Scholarships in Kinesiology

Scholar: Steven Mendoza

 Year Awarded: 2016

 Major: Kinesiology (Exercise Physiology)

Steven Says: “This is the first scholarship I have won and it meant so much to have my name announced by surprise during the kinesiology ceremony in front of [fellow] students, co-workers, and mentors. Thank you for the opportunity and for the motivation to work harder every day. This award will only push me to bigger and better opportunities.”

Career Aspiration: Steven is a graduate student in the exercise physiology program, a teaching associate in the kinesiology department and the community director for the 3 WINS Fitness (formerly 100 Citizens) at Martin Luther King Jr. Park. He owes a lot of his success to his parents and his brothers who have always pushed him to do more. Steven grew up and lives in Sylmar and is the only one in his immediate family to graduate from a four year university. He said that college is not what someone in his family is handed and expected to pursue, but a commodity that he has to work for and appreciates every single day. Steven received his bachelor's degree from CSUN and decided to pursue a master’s degree after having volunteered for the 3 WINS Fitness program. His thesis is based on the expansion of the program across all other CSU kinesiology programs. Steven’s career goal is to attain a Ph.D. and conduct research in public health and exercise physiology. He currently has an offer to attend the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom to work on his Ph.D. His dream is to one day return to the CSU system and teach at his alma mater.

About the Scholarship: The Glenn W. Arnett Scholarship was made possible due to a generous contribution from Mr. and Mrs. Elwood C. Davis in honor of Dr. Glenn Arnett, who was a faculty member and department chair in kinesiology. He served as CSUN’s first athletic director in 1958 and taught at CSUN until his retirement. The purpose of the scholarship is to provide support to a student in the kinesiology program who aspires to have a career in the area of kinesiology and physical activity.

Scholar: Marcelo Rosales

Year Awarded: 2016

Major: Kinesiology

Marcello Says: “Receiving the Laurence and Ethel Young Scholarship means that my hard work throughout the past four years was recognized and that I am able to have some [financial] support next year while attending USC’s Biokenisiology master’s program. If I had a chance to speak with Laurence and Ethel Young, I would thank them for [supporting] my academic endeavors and reassure them that I am continuing to work in the field of Biokinesiology to gain insight into human movement. This insight will benefit future research in rehabilitation science.”  

Career Aspiration: Marcelo is a San Fernando Valley native who grew up running cross-country and track. He continued those two sports at CSUN where he ran for the cross-country and track teams for three years. Next year Marcelo will continue his education studying Biokinesiology at USC. After he completes his master’s degree he would like to pursue a Ph.D. Marcelo’s overall goal is to become a researcher in Biokinesiology and a professor at a university to inspire future generations to come.

About the Scholarship: The late Dr. Laurence Young was a professor of kinesiology in the physical education option at CSUN for many years. He and his wife Ethel established a planned gift that will enable many students in the future, to be rewarded for their time, leadership and the hard work they put into their academic major.

Scholar: Daniel Azurdia

Year Awarded: 2016

Major: Kinesiology (Exercise Science)

Daniel Says: “I would like to give an enormous thank you to Leslie and Terry Cutler for their generosity and compassion towards students who are looking to make a difference. This scholarship has given me an extra push towards making a difference in the lives of others. Receiving this scholarship has made a positive impact on my life and has opened the door to further my educational goals.”

Career Aspiration: Daniel grew up in Northridge and enjoys outdoor activities and sports. He currently coaches high school soccer and cross country and works at CSUN’s Center of Achievement. Daniel completed his degree in kinesiology and will be starting the master degree program in kinesiology with an option in adapted physical activity. He said that he decided to pursue his graduate degree at CSUN because of the unique program and excellent clinical experience. In the future, Daniel hopes to develop an adaptive exercise program that is geared towards veterans with disabilities. He would also like to open his own adaptive exercise gym that would provide treatment in an underrepresented area.

About the Scholarship:  Leslie “Les” and Terry Cutler are long time contributors to CSUN and this scholarship expands their giving to the university in their area of interest in healthcare. Les attended CSUN in 1963, although he did not graduate from the university, he went on to become a dentist, receive a PhD and become the Chancellor and Provost of Health Affairs at the University of Connecticut. It is the intention of the donors that this scholarship be awarded to kinesiology students with outstanding potential to become a leader in the field of health, fitness and rehabilitation as they proceed through the adapted physical activity graduate program. The student must also be working in the Center of Achievement.   

Scholar: Hyosok Lim

Year Awarded: 2016

Major: Kinesiology (Adapted Physical Activity)

Hyosok Says: “Thank you [to the Cutler’s] for the great opportunities [this scholarship] has provided to students [pursuing] a career in the health profession and [whose goals] are to help others. Receiving the award has given me confidence and it encourages me to work harder not only on my studies, but also on my clinical work so that I can make a difference in people’s lives.”

Career Aspiration: Hyosok was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea. He majored in computer science at a university in Korea, however, during his studies he realized he was more interested in studying human movement. This interest led him to transfer to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as a kinesiology major. During Hyosok’s last semester in Illinois he found out about the Center of Achievement at CSUN and knew he wanted to continue studying kinesiology. He feels very fortunate to have worked at the Center for the past two years. Hyosok plans to apply to a Ph.D. program in the field of kinesiology in the future. 

About the Scholarship: Leslie “Les” and Terry Cutler are long time contributors to CSUN. This award expands their giving to the university and it is in their area of interest, healthcare. Les attended CSUN in 1963, although he did not graduate from the university, he went on to become a dentist, receive a PhD and become the chancellor and provost of health affairs at the University of Connecticut. Les and Terry created this outstanding graduate research award in honor of their mothers, Marian Cutler and Lucille Grubman. It is the intention of the donors that this award be given to kinesiology students with outstanding clinical potential as they proceed through the adapted physical activity program. The student must also be working in the Center of Achievement through Adapted Physical Activity.

Scholar: Mayumi Wagatsuma

Year Awarded: 2016

Major: Kinesiology (Adapted Physical Activity)

Mayumi Says: “I would like to say thank you so much to Leslie and Terry Cutler. I had a chance to meet them right after I received this scholarship. They are very kind and always thinking about helping people. I had a great time listening to their story and getting insight into their reasoning for paying kindness forward. [Their] kindness has inspired me to help others and give back to the community when I am in a position to do so.”

Career Aspiration: Mayumi is an international student from Japan who is passionate about helping others. As a youth volleyball player in Japan, she developed an interest in sports conditioning because of her coach who had a background in kinesiology and a scientific approach to training and conditioning. She was also influenced to study adapted physical activity because of her time working at a physical therapy office. There she met a woman with disabilities that left her permanently wheelchair-bound. After only six months of therapy the woman was swimming on her own with no assistance. Mayumi said she will never forget how challenging and rewarding that experience was for both the client and her. Mayumi came to the United States to study adapted physical activity because she believe it offers the optimal higher education experience and leads to more career opportunities. She is currently a graduate student in the adapted physical activity program at CSUN and living in Irvine. She hopes to pursue a career that would allow her to work with people with disabilities similar to the work she has been doing at the CSUN Center of Achievement. Mayumi aspires to open a center in the United States or Japan that helps the population of disabled people that are in need of more support in terms of physical fitness and guided therapeutic exercise.  

 About the Scholarship: Leslie “Les” and Terry Cutler are long time contributors to CSUN and this award expands their giving to the university. This gift is in their area of interest, healthcare. Les attended CSUN in 1963, although he did not graduate from the university, he went on to become a dentist, receive a PhD and become the chancellor and provost of health affairs at the University of Connecticut. Les and Terry created this outstanding graduate leadership award in honor of Les’ father Norman Cutler, who was a champion of excellence and showed a strong commitment to helping others achieve greatness in their career and calling. 

Scholar: Courtney Rios

Year Awarded: 2016

Major: Kinesiology (Physical Education)

Courtney Says: “I want to thank Maggie Shiffrar for providing this scholarship in memory of her mother and for helping others with the same passion work towards making a difference in physical education. This scholarship is a huge help in allowing me to continue my education. I am honored to be recognized for my hard work and grateful to be the [awardee]. This will assist me in achieving my goal of becoming a physical educator.”

Career Aspiration: Courtney is a San Fernando Valley native and is married with a 15 year old son. She enjoys spending time with her family and being active, including training in CrossFit, yoga, spin class, Spartan and other races. After years of working in the insurance field, she was given the opportunity to go back to school and work towards a career she is passionate about, physical education. CSUN has provided Courtney with the education and confidence she needs to be a successful physical education teacher. Her vision is to create a motivating atmosphere where all students are comfortable participating in physical education.

About the Scholarship: This scholarship was made possible by a generous gift from Dr. Margaret Shiffrar, the assistant vice president of graduate studies at CSUN, in memory of her mother, Ruth Shiffrar. Ruth was a CSU graduate and champion of physical education for school children. She was a proud fourth generation Californian whose childhood was happily spent playing in the outdoors of the Central Coast. Ruth was a high school physical education teacher in Northern California for many years. When California public schools began to systematically de-fund physical education courses, her concern for the future health of Californians grew. The goal of this scholarship is to help right the health related wrongs that resulted from de-funding programs by supporting a CSUN student with outstanding potential to become a leader in the field of physical education.