Kickoff events welcome new graduate students to CBU

Riverside, Calif. (Aug. 23, 2019) – California Baptist University welcomed hundreds of new graduate students at a variety of kickoff events from Aug. 19-20.

"Graduate Student Kickoff is an opportunity for students to learn about the culture and mission of CBU while also learning about the resources available to them,” said Alma Salazar, director of graduate admissions.  “As they launch into their studies, we are excited to celebrate them and offer support from our staff and faculty.”

The kickoff events were program specific and began with a resource fair, allowing students to connect with representatives from various campus offices. The events also included breakout sessions, where students met with their corresponding program directors.

More than 800 new master’s degree students and more than 100 doctoral students are expected to attend CBU this fall through traditional programs and the Division of Online and Professional Studies. In total, more than 2,700 master’s students will be enrolled in more than 45 programs and more than 200 students enrolled in five doctoral programs.

Priscilla Egbe will be working on two degree programs—a Master of Arts in Counseling Ministry and a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology.

“I chose CBU because it is faith based. I think it is important for the field I am entering,” Egbe said.

Justice Comeaux, a Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology student, said she was looking forward to connecting with other graduate students.

“I heard that CBU has one of the best forensic psychology programs and I wanted to learn from the best and be around the best,” Comeaux said.

Dr. Jacqueline Gustafson, dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, encouraged the students in their new endeavors at one of the kickoff events.

“Your story right now might be full of fear and doubts, hardships, failures, setbacks and certainly the unknown. Or maybe you're that individual in a place of success and comfort in this season in your life,” Gustafson said. “No matter what your story is you were created for a purpose, and you were created to be courageous in the midst of your story.”