NSME welcomes prospective students at Future `Runner Day

CSUB’s inaugural event saw more than 1,000 admitted students

By California State University, Bakersfield

March 21^st, 2023

California State University, Bakersfield held its first-ever Future `Runner Day on Saturday, welcoming more than 1,000 high school and transfer students who have been admitted for the fall semester.

Prospective students and their families were first welcomed to campus with an opening session in the Icardo Center that included remarks from CSUB Provost Dr. Vernon Harper, a question-and-answer panel with current students and a visit from the Spirit Squad. From there, they joined tours and information sessions hosted by each of CSUB’s schools and departments.

Among the celebration’s activities were tours of the School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering, which gave students a sneak peek at what they can expect if they choose to enroll at CSUB this fall.

Four different tours of NSME’s departments covered the school’s three science buildings, the Romberg Nursing Center and the Engineering Complex. In the Fab Lab, students learned about its 3D printers and laser cutters, and in the nearby advising center, they heard from a panel of NSME students who encouraged future `Runners to get involved with research, clubs and other campus activities.

“One thing I like most about CSUB is the small class sizes,” panelist Giselle Guerrero told the prospective students. “You’re able to interact with professors more.”

Each tour also included fun interactive demonstrations, like a visit with biologist Dr. Amber Stokes and the newts she studies, an exploding gummy bear chemistry experiment with Dr. Danielle Solano and Dr. Jesse Bergkamp, and a health care-themed escape room run by nursing students.

The tours were led by current NSME students like biology major Kenya Espinoza, who wanted to volunteer her time to help her future classmates feel welcome. She remembered how overwhelming the transition from high school to college was and how she wasn’t familiar with the campus when she first started at CSUB. Being a tour guide for the event let her “help students like me.”

“I want them to feel like CSUB is a campus where they are accepted no matter their gender, ethnicity, anything,” she said. “I want to help them realize there are resources and people here who will go above and beyond for them.”

While future NSME students toured the school’s buildings and departments, their parents attended a special information session with NSME dean Dr. Jane Dong or outreach coordinator Abel Núñez-Guerrero.

“It was exciting to see so many future `Runners and their families enjoying the NSME sessions, displays and tours,” Dr. Dong said. “I heard many positive comments from students and parents about our programs, support services and opportunities. Thank you to our NSME faculty, staff and student volunteers for the great team effort. I hope many of the visiting students decide to join the `Runner family!”

As students evaluate their choices for college, Dr. Karlo Lopez —NSME’s interim associate dean — said he hopes they see NSME as a place where they can flourish. The school’s benefits go beyond the hands-on research experience and access to professors that students likely won’t get at larger schools, he said.

“More importantly, students in NSME form life-long friendships and professional collaborations that surpass their time as students,” Dr. Lopez said. “I have watched as students come in on their first day as timid freshmen and leave CSUB as independent scientists. I hope these future students were able to see themselves where their tour guides and presenters are now and where they will be once they finish their degrees.”