Monica Yesenia Zepeda C. 
Degrees:
B.A., Spanish, B.A., English (magna cum laude)
CSUCI Experience:
"It was a great experience. In particular, the University's multicultural emphasis allowed me to explore my identity. It gave me a welcoming environment, which made me feel validated."
Future:
"I'm coming back here in the fall to get my credential in English. I've always wanted to be a teacher, so I'm excited to be closer to achieving that goal. I'm very grateful to the University and my professors."
Josh Overton
Degree:
B.A., English (cum laude)
CSUCI Experience:
"Having attended a couple of other colleges, I have found that the professors at CSUCI are far more involved in creating successes on the personal level, and the small classes invite more intimate and lively discussions. I feel that CSUCI, from top to bottom, has not only given me the tools to be successful in my chosen career, but they have instilled in me the confidence to know that my work is valued and meaningful."
Future:
"I am proudly taking my B.A. in English into the Credential Program. The wisdom I have inherited from my professors will stay with me forever. As Francisco Garcia is known to say, 'It's not how much you know� it's how much you care.' The professionals of CSUCI expertly balance their knowledge and empathy, a skill I will carry with me into my own classroom when I become a teacher of children."
Hermelinda Garcia
Degree:
B.A., psychology
CSUCI Experience:
"The professors really care for students, they're wonderful. Everyone is very friendly. It's a very family-oriented campus."
Future:
"I want to use my education in my job, but I also want to use it for volunteering, to continue as a social worker. I'm thinking about graduate school. I don't see myself as resting."
Antonia Di Liello
Degree:
B.A., History
CSUCI Experience:
"This is a wonderful place. The kids were great. I'm 80 years old and they treated me with such respect. The instructors were also great. We were all able to receive so much feedback from them. I'm happy to be graduating but I'm also sad to see it end. I really enjoyed this experience."
Future:
"Well, I hope to travel a bit. But I really want to do some volunteering in the county, working with dyslexic children. I have that problem, so I understand them. I've lived in the Oxnard area for 75 years. I'd like to give something back."
Luis Zepeda
Degree:
B.S., Business
CSUCI Experience:
"I really enjoyed the special, small sized classes here. It's an intimate environment. I benefited from experiencing real-life problem-solving in business. I've acquired a great background."
Future:
"I work as a real estate agent in Ventura County. I'm looking forward to using my skills in my job but I'm also thinking about graduate school."
Leslie Comstock
Degree:
Master of Arts in Education
CSUCI Experience:
"I really appreciated the opportunity to obtain such a diverse education. The professors have such wide-ranging experiences. I feel very prepared for a career in educational leadership."
Future:
"I'm currently a speech and language pathologist in the Pleasant Valley School District. But I hope to use my new degree to work in special education, in an alternative education setting with children who have special needs in Ventura County."
Samuel Bennett
Degree:
B.S., Environmental Science & Resource Management
CSUCI Experience:
"I appreciated so many things about this University. I enjoyed the small school atmosphere and the instructor-student interaction. The individual attention from the professors contributed greatly to my intellectual development. Also, professors like Don Rodriguez developed unique pedagogical methods, combining theoretical knowledge with service learning. That too was extremely beneficial to my education."
Future:
"I've been admitted to UCSB master's program in environmental science and management. Actually, I'm petitioning to be accepted for a Ph.D. program. I want to be a professor in environmental science, and I'd love to come back to CSUCI to teach."
Marissa Roarty
Degree:
B.A., Psychology
CSUCI Experience:
"I've attended other colleges and what's special about CSUCI is that professors really take care of individual students. Professors learn your name and are always asking how you're doing in class, and even about your future. This is a really warm, positive environment. I learned more here than any other school."
Future:
"I'm going to be attending San Francisco State University in the fall to start my master's degree in developmental psychology. Afterwards, I plan to get a Ph.D. and get a clinical psychology license. I may start a private practice or I might teach. I would love to come back to CSUCI as a professor."
Sora Yoon
Degrees:
B.S., Biology, with Emphasis on Cell and Molecular Biology; B.S., Chemistry, with Bio-Chemistry Option.
CSUCI Experience: "I really enjoyed the small community, family-oriented atmosphere. It was much easier to learn. All instructors were great. I got to know them one-on-one. I feel very prepared for my career. The program and professors create an education that fits your career needs."
Future:
"I plan to apply to a pharmacy school."
Dolly Thornton
Degree: B.S., Mathematics, with Applied Physics Emphasis
CSUCI Experience:
"CSUCI is special to me because it has the friendly atmosphere of a small, private university. With the small class size you can get to know your professors and not be just another number in the system. Many thanks to my mathematics and physics mentors who have played a major role in my decision to continue my education as a graduate student at CSUCI this fall."
Future:
"I feel prepared for graduate school and plan to pursue my Master's Degree in Math Education Research at CSUCI. While working on my degree I will be pursuing employment as a Teaching Assistant at CSUCI. Upon completing my degree I will be better prepared to teach as well as 'teaching teachers how to teach mathematics.' "
Carly Keas
Degree:
B.A., Art
CSUCI Experience:
"Every aspect of my experience here has been amazing. I especially appreciated the smaller class size. I was really able to connect with my professors and get critical feedback and support for my own ideas. I'm very grateful to them. They are all extremely dedicated educators."
Future:
"I plan on going to graduate school, and pursuing a career in graphic arts. I hope to start my own business in graphic design one day."
Jennifer Eaton
Degree:
B.S., Math, Emphasis in Education; Minor in Applied Physics (cum laude)
CSUCI Experience:
"It feels like I got a private education at a public school. You can walk into any class and receive help from a professor. They know you by your first name and they always have time for you. We have the best faculty in the world. This campus has a reputation as being the best of the best."
Future:
"I'm going in the CSUCI credential program in the fall, to get my single-subject credential. I want to be a teacher, probably in Ventura County. I feel I'm prepared for the intense credential program here. I feel I'm prepared to get a job anywhere."
Juanita Armas-Guzman
Degree:
Master of Business Administration
CSUCI Experience:
"This is a great program where you can have one-on-one relationships with professors. I feel that I'm prepared for a career. What I really appreciated is that the University is very helpful. They are willing to work with you on problems and issues. It's a more friendly, family atmosphere. I felt like part of a school."
Future:
"I'll be able to use my skills in my current job as a financial analyst for the city of Port Hueneme. I'd like to get a Ph.D. � but only when CSUCI offers one in the future."
Brian Williams
Degree:
Masters of Business Administration
CSUCI Experience:
"This was a great program. I love this campus and the academic staff. The MBA cohort experience was very rewarding. Being one of the first master's graduates of CSUCI is very cool. I look forward to seeing this young school grow."
Future:
"I work for Computer Science Corporation and I'm looking forward to using the skills I've learned in the MBA program to help my employer compete in the global business environment."
Lance Nolde
Degree:
B.A., history (cum laude); minor in Asian-Pacific Studies
CSUCI Experience:
"My education here has provided me with an increased global perspective and international awareness and an understanding of the benefits of diversity. The faculty are outstanding, especially Rainer Buschmann, P. Scott Corbett, Nian Sheng-Huang, and Amy Caldwell. I learned so much from them."
Future:
"I've been accepted into the Ph.D. program in Southeast Asian History at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Eventually, I plan to teach at the university level. Hopefully, I'll be able to return to CI."
Sheryl Flowers
Degree:
B.S., Business
CSUCI Experience:
"I really enjoyed being a student here. It really is a mix of people of all ages. That offers a vast idea pool. I'm 52 and CSUCI expanded my experiences and I was able to bring some of my life experiences into the classroom."
Future:
"I've been working in medical technology at Los Robles Hospital as a nuclear medicine technologist. I'm looking forward to using my education to help me in my job. One day, I hope to retire and open a business."
Jose Garcia
Degrees:
B.S., Psychology; B.A., Spanish
CSUCI Experience:
"A lot of things made it special here. But I'm happy to be following in my mom's steps. I really enjoyed the interaction with students and faculty, as well as the close-knit interaction with other students."
Future:
"I feel I'm prepared to go to grad school or pursue a career, especially in the social services sector. Right now, I may get a part-time job, then start preparing myself to go to grad school in the future, probably the fall of 2007."
Riki Stevenson
Degree:
B.S., Biology
CSUCI Experience:
"I really enjoyed the special relationship with teachers in a small setting. The science department is really well-formed, even though the school is relatively new. The program is geared to real-world work. What's unique is that students are allowed to shape courses, and participate in our own education."
Future:
"I was able to obtain an internship at Amgen through Professor (Phil) Hampton, and I now have obtained a full-time research position in the same department. I'll now be able to use my education at work. I was also accepted at UCSB and UCLA graduate schools, but it would be nice to take some time off and enjoy my family life."