Downey resident named pre-doctoral scholar

LONG BEACH - Nine students at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) have been named Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Scholars for the 2010-11 academic year, including Daisy Flores of Downey.The one-time award includes $3,000 in funding support, which each scholar will use for specific activities that will help him/her become strong candidates for doctoral programs. Designed to increase the number of potential college faculty, the pre-doctoral program supports the doctoral aspirations of California State University (CSU) students who have experienced economic and educational disadvantages. Students chosen for this honor are designated Sally Casanova Scholars as a tribute to Casanova, a CSU administrator who died in 1994. Flores, a graduate student in biology who expects to finish her master's degree this fall, plans to enter into a doctoral program in fall 2011 with a focus on studying plant molecular genetics. Her faculty sponsor for the pre-doctoral program is Judy A. Brusslan, CSULB professor of biological sciences. This year's other Sally Casanova Scholars from CSULB (and their intended discipline of study) include: Graduate students Jaime Alvarez (political science - comparative and theory); Jinaé Bartlett (biology); Kimberly Felix (sociology); Andrew Kretz (education); and Ruth Rubio Rodriguez (19th and 20th century Latin American literature). There were also two undergraduate student recipients - Erendira Aldana (psychology) and Khuyen Nguyen (cognitive psychology). "We are extremely proud of these scholars and their achievements. They all deserve to be part of this unique opportunity and receive the guidance and financial help that many students need in preparing for and applying to doctoral programs," said Cecile Lindsay, vice provost for academic affairs and dean of graduate studies. "Our hope is that when they complete their degrees, they return to The Beach or another CSU campus to teach." Each scholar works closely with a CSU faculty sponsor to develop an overall plan leading to enrollment in a doctoral program that is tailored to the student's individual career and educational goals. The program places a special emphasis on increasing the number of CSU students who enter doctoral programs at University of California (UC) campuses with the goal of students returning to a CSU campus as a new faculty member. Some of the activities the scholars will be involved with (which are specified in the plan and undertaken during the award year), include the preparation of graduate school applications and visits, and attendance at professional conferences. Other activities include summer research internship programs at doctoral-granting institutions, travel to national symposia or professional meetings in their chosen field, as well as membership in professional organizations. Now in its 21st year, the California Pre-Doctoral Program has had more than 1,000 scholars participate in the program to date.

********** Published: September 16, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 22