A merica’s 2012 Teacher of the Year Rebecca Mieliwocki, Amgen executive Nicholas Timinskas, telecommu­nications entrepreneur Paul Jennings and business executive and former U.S. Census Bureau Director Vincent Barabba, all CSUN alumni, are among the dignitaries who will address California State University, Northridge students when they graduate later this month.

Representatives from California State University, Northridge’s Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication signed an agreement this week that will allow students at Shanghai Normal University (SHNU) to complete an accelerated master’s degree in music.

Stacia Short-Baguio thought she was done with education when she dropped out of high school at 17. She had always been a bright student, but the chaos in her life was hectic. Her single, teenage mom had a hard time keeping a roof over their heads and provided little support. She needed stability and a job.

For César Soto, failure is not defeat. Rather, failing is an opportunity to learn and grow. “All the obstacles I’ve faced have only made me better,” he said.

Grab your sunscreen and your swimsuits! As the Los Angeles temperature approaches triple digits, what better way to spend lunch on a hot summer day than by taking a cool and relaxing dip in the Plaza Pool?

In these five videos, graduating students with exceptional academic accomplishments, community involvement and extracurricular activities share their stories of achieving success, often after overcoming adversity. (Videos by Krishna Narayanamurti and Jacquil Constant.)

California State University, Northridge marine seismologist and geological science professor Dayanthie Weeraratne’s passion for her subject matter radiates like an earthquake’s P wave traveling deep into the Earth. But it wasn’t always like that. Originally a psychology student, she lost interest and settled into a job as a machinist.

More than 9,200 students are expected to walk across a stage at California State University, Northridge later this month as they celebrate their graduation from the university before thousands of family members and friends.