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Alyssa Mazur

Alyssa Mazur

Alyssa "A.J." Mazur is always joking and making people laugh, and she has a very tight-knit group of friends that mean the world to her. Her love of people and desire to help were motivating factors in her pursuit of a Sociology degree. Now she's staying on at CSUN to pursue her Master's in Social Work. As a student with multiple sclerosis (MS), Alyssa knew that CSUN's Center on Disabilities had a lot to offer, so she checked it out right away. Through the COD, she's been able to access a wide variety of services, from vocational services to note taking assistance and alternative testing accommodations. She found the counselors at the COD to be wonderfully supportive and very helpful when things got tough. She's only sorry that more students don't make use of the many services that are available there. A.J. loves meeting new people, so if you see her on campus, she asks that you stop and say hello!

High School:
Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks)

Area of study:
Sociology (B.A.) with option in Counseling and Interviewing

Career goals:
After receiving MSW degree, work with adolescents and teens, perhaps in lesbian/gay population or newly diagnosed MS patients. Accumulate hours needed to ultimately become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

Awards/special achievements:
Harry and Gertrude Murphy Scholarship Award from the Center on Disabilities

1. Why did you choose Cal State Northridge?
I had heard a lot about the Center on Disabilities while I was at Pierce College, and I knew about all the accommodations they provide and how much they help students with disabilities. Plus it was close to home.

2. What activities are you involved with outside of class?
I'm the co-founder of the Southern California MS Chapter's "25 and Under People with MS" group. I'm very involved in the MS society overall-I've done photo shoots, public service announcements, and I do the MS Walk every year.

3. What's the best thing about being a student at Cal State Northridge?
I've had some great professors-lots of people I'll keep in touch with through graduate school and even beyond.

4. Do you have a favorite professor?
Dr. Barbara Lazarus and Professor Stavros Karageorgis in the Department of Sociology. They are very understanding and really pull to help students achieve. They both look at the student as a whole person-not just the grades they earn.

5. What's the most valuable thing you've learned so far?
I've learned how important it is to keep the lines of communication open-with friends, faculty, family, everyone.

6. What do you look forward to most upon graduation? What will you miss?
I'm looking forward to stepping into the next chapter in my life, but I'll miss the friends I've made. In graduate school, I'll be going through the program with a cohort of 60 people, so I'll also miss meeting lots of different people in my classes, like I did as an undergraduate.

7. What's one piece of advice that you'd give to incoming students?
Don't be scared to ask questions. You'd be surprised how open people are to helping, and how often it can lead to great friendships. I met some of my best friends when I asked them for help.