eNews Edition: Fall 2022
Contributed by Gina Flores
The University Library is very appropriately considered the intellectual heart of the California State University, Northridge (CSUN) campus. As one of the largest employers of CSUN students, the Library is proud to offer student employees the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and mentorship in various departments. Student assistants often share the joys of becoming a part of the Library family, making new friendships, and the positive experience of serving the needs of fellow students.
In March 2022, the Library awarded and celebrated nineteen well-deserved student assistant scholarship recipients. Thanks to the generosity of several dedicated donors to the Library’s scholarship program for student employees, twenty-eight scholarships were awarded this year! The virtual awards ceremony was an exciting and memorable celebration, filled with surprises, laughter, and heartfelt appreciation.
And now, we invite you to get to know this year’s amazing scholarship recipients!
Meet the 2022 University Library Student Scholarship Winners
Aaron Gian Madrid
Award: Library Employees Scholarship
Transferring to the university in fall 2020, Aaron describes his journey here at CSUN as a wild roller coaster, considering the pandemic. Despite many challenges, Aaron is nearing completion of his Computer Science degree in May 2023. The Library Technology Services desk is the perfect place for Aaron’s talent and passion to shine, as a high-volume area providing technical support. After just one semester on the team, Aaron was promoted to Class Three Student Supervisor!
Beatriz Acuña Ramirez
Awards: Bonita J. Campbell WISE Scholarship and Gohstand Family Scholarship in Memory of Feodosia (Fenia) Yakovleva
Beatriz is one step closer to a career in aerospace engineering, as she completed her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in May. Going against all the social norms and stereotypes she experienced as a child in Mexico, Beatriz successfully overcame many challenges to achieve her goal in a male-dominated field of study. Beatriz had always dreamed of reaching the sky, and touching the stars. Her dream came true, as a proud, resilient graduate of CSUN and woman in STEM.
Brianna Rhodes
Awards: Tony Gardner Scholarship and Ann & David Perkins Scholarship
Brianna achieved her Bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Justice Studies. Her keen academic focus earned her a spot on the Dean’s List for the last four semesters! As a first-generation college student having lived through many devastating traumas, Brianna chose this major to advocate for people who have been marginalized and underrepresented. Her next goal is a Masters in Social Work. In Special Collections & Archives, Brianna’s supervisor shared, “Bri approaches work with a great attitude, and she stays open minded no matter the task. She completes tasks in a professional and timely manner. She is emotionally mature and connects well with her fellow Student Assistants.”
Erika Martinez
Awards: Karin J. Duran Scholarship and Lois & Ralph Prator Scholarship
Erika is entering her senior year at CSUN in pursuit of a Film Production degree. She plans to use her passion for media and social justice to be a film producer. As a Class Three Student Supervisor at the Library’s Creative Maker Studio, Erika exercises her media passion, and builds connections with students, faculty, and staff through teaching workshops. Erika’s supervisor shared, “Her continued enthusiasm and passion for work, school, and career make her an ideal recipient for this scholarship award.”
Giovanni Curiel
Award: Library Employees Scholarship
In his final year at CSUN, Giovanni achieved a Systems and Operations Management degree in May. Throughout all four years of his college journey, Giovanni worked in the Library Administration office providing enthusiastic and reliable assistance in the area of logistics. In consideration of the pandemic’s impact on supply chains across the globe, Giovanni is hopeful that his educational path will land him a great position to help get the country going again.
Holland Mills
Award: Lois & Ralph Prator Scholarship
Holland is pursuing a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 2019. With a passion for robotics, Holland is a First Robotics team mentor to high school students in Reseda and Calabasas. Holland’s technical skills are a valuable asset at the Library’s Technology Service Desk and in the Creative Maker Studio. It’s no surprise that his exceptional performance earned him a Class Three Student Supervisor role.
Isabella Meza
Awards: Virginia Elwood Scholarship and Lois & Ralph Prator Scholarship
Isabella is working on her Political Science degree, having achieved a spot on the Dean’s List every single semester in her time at CSUN. She plans on attending law school to become an attorney, preferably in adoption, civil rights, or environmental law. Isabella is proud of her community impact. She ran a book drive that raised over 2,000 books for a local low-income elementary school, and she also assisted the Mayor of San Fernando in launching his “My Little Library” project. Isabella credits her family for instilling the values of kindness and perseverance in her journey, as she achieves her goals and empowers others in need.
Jocelyn Castaneda
Awards: Mary Flenniken Scholarship and Karin J. Duran Scholarship
Jocelyn is a highly valued student employee in our Guest Services Department. In addition to her strong work ethic and professionalism on the Library team, Jocelyn is a driven, self-motivated student earning a spot on the Dean’s List multiple semesters. Graduating in May with a Journalism-Public Relations degree, Jocelyn aspires to build a career in the beauty industry to redefine beauty standards and promote diversity.
Karen Ticas
Award: Ann & David Perkins Scholarship
Karen is in her second year at CSUN, majoring in Psychology. She is extremely appreciative of the opportunity to work in the Library’s Guest Services. She shared, “I’ve met such wonderful people along the way and I’m glad I get to work in a setting that allows me to make connections with not only the people I work with, but also other students who need help at the Library. Also including other individuals from different departments.”
Katherine Sirca
Award: Library Employees Scholarship
Katherine graduated in May with a double major in Business Law and Real Estate, having been on the Dean’s List every single semester since she began at CSUN in the fall of 2018! She is also a member of the Pre-Law Association & Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society. In the Library’s Special Collections and Archives department, Katherine’s supervisor shared, “I am very proud of what Katherine has been able to achieve over the challenges of the past year. Her ability to manage school, work, and other extracurricular activities under the current circumstances is commendable.”
Krina Patel
Awards: Library Employees Scholarship and Mary & James Cleary International Scholarship
Krina came to CSUN from India as the first person in her family to attend college. She will be achieving her Biology degree this fall, and she plans to attend graduate school in a physician’s assistant program. In the Library’s Guest Services, Krina’s professionalism and communication skills played an integral role during the reopening of the Library and entry screening process. As part of her career path, Krina is gaining valuable clinical experience as a patient care volunteer at Adventist Health Simi Valley Hospital.
Lidya Kidanemeriam
Awards: O2EPCM Diversity Scholarship and Bonita J. Campbell WISE Scholarship
Making the journey from Ethiopia to Northridge back in 2017, Lidya graduated in May with a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management. Working in the Library’s Guest Services, her supervisor shared, “Lidya’s greatest strength is her personality and professionalism. She is very charismatic and has a lot of positive energy. Her interpersonal skills give her a unique advantage in customer service.” Lidya is an active member of the African Student Organization and of the National Society of Black Engineers, where she says she’s “proud to be a part of an organization that impacts the Black community in a positive way.” Lidya aspires to be a beacon of hope for her family and community in Ethiopia.
Madeleine Martin
Award: Friends of the Library Scholarship
Madeleine is in her final year at CSUN, studying Entertainment Media Management. In the Library’s Music & Media/Teacher Curriculum Center, she’s a highly valued team member providing excellent customer service, while exploring the treasures in the collection and the joy of music. This year, Madeleine is especially proud of back-to-back straight-A semesters on the Dean’s List, as well as landing her first ever internship at NARIP (National Association of Record Industry Professionals). Madeleine is interested in a career pertaining to the use of music in films.
Melissa Termini
Awards: Ann & David Perkins Scholarship and Mary & James Cleary Endowment Scholarship
Melissa is working on an Art degree with future plans to earn a single subject teaching credential to become a high school art teacher. In addition to working in the Library’s Special Collections & Archives, Melissa is in the General Education Honors Program and the CSUN Badminton Sports Club that she helped form. Through her parish, Melissa has inspired teens as a youth ministry leader and a Life Teen core member. Her passion for encouraging others to express themselves is a wonderful blessing.
Michael "Misha" Kreinbring
Award: Ronald C. and Elizabeth-ann Purcell International Guitar Research Archives (IGRA) Endowment Scholarship
Misha is majoring in Classical Guitar Performance. In teaching private lessons as a part of his personal mission, Misha’s focus is on showing the history of great performers and great compositions to help his students develop a strong connection with the instrument. In his time as the IGRA fellow, Misha loved being a part of the history of the instrument and making it accessible for a new generation of guitarists, like himself.
Nataly Torres
Awards: Marianne Afifi Scholarship and Ann & David Perkins Scholarship
During the pandemic, Nataly’s educational path became crystal clear. She set her sights on Public Health with much ambition. In fact, Nataly has earned a spot on the Dean’s List in four consecutive semesters. She plans to pursue a Masters to focus on an Epidemiology career goal, such as working for the CDC. In the Library’s Special Collections & Archives Department, Nataly is a trustworthy, detailed, and diligent student assistant.
Naweeth Mohamed Riyaz
Award: Ann & David Perkins Scholarship
In Naweeth’s freshman year at CSUN, he accepted the invitation to join the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, which has provided him with positive reinforcement. He is pursuing a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering, fueled by his love of physics and math. Naweeth has achieved a spot on the Dean’s List every semester at CSUN since 2019. Working at the Library Technology Services Desk, Naweeth has been highly commended for his enthusiasm, resourcefulness, and excellent customer service.
Saro Aharonian
Award: Ann & David Perkins Scholarship
Since he was a child, Saro has been fascinated with science. And here he is today, passionately working on a Bachelors in Chemistry! And he won’t stop there. Saro aims to achieve a PhD in chemistry and pharmacology in order to create medicine for new diseases. In the Library’s Music & Media/Teacher Curriculum Center, Saro’s supervisor shared, “His passions of music, technology and hobbies make him personable and relatable to our other student assistants within our department. His energy, positive attitude, and helpful nature makes him a great student assistant within our department.”
Xina Muñoz-Choto
Award: Gus and Erika Manders Scholarship
Xina is working on her CTVA Provisional Film degree. She aims to work in the field of media marketing. In the Library, her assistance in the Tom & Ethel Bradley Center has been highly praised. Her supervisor shared, “Xina is always professional, respectful, and courteous. I have met very few students that are as inquisitive and engaged with local community members as Xina. She is always willing to take on new projects, explore new options and technologies to improve productivity, or offer a helping hand without hesitation.”
The University Library is filled with pride and appreciation not only for our outstanding student employees, but also for the donors that make dreams come true with these precious awards. We are thankful beyond words for such generosity from those who value the Library, our students, and the promising workforce emerging from CSUN.