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Graduate Studies

California Pre-Doctoral Scholarship

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The (a.k.a. Sally Casanova) awards funds to approximately 70 juniors, seniors, and graduate students in the CSU. These funds are designed to enable students to explore and prepare to succeed in doctoral programs in their chosen field of study. Scholarships are based on a competitive review of student applications and awarded to current upper-division or graduate students who, in the judgment of the review panel, demonstrate academic excellence while having experienced economic or educational disadvantage, and who are committed to a career in teaching or research at the university level.

Students who are chosen for this prestigious award are designated California Pre-Doctoral Scholars as a tribute to Dr. Sally Casanova, for whom the scholarship is named.

Each of the applicants selected will be designated a Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Scholar and will work closely with a CSU faculty sponsor to develop an overall plan which prepares the student for enrollment in a doctoral program. The plan should be tailored to the specific goals and career objectives of the student.

If you are selected as a California Pre-Doctoral Program Scholar, you will receive:

An award of $5,000 for:

  • Visits to doctoral-granting institutions in the continental United States
  • Attending or presenting research at professional conferences
  • Journal subscriptions in your field or membership fees to professional organizations
  • Graduate school application fees, GRE or other graduate exam preparation course or registration fees

In addition, each Pre-Doctoral Scholar is eligible to apply for:

  • A fully funded Summer Research Experience with a faculty member of their choosing in their discipline at an accredited Ph.D.-granting university in the continental United States.

Health Professions Track

With an eye on preparing individuals to build a more equitable​ health care system for California, the CSU has created a Health Professions Track (HPT) pilot within its . The new pilot will support students aspiring to careers in health professions, including public health, kinesiology, nursing, social work and speech/language/hearing sciences, that require professional doctorates.

While the goals of the HPT align with the California Pre-Doctoral Program—to prepare current CSU students to earn research doctorates—the new track will focus on preparing individuals to diversify the health care workforce in a broad range of research-informed roles, including as future CSU faculty. The goal for graduates is to help improve health care service delivery and public health systems, and influence health care policies, programs and practices through evidence-based approaches.

Students with questions about HPT should contact:

Dr. Arnab Mukherjea
Faculty Director for the Health Professions
amukherjea@calstate.edu

*The 2025-2026 Application Cycle is Now Closed*

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  • ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

    To be eligible to apply to the California Pre-Doctoral Scholarship for the 2026-2027 Cycle, applicants must:

    • Be a ´ó·¢ junior, senior, or master’s student.
    • Be enrolled in Spring 2026, and for at least one semester in the 2026-2027 academic year.
    • Have a faculty sponsor from ´ó·¢ who will be available for the duration of the plan specified in the application.

      *DACA students are also eligible for this scholarship.

    Those not eligible:

    • Current or former Pre-Doctoral Scholars are not eligible to reapply.
    • International students
    • Students interested in obtaining professional degrees (law, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, or an MBA degree)
  • APPLICATION COMPONENTS

    To apply to become a California Pre-Doctoral Program Scholar, you’ll need to provide the following Application Materials:

    Essays (3)

    1. Describe the field of study in which you would like to pursue a doctoral degree and the research questions or theoretical perspectives that interest you in this field. Please be specific.
    2. What elements of your educational, research, community service and/or personal experience have contributed to your interest in and preparation for pursuing doctoral study, and your determination to succeed in it?
    3. Many professionals with doctoral degrees enter careers to serve as college and university faculty, and most faculty serve a diverse student body. Describe your interest in such a career and experience that would prepare you for it.

    Transcripts

    One (1) copy of your transcripts (official or unofficial) must be submitted with your application. Graduate students must include a copy of both undergraduate and graduate transcripts from all institutions, including the CSU.

    Student Budget Plan



    Please provide details on the components of the plan and assign a tentative dollar amount to each. An award of $5,000 is made to each Scholar. Please note that travel is permitted only within the U.S., and visits to doctoral degree-granting institutions are limited to those universities that are accredited. Summer research experiences are funded separately from this budget.

    Letter of Recommendation

    Letter from Faculty Mentor that details the abilities, skills, mastery of theory and method, accomplishments, and motivation that are likely to contribute to this student’s ability to succeed in doctoral study.

    You will input your Faculty Mentor’s information into Smartsheet and they will be emailed a link to upload their letter after you submit your application.

  • APPLICATION PROCESS

    *The 2025-2026 Application Cycle is Now Closed*

    Review the components of the application and start to prepare them in advance of the submission deadline. An is also available.

    Although not mandatory, it is strongly suggested that you have the Campus Coordinator review your application before submitting. Please send your materials to Nam Nguyen at gradstudies@csusm.edu

    All attachments, including all transcripts and essay responses, must be saved as a single PDF document. Your completed (single file PDF) application must be uploaded to SmartSheet

    • Application
    • 3 Essay Responses
    • Transcripts
    • Budget ()

    NOTE: Faculty Mentors will be sent a link to upload a Letter of Recommendation after you submit your application to .

  • SELECTION CRITERIA

    Applicants will be selected based on three major criteria:

    1. Potential for success in completing a doctoral program.
    2. Probable effectiveness of the student/faculty plan.
    3. Level of economic and educational disadvantage.
  • INFORMATION SESSIONS
    Information Sessions for the 2026-2027 TBD
  • HEALTH PROFESSIONS TRACK
    The Health Professions Track (HPT) of the California Pre-Doctoral Program will award funds to approximately ten juniors, seniors, and master’s students in the California State University (CSU). These funds will support students as they explore and prepare to succeed in doctoral programs in the health professions, including public health, social work, human development (with a focus on health), health psychology, kinesiology/physical therapy, nursing, and speech/language/hearing sciences. Awards are
    based on competitive review of applications from current upper-division or master’s students who, in the judgment of the review panel, demonstrate academic excellence while having experienced economic or educational disadvantage, and have a strong interest in pursuing research-oriented careers in the health professions. Professional interests or career goals in health include (but are not limited to):

    • Becoming a faculty member at a CSU or other public institution of higher education in California
    • Improving health care service delivery or public health systems in a leadership rol
    • Influencing policies, programs, and practices through evidence-based approaches in an expert capacity

    The HPT welcomes applications from matriculated CSU students committed to health equity and creating a health workforce that is reflective of and responsive to California’s diverse communities.

    Please thoroughly review the

    Students with questions about HPT should contact:

    Dr. Arnab Mukherjea
    Faculty Director for the Health Professions
    amukherjea@calstate.edu

  • ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

    Review the Chancellor's and the and

    Questions? Contact the ´ó·¢ Pre-Doc Campus Coordinator: Nam Nguyen, gradstudies@csusm.edu


Congratulations to our previous Sally Casanova Scholars!

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  • 2024-2025 AWARDEES

    Anthony Amaral - Sociological Practice Graduate Student
    Mentor: Dr. Marisa Salinas, Sociology Department

    Dulcinea Arroyo Escamilla -Sociological Practice Graduate Student
    Mentor: Dr. Marisa Salinas, Sociology Department

    Tyrone Jones - Psychology Undergraduate Student
    Mentor: Dr. Denise Garcia, Biology Department

    Alfredo Bello Vasquez -Sociological Practice Graduate Student
    Mentor: Dr. Marisa Salinas, Sociology Department

  • 2021-2022 AWARDEES

    Alex Gonzalez - Biological Sciences Graduate Student
    Mentor: Dr.Julie Jameson, Biological Sciences Department

    Tommi Mayers - Psychological Science Graduate Student
    Mentor: Dr. Dustin Calvillo, Psychology Department

  • 2020-2021 AWARDEE
    Cynthia De La Rosa - Sociological Practice Graduate Student
    Mentor: Dr. Xuan Santos, Sociology Department

     

  • 2019-2020 AWARDEE
    Sterling Sh'ron Briggs - Sociological Practice Graduate Student
    Mentor: Dr. Xuan Santos, Sociology Department
  • 2018-2019 AWARDEES
    Daisy Avila - Sociological Practice Graduate Student
    Mentor: Dr. Xuan Santos, Sociology Department
     
    Kelsey Baird - Sociology Undergraduate Student
    Mentor: Dr. Bob Roberts, Sociology Department
     
    Daniela Carreon - Sociological Practice Graduate Student
    Mentor: Dr. Christopher Bickel, Sociology Department
     
    Celeste Espindola Rodriguez - Crimonology & Justice Studies and Psychological Science Student
    Mentor: Dr. Mohamed Abumaye, Sociology Department
  • 2017-2018 AWARDEES
    Felipe Rendon - Sociological Practice Graduate Student
    Mentor: Dr. Xuan Santos, Sociology Department
     
    Martin Leyva - Sociological Practice Graduate Student
    Mentor: Dr. Xuan Santos, Sociology Department
     
    Chris Santos - Business Adminstration Undergraduate Student
    Mentor: Dr. Rebeca Perren, Marketing Department
     

  • 2016-2017 AWARDEES
    Jayd Blankenship - Psychological Science Graduate Student
    Mentor: Dr. Kimberly VanderBilt, Psychology Department
     
    Micah Savin - Psychological Science Undergraduate Student
    Mentor: Dr. Kim Pulvers, Psychology Department

  • 2015-2016 AWARDEE
    Oscar Soto - Sociological Practice Graduate Student
    Mentor: Dr. Xuan Santos, Sociology Department
  • 2014-2015 AWARDEES
    Mario De Matteo - Literature & Writing Studies Graduate Student
    Mentor: Dr. Rebecca Lush, Literature & Writing Studies Department

    Sarah Neal - Psychology Graduate Student
    Mentor: Dr. Nancy Caine, Psychology Department

  • 2013-2014 AWARDEES
    Heather Cody - Psychology Undergraduate Student
    Mentor: Dr. Kimberly D'Anna-Hernandez, Psychology Department
     
    David Mcmillan - Kinesiology Undergraduate Student
    Mentor: Dr. Todd Astorino, Kinesiology Department

  • 2012-2013 AWARDEES
    Jelena Jablanovi - Biological Sciences Graduate Student
    Mentor: Dr. Deborah Kristan, Biological Sciences Department
     
    Fernando Sanchez - Literature & Writing Studies Graduate Student
    Mentor: Dr.     Kenneth Mendoza, Literature & Writing Studies Department
  • 2011-2012 AWARDEES
    Samantha Lang - Biological Sciences Graduate Student
    Mentor: Dr. Deborah Kristan, Biological Sciences Department
     
    Carolina Valdivia - Sociology Graduate Student
    Mentor: Dr. Marisol Clark-Ibanez, Sociology Department
  • 2010-2011 AWARDEES
    Gina Altavilla- Literature & Writing Studies Graduate Student
    Mentor: Dr.     Martha Stoddard-Holmes, Literature & Writing Studies Department
     
    John Fernandez - Biological Sciences Graduate Student
    Mentor: Dr. George Vourlitis, Biological Sciences Department
     
    Michael Santana - Mathematics Graduate Student
    Mentor: Dr. K. Brooks Reid, Mathematics Department
  • 2009-2010 AWARDEES
    Megan Dunbar - Psychology Graduate Student
    Mentor: Dr.     Elisa Grant-Vallone, Psychology Department
     
    Christian Garcia - Sociology Graduate Student
    Mentor: Dr. Joely Proudfit, Biological Sciences Department
     
    Michele Petracca (Fanelli) - Psychological Science Graduate Student
    Mentor: Dr. Kim Pulvers, Psychology Department
  • 2008-2009 AWARDEE
    Mario Martinez - Spanish Graduate Student
    Mentor: Dr. Darci Strother, Spanish Department
  • 2008-2009 AWARDEE
    Claudia McCraine- History Undergraduate Student
    Mentor: Dr. Anne Lombard, History Department

  • 2005-2006 AWARDEE
    Matthew Spears- Literature & Writing Studies Undergraduate Student
    Mentor: Dr. Lance Newman, Literature & Writing Studies Department
  • 2004-2005 AWARDEE
    Martha Moran - Spanish Graduate Student
    Mentor: Dr. Darci Strother, Spanish Department

  • 2002-2003 AWARDEES
    Bonnie Hepburn - Psychological Science Graduate Student
    Mentor: Dr.     Marie Thomas, Psychology Department
     
    Amy Ramos - Psychological Science Graduate Student
    Mentor: Dr. Marie Thomas, Psychology Department
     

  • 2001-2002 AWARDEE
    Valerie Marino - Psychology Undergraduate Student
    Mentor: Dr. Gina Grimshaw, Psychology Department