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Dennis Yongmaneeratana

Dennis Yongmaneeratana

Dennis Yongmaneeratana has a contagious enthusiasm for Cal State Northridge - which serves him well in his role as President of the University Ambassadors. He considers Northridge to be the best Cal State campus by far and says he loves showing off the university to visitors and prospective students. He's excited about all the new construction going on across campus, especially for the new Performing Arts Center, and says it's all going to make the campus even better. He's a strong advocate for getting involved in campus clubs and organizations to make the most of your college experience - even going so far as to say it should be a requirement!

High school:
Canyon High School (Santa Clarita)

Area of study:
Liberal Studies (B.A.), minor in Biology

Career goal:
To teach high school science

1. Why did you choose Cal State Northridge?
Because I knew they had strong academic programs and it was close to home.

2. What types of things are you involved with outside of class?
I'm the President of University Ambassadors [a group of student leaders who volunteer their time to facilitate campus tours, host special events, and represent the university]. I've been with them for three years. I enjoy showing visitors around campus-I have a lot of pride in our school. I like that University Ambassadors has allowed me to develop my leadership and public speaking skills. And I like the community service aspect-I feel that I'm giving something back. I'm also part of New Student Orientation.

3. Have you earned any awards or have any special achievements?
I won the Most Dedicated Ambassador Award in 2007-08, and was named the Best Tour Guide of the Semester in Spring 2008. I've been on the Dean's List every semester.

4. What do you like to do in your free time-on and off campus?
I'm a tennis player and USTA member so I play a lot on campus, and I go to the gym a lot, too. I also like going to the Matador Bowl with friends and to the Northridge Mall. My friends and I also like hanging out at the Pub [the Pub Sports Grill in the University Student Union].

5. What's the best thing about being a student at Cal State Northridge?
I really enjoy all the resources we have here. As students we're very lucky to have everything that we do-things like the Computer Lab and the Student Health Center. I like that class sizes are small and that we have closer relationships with our professors as a result-you're not competing with 200 other students.

6. Do you have a favorite professor?
JoAnna Bashforth in the Department of English. She gives very interesting lectures, is very entertaining and very caring about her students.

7. What's the most valuable thing you've learned so far?
I've learned that you don't know what you can do until you try it. I was reluctant to try new things, but then when I tried them I realized my capabilities. I learned a lot about myself.

8. What do you look forward to most upon graduation? What will you miss?
I'm looking forward to finishing up my degree and getting my teaching certificate and then teaching in the field. But I'll miss seeing my friends often and having lunch with them on a regular basis. I'll also miss the PE classes I've been taking, like volleyball. I like playing games and PE helps me stay in shape and meet new people.

9. What's one piece of advice that you'd give to incoming students?
I would tell them to definitely join at least one club while they're here. That's where they'll get to meet lots of friends, and where their college experience will be enriched. I don't think you can be a well-rounded person just going to class and going home-it doesn't prepare you for the real world.