Cathy Kim
Ever since my Introduction to American Government course as an undergraduate student at UC Irvine, I knew I wanted to study Political Science. After receiving my bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Education Sciences in 2019, I was eager for more. In the year before graduate school, I was able to gain much real-world insight through research assistant work and campaign experience. These opportunities helped me to realize that there’s so much more I did not yet know. This realization brought me to CSULB—and even through the online format of the course during the pandemic, I can genuinely share that it has been one of the greatest academic experiences in my school journey. The small class sizes, friendly peers, and the expertise of the faculty all brought together a challenging yet deeply enriching program. The courses are designed with intentionality and are applicable to my interests and those of my peers beyond just the classroom. In the years ahead, I am looking forward to finding career opportunities in either teaching college students or perhaps in non-profit political work. I hope to be able to continue growing my love for political science and to share that passion with others.
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Aesha Mahmoud
In 2018 I began my undergraduate career at CSULB, passionate about politics and its ties to local and global communities. After a tumultuous few semesters amid the global pandemic, I decided to pursue the master’s program at CSULB after graduating in 2021 with a BA in Political Science. The support and sense of community around me in the department made me realize the unique space we have right here on campus where I can be challenged to build on my knowledge and grow intellectually. As I move through the MA program, I plan on delving deeper into the topics that interest me while inserting my perspective of living and growing up in Cairo, Egypt during the Arab Spring. This experience has made me passionate about political and social movements, comparative politics, and the role U.S. politics plays in the global system. Beyond the MA program I hope to work as a community college instructor to be able to instill a sense of global citizenship for Southern California youth, allowing them to gain a wider perspective of their role in their communities and in the world. I am thankful for the opportunity to be a graduate assistant while in the MA program helping me prepare for that role in the future. I also hope to be involved in advocacy and community organizing as I am interested in the on-the-ground work necessary to progress the field beyond its place in academia.
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Graduate students (POSC 600) having an outdoors meeting with Dr. Charles Mahoney.