[Honoree] Germaine Caldwell

"At this moment in my life I can say that hard work has finally paid off," says Germaine Caldwell, senior, CHHS, who is recognized with the Outstanding Senior Award for Social Justice at Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB) for 2011. This annual award is "given to a student who has participated in a project that promotes social justice and benefits local communities." To earn this award Caldwell created an online training program for Monterey County Department of Social and Employment Services (MCDSES) for her Capstone.

The project helps maintain and enhance state employee's skills while not spending. Caldwell said, "This method helps to save travel time and man hours to and from training sites and redirects the time that would have been lost back into service work, in that employees can be trained right from their work space. This particular training will also set ground for future electronic mandated trainings on other important work environment topics."

The prestige of the Outstanding Senior Award for Social Justice Award was unbeknownst to Caldwell when she first heard the news, but once realizing the importance she felt "very honored and dedicated." Caldwell began at CSUMB after transferring from another college, but after taking some time away from formal education to gain "real world" experience. She joined the US Army Reserve and worked in the restaurant industry. When reflecting on her achievements, Caldwell admits to picking up skills quickly, describing herself as, "an accelerated learner who did really well as a student." She also claims that upon arriving at CSUMB she, "put in the most dedication [she] ever put into anything in [her] life."

Currently, Caldwell is working for the YWCA Monterey County as the Youth Education and Advocacy Program Coordinator and she "has big plans" for her future there. She also plans to get a Master's degree after some time in the field, eventually pursuing a research-based career related to Human Services. She believes "when I have the motivation for something I will never stop until I succeed."

In closing thought on CSUMB Caldwell said, "I have nothing but respect for the health human services and public policy department… instructors, staff, and students for their unbiased devotion and respect. Collaborative Health and Human Services could not have been a better fit for me and I thank CSUMB for offering such a unique major."