Alan Llavore | Office of Marketing and Communications | (909) 537-5007 | allavore@csusb.edu
“No matter how far I am from my family, I’ve found a second home right here at CSUSB,” said Justus Baker-Postell. Coming from a military household, Baker-Postell knew she wanted to attend a university in California that would recognize her dependent status while also being close enough to home for regular visits to her support system in Northern California. Drawn to Cal State San Bernardino’s national recognition as a top military-friendly university, Baker-Postell knew CSUSB would provide the resources and support she needed to thrive.
She discovered the Veterans Success Center at Cal State San Bernardino, an affinity center that offers resources not only to active-duty service members, reservists, retirees, and veterans but also to their dependents.
“I needed help, and I wasn’t afraid to ask for it,” Baker-Postell shared. She recalls how the center’s advisor and certifying official took the time to review her eligibility for military benefits and provided assistance in applying them to her tuition, ensuring she received the full support available to her. Backed by the support of the Veteran Success Center, she began her journey at CSUSB in fall 2021, a challenging semester as she adjusted to college life during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eventually, Baker-Postell found that the campus residential community would offer the support and connection she was seeking. “Now, looking back, I don’t regret it at all. Dorming on campus is where I met my lifelong friends, where I got involved in the campus community, and where I found on-campus employment. I don’t think the same doors and opportunities that have opened their way up to me would be open to me now because of that,” she pridefully expressed.
As a military dependent, Baker-Postell qualified for partial tuition assistance but quickly realized she would need to be creative in finding ways to cover the rest of her college expenses. She hadn’t known about CSUSB’s scholarship portal, a resource designed to simplify the process of finding and applying for scholarships.
After her first year, Baker-Postell applied for CSUSB’s on-campus scholarships and was awarded one through the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences as a psychology major. It wasn’t until she broadened her search beyond her field of study that she unlocked numerous scholarship opportunities.
“A lot of students don’t apply for scholarships because they think they won’t get them or feel like it’s a waste of time,” she explained. “But I’ve received scholarships meant for other majors, which shows that opportunities are available if you apply. It just never hurts to try because the worst thing you could be told is no.”
It was this newfound determination and shift in perspective that inspired Baker-Postell to reevaluate her path. Through her experiences at CSUSB, she was exposed to a wide range of academic journeys, careers and programs, which broadened her perspective of the opportunities available to her. She soon realized that psychology wasn’t her only option and quickly recognized that CSUSB was the perfect place to explore a new direction. This led her to change her major to administration with a concentration in marketing. The alignment of classes, course requirements, and support from faculty and staff made the transition smooth, keeping her on track to graduate in spring 2025.
One of Baker-Postell’s greatest strengths lies in her ability to inspire and uplift her peers at her two on-campus jobs. As a student assistant in the Office of Admissions, she fosters a welcoming environment that helps ease the challenges many students face during the admissions process, ensuring a smooth transition for both first-year and transfer students.
Building on this passion for supporting her peers, Baker-Postell credits the Veteran Success Center as a key resource in her academic journey. Now, she is committed to providing that same support to other students at CSUSB. Her passion for marketing and her dedication to helping others have led to the creation of events like Donuts with Dependents and the She Served Cookout, both of which emphasize the importance of community for students from all walks of life.
As Baker-Postell prepares to graduate in May, she is not only reflecting on her transformative journey but also determined to pay it forward. With a strong commitment to fostering a sense of community, she continues to encourage others by sharing the resources, lessons, and opportunities that have helped shape her success.
Justus Baker-Postell’s story highlights the power of persistence, adaptability, and the belief that with the right support, challenges can be turned into opportunities. As she moves forward, she is committed to inspiring others and creating meaningful connections, encouraging them to embrace their own journeys with the same resilience that has guided hers.