Scholar Biographies |
2003 - 2004 Scholars |
Maura Dykstra After graduating from CSUS in December 2004 with her BA in Chinese history, Maura has continued to studying the Chinese language in preparation to continue her education overseas and work toward achieving a PhD with an emphasis in Late Imperial China. She joined the program in order to increase her knowledge about historical research and gain a better understanding about graduate school. She attributes the program for lessening her fears about applying for graduate admission. She is now studying the Chinese language in China. |
Luis De La Torre |
Teresa Galindo Teresa received her BA in Psychology during the Spring of 2005. |
Henry Garcia Henry was the first in his family to attend college, but college is just part of the path toward obtaining a PhD in Physics and becoming a college professor. He has always enjoyed learning and wanted to be a part of the McNair program in order to better prepare himself for graduate school. During his time with the program, Henry has become more confident with his academic ability and has been able to make valuable connections at institutions across the country. He is now attending UC Berkeley and working toward achieving his PhD in Physics. |
Tara Gould Born in Sacramento, Tara had always wanted to go to college. Ever since she was a little girl, she felt that to be successful in any career she chose, college would be the only way. During her time in the McNair scholar's program, Tara gained research and presentation experience that she knows will assist her in her educational quest for a PhD in psychology. |
Rocio Mendoza |
Mario Ochoa Mario graduated with his BA in history during the spring of 2005 and began working on his MA in History at Sacramento State in the Fall of 2005. |
John Ortiz Being the first in his family to complete his BA motivated John to pursue his degree in economics at CSUS. His desire to be a part of the McNair Scholars Program was in order to experience first hand research about current economic situations and to gain knowledge that would help him compete at the PhD level. To get to this point in his life, John said he has been shaped by everything within school, work and his social life. He hopes the knowledge he gains will help him improve the quality of life for his family, culture and fellow man. |
Olgalilia Ramirez In the Spring of 2005, Olgalilia achieved her BA in Sociology. She is now enrolled in the Sociology MA program at Sacramento State. |
Rebecca Romo Born in Sacramento, Rebecca is the first in her family of seven children, to attend college. During her time at CSUS she has obtained her BA in sociology and is currently working on a PhD in Sociology at UC Santa Barbara with a specialization in race and gender so that she can teach at the university level. During her time in the McNair Scholars Program she gained research experience, professional conference opportunities and networking skills, but she was most grateful for her faculty mentors insights about graduate school. Rebecca believes that her son, Emilio, has motivated her to reach for goals that at times have seemed unreachable. |
Edgar Vidrio Edgar is the first person in his family to go to college and was motivated because he wanted to have a better life. Studying chemistry, he has obtained his BS and enrolled in a PhD program at UC Davis. He wanted to be a McNair scholar in order to take advantage of the opportunities that the program offers and he feels like he gained a lot from his time in the program including how to perform library research, work independently, write professional reports and apply to graduate schools. |
Kerry Breen She is the first to attend college and hopes to set an example for her own daughter. She eventually wants to receive her master's degree and Ph.D. and become a midwife. Her goal is to teach other nurses this trade. She decided to become a midwife after experiencing it first-hand when she had her daughter and feels it is extremely important for others. In her free time, Kerry enjoys hiking, biking, and camping- anything to do with the outdoors. She feels extremely lucky to be a part of the McNair Scholars Program because of the many services and opportunities that it has provided her. |
Michelle Dowling Michelle is interested in how the media impacts public policy and voting behavior. She was born in Montana and has one child. In the future, she would like to combine a career of teaching at the college level with political consulting. The McNair Scholars Program opened up many doors so she may enter a Ph.D. program after receiving her B.A. She feels she is set apart from many people with advanced degrees. |
David Gray He was born in Ohio and is the first in his family to attend college. He eventually plans to attend UC Irvine and receive his master's degree in Organic Chemistry. He enjoys many activities such as tennis and bowling, but his true hobby is assembling and flying model airplanes. David found that the McNair Scholars Program has encouraged him in every way possible and has, overall, given him more exposure to the graduate program. |
Jesus Gutierrez He was born in Sacramento and is the first in his family to attend college. He plans on receiving a master's degree in Criminal Justice and eventually wants to receive a Ph.D. in either Criminal Justice or Public Administration. He wants to teach or run his own agency. Jesus feels that the McNair Scholars Program has shown him that, as a minority, you can still go on to achieve all of your dreams and receive a higher education. |
Sandra Little She is the first in her family to attend college and is quite proud of her many accomplishments. She is a single parent raising two children, while attending college. Her children are her inspiration and push her to do more. When she feels as though the pressure has become too great, she just looks to her children to motivate and inspire her to do more. The McNair Scholars Program has helped her to achieve her goals and set even greater ones. Now, she is planning to obtain her Ph.D. The program exposed her to the process of applying for graduate school and a doctoral degree. She was able to present her research, travel, and participate in the doctoral network. Although she is extremely busy with school, her children, and work, Sandra has a few hobbies to help her relax. She enjoys running track, painting, and drawing. These hobbies help to soothe and center her. |
Ana Orozco She attends California State University, Sacramento, but is originally from San Francisco. She chose Psychology as her major to learn more about people and get to know them, as well as herself, better. She is the first in her family to attend college, which makes her family very proud. During her spare time, she enjoys anything athletic, as well as shopping and traveling to new places. Eventually, Ana plans to attend medical school and possibly study pediatric surgery. Her greatest influence throughout college has been her parents. She has found within the McNair Program great possibilities to help her with graduate school and travel opportunities, as well as mentors who have given her an eye-opening experience. |
Laura Rader Unlike some others in the same stage of their lives, Laura does not let age stop her from achieving all that she has ever wanted and taking her education as far as she can. Instead, she believes that her age gives her a different perspective that will allow her to succeed. Laura is proud of her two children and five grandchildren. She has wanted to teach since she was little and plans to make that dream come true. Her master's degree will be in Anthropology and she will continue her education, so that she can teach at the college level. She credits the McNair Scholars Program in helping her to get this far. The program has helped to prepare her for her master's program. |
Connie Reisenweber is from Sacramento and has been through many triumphs in her life. She is a widowed mother with three young children. All three kids are in elementary school, at the ages of eleven and nine. She plans to start the masters program in Communications at CSUS next fall. From there, she may continue her education further by getting her Ph.D. and someday teach. From the time she started working with the McNair Program, she began receiving positive feedback and a hands on approach to research, which put her a step ahead in not only her classes, but in her future as well. Above all, she finds motivation and strength through her children. |
Joel Rocha He is the first in his family to attend college. His personal faith in God has helped motivate him to continue to succeed and he knows that he can accomplish all of his goals. Joel's parents are there to support him and to continue to give him strength in the realization of his goals. When he is not studying or working, Joel enjoys all aspects of music. He plays the drums and sings. In his free time he also enjoys playing sports to keep him active and he spends time with the children from his local church. He is an example of what they can achieve with dedication and hard work. He is interested in working in management of education or any public entity related to criminal justice. Eventually he wants to teach at a university, but he wants to bring his experience from the field of criminal justice to the classroom. |
Bud Rojas He was born in Sacramento. He plans on attending USC for graduate school. Bud's biggest influence was Jaime White, a Project Coordinator for the College of Engineering. He enjoys snowboarding, golfing, playing basketball, and is an avid Kings fan. Bud feels that the McNair Scholars Program has supplied him with plenty of support and encouragement in helping him achieve his dream of attending graduate school. |
Michelle Schultz She is passionate with her work and her education. She began her education in 1991 and is devoted to learning about children. She is receiving her master's degree in Early Childhood. She believes that, if she can learn about child development, she can help to lay a foundation for a path of success for a child. With four children of her own, Michelle knows a great deal about children. Eventually, she wants to earn her Ph.D. in Child Development, conduct imperative research, and teach. Michelle is devoted to her work with Head Start. She believes the best thing to happen during her Graduate Program and work with Head Start is her partnership in education and the difference she can make in children's lives. Michelle has had many hurdles to overcome. She has been a single mom for over 12 years and has had to face her fears and many challenges head-on, in order to succeed in her educational career. The McNair Scholars Program helped her with this and changed her path of education. She thought that she was ready to go in one direction, but the program helped to open new doors for her. She is now able to do things that she never thought possible. |
Janeth Serrano She was born in Eskalon. She plans on receiving her Ph.D. in order to become a professor in this field. Janeth is the first in her family to attend college. She enjoys crafts, reading, dancing, and going out and having fun. Janeth feels that the McNair Scholars Program has benefited her on every level in her life. It has made her a stronger person and has opened doors in her education that she never knew existed. |
Cynthia Vogel She was born in Oak Park, Illinois. She plans on receiving a Ph.D. from Northern Arizona University in Political Science and returning to teach in the California State University system. Cynthia is the first in her family to attend college and was influenced by her former mathematics instructor, Randolph J. Taylor. Mr. Taylor helped her develop confidence in her abilities and encouraged her to go after what she wanted. She enjoys walking her dog, gardening, and hiking. Cynthia feels that the McNair Scholars Program has benefited her by allowing her to experience graduate level research as an undergraduate and giving her every opportunity to follow her dreams. |
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