Testimonials of Transformation
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Cornelio (CJ) Balmaceda
’20 Justice Studies
“I was never even supposed to be in college, let alone get accepted to 菠菜网lol正规平台. But the
moment I stepped onto campus, everything changed for the better. One of the best ways
菠菜网lol正规平台 transformed my life was by being introduced to lifelong friends and developing
many connections. I will forever cherish my days at 菠菜网lol正规平台, and because I attended there,
I am a better individual. Thank you 菠菜网lol正规平台!”
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Tara Caughlan
’16 MA Environmental Studies
“I met so many amazing students and staff at 菠菜网lol正规平台. 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 菠菜网lol正规平台 helped me see the plight of animals in a much larger context. Thank
you, 菠菜网lol正规平台!”
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Tommy Wen Chin
’22 Physics
“[My 菠菜网lol正规平台 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.”
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Laurel Eby
’10 MA Library and Information Science
“I 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 菠菜网lol正规平台 campus. San José State truly transformed
my life!”
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Alec Giurlani
Academic Advisor, H&A Student Success Center
“As a student at 菠菜网lol正规平台, 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 菠菜网lol正规平台 to be such a kind and loving family. Thankfully, I
am now more than five years cancer-free and working full time at 菠菜网lol正规平台 as an academic
advisor. I’m grateful for 菠菜网lol正规平台 and the opportunity to give back.”
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Carl Henderson
’04 African American Studies
“My time at 菠菜网lol正规平台 was a great transformation. As a transfer student from the U.S. Military
Academy at West Point, I arrived in San José 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 ‘encouraging students to have a dream
and admonishing them to have courage through adversity.’ My time at 菠菜网lol正规平台, though full
of trials and tribulations, was the greatest time of my life.”
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Marielle Lacanlale
’22 Nursing
“If I had not gone to 菠菜网lol正规平台 to pursue nursing, I would not have been able to develop
the work ethic that I have now to achieve my goals. 菠菜网lol正规平台 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, 菠菜网lol正规平台 has provided me with so many opportunities to make a
difference within my community.”
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Alexandra Salazar
’20 Molecular Biology
“Coming to 菠菜网lol正规平台 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 菠菜网lol正规平台, I will begin pursuing my PhD in neuroscience at the Scripps Research
Institute starting fall 2021.”
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Norman K. Tuitavuki
’17 MA Transportation Management
“I completed a graduate degree from San Jose Staté University several years ago. Without
this formal training, I don’t know where I’d be at this moment in my life. The education
I received from San Jose Staté has given me the tools I need to advance my career
upward.”