Mission Statement & Purpose
We're here to help CDS students at SJSU feel confident and supported as they move through their undergrad journey. Our mission is to shine a light on the stuff nobody really talks about—the hidden curriculum—and connect you with the tools, tips, and resources (both on campus and beyond) that can make a big difference as you figure out your next steps.
This site was built for you—the CDS undergrad trying to figure it all out. Whether you're wondering what classes to take, what you can actually do with your degree, or how to get into grad school or another career path, we’ve got your back. We’re pulling together info, advice, and links to resources to make your path a little clearer and a lot less overwhelming.
Contributors
Marcella McCollum
Dr. Marcella Cardoza McCollum focuses on access to education. She helps ensure that future educators are informed about the special education process and works with speech-language pathologists to ensure that bilingual students are assessed in a culturally appropriate manner. Her passion for education extends to college students, ensuring that ‘hidden curriculum’ is uncovered.
Lizabeth Gonzalez-Villegas
LIzbeth is a first year graduate student who was also an undergrad in CDS here at SJSU!
Aileen Kamgarhaghighi
Aileen is a Senior at SJSU and will be headed to grad school this fall!
Cathy Pho
Cathy is a senior at SJSU and is planning to enroll in the SLPA program at SJSU!
Mandy Wong
Mandy enjoyed classes and learning about CDS. Especially paying attention to information about adults, because she found adults much more interesting. In class she was always quiet, so she worried a lot about getting Letters of Recommendation. She was interested in both SLP and Audiology routes during grad school applications. Her biggest piece of advice is to form groups with fellow cohort members and go through the process together. It is a stressful time, so it was important to share feelings of anxiety and fear with others. Through this process, she strengthened her organization skills. She is proud to have submitted grad school applications.
Ryan Morla
Ryan, an MIS major, joined the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program to contribute to something meaningful. Through the program, he found Dr. McCollum’s CDS project and became a research assistant. He worked on literature reviews about first-generation students and helped build the website featured here. His involvement not only deepened his understanding of qualitative and phenomenological research but also allowed him to amplify the voices of those often overlooked in higher education. In his free time, he loves self-learning cloud technology, trying out new food places, traveling, and spending time with friends.