Wolfson Scholar Nominee
and Outstanding Undergraduate Student, Kinesiology
Cheyenne Spencer will graduate this summer with her Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology with a dance emphasis. She credits the growth in intellect, artistry and confidence she has experienced during the past four years to the opportunities CSUN has granted her. Throughout her undergraduate experience she has played an active role in the dance department as both a dancer and choreographer in the biannual dance concerts and has also been able to represent the university off-campus by performing at two psychological conferences.
Cheyenne is passionate about the beauty in the abilities of the human body and expresses that through dance and working as a certified Pilates instructor. She is deeply interested in rehabilitation and the ways in which art and science can combine to facilitate healing. Her plans after graduation include obtaining her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree with a specialty in neurological therapy and then obtaining her PhD in rehabilitation.
Throughout her career she hopes to work in a variety of settings as well as opening her own physical therapy practice, conducting research, and teaching. Above all, she plans to never stop learning and to help as many people as possible. Cheyenne says she feels very blessed that throughout her time at CSUN she has been able to simultaneously grow and nurture both the academic and artistic sides of herself and she believes that it has prepared her to approach any future opportunities with a mindset of endless possibility. She says she has a feeling of great fulfillment when reflecting on her undergraduate experience and will forever cherish the personal connections she has made with friends and mentors who have unconditionally supported her throughout this journey. Read our feature story about Cheyenne's research.
The Wolfson Scholar Award is presented each year in memory of CSUN’s first vice president, Leo Wolfson. The student who is selected to receive this award must have an exceptional academic record and must have made significant contributions to CSUN or to the community through co- and extra- curricular activities. Each college presents nominees to the university. Cheyenne was the 2014 candidate nominated by the College of Health and Human Development.
Child and Adolescent Development
Outstanding Undergraduate Student
Catherine "Cat" Placencia transferred to CSUN as a junior and specifically chose the Bachelor of Arts program in Child and Adolescent Development as her major to lay a foundation for a career as an elementary school teacher to lead to her ultimate goal of teaching college students who are preparing to be teachers or college counselors.
Cat has become highly immersed in the campus community. She is a founding member of and leader in the new student organization, $mart $penders – a registered student club where students learn and share ways to spend money wisely through saving, budgeting, couponing and by gaining an awareness of resources necessary for financial success.
In addition, Cat is an active member of the Child and Adolescent Development Association (CADA) and Tau Sigma – a national honors society serving transfer students. Cat also proudly serves as a University Ambassador volunteer, giving campus tours and participating in student outreach and recruitment events. She has been an integral part of the recently developed Peer Mentoring Program in the Department of Child and Adolescent Development. The group assists freshman, sophomore and new transfer students in making the transition to university life. She has also developed high-level research skills in her work with Drs. Virginia Huynh and Emily Russell to make her a competitive candidate for competitive master’s and doctoral programs.
Communication Disorders and Sciences
Outstanding Graduate Student
Vicki Chia Hui Lin graduated from CSUN with her Master of Science in Communication Disorders last semester with a GPA of 4.0. Vicki came to the US from Taiwan at the age of 18 to go to college. In this country alone with little financial or emotional support, she encountered a language barrier, discrimination, and financial difficulties. She worked nights and weekends to put herself through UCLA, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics and Psychology and a minor in Teaching English as a Second Language. She worked through graduate school and volunteered as the Graduate Student Representative to the Advisory Committee of California Speech Language and Hearing Association (CSHA) District 7 and participated in the organization’s events for Youth Who Stutter, Their Families & SLPs as well as the CSUN Intensive Communication Workshop for Individuals with Aphasia. At CSUN, Vicki received several scholarships including the Honors Society of Phi Kappa Phi Exceptional Academic Scholarship; the After-College Speech Language Pathology Student Scholarship; the California Speech Language and Hearing Association’s (CSHA) Outstanding Student Award; the Dr. James W. Cleary and Mary Cleary Honorary Scholarship; and the department’s Ruth Forman and Ruth Rothman Scholarships. Vicki already has two publications and is interested in getting a PhD. She will do a Clinical Fellowship at Kaiser Permanente.
Communication Disorders and Sciences
Outstanding Undergraduate Student
Sheelah Peterson is a senior, graduating this semester. She starts the Master’s in Communication Disorders at CSUN this fall. She is a member of the California Speech Language and Hearing Association (CSHA) and the National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association (NSSLHA), which awarded her a 2013 Member Honors. Sheelah served as a Board Member of the CSUN chapter of NSSLHA and as a co-philanthropist chair. Under her leadership, the chapter sponsored the More Like You Than Not Event on campus last October that featured guest presenters Larry Bissonette and Tracy Thresher, stars of the critically acclaimed documentary Wretches and Jabberers. Sheelah and her co-chair also appeared on the online show Autism Live with the goal of educating the public about autism spectrum disorders and also attended an alumni autism panel event. Sheelah has been involved in Emergency Preparedness Expo, the laryngectomy support group and fundraisers for Small Steps in Speech. She also participated in the department’s August Boot Camp event for graduate students to learn from professional Speech Language Pathologists. For the last two years Sheelah has worked as an office assistant at the CSUN Language Speech and Hearing Center.
Environmental and Occupational Health
Outstanding Graduate Student
Nolberto Colon-Droz was born in Puerto Rico and moved to Los Angeles at the age of eight. The son of an elementary school teacher, Nolberto has always been a hard worker—studious and disciplined toward his education. At a young age Nolberto developed an interest in the sciences and Environmental and Occupational Health. He will be the first in his family to earn a Master’s degree.
Nolberto earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Science with a concentration in Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation, from CSU Fullerton. As an undergraduate he was member of the Biology Club was an officer on the club board. He graduated with recognition from the dean for academic achievement. During his three years at CSUN, he has been a member of the Environmental and Occupational Health Student Association and has participated in several community clean up activities. Nolberto is committed to his education and career and is a member of several organizations, including the National Environmental Health Association, the California Environmental Health Association, and the Southern California American Industrial Hygiene Association. Future career goals include becoming a Registered Environmental Health Specialist and a professor so that he can share his joy for the field of environmental health.
Environmental and Occupational Health
Outstanding Undergraduate Student
Andrew Dennis grew up in Van Nuys and graduated from Crespi High School, with honors, in 2004. He was also a member of the California Scholarship Federation. Unsure of his post-high school plans, Andrew began working for UPS where he has been employed for the past 10 years. He attended Los Angeles Pierce College part-time and earned an AA degree in Criminal Justice. After transferring to CSUN, he enrolled in a GE course in Environmental and Occupational Health. It was at this moment that everything clicked and fell into place.
During his time with UPS, Andrew had cultivated a personal understanding and unique appreciation of the importance of safety in the work environment. He decided to combine this knowledge with his interest in detective work to pursue a career in Environmental Health and Safety. He plans to complete his internship this summer with the County of Ventura Environmental Health Division and will graduate with University Honors, Cum Laude.
Family and Consumer Sciences
Outstanding Graduate Student
Michele Christopher is completing her Master of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences with a focus on Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Science. As a student Michele participated in a Housing and Urban Development grant, through the Marilyn Magaram Center for Food Science, Nutrition and Dietetics; to combat childhood obesity. The project for her culminating experience developed from this grant. The project consisted of the development, implementation, and evaluation of a curriculum to teach gardening to elementary school children in Van Nuys. Michele also participated as a lead research assistant and project coordinator for a bone health study with faculty in FCS. She served as president of Kappa Omicron Nu, the honors society for FCS (and Kinesiology) this past year and served as Vice-President of the Student Dietetic and Food Science Association the previous year, and she was a laboratory assistant for the various food science courses in the program. Moving forward, Michele has been selected to complete her dietetic internship at the Veteran's Affairs Hospital in Los Angeles.
Family and Consumer Sciences
Outstanding Undergraduate Student
Annette M. Holland was a returning student whose academic journey has taken her many miles away from her home in northern California. Each week she traveled far from her husband and family in Bishop to come to classes at CSUN. Her driving marathons demonstrated her dedication to her educational goal of earning her Bachelor’s Degree in the Family and Consumer Sciences Apparel Design and Merchandising program, as did her taking an unpaid leave from her job as a school teacher so that she could finish her studies. Inspired by her love of sewing, she continues to create and inspire those around her to be better than they think they can be. Annette has a deep passion and commitment to her teaching. She takes the lead where there are opportunities and even arranged for her students from Bishop to come down to visit the CSUN campus. After a university tour, Annette took the time to give her students a personalized tour of the Fashion District in downtown Los Angeles. Some of these students may come to CSUN one day because Annette invited them here.
Health Sciences
Outstanding Graduate Students
Mayra Morales is a Master’s of Public Health student with a GPA of 3.83. Her academic diligence and involvement in the community began in her undergraduate years at CSUN, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Health Promotion. With a goal of improving the health of the most vulnerable individuals and communities, Mayra has served as a research assistant for projects related to obesity, physical activity, and maternal and child health; she has served as a student health educator for the Peaceful Playgrounds Physical Activity Intervention, and helped implement a recess-time physical activity program at local elementary schools. She has been an educator in a study aimed at measuring the impact of telephone-based breastfeeding education and support for of low-income, Latina mothers. Through collaboration with students from the Nutrition and Dietetics program in Family and Consumer Sciences, she promoted nutrition and sustainable gardening practices and disease prevention in a small village in the Dominican Republic. A fellowship with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Public Health Associate’s Program for the Office for State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Support (OSTLTS) has led to her working the local level on a two year assignment with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. At the conclusion of her fellowship, Mayra will apply for a permanent position with the CDC.
Health Sciences
Outstanding Graduate Students
Daniel Nimoy is a Master of Science, Health Administration student. He completed his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology at Sonoma State University. As a collegiate baseball player, he was awarded CCAA conference all academic upon graduation. In the summer of 2010, he began as an intern at Providence Holy Cross Tarzana. At the start of his first semester in the Master of Science in Health Administration at CSUN, Daniel began an internship at UCLA Ronald Reagan Hospital in the Patient Affairs Department. Post internship, he was offered an assistant position within one of the outpatient clinics in the UCLA Health System. Currently he has remained within the UCLA Health System and now serves as the Clinic Manager for their Dermatology Department. Upon graduation and completion of his degree this spring, he has accepted an Administrative Fellowship position, set to begin in July, with the Sharp Healthcare System.
Health Sciences
Outstanding Undergraduate Students
Luke Fisher, a Health Administration undergraduate, was offered a generous scholarship to the University of Arizona and planned to study biochemistry, but a desire to travel and take some time to find out exactly what he wanted to do in life led Luke to enlist in the US Navy to serve a 4 year contract on Active Duty. Luke excelled in the Navy, training in aviation electronics. He was quickly promoted to the rank of Petty Officer, Third Class, spending his last year in the Navy aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan.
Luke received his honorable discharge from the Navy in May of 2011 and came to CSUN, changing his major from biochemistry to Health Administration. He had enjoyed working with fellow students as part of a committee to create new guidelines of professionalism for the program. He applied to several Master’s of Health Administration across the country and is excited about his future as a healthcare administrator. He has plans to receive a commission as a Naval Healthcare Administration officer after obtaining his master’s. Luke is passionate about the business of healthcare and sees the changes taking place with the Affordable Care Act as an exciting time of opportunity for young people entering the field. He hopes to use his knowledge and talents to improve the healthcare that his fellow service men and women receive in Navy Hospitals.
Health Sciences
Outstanding Undergraduate Students
Jessica Umphlett is a student of Public Health Policy, an excellent scholar, applied and committed student, respectful, a strong team player, appreciative of help and guidance, and very eager to put her new health education skills and abilities to work. While maintaining her 3.8 GPA, Jessica demonstrates great enthusiasm in her courses and was thrilled to begin her internship at Kaiser Permanente where she has flourished. In addition to the internship, she works at the CSUN Student Recreation Center as a health and safety instructor in the aquatics program. She has trained and supervised lifeguards and has implemented CPR training sessions for the SRC staff. Jessica has also been the recipient of a scholarship from the Santa Barbara Scholarship Foundation and has received funding each year based on her academic achievements. Jessica plans to continue her studies in public health in the CSUN Master’s of Public Health program.
Health Sciences
Outstanding Undergraduate Students
Christopher Sosa is a graduating senior in the Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences program in the Department of Health Sciences. He has gained over 1,500 hours of hands-on clinical care internship experiences.
Within the scope of his professionally based activities on campus he is a member of the Radiologic Technology Student Association. Beyond his curricular activities, his community involvement includes working as an activity coordinator of the Cohasset Street Outreach program; serving as a Leader in the Music Ministry for Hope Chapel of the Valley and participation in annual Thanksgiving and Christmas drives in the area.
Because of his demonstrated academic and clinical excellence, Christopher was a recipient of the Judge Julian Beck Outstanding Senior Scholarship in the Department of Health Sciences. The faculty of the Radiologic Sciences program were unanimous in presenting Dean Sylvia A. Alva, College of Health and Human Development, with their nomination of Christopher for this prestigious award.
Kinesiology
Outstanding Graduate Student
Byron Lai is a clinical research coordinator and supervisor in the Kinesiology Department at the Center of Achievement through Adapted Physical Activity, which provides internationally recognized land- and aquatic-based exercise programs for people with special needs. His responsibilities include the design and management of therapeutic exercise programs and assisting fellow graduate peers with the development, presentation, and collection of external funding for their thesis projects. While pursuing his master’s degree and serving as a teaching associate and lecturer for the Kinesiology department, Byron has received awards such as the California Pre-Doctoral Scholarship, the Graduate Equity Fellowship Program, and a first place oral and third place poster presentation at the CSUN Annual Student Research Competition. Byron has been accepted to the Doctoral Program of Rehabilitation Science at the University of Alabama, at Birmingham, which he will begin in fall 2014. Byron’s primary research interests focus on exercise physiology in relation to the prevention of secondary conditions associated with a disability and addressing the personal, environmental and sociological barriers experienced by people with special needs with regard to participation in exercise and fitness programs.
Kinesiology
Outstanding Undergraduate Student
Shannon Azizi was a track and field athlete at Glendale Community College when she discovered her passion for Athletic Training. After transferring to CSUN, she performed 1,000 hours of observation while simultaneously volunteering at Providence Saint Joseph’s Medical Center and has completed rotations at Southern California Orthopedic Institute, Saint Francis High School, University of Southern California and the CSUN Athletic Training facilities. She has earned a 3.72 GPA while also working two jobs and has steadily volunteered as an instructor for the Diabetes Prevention Program in Pasadena, the 100 Citizens Senior Citizen fitness Program in San Fernando, as medical staff for the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Championship, the annual St. Francis High School Sports Medicine Competition and Staples Center High School Sports Seminar. She has performed an internship at Landswick Physical Therapy and has memberships with the CSUN Kinesiology Club, the Tau Sigma Honors Society, and is President of the Athletic Training Club. Last year, she co-presented research at regional and national Athletic Training conferences. Shannon plans to pursue her teaching credentials and Master’s in Sport Pedagogy at Baylor University while serving a graduate assistantship as the head athletic trainer at a local high school. Next, she plans to pursue her doctorate.
Kinesiology Undergraduate Cheyenne Spencer has the rare distinction of Outstanding Undergraduate Student and Wolfson Scholar Nominee. Her bio appears at the top of this post.
Nursing
Outstanding Undergraduate Student
Violet Manary graduates from the Nursing program (RN to BSN) this Spring with a GPA of 3.76. She is a great example of a working student who has dedicated herself to continuing her education and training and following her dream. This is what she had to say about her journey.
“I was born in Cebu, Philippines. I grew up poor, or today you would say of humble beginnings. I grew up wanting to be a nurse but my mother and father struggled to support a family of one son and three daughters. I was the youngest. My family could not afford nursing school so I settled initially and was grateful to get a working scholarship and complete a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, but the dream to be a nurse persisted in my heart.
“I came to the United States, then got married, worked, and had two beautiful daughters but the dream to be a nurse continued. Along with working full time and raising a family, I went to Los Angeles Pierce College and graduated with an Associate Degree in Nursing in August 2009. I was thrilled when I was accepted to CSUN’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Again, I continued to work full-time, and raise my family, but with hard work, determination, and great support from my family, work, school, classmates, and colleagues, I am realizing my dream to become a nurse. Both of my parents are deceased, but I am sure they are proud of me and my family is proud of me.”
Physical Therapy
Outstanding Graduate Student
Rebecca Douglass, a Master’s of Physical Therapy candidate, is an active member of CSUN Physical Therapy Class 56. She has been an outstanding student both in the classroom and in the community. Rebecca was part of the International Physical Therapy class which traveled to Vietnam and Cambodia in January, 2014 to volunteer at a local orthopedic rehabilitation hospital. She was the first recipient of the CSUN PT “Best Research Award Presentation 2013” for her podium presentation on the innovative research she and her team completed in December 2013. This same research has was accepted to the 7th World Congress of Biomechanics in 2014.
Rebecca was President of the Physical Therapy Club during her second year in the program, and has been instrumental in the development and organization of numerous events for the CSUN PT program, the CSUN community, and the greater Northridge community. She was a recipient of the 2013 Roy and Roxie Campanella Scholarship, funded by the Roy and Roxie Campanella Foundation and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation. She presented at the 2012 CSUN Pre-Health Conference and to the undergraduate CSUN Kinesiology department and has also attended multiple professional development conferences, including both the California Physical Therapy Association and the National Physical Therapy Association conferences. Rebecca has just completed her final clinical internship at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center and plans to apply for residency programs this summer. She hopes to continue her education, and her personal and professional development far beyond her degree.
Recreation and Tourism Management
Outstanding Graduate Student
Gaja Yoon is completing a Master of Science degree in Tourism, Hospitality and Recreation Management. Her 3.9 GPA reflects an important part of her academic performance. But perhaps more important is that professors rave about her drive for learning and her helpful attitude directed toward fellow students and professors alike.
With the foundation of a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Geography and her status as an international student, she demonstrates her passion for world travel, hospitality and international business. Her goal is to contribute to improving the hospitality industry by providing a unique perspective gained through her education and experience.
Recreation and Tourism Management
Outstanding Undergraduate Student
Rachel Roman is completing her Bachelor of Science degree in Tourism, Hospitality and Recreation Management with a 3.95 GPA. She is committed to her studies in the classroom while balancing high involvement with volunteer work outside the classroom.
She has worked with several community agencies in the San Diego area including the deaf community, a therapeutic horse-riding program for children with disabilities, and works with children and families in her church community. She looks forward to a successful career as an events coordinator.
Spring, 2014