especially that of Dr. Michael Flachmann, who showed me the kind of educator I want to be.

I had no family support in my undergrad education, but Dr. Flachmann and many others took me under their wing, gave me advice and support and the belief in my capabilities that I did not have. Coming back to CSUB has felt like coming home and I am so excited to be doing something that feels so right, and which will help the city that I have grown to love.

I promise you I will make every cent of this gift count. I will be the person I needed as a teenager, and that's in no small part because of you. Thank you.

Aaron Wan

Studying: I am continuing my master’s in business administration.

Future plans: I hope to utilize my degree and the knowledge I attain from it in my future business endeavors.

What the scholarship means/how it will help: The scholarship means a lot to me because it will allow me to enroll as a full-time student in the graduate program and help me achieve my goal of graduating in the spring of 2023.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I would like to thank all the donors who have made this scholarship possible. Opportunities like this allow students like me to further enhance my education while being able to manage my living expenses. I truly appreciate this scholarship and feel honored to have received it.

Eileen Diaz

Studying: Master’s in history

Future plans: My immediate goal is to earn a second master’s degree (an M.L.I.S. degree) and hope to become an archivist one day. But I love to help people, so if I can find a way to do that AND be involved in the discipline of history, then I will be happy.

What the scholarship means/how it will help: This scholarship means everything to me, as it will allow me to forgo student loans for the remainder of my time at CSUB, which will be a HUGE help!

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I am currently a graduate research assistant for the Historical Research Center on campus, a transcriber for the Humanity Beyond Bars Oral History Project with the Kegley Institute, a student assistant at the Graduate Student Center, and a member of the Public History Institute on campus. I am also working on my thesis, which is focusing on the Black experience in Kern County.

“Being awarded a scholarship means that someone out there believes in me and my hard work, and I will not let them down.”

Xicotencatl Rojas

Studying: My master’s degree will be in education, instruction and curriculum.

Future plans: I am going to teach next fall in the Visalia district for single subject science.

What the scholarship means/how it will help: This degree will equip me to be the best educator I can be. This money means less stress throughout my semester and will serve as a new computer for school and work. I am beyond grateful and honored to be chosen for this scholarship!

Venessa Lopez

Studying: Next academic year, I will be in my second year of study in the Master of Social Work program.

Future plans: After obtaining my MSW degree I am planning on working in child public welfare here in Kern County.

What the scholarship means/how it will help: This scholarship is a huge relief in achieving my academic success while alleviating the financial stressors of being a full-time student, as well as a single parent. Thank you again for choosing me as a recipient!

Maria Silva

Studying: I will be continuing my master's in educational counseling/pupil personnel services.

Future plans: I hope to continue helping students succeed and guide them with their future endeavors after high school. I would also like to continue with my education and pursue the doctoral program in educational leadership.

What the scholarship means/how it will help: This scholarship not only has helped have more peace of mind about paying tuition/loans but also has given me even more motivation to further my education. After I graduate, I plan on pursuing the doctoral degree and continue to work with students.

Bianca Frausto

Studying: Next academic school year I will be in the last year of my master’s in counseling psychology program. In this program we’re taught how to practice therapy along with being placed in internships in the community to begin practicing and gaining hours.

Future plans: I hope to become a marriage and family therapist in the community of Bakersfield, where I would like to work with disadvantaged individuals. I hope to eventually open up my own private practice after obtaining my professional license.

What the scholarship means/how it will help: This scholarship means so much me. As a first-generation college student in a graduate program, I will be struggling to pay my tuition for the next school year; with this scholarship it will be one less thing to worry about. Thank you so much for choosing me as one of your recipients.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I just ended my last year of eligibility for Track and Field at CSUB, where I have had the opportunity to represent the school. I also have provided low-cost therapy to individuals in the community. I believe being both a graduate student and athlete showcases my ability to be resilient and persevere through barriers. I am honored to be a Roadrunner and enjoy representing this university whenever I can. Go `Runners!

“I want to thank the people who make this financial aid possible because without this scholarship, many students would be struggling for money to pay for classes.”

Loren Gillilan

Studying: I am pursuing my master's in business.

Future plans: In the future, I would ultimately love to be a successful digital marketing specialist as well as have my own side business.

What the scholarship means/how it will help: This scholarship will directly affect my funding for my master’s degree. My master’s degree is helping achieve my future goals. This scholarship has a direct link to helping me achieve my full potential and will let me be capable of properly achieving my goals.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I am grateful for this generous donation and commit to reach my full potential due to the difference this scholarship has made on my studies.

Celeste Barrientos

Future plans: I plan to become a licensed clinical social worker and provide services to clients in the specialty mental health field. The plan is to assist clients by reducing their mental health barriers to become productive citizens within our communities. I aim to work in a field where I can aid individuals by providing them with second chances through resources. I want to help others that may be struggling with their mental health understand that there are people that care and there is hope for rehabilitation.

What the scholarship means/how it will help: Obtaining a scholarship will help me purchase books or aid with other necessities I may need for school. A scholarship will allow me to focus on my homework rather than trying to figure out how I am going to purchase a textbook. Being awarded a scholarship means that someone out there believes in me and my hard work, and I will not let them down.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

Thank you, thank you for believing in me. My goal is to one day return this aid to another student once I become an accomplished licensed clinical social worker. As a first-generation female student, please know that scholarships assist a student like me financially and with a sense of emotional support. I am grateful to be a recipient of a scholarship.

Hannah Banks

Studying: I am enrolled in the MBA program and will graduate in the spring of 2023.

Future plans: I’m not quite sure what I want to do with my degree specifically, but I would love to stay in sports marketing. Either working for a college or a professional team.

What the scholarship money means/how it will help:

The scholarship money gives me the opportunity to focus more on my schoolwork and current position at work without worrying how I will afford things.

Xiomara Hernandez

Studying: Pursuing a teaching credential

Future plans: l am studying to become a teacher. I am currently working on my credential. I hope to be done in the fall of 2022 or the spring of 2023. After I am done with my credentials, I still want to pursue my education. I am thinking about either working on a master’s degree or applying for the bilingual added authorization program in Spanish.

What the scholarship money means/how it will help:

The grant has allowed me to enroll in the next semester. I maxed out of financial aid last semester. From this semester forward, I do have to pay tuition out of pocket. Thanks to your grant, I can now worry less about my expenses and be able to afford coming to school next semester.

Next semester is going to be tough on me financially because not only will I need to pay tuition out of pocket, but I have to attend an elementary school every day for 60 days without being paid, and gas prices are really high. Based on my calculation, I think I will spend $100 a week for gas alone, if gas prices continue to be this high. $I00 a week for 12 weeks is a minimum of $1,200. I will not be able to work since I can't substitute since I have to attend school. I know that it might be a challenge, but in the long run all the sacrifices will be worth it.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I am first generation. My mom is Mexican, my father is Salvadoran. My dad has worked several jobs including construction and agriculture. My mom is a stay-at-home mom. I am the eldest of my siblings. I have three younger sisters, and three younger brothers.

For me, education is important, and I want to be a role model to all of them, that we can accomplish goals when we set our minds to it. l was the first one in my family to receive an associate, and a bachelor's degree, and I'm proud to make my parents happy. All of my family has contributed and supported me with my education, which is something I am truly grateful for. I want to thank my donors, I am truly thankful, that I honestly don't even have words, I can't even explain how grateful I am. I want to thank my donors for helping me pay my school expenses and supporting my dreams and goals of pursuing my education.

Esmeralda Ramirez

Studying: I am studying for a master’s degree in Spanish.

Future plans: With my CSUB graduate degree, I want to work as a Spanish teacher in a high school or if possible in a college or university.

What the scholarship money means/how it will help: The money from this scholarship means a lot to me because it will help me pay part of my studies and thus gradually reach my goal.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I want to thank the people who make this financial aid possible because without this scholarship, many students would be struggling for money to pay for classes. I also want to thank my parents and sisters because they are my main support and motivation.

Elizabeth Orozco

Studying: I will be in my second year of the Master of Social Work program.

Future plans: I hope to finish the program by spring 2024. Once I graduate, I plan to start completing the hours required to become a licensed clinical social worker.

What the scholarship money means/how it will help: The money means a lot to me; it will be a huge help with purchasing the required books needed for next year.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

Thank you to the Alumni Association for this opportunity! I am very appreciative of this 😊

Alexandria Carino

Studying: I will be completing a second bachelor’s in nursing.

Future plans: I plan on becoming a NICU or postpartum/labor and delivery nurse at UC San Diego.

What the scholarship money means/how it will help: The scholarship money helps me greatly in my final year of the program. It will go toward my nursing course books, programs to help me study for the NCLEX, a nursing licensure exam.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I would like to thank the Alumni Association for their generosity and support. Thanks to the Alumni Association scholarship, my goals are within reach.

Cody Hurt

Studying: I will be studying biology (general) in Dr. Hall's Wildlife Ecology Lab.

Future plans: When I graduate, I hope to work as environmental scientist for the State of California.

What the scholarship money means/how it will help: The scholarship money allows me more time to focus on my thesis and to answer more questions other students may have about the CSUB biology master's program. It will also allow me to gain more hands-on experience with different surveying techniques.