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After graduating from San Diego State University Imperial Valley (SDSU-IV) in a May 16 ceremony, Esteban Ayala hopes to earn a master’s degree from SDSU and teach history. The outgoing 22-year-old prefers to find an instructor position near his hometown of Calexico “and, hopefully, teach at San Diego State,” he said. “If not, I would teach at IVC (Imperial Valley College in Imperial).”

Fast-forward almost five decades and a 56-year-old Ponce, now dean of SDSU Imperial Valley, is sitting in his office recalling the story. “Through high school I had no idea this was a university,” he tells an astonished visitor. “That’s one of the challenges we’re trying to overcome. We need to get the word out that we’re here because our students (in the Imperial Valley) often don’t know we’re here.”

Chancellor Timothy P. White has honored SDSU researcher Guadalupe X. “Suchi” Ayala for her groundbreaking achievements, and her exemplary impact on students. Guadalupe X. “Suchi” Ayala’s scholarly and community-based work to help improve the overall health and wellness of some of the most underserved people began with the influential teachings of her parents, Reynaldo and Marta Ayala.

The number of students attending San Diego State University Imperial Valley has grown to 1,020 for the fall semester, which is the second-highest student head count in the history of the campus, according to university census figures released this week. And, the SDSU Imperial Valley is the top college within the University for exceeding its full-time equivalent student (FTES) target goal for the semester by 7%.

During the fall semester of 2018 Jonathan was accepted to SMU’s Ph.D. program with the help of the SMU and SDSU-IV faculty. As his research continues to develop, he will research the Bracero Program (a bi-national guest labor program between Mexico and the U.S. from 1942-1964) in two borderland communities, the Imperial Valley and the Lower Rio Grande Valley (Texas.)

Student success begins with academic achievement, but it also consists of carving a path that contributes toward career opportunities by building your résumé through networking, volunteering, and internships. Professional development, engagement, and involvement outside of the classroom is what can truly provide interested students with educational experiences and experiential learning opportunities to create a bridge from student success to a career pathway.

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) hosts an annual conference that shares information on the state of Hispanic higher education.