CSUSM Campus Tours

Best Memory at CSUSM

My favorite CSUSM memory is of my closest friend and I visiting the campus for the first time and being awestruck by its size.

 

Home Country

Iran

 

Favorite Summer Acitivity

I enjoy playing and watching soccer, and Manchester United is my favorite team.

Email Arian

Arian Ghaderi | Software Engineering

• Bio

  Hi, My name is Arian, and I'm a first-year software engineering student. I'm from Iran, and I arrived in the US for the first time in September.  

• Favorite Spot on Campus

  Because I am really good at pool and the activity center has pool tables that we use to play with our buddies, it is my favorite location on campus.

• Dream Job
  My ideal career would be to launch my own company and use my ideas to make everyone's lives easier.

Best Memory at CSUSM

Transfer Student Reception- I met a lot of professors and faculty members who are here to help transfer students. I also got a chance to meet some fellow transfer students.

 

Hometown

Ontario, CA

 

Favorite Summer Acitivity

Boogie Boarding

Email Katy

Katy Hammond Grell | Liberal Studies- ESM, Science

• Bio

  Hi! My name is Katy, I am a transfer student, I graduated from Citrus College in 2022 with an A.A degree in Elementary Education. I am involved in the Future Educators Association here at CSUSM. When I am not at school, I spend my time at the beach and Disneyland.  Some of my favorite music artists are Harry Styles, COIN and 5 Seconds of Summer. 

• Favorite Spot on Campus

  WGEC- Women and Gender Equity Center

• Advice

  My advice is to get involved on campus whether it is a campus job, sports, or organizations on campus, getting involved is a great way to connect with other students and learn about yourself.

• Dream Job
  STEAM Elementary Teacher

Hometown

San Francisco, CA

Favorite Quote

“Comparison is the thief of happiness”

Email Olivia

Olivia Lee | Liberal Studies

• Bio

  Hi! My name is Olivia. I am apart of Greek life, orientation team, personal interest clubs, and have multiple on-campus jobs. When I am not at school or work, I watch some of my favorite tv shows, hang out with friends, or eat lots of food (or a collection of the three).

• Favorite Spot on Campus

  My favorite spot on-campus is Palm Court because I love seeing the palm trees. I do not have many classes near this area so anytime I venture here for tours/errands, it is always a treat. I feel so relaxed here.

  
  

   
• Best Memory at CSUSM

  My favorite memory would be Cesar Chavez Day in 2022. I volunteered in Carlsbad in the morning, and my sorority helped to clean up the beach there. It was extremely rewarding, and I got to spend time with some of my closest friends. Then we played a Greek-wide sorority dodgeball event where we won and were able to make new friends at CSUSM. We finished the day with amazing sushi and cake.

• Advice

  Utilize your resources! Always keep an updated physical and/or digital planner. It will help you keep track of everything you have to do and not have schedule conflicts, etc. Go to events on campus as well, they are always giving out free swag and it is an awesome way to meet people. Also get involved in the clubs you want; they will improve your experience tremendously here at CSUSM.

• Dream Job

  I want to be a third or fourth grade teacher.

  
  

   

Hometown

Escondido, CA

Favorite Summer Activities

My favorite summer activities are going to the beach, watching sunsets and listening to music.

Email Kelsie

Kelsie Macias | Liberal Studies

• Bio

  Hello! I’m a Liberal Studies major with an emphasis in Biliteracy. I’m an Alliance Ambassador and I’m also a PASO Scholar here at Cal State San Marcos. I’m also part of the Future Educators Association. Since I will be doing the Credential program here with Cal State San Marcos the Future Educators Program will help me with that process. I’m a Campus Tour Ambassador Lead and I love giving tours to prospective students. I’m a local from Escondido, therefore if you have any questions about what to do in the area, feel free to reach out! I love spending time with my best friend, and I love going to new places.

• Favorite Spot on Campus

  My favorite spot-on campus is the green roof between the two USU buildings. It has a beautiful view and it’s a great place to just relax.

• Best Memory at CSUSM

  When I went to watch “Spiderman No Way Home” with my work besties. We got free swag and food while enjoying a great movie!

• Advice

  My advice is get involved! The more you know about campus, the more comfortable and easier it will be to navigate throughout your time at CSUSM. Talk to people and don’t be afraid to make new friends.

• Dream Job

  3rd grade elementary school teacher

Favorite Summer Activities
In my free time, I love cafe hopping and reading.

Email Emily

Emily Molina | Literature and Writing Studies 

• Bio

  Hi everyone! My name is Emily Molina and I am a second year Literature and Writing Studies major.

  I am originally from the high desert, but I now live in San Marcos and couldn't have made a better decision.

   

• Favorite Spot on Campus

  I love being on campus even if I'm just doing homework at the library, or hanging out with friends at my dorm.

• Best Memory at CSUSM

  I am involved with Greek life where I have met some of the best people, our weekly chapter meetings are some of my favorite CSUSM memories.

• Advice

  I advise students to get involved on campus with people who will enhance your time here at CSUSM and uplift you.

Favorite Movie

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Best Study Tip

Take breaks when you need to in order to avoid burnout!

Email Brenda

Brenda Nieto

• Bio

  Hi y’all! My name is Brenda and I am a third-year, first-generation Sociology student. I am also an Alliance Ambassador, a program that helps local students get guaranteed admission to CSUSM. In my free time, I love going to my local coffee shop in Escondido to get some homework done or hang out with friends. I also dance ballet folklorico for a local dance group. 

• Favorite Spot on Campus

  Gonzalez Grove! I love hanging out on the lawn between University Hall and the Arts Building! 

• Best Memory at CSUSM

  A friend from Palomar College took the Sprinter to join me for Cougar Cinema! We grabbed some sushi from Umami near the dorms and walked back to campus in time to catch the new Minions movie. It was a super fun event! 

• Advice

  Make connections with as many people as possible on campus! You never know if a classmate, professor, or staff member will give you a cool opportunity!

• Dream Job

  Bilingual High School English Teacher

Hometown
Ramona, CA

Favorite Show
That 70s Show

Email Zac

Zac Parsons | Communications

• Bio

  Hi there! My name is Zac, and I am a student here at California State University San Marcos. My family lives in Oceanside. I enjoy playing club soccer at the school and of course being a tour guide. I am a huge sports fan and love Chelsea FC as well as the San Diego Padres. I enjoy surfing and my favorite beach is Encinitas. I am involved in Greek life. If you want any more information about these things let me know!

• Favorite Spot on Campus

  Starbucks at the Library

• Best Memory at CSUSM

  Goin on coffee runs with my coworkers and playing soccer with my team.

• Advice

  Don’t be hasty in picking your major or switching! Everyone has a different path in life. Make sure you pick the one that you want even if others in your life might have a different influence.

• Dream Job

  Professional Soccer Player

  
  

   

Hometown

Lake Elsinore, CA

Favorite Music Artist

Khalid

Email Janelle

Janelle Patillo | Psychological Science

• Bio

  Hey guys, my name is Janelle! I’m a first-year psychology major with hopes to be a psychiatrist! I’m originally from San Diego and grew up in a military family! I currently live on campus in the Quad and enjoy hanging out with my friends and family. As of now I am heavily involved in the Black Student Union and Young Life! I love CSUSM not only because of the welcoming social environment but also because we’re so close to the beach!

• Favorite Spot on Campus

  The Green Roof because it has great views all throughout the day! 

• Best Memory at CSUSM

  My best memory at CSUSM so far would definitely be my first couple of days here as a freshman! We were all in the same boat and were so eager to meet people and create good friendships and memories we won’t forget!

• Advice

  College is what you make it, so stay motivated and be patient with yourself! It’s going to be a big change from what you’re used to but don’t be so quick to give up on yourself, balance is key, have fun and enjoy these next four years!

• Dream Job

  I’d love to be a psychiatrist for active duty and retired veterans one day! 

Hometown

San Bernardino, CA

Favorite Summer Activity

I love going to the movie theater and walking out as soon as the sun is setting, grabbing something to eat afterwards is my definition of perfect.

Email Gabriela

Gabriela Raygoza Quintero | Business Marketing

• Bio

  Hi everyone I’m a First- Generation Latinx Business Marketing Student here at San Marcos. I am quite involved on campus, I’m an EOP student which is an incredible program for 1st gen students like myself.  On the side, I am a Samsung College Ambassador and a Campus Trendsetter Ambassador where I get to create content for my Social Media pages and share with my friends and family (: I look forward to guiding you around our beautiful campus as one of the Tour Ambassador Leads, don’t be afraid to reach out!

• Favorite Spot on Campus

  The Lawn in between the Arts building and U-Hall; I love taking naps there on a nice sunny day!

• Best Memory at CSUSM

  My best memory has to be any with my friends I’ve made from working as a tour guide, you can always catch me with a smile on my face when I’m with them!

• Advice

  Carpe Diem. Take advantage of all the opportunities that are being presented to you on a silver platter, you never know when you’ll have it in front of you again!

• Dream Job

  My goal is to one day work in the Entertainment Industry as a Television & Film Producer.

  
  

   

Favorite Book

Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

Hometown 

Jurupa Valley, California

Email Aaliyah

Aaliyah Renteria | Criminology and Justice Studies, and Sociology

• Bio

  Hi everyone, my name is Aaliyah Renteria. I am a first year double major in Criminology and Justice Studies and Sociology. I am from Jurupa Valley, CA, but I live on campus in the UVA dorms. I love having bonding movie nights with my roommates. Aside from school I like to do my own nails, dance, and hang out with my friends and family.

• Favorite Spot on Campus

  The Kellog Library fifth floor balcony

• Best Memory at CSUSM

  One of my favorite memories is having movie nights and baking cookies with my roommates.

• Advice

  I think that all students should find a balance between school and social life. We come to college to not only earn our degree, but to build relationships. Take advantage of every opportunity you get here. :)

• Dream Job

  Criminal defense attorney or human rights attorney

Best Memory at CSUSM

My best CSUSM memory would have to be getting lost around campus but finding new ways to get to class.

 

Hometown

Los Angles, CA

 

Favorite Summer Acitivity

One of my favorite things to do would be driving down to Tijuana with my mom or sisters to go visit my uncle and cousins and just going out to explore with them. 

Email Johanna

Johanna Orta | Social Sciences

• Bio

  Hi! My name is Johanna and I am a first year Social Sciences-Poli Sci major. I am from a small city about 15-20 minutes from Los Angeles, called Pico Rivera, many may know it for its sport arena dances or for the name "Picolandia", but currently I live on-campus at The Quad. 

• Favorite Spot on Campus

  My favorite spot on campus would have to be the library study rooms because its quiet and its a place that I can do my work more efficiently.

• Dream Job
  My dream job is to become an immigration lawyer or join the California Border Patrol, CBP.

Hometown
Riverside, California

Favorite Quote

“What, like it’s hard?” - Elle Woods

Email Ashlyn

Ashlyn Brantley | Geography and History

• Bio

  Hello everyone! My name is Ashlyn Brantley, and I am a double major in Geography and History. I am from Riverside CA, but now live in the UVA on campus housing.

• Favorite Spot on Campus

  The USU Green Roof

• Best Memory at CSUSM

  My favorite experience here is being involved in the CSUSM community and creating these friend groups filled with new life long memories. 

• Favorite Thing To Do

  I love traveling so I often travel through the Study Abroad Programs offered through CSUSM on my breaks.

Hometown 
Orange County, California

 

Email Libna

Libna Diaz | Liberal Studies

• Bio

  In the future, I hope to be an elementary school teacher and then become a high school counselor. I currently live on campus, which I enjoy because it has taught me many things and it has improved my social skills. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with friends and going to the pool at night. I also like to binge-watch true crime videos.

• Favorite Spot on Campus

  My favorite spot on campus would have to be the 4th floor of the library because the views are so peaceful and I can concentrate and actually get my work done.

• Best Memory at CSUSM

  My favorite experience here is being involved in the CSUSM community and creating these friend groups filled with new life long memories. 

• Favorite Thing To Do

  One of my favorite memories while being at CSUSM is when I attended one of the Latinx events. There was a great and positive environment all around and we got to enjoy free food!

Hometown
San Marcos, California

Email Rosalinda

Rosalinda Padron | Psychological Science

• Bio

  Hello everyone! My name is Rosalinda, but all of my friends and family call me Rosy. I am a third-year Psychological Science Major with a minor in Literature and Writing Studies. On campus, I am an Alliance Ambassador for The Alliance program and I am also a member of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology. 

• Favorite Spot on Campus

  I lately have been really enjoying hanging out in Tukwut Courtyard. In between classes, I like to go there and sit down by the shade and enjoy a snack or simply just read. I value my calm moments as my day-to-day can be chaotic! 

• Best Memory at CSUSM

  My best memory here is when I went to Cougar Cinema with friends and we watched Spider-Man: No Way Home at the USU Amphitheater. We had Starbucks, pizza, and cupcakes! It was a really good day. 

• Favorite Thing To Do

  In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, watching shows/movies, and reading. 

Hometown
Los Angeles, California

Email Leyla

Leyla Medina | History 

• Bio

  I'm a First-generation student and was raised in Los Angeles but am currently living on-campus in The Quad here at San Marcos! 

• Favorite Spot on Campus

  My favorite spot on campus is outside on the second floor at the USU where I love to study and listen to music. 

• Best Memory at CSUSM

  What I love to do here at CSUSM is spend time with my friends, especially grabbing food together and studying at the USU!

• Favorite Thing To Do

  I love listening to music and play guitar, piano, and also love to spend time with my brothers.

Hometown
Lake Elsinore, California

Email Valerie

Valerie Cota | Biochemistry 

• Bio

  I've had a passion for STEM my whole life but ultimately landed on biochem due to my interest in how the human body functions down to a chemical level. I hope to someday work in immunology research or forensic analysis with this degree. 

• Favorite Thing To Do

  When I'm not swamped with homework, you can usually find me binge watching horror movies with my 3-legged cat (and biggest supporter) Vinny.