Scholar: Mari Libaryan
Year Awarded: 2019
Working towards degree: Bachelor of Science in Health Administration
About Scholarship Recipient: Mari has always had a passion for healthcare. She started her CSUN journey in 2007, however, health concerns and other obstacles made her unable to complete her education at the time. Yet five years later, she returned to CSUN to complete her bachelor’s degree and in 2019, she would have that degree. Her involvement in the healthcare world began at the age of 15 when her mother became ill with heart disease and underwent a transplant to save her life. To learn as much as she could about healthcare processes, Mari began volunteering at Valley Presbyterian Hospital. Through her dedication and hard work, the hospital hired her as a unit secretary when she was 18. Her time at the hospital garnered her interest in the field of health administration and she changed her major and knew that would be her true calling. Mari believes in delivering culturally competent, compassionate, empathetic and patient-centered healthcare. She has several years of clerical experience from her time at Valley Presbyterian, as well as, St. Joseph Medical Center and Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Her greatest accomplishment is being the proud mother of two boys, Arman and David, for whom she hopes to set a good example and to show them they can accomplish anything.
Scholar: Jacqueline Olivares
Year Awarded: 2019
Working towards degree: Bachelor of Science in Health Administration
About Scholarship Recipient: Jackie is proud to be the first person in her family to attend a four-year university and is the role model for her family that she always dreamt of being. Growing up in South Los Angeles, she witnessed first-hand many low-income families having limited access to basic healthcare, including her own. As a healthcare administrator, Jackie hopes to be able to provide affordable resources to underserved communities. After graduation, she would like to earn her master’s degree in health administration to learn all she can about the field and gain all the benefits that come with higher education. In the future, whether she is managing staff, evaluating policies, negotiating with health insurers, or utilizing her expertise at a non-profit, she will always keep the needs of underserved communities as her top priority.
About the Scholarship: The Health Administration Scholarship Program was initiated through a generous donation from alumnus, Ronald “Ron” Sorensen, and further supported by alumna, Dori Holnagel. The scholarship is awarded to undergraduate students who are majoring in health administration and have successfully completed the first two introductory courses. Recipients are selected based on evidence of financial need, being among the first in their family to attend college, and have a proven commitment to the community.
Scholar: Diana Moran
Year Awarded: 2019
Working towards degree: Bachelor of Science in Public Health
About Scholarship Recipient: Diana demonstrated her passion for health education often as a child by giving health advice to her parents and community members in need. In college, she realized that she wanted to commit herself to the educational field of public health. She aspires to teach health education and provide resources to individuals in underserved communities experiencing health disparities. Diana currently volunteers with Peer Health Exchange as a health educator and leadership council member. She facilitates and delivers health education to over 1,000 ninth grade students from Title I schools in the San Fernando Valley. She values this volunteer opportunity because Peer Health Exchange was the only health education she had delivered to her as a high school student. In addition, she also is part of the Health Education Student Organization at CSUN. In this organization, she educates students and community members on mental health, sexual health and substance abuse. Giving back to the community is vital to Diana as a means to express her gratitude and to do something that she holds herself responsible for. She is extremely grateful to the Holly Hunt family for further providing her with the opportunity to excel in the field of public health.
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cholar: Tammy Rassamekiarttisak
Year Awarded: 2019
Working towards degree: Double Major; Bachelor of Science in Public Health and Bachelor of Arts in Asian American Studies
About Scholarship Recipient: Tammy is a first-generation college student, double majoring in Public Health and Asian American Studies, with the aspiration of becoming a pediatrician. She has been involved in several groups and organizations at CSUN. Most recently, she served as an Associated Students Senator for the College of Health and Human Development in the 2018-2019 academic year and she was re-elected for the 2019-2020 term. Tammy is passionate about bringing awareness to the mental health issues that surround the Asian American and Pacific Islanders communities. She believes that through public health, we can understand how vital prevention is and how it is essential to empower the community through being environmentally just in our communities. She hopes to one day give back to the communities that have helped shape her. Tammy is sincerely grateful to the Hunt family for awarding her this scholarship and allowing her to be one-step closer to her dream.
About the Scholarship: Holly Hunt graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health Education at CSUN in 1979, was admitted to the Master of Public Health in Health Education graduate program and worked with children as a teacher. While Holly was a graduate student at CSUN she tragically passed away. In 2006, her siblings, Beryl Loughlin and Ronald Hunt, along with his wife Joyce, established this scholarship in memory of Holly. This scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate public health student who contributes to the community and is committed to public health.
Scholar: Elaine Villanueva
Year Awarded: 2019
Working towards degree: Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences
About Scholarship Recipient: Elaine is majoring in Radiologic Sciences and double minoring in Art and Civic Community Engagement. She is a committed advocate for health justice and hopes to improve the well-being of patients from all cultural backgrounds. Through CSUN, she has been able to engage with a broad demographic population of colleagues and patients who all share a common goal in healthcare. Elaine’s experiences inspired her to create “Let’s Talk”, a pocket guide to help individuals overcome language barriers in radiology. She will present her findings at the CSUN Annual Research and Service Learning Symposium. She also volunteers at several local organizations. She recently attended the California Society of Radiology Technologists annual conference where, in the Three Minute Thesis, she presented her project on Microwave Imaging and its potential as a breast cancer imaging modality in underdeveloped parts of the world. In addition to the Judge Julian Beck Scholarship, Elaine also received the Southern California Kaiser Permanente Radiologic Technology Scholarship. She plans to utilize both scholarships to strengthen her ability to serve our communities. In particular, the Kaiser Permanente Scholarship provides a resource for her and her peers to promote patient relations and enhanced well-being by increasing awareness for cultural competency in the healthcare fields.
About the Scholarship: Julian Beck was a teacher, politician and judge in Los Angeles and was instrumental in the establishment of San Fernando Valley State College (now CSUN). Two of Julian Beck's greatest achievements were carrying out the legislation that created CSUN, as well as, creating the Superior Court in San Fernando. He served on CSUN's Advisory Board for 16 years and always felt that education and hard work gave a person more options in life. To him, education was a gift to improve a person's life. He also felt strongly about sharing and giving to those who struggle to pay for their higher education. He left several endowments to CSUN for the purpose of helping others. As a man from humble beginnings, he served as a prime example of where hard work and an education can help fulfill one's own dreams and the dreams of others.This scholarship is made possible by a generous contribution from the Judge Julian Beck Health Sciences Endowment established in 1984. The scholarship provides financial assistance to an outstanding senior each year. Recipients should demonstrate a commitment to professional growth and service, leadership, have a positive and professional attitude, and, where applicable, outstanding clinical potential.
Scholar: Kriztian Luna
Year Awarded: 2019
Working towards degree: Master of Science in Public Health Education
About Scholarship Recipient: Prior to her start in the Master of Public Health Program at CSUN, Kriztian was a high school teacher in South Los Angeles. Her discussions with her students about health related topics led her to choosing CSUN’s program in public health. While in the program, she has worked as a research assistant under the CAMINO grant, a grant that provides graduate students with a pathway to health careers. Her research with Dr. Mina Sawyer and Dr. Nelida Duran focuses on Latino adolescent nutrition and adult diabetes prevention. Kriztian is also a teaching assistant for the BUILD PODER program, which engages middle school students in biomedical research and builds awareness around health disparities and inequities. She also volunteers at Adventist Health Glendale Hospital’s senior outreach program, aiding in the program’s community to promote evidence-based practices and provide culturally relevant resources to improve seniors’ quality of life.
About the Scholarship: The late Dr. Lennin H. Glass was a professor of health sciences and served as the Dean of the School of Communication and Professional Studies (now Health and Human Development) from 1979-1987. The scholarship was dedicated to Dr. Glass by his wife Rosalee before her passing. The scholarship is made possible due to a generous contribution from the Lennin H. Glass Scholarship Endowment. It is the intention of the donor to provide financial assistance to a returning adult student who can demonstrate a commitment to professional growth and service, leadership and has a positive and professional attitude within the health sciences field.
Scholar: Andrew Cook
Year Awarded: 2019
Working towards degree: Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences
About Scholarship Recipient: Andrew was born and raised in Chico, California and comes from a family of healthcare professionals and engineers. After suffering a ruptured lumbar disc, he needed many images taken and many visits to medical professionals. It was that situation that he found his passion and decided to relocate to join CSUN’s Radiologic Sciences program. Since attending CSUN, Andrew has been involved in the California Society of Radiologic Technologists, has presented scientific posters, and has been the treasurer for the Radiologic Sciences Student Association. He also volunteers his time in the community by giving back and feeding veterans and the homeless at soup kitchens in the San Fernando Valley and downtown Los Angeles areas. Andrew hopes to use the knowledge and skills acquired in the program to continue to grow as a Radiologic Technologist. He is honored to be among his peers for the Kaiser Permanente Scholarship and hopes he too can give back to the community in the future.
Scholar: Quingyang Li
Year Awarded: 2019
Working towards degree: Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences
About Scholarship Recipient: As a first-generation immigrant, Qingyang faced many adversities when she came to the United States, by herself, at the age of 16. With the help of her community, she persevered and became a dedicated believer in community service. Over the years, she remained an active volunteer at her local church and in the emergency rooms of Glendale Adventist Hospital and Kaiser Permanente Riverside Medical Center. She is currently the philanthropy chair for the CSUN Radiologic Sciences Student Association. Qingyang has organized several successful fundraisers for local veterans, participated in the Walk for Alzheimer’s and the Breast Cancer Walk, and involved her team in helping at homeless shelters. Scholastically, she has achieved a 4.0 grade point average while working two part-time jobs to support herself. Although she rarely has free time, she rejoices in being able to help others and give back to her community. Quingyang would like to thank Kaiser Permanente for the scholarship that gets her one-step closer to achieving her dream.
Scholar: Jennifer Lopez
Year Awarded: 2019
Working towards degree: Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences
About Scholarship Recipient: Jennifer has always been passionate about caring for those around her. Her background has been in caring, by comforting patients at West Hills Hospital as a volunteer and helping to raise money and awareness for multiple sclerosis and cystic fibrosis. When Jennifer came to CSUN, she wanted to get involved right away and help where she could. On-campus, she organized an event to pick up trash as well as an event to collect food for food insecure students. Due to her eager drive to help people, she chose a path in healthcare and picked radiologic sciences to enable her to do what she loves and give back to her community. Jennifer is grateful to Kaiser Permanente for the scholarship. She strives to continue giving back to those around her and hopes to achieve even more when she graduates from CSUN.
Scholar: Christopher Ngov
Year Awarded: 2019
Working towards degree: Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences
About Scholarship Recipient: Christopher is an enthusiastic individual who enjoys helping others by partaking in a variety of philanthropic events on a regular basis. He has attended numerous events to support the LA Regional Food Bank, has participated in the Alzheimer’s Walk, Breast Cancer Walk, and most recently, the Multiple Sclerosis walk. His position as the public relations officer for the Radiologic Sciences Student Association also exemplifies his involvement with the CSUN campus. Giving back is what Christopher is all about; it is why he chose a career path in the medical field. He said that being in the Radiologic Sciences program at CSUN has brought him one-step closer to becoming a Radiologic Technologist where he will be able to help patients on a daily basis.
Scholar: Kristopher Pashko
Year Awarded: 2019
Working towards degree: Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences
About Scholarship Recipient: Kristopher has had a relatively successful photography business, but felt drawn to the medical field. While volunteering in the COPE Health Scholars program, he discovered how he could combine his passion for photography with his desire to work in the medical field via radiology. He then applied to CSUN’s program and, after acceptance, dove headfirst into studying the field. During his first year, Kristopher was elected class president and vice president of the Radiologic Sciences Student Association. He performed in the top percentile of his physics course and was asked to be the teacher’s assistance for one of UCLA’s radiation physicists. Kristopher is making the most out of his time in the program. He plans to continue to sharpen his patient care techniques through the few months of clinical rotation he has left in the program. He is thankful to Kaiser Permanente for the scholarship that will allow him to invest more of himself into his academics and continue to grow as a future radiologic technologist.
Scholar: Elaine Villanueva
Year Awarded: 2019
Working towards degree: Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences
About Scholarship Recipient: Elaine is majoring in Radiologic Sciences and double minoring in Art and Civic Community Engagement. She is a committed advocate for health justice and hopes to improve the well-being of patients from all cultural backgrounds. Through CSUN, she has been able to engage with a broad demographic population of colleagues and patients who all share a common goal in healthcare. Elaine’s experiences inspired her to create “Let’s Talk”, a pocket guide to help individuals overcome language barriers in radiology. She will present her findings at the CSUN Annual Research and Service Learning Symposium. She also volunteers at several local organizations. She recently attended the California Society of Radiology Technologists annual conference where, in the Three Minute Thesis, she presented her project on Microwave Imaging and its potential as a breast cancer imaging modality in underdeveloped parts of the world. In addition to the Southern California Kaiser Permanente Radiologic Technology Scholarship, Elaine also received the Judge Julian Beck Scholarship. She plans to utilize both scholarships to strengthen her ability to serve our communities. In particular, the Kaiser Permanente Scholarship provides a resource for her and her peers to promote patient relations and enhanced well-being by increasing awareness for cultural competency in the healthcare fields.
About the Scholarship: This scholarship is the result of a generous contribution from Southern California Kaiser Permanente. The scholarship is for baccalaureate students studying Radiologic Sciences and intends to encourage them to excel in their education and reward such outstanding students. The intent is to lessen the financial burden of the students who are studying to gain professional imaging skills, training, and the experience necessary to join the professional field of Radiologic Technology. Students are chosen based on a combination of financial need, commitment to the community, dedication to the institution, scholastic achievement and devotion to the imaging profession as described by references. Award funds are designated for summer clinical registration fees.
