DOWNEY - Jessica Arizaga, of Downey, was among nine students at Cal State Long Beach (CSULB) to be named a Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Scholar for the 2009-10 academic year.The honor includes a $3,000 cash award that 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 award are designated Sally Casanova Scholars as a tribute to Casanova, a CSU administrator who died in 1994. Arizaga was one of just two undergraduate students among the nine CSULB recipients. The senior is planning to to pursue a doctoral degree in clinical 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 that they return to The Beach or another CSU campus to teach." As part of the application process, Arizaga has already worked closely with her faculty sponsor to develop an overall plan that she will follow starting this fall to increase her acceptance chances into a doctoral program. The plan is tailored to Arizaga's specific goals and educational objectives. Activities the scholars will do in the program, which are specified in their respective plans and are 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. The pre-doctoral program places a special emphasis on increasing the number of CSU students who enter doctoral programs at University of California (UC) campuses. CSU and UC faculty members are an integral component of this program as they work closely with scholars to prepare them for graduate studies. Announcements and application forms for the program are circulated in early December through the office of each CSU campus pre-doctoral program. Eligibility is limited to junior, senior and graduate students enrolled in a degree program at any one of the CSU campuses at the time of the application. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

********** Published: July 24, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 14