Second Annual Student Affairs Softball Showdown Ends in Thrilling Tie

CSUSM Shines at San Diego Pride Parade

CAMP Cohort 25: Building Community Before the Fall Semester Begins

ACE Summer Institute Welcomes New Scholars to CSUSM

Fifteen incoming first-year students from across California participated in the ACE Summer Institute, a five-day residential experience that helped new ACE Scholars build community and prepare for college life at CSUSM.

Throughout the week, students explored campus resources, strengthened college-readiness skills, and connected with ACE staff and peer leaders through activities including shared meals, rock climbing, and a beach trip.

As Cohort 2026 begins its first semester, students leave with practical tools, meaningful connections, and a strong support system already in place.

From Wayfinding to Belonging: APIDA Residental Academy Welcomes Incoming Cougars

The APIDA Wayfinders Residential Academy welcomed a cohort of 60 incoming students this summer for a week of connection ahead of their first semester at CSUSM. Students took part in workshops with campus partners like Academic Advising, Success Coaching, and Student Health and Counseling Services, plus a mock college lecture and a trip to Balboa Park's Museum of Us.

Some of the best moments came from the friendships formed along the way, capped off with an impromptu line dancing session that brought the group together. Throughout the week, 17 Peer Leaders and campus staff helped guide students and keep them engaged. Students left with new connections to campus resources, including the Writing Center, Tutoring Center, and Disability Support Services (DSS), along with the confidence and community to start the fall semester strong.

Ujamaa Residential Academy Fosters Connection and Community

Twenty-two incoming students spent five days building community and preparing for their first semester through the Ujamaa Residential Academy.

Throughout the week, students participated in workshops on conflict resolution, African proverbs, and student success, explored campus spaces like the Engineering Lab and the Makery, visited Balboa Park, and enjoyed activities including basketball, Double Dutch, and karaoke. Along the way, they connected with peer leaders, staff, and campus partners who helped create a welcoming and supportive environment from day one. As one staff member shared, "Ujamaa means familyhood," and that's exactly what this summer's academy fostered.

CSUSM Softball Team Honored by San Diego County Board of Supervisors, Capping Historic Championship Season

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors recognized the Cal State San Marcos Softball Team for its extraordinary 2025-26 season, presenting the Cougars with a proclamation declaring June 24 CSUSM Softball Team Championship Day throughout San Diego County.

The recognition celebrated one of the most successful seasons in program history. The Cougars finished with a remarkable 57-4 record, captured both the CCAA Championship and NCAA Division II West Super Regional Championship, advanced to the NCAA Division II semifinals, and became the first team in program history to earn the nation's No. 1 ranking.

The coaching staff also received national recognition. Head Coach A.J. Robinson was named CCAA Coach of the Year, while Robinson, Alyssa Razo, and Haylee DeJong were honored as the NFCA Division II West Region Coaching Staff of the Year.

Congratulations to our student-athletes and coaches on a season that will be remembered as one of the finest in CSUSM Athletics history.

Ana Bustamante

acbustamante@

csusm.edu

Student Organization & Project Specialist, Associated Students, Inc.

Ana Bustamante is a recent CSUSM graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Art, Media, and Design. She's been part of Associated Students, Inc. since her freshman year, starting at the front desk and now stepping into a professional staff role as the Student Org & Project Specialist. In this position, she'll support 120+ (and growing!) recognized student organizations and sports clubs across campus, helping with account setup, purchases, and budgetary questions. Ana is looking forward to making connections across campus and working with people from different backgrounds, interests, and departments. Outside of work, she's a movie and TV enthusiast, and photography is her favorite hobby.

Gwen Ross

gross@csusm.edu

Counselor, ACE Scholars Services

Gwen Ross comes to ACE with a strong background supporting students with foster care backgrounds, having worked with organizations like Foster the Earth and Casa de Amparo and as a school social worker in the San Marcos Unified School District. She holds a master's in social work from SDSU, a post-master's Pupil Personnel Services Credential from San Jose State, and a bachelor's in psychology from CSUSM. Gwen is passionate about trauma-informed care, advocacy, and higher education access. In her role with ACE, she'll provide academic, personal, and transitional counseling and case management, serving as part of your support network. Outside of work, Gwen loves the ocean, hiking with her dog Poppy, and cheering on her boys' surfing.

Jack Hoyt 

jhoyt@csusm.edu

Head Cross Country/Track & Field Coach, Athletics

Jack Hoyt became CSUSM's third Head Cross Country/Track & Field Coach on July 1, 2026, arriving after nine years at Azusa Pacific, where he won two NCAA D-II Women's Outdoor titles and earned 12 combined PacWest Coach of the Year awards. He previously spent five seasons as UCLA's associate head coach and seven years at Cal Poly, where he coached two Olympians and 19 conference champions. A Seattle Pacific alum, Hoyt later returned there as head coach for six seasons, producing 36 NCAA D-II All-Americans and 102 conference champions. As an athlete, he was a 1987 All-American decathlete and set the American record in the decathlon high jump in 1990, later competing at the 1992 Olympic Trials. He also holds the American over-40 decathlon record, set in 2004. Beyond the collegiate ranks, Hoyt has coached at two Olympic Games, six World Championships, and led Team USA at the 2015 World University Games.

Britinee Yasukochi

byasukochi@csusm.edu

Head Women's Basketball Coach, Athletics

Britinee Yasukochi became the Cougars' fifth Head Women's Basketball Coach in program history on August 16, 2026, arriving from UC San Diego, where she spent seven seasons as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. In that role, she helped the Tritons to two NCAA Tournament appearances, two Big West Tournament titles and one CCAA Tournament Championship. She previously spent three seasons as an assistant at Cal State East Bay, helping the Pioneers win the CCAA Tournament in her first year, and two seasons at the University of San Francisco, where the team won the 2015-16 WCC Tournament title and reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 20 years. Before USF, she spent three seasons as video coordinator and director of basketball operations at UC Davis. A native of Oceanside, Yasukochi attended The Bishop's School in La Jolla before playing collegiately at Occidental College under current UCSD head coach Heidi VanDerveer.

Skyler Burgess

sburgess@csusm.edu

Assistant Men's Basketball Coach, Athletics

Skyler Burgess joined the CSUSM men's basketball program as an assistant coach in May 2026 after two seasons at Colorado Mesa University, where he helped the Mavericks post a 40-21 record with back-to-back top-three RMAC finishes and helped develop seven All-RMAC selections. Before that, he spent three seasons at Regis University focused on recruiting, skill development, and scouting. Burgess also played professionally overseas in Mexico, Spain, Armenia, and Denmark, earning All-Star and Second Team All-League honors in Armenia after leading the league in rebounding during the 2019-20 season. He began his college career at Treasure Valley Community College before transferring to Pacific University, where he earned All-Northwest Conference honors and a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science. He later completed a master's degree in Organizational Leadership at Regis.

Luis Cortés

lcortes@csusm.edu

Assistant Director, Pride Center

Luis Cortés joined the Student Life Center team as the Assistant Director of the Pride Center and is excited to be at CSUSM. He completed his M.A. in Child and Adolescent Development at CSU Sacramento, where he completed his master's thesis: "Finding Your Place: Exploring a sense of community among students who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ Community Using Photovoice." Luis also graduated Summa Cum Laude from CSU Sacramento with B.A.s in Sociology and Child and Adolescent Development. As a practitioner, he joins CSUSM after serving in various higher education roles spanning critical areas of the student lifecycle. His experience includes work in First-Year Experience, the Dreamer Resource Center, and Academic Advising. Together, his practitioner and scholarly expertise make him a valuable addition to this role.

Andrew (Andy) Anderson

alanderson@csusm.edu

Director, Disability Support Services

Andy Anderson brings more than 25 years of experience in social services, K–12, and higher education, including 15 years advancing access for students with disabilities in postsecondary settings. He most recently served as a counselor at San Diego Miramar College's Disability Support Programs and Palomar College's EOPS, providing academic, career, and disability-related counseling. His leadership background includes managing Disability Services at National University and the University of Arizona Global Campus, overseeing ADA/504/508 compliance and staff supervision. Andy also served as a CSUSM Academic Advisor. He holds an M.S. in Counseling from SDSU, a B.A. in Sociology from UC Santa Barbara, and an A.A. in Liberal Studies from Santa Barbara City College. His approach is grounded in equity, empathy, and student-centered collaboration.

Christian Martinez

cnmartinez@csusm.edu

Resource and Budget Analyst, Student Health & Counseling Services

Christian Martinez brings more than seven years of experience in public sector finance, accounting, budget development, and regulatory compliance. He has managed complex multi-fund budgets, developed long-range financial projections, and supported executive leadership in fiscal decision-making. Most recently, he served as Senior Accountant at Roto-Rooter, overseeing financial reporting, budget analyses, ERP administration, and audit support across multiple branches. His prior experience with Classical Academies, Siatech Charter School, and Carlsbad Unified School District built his expertise in public sector budgeting, grant funding oversight, and compliance using PeopleSoft. Christian holds a B.S. in Accounting from CSU Dominguez Hills, is CASBO certified in School Business Finance and Performance Management, and is an active CPA candidate.