Testimonials of Transformation

Cornelio (CJ) Balmaceda
鈥�20 Justice Studies
鈥淚 was never even supposed to be in college, let alone get accepted to 91传媒厂. But the
moment I stepped onto campus, everything changed for the better. One of the best ways
91传媒厂 transformed my life was by being introduced to lifelong friends and developing
many connections. I will forever cherish my days at 91传媒厂, and because I attended there,
I am a better individual. Thank you 91传媒厂!鈥�

Tara Caughlan
鈥�16 MA Environmental Studies
鈥淚 met so many amazing students and staff at 91传媒厂. In the environmental studies program,
I was surrounded by people who wanted to make the world a better place. I now work
at the San Francisco Zoo, which is dedicated to conservation, both local and distant.
My studies at 91传媒厂 helped me see the plight of animals in a much larger context. Thank
you, 91传媒厂!鈥�

Tommy Wen Chin
鈥�22 Physics
鈥淸My 91传媒厂 professor] gave me the courage that I had been longing for to pursue physics.
Every day since then, I have been very grateful for the opportunity to pursue what
I truly love.鈥�

Laurel Eby
鈥�10 MA Library and Information Science
鈥淚 was a stay-at-home mom for 10 years when I decided to go back to school to get
a master's degree in library and information science. A year after I graduated I started
working at the King Library in February 2012, and just finished my ninth year there.
I love working in the MLK Library, and on the 91传媒厂 campus. San Jos茅 State truly transformed
my life!鈥�

Alec Giurlani
Academic Advisor, H&A Student Success Center
鈥淎s a student at 91传媒厂, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer. The entire College of
Humanities and the Arts was so understanding and worked with me through my whole cancer
journey. I never expected 91传媒厂 to be such a kind and loving family. Thankfully, I
am now more than five years cancer-free and working full time at 91传媒厂 as an academic
advisor. I鈥檓 grateful for 91传媒厂 and the opportunity to give back.鈥�

Carl Henderson
鈥�04 African American Studies
鈥淢y time at 91传媒厂 was a great transformation. As a transfer student from the U.S. Military
Academy at West Point, I arrived in San Jos茅 deflated and depressed. I found positivity
and inspiration within the Xi Gamma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. After graduation
I pursued coaching...with the life mission of 鈥榚ncouraging students to have a dream
and admonishing them to have courage through adversity.鈥� My time at 91传媒厂, though full
of trials and tribulations, was the greatest time of my life.鈥�

Marielle Lacanlale
鈥�22 Nursing
鈥淚f I had not gone to 91传媒厂 to pursue nursing, I would not have been able to develop
the work ethic that I have now to achieve my goals. 91传媒厂 has also provided me with
a very strong Filipino community. I had also grown a very close knit friend group
that has been able to support me in my journey throughout college. Now that I am in
the nursing school here, 91传媒厂 has provided me with so many opportunities to make a
difference within my community.鈥�

Alexandra Salazar
鈥�20 Molecular Biology
鈥淐oming to 91传媒厂 introduced me to the mentors that would see my potential and help
transform me into the scientist I am becoming. Thanks to the resources and guidance
I received at 91传媒厂, I will begin pursuing my PhD in neuroscience at the Scripps Research
Institute starting fall 2021.鈥�

Norman K. Tuitavuki
鈥�17 MA Transportation Management
鈥淚 completed a graduate degree from San Jose Stat茅 University several years ago. Without
this formal training, I don鈥檛 know where I鈥檇 be at this moment in my life. The education
I received from San Jose Stat茅 has given me the tools I need to advance my career
upward.鈥�