EPOCHS Grant

Eighteen Cal State Fullerton graduate students recently received funding in support of their research efforts, thanks to a campuswide research fund and graduate student program underwritten by a U.S. Department of Education grant.

The program has received $1.06 million of an anticipated $2.5 million award to be granted over a five-year period.

Student recipients have been awarded grants ranging from $100 to $500 in support of travel to academic conferences to present research and buy supplies necessary for research through the Enhancing Postbaccalaureate Opportunities at Cal State Fullerton for Hispanic Students (EPOCHS) program, established to increase the number of Latino and disadvantaged students of any ethnicity who complete a graduate degree on campus.

The EPOCHS Graduate Student Research Fund is the only campuswide program to provide monetary support for research projects required by university degree programs, said Katherine Powers, director of graduate studies. More than 80 CSUF students have received funding support since the program began in 2010.

Among this summer’s recipients is Marissa Bañuelos of Walnut, a graduate student in sociology. Bañuelos received funding to attend this year’s Pacific Sociological Association Conference to present her research, “Resisting Racialized Discourse: Reflections on Navigating Institutions of Higher Education” with Michael P. Perez, chair and professor of sociology.

“Conference attendance strengthens a student's experience with research and with academia,” said Bañuelos. “Had it not been for the EPOCHS Research Fund, my chances for such experience would have been quite limited.”

Other recipients, listed with their major and city of residence, are:

• John Belleci of Laguna Niguel, history
• Christina Burdi of Placentia, biology
• Dawn Cook of Fullerton, history
• Karla Flores of Fullerton, biology
• David Lin of Pomona, biology
• Mary Frances Martinez of Fontana, history
• Zahra Mirnajafizadeh of Irvine, psychology
• Kathryn Morris of Whittier, counseling
• Kerianne Murphy of Ramona, biology
• Devora Orantes of Santa Ana, art
• Hoang Pham of Pomona, kinesiology
• Sari Rose Poll of Los Angeles, counseling
• Lorena Romero of South Gate, American studies
• Ken-Der Wang of Cerritos, biology
• Melissa Warstadt of San Diego, psychology
• Elizabeth White of Anaheim, kinesiology
• Kevin Wu of Walnut, biology

Services to Graduate Students

In addition to the Graduate Student Research Fund, the EPOCHS program makes available to all graduate students on campus numerous services, including tutoring and counseling, specialized workshops, faculty/student mentoring and graduate assistantships. In addition, all CSUF graduate students receive newsletters and graduate student handbooks.

The EPOCHS Graduate Student Research Fund awards grant funds twice every semester. Additional information is available from the Office of Graduate Studies website or by contacting Yessica Peñate.

Media Contact:        

Pamela McLaren, 657-278-4852