My name is Elsy and I am a double major in Chicana/o Studies and Sociology. I grew up in Arleta, California which is in the San Fernando Valley. I attended a very small high school in Van Nuys with a graduating class of only 100 students. This experience gave me a great sense of community that I didn’t want to give up when I attended college. When I discovered CSU Channel Islands, I felt that it would provide me with a great education and that close-knit community experience I excel in.
I first visited CSUCI for Admitted Dolphin Day in spring prior to my fall enrollment and any doubt about going to a bigger school closer to home was gone. Everyone was so welcoming I immediately felt connected to the campus. Later in the summer I attended orientation which only reaffirmed my decision. At first, I was extremely shy and didn’t really talk to anyone. But the few initial connections and friends I made at orientation are ultimately what made me decide to attend CSUCI.
The professors in both the Chicana/o Studies and Sociology programs really understand the struggle we have to go through as Chicanx in higher education. They made sure that I have had support as well as encouraged me to question and seek justice. They also really pushed me to academic levels that I didn’t think I could reach! They even helped me figure out what I wanted to do after graduation.
Working on campus has only added to the close-knit experience in college. The supervisors take the time to get to know you and want you to grow as a person and as a leader. This has made me a completely different person than the shy girl at orientation. Choosing to attend CSUCI has been the best decision I could have made for my college career. I look forward to using my degree to help others have the close-knit community experience wherever my career takes me!
