CSUSB students, Jerry Cervantes-Fernandez and Alexis Luevanos, Experiential Computing and Engaged Learning (ExCELS) Scholarship Program scholars, were awarded the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Conference Scholarship Award to attend the 38th annual HACU conference in Denver.

To earn the scholarship, Cervantes-Fernandez and Luevanos had to have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be full-time students at CSUSB. This year, 20 CSUSB students were selected for the prestigious HACU Conference Scholarship Award, which covered flights, conference meals, hotel accommodations, registration and professional development activities.

HACU is a renowned organization dedicated to empowering Hispanic students by providing invaluable networking opportunities and pathways to professional growth. The conference, held Oct. 31-Nov. 3, featured over 50 workshops and information sessions hosted by leading companies, like Google, Yahoo, Southwest Airlines and Fidelity. Attendees gained insights into career development, professional strategies and the latest industry trends through interactive sessions with experts and recruiters.

CSUSB students at the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities conference: From left, Pedro Gonzalez, computer science; Cervantes-Fernandez, computer science; James Johnson, information and decision science; Luevanos, computer engineering; Ahmed Burgos Nagi, philosophy.
CSUSB students at the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities conference: From left, Pedro Gonzalez, computer science; Cervantes-Fernandez, computer science; James Johnson, information and decision science; Luevanos, computer engineering; Ahmed Burgos Nagi, philosophy.

Additionally, Cervantes-Fernandez and Luevanos are scholars in the ExCELS Scholarship Program, a collaborative initiative between Cal State San Bernardino and STEM-NET that creates inclusive and sustainable computational sciences workforce pathways to careers in the Inland Empire.

Cervantes-Fernandez, a computer science student and leader in the ExCELS program, described the HACU conference as a pivotal experience.

"I led a group of peers in exploring growth opportunities within STEM," said Cervantes-Fernandez.

His leadership caught the attention of HACU President Antonio R. Flores, which led to discussions about program design and student impact. Cervantes-Fernandez’s engagement with tech leaders at Yahoo further bolstered his aspirations to become a lead engineer.

Luevanos, a computer engineering student, also seized the opportunity to expand her professional network.

“The advice on stress management and career navigation was invaluable,” said Luevanos. “Connecting with recruiters and hearing their stories strengthened my confidence and career readiness.”

Sastry G. Pantula, dean of the College of Natural Sciences, shared the positive impact mentors and hands-on experiences can have in students’ lives.

"The accomplishments of our students like Jerry Cervantes-Fernandez and Alexis Luevanos are a testament to the power of mentorship and opportunities,” said Pantula. “Their success highlights the incredible potential within our diverse student body and the transformative impact of programs like ExCELS. It is an excellent opportunity for our students to gain professional growth and leadership training."

The achievements of Cervantes-Fernandez and Luevanos highlights the ExCELS Scholarship Program’s commitment to supporting underrepresented students in their pursuit of academic and professional excellence.

Khalil Dajani, director of the School of Computer Science and Engineering and ExCELS co-principal investigator, expressed his pride.

“Jerry and Alexis exemplify the excellence and dedication of our students. This recognition speaks to their talent and the transformative support of the ExCELS program,” said Dajani.

Yunfei Hou, professor of computer science and engineering and ExCELS principal investigator added, “Their success reflects the hard work of all our scholars and the opportunities CSUSB strives to provide.”

For information about the ExCELS Scholarship Program, contact Hou at hou@csusb.edu.

Visit the Career Center website for information about the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Conference Scholarship Award.