[ Music ] California State University San Bernardino 

Sharon Velarde Pierce, Ed.D. 
Assistant Professor, Public Administration 

I was the least likely to succeed in high school [laughter] and was, you know, never really encouraged. So, sitting there and getting that doctorate was like the most amazing feeling ever. Growing up, college was never really an option. I felt like other kids went to college. 
My mom came to United States when she was around 10 years old and she was pulled out of school in the eleventh grade. So, kind of growing up, the only thing that was ever really required of me and my siblings was just to graduate high school. I knew I wanted more for my own kids.  You know, I wanted them to be able to go on to college. And the only way I knew to support them was by example. So, I was almost 36 years old, started my first college class; loved it from that moment. There are some amazing people on this campus and I would not be where I'm at today if it was not for people here on campus. My research currently focuses on leadership, particularly Latina women. It's important to have these voices at the table, especially in higher education. Because it's-- they're extremely underrepresented in our student population. We have more Latinas that are enrolled and I think it's just important having those role models and having that representation. Another area of interest has been undocumented students and their lived experiences. I worked with a team from UC Irvine and several CSU's in California. And kind of looking at the mental health and well-being of students and how that impacts their experiences on campus. I feel like if more people gave back, can you imagine how wonderful, you know, our world could be? I really enjoy mentoring students. I think that passion comes primarily from my own struggles in earning a college degree. As a first generation college student myself, I didn't have someone that I could call up and, you know say, "Mom you know how do you navigate this? How do you do with this?" I love working with people; I love seeing people succeed. I want my students to know someone cares and someone believes in them. I feel like everyone has a purpose and a contribution to make and my goal for my students is to kind of find that purpose in life, and whatever little role that I can play in that. It's a great feeling. And I feel like I'm fulfilling my purpose by doing that. 

My name is Sharon Velarde Pierce. I love CSUSB and I'm a coyote for life.

[ Music ] 
[ Coyote Howling ] 
We Define the Future 
CSUSB