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Villaseñor earns ‘First-Year Student Advocate’ honor

Maria Villaseñor, associate professor and coordinator of the First-Year Seminar program at Cal State Monterey Bay, has received national recognition as an outstanding champion for freshmen students.

Dr. Villaseñor is one of 10 recipients in the country chosen as “Outstanding First-Year Advocates” for 2014-15 by the National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience at the University of South Carolina. She was selected from a group of 116 educators nominated by their colleges and universities.

She was recognized for her commitment to student success at the annual “Conference on the First-Year Experience” Feb. 7-10 in Dallas.

“Professor Villaseñor has distinguished herself as an effective and tireless advocate for first-year students, especially first-generation students and those from disadvantaged backgrounds,” Provost Bonnie Irwin said in her letter o fnomination.

“Students and instructors alike are effusive in their praise of Professor Villaseñor’s work in support of student success.”

Provost Irwin went on to say, “She is present in the lives of her students and faculty colleagues, empowering them to thrive at CSUMB. She is a quintessential teacher, scholar and advocate for students.”

First-year seminars are designed to prepare students for academicand personal success. During the 2014-15 school year, 12 classes were offeredwith a variety of themes, including technology, sustainability, digital media arts, psychology and health and well-being.