Employee Graduate Spotlight
Tips from a Titan Employee Graduate
Maricela Alvarado
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, College of the Arts
Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, Azusa Pacific University
Maricela is a first-generation graduate who has served the University as a CSUF employee for 20 years.
How has earning your degree empowered you?
Earning a degree has empowered me to seek a leadership role to advance my career. It has also given me the confidence to publish my research and co-author a book chapter.
What tips do you have for Titan students pursuing their degree?
Find a support system that will serve as your cheerleaders. Surround yourself with people who care about you and who want to see you succeed.
What tips do you have for Titan employees considering going back to school?
I encourage my colleagues to seek support from those who have completed their degrees to learn more about the application process and the student experience and hear tips on balancing school and life priorities.
What has been the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome while pursuing your degree?
The biggest challenge I’ve had to overcome while pursuing my degree was balancing a full-time job and completing a dissertation. With the support of my classmates, faculty, and family I managed to keep up with the rigorous work and complete my dissertation.
What are you most proud of during your most recent school year?
The biggest challenge I’ve had to overcome while pursuing my degree was balancing a full-time job and completing a dissertation. With the support of my classmates, faculty, and family, I managed to keep up with the rigorous work and complete my dissertation.
What is your favorite memory at CSUF?
My favorite memory at CSUF is my involvement with my sorority, Lambda Theta Alpha. I found a support group that I was able to identify with and who helped me build a sense of community.
