Bryce Dias
Class Level
2nd year, Graduate
Degree Objective
Master of Public Administration (M.P.A)
Major/Department
Public Administration (Dept. of Politics and Public Administration)
Hometown
Hilmar, CA
Biography
I grew up on a dairy farm in Stevinson, CA, before moving to Hilmar to attend high school. Halfway through high school, my family and I moved to Tennessee. I did not want to leave California, so in order to live on my own, I had to get a job to pay the bills. I decided to take the California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE) so that I could leave high school and begin my college education. Since college includes flexible class schedules, I was able to work enough to support myself. I attended Merced Community College as a freshman.
After a year alone, I felt the urge to visit my parents in Tennessee. I decided to spend my sophomore year at Columbia State Community College, which was a few miles away from my parents’ home. After a year in Tennessee, I moved back to California and continued at Merced College. I spent some time in Los Angeles trying to get a feel for city life, but ultimately came back home. After returning again, I enrolled at CSU Stanislaus. I finished my last year and a half as a Warrior. With my Economics B.A. in hand, I applied to the MPA program. At that time, I also began my involvement at the University Student Union.
Why did you choose CSU Stanislaus?
Ultimately, my decision came down to CSU Stanislaus because of the small class size, student-to-faculty ratio, the ability to build a close mentor-like relationship with faculty, the proximity to home, and the beautiful landscape.
What advice would you give a prospective student?
Get to know your teachers; believe it or not, they actually want to help you succeed. Read your course material! Your degree is worthless if you cannot recall what you studied. Get involved in campus life. My college experience benefitted tenfold once I became a student leader. Some of the most fundamental facets of your college education are social interaction, making lifelong friends, and interaction with people from other cultures – all of which are gained through involvement in campus life. Stay focused on your goals. College can be an overwhelming place; but if you believe in yourself, stay motivated, and keep your eye on the light at the end of the tunnel, you will succeed. Utilize the resources that the University provides for you, such as: tutoring, the University Student Union, Associated Students Inc., the Faculty Mentor Program, Career Services Center, etc.
What has been your favorite academic or student life experience so far?
I was recently appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors at the University Student Union. After serving for one year as the Vice Chair of Finance, I believe I am capable of performing the tasks that will follow. Being involved in student government has allowed me to realize my passion for the academic setting; plus, I have been able to apply theories from my courses to the real world.
What is your career objective?
As an undergraduate, I found it hard enough trying to figure out what career field I would like to be in – public sector, private sector, medical, engineering, etc. Now that I have entered a graduate program and have successfully narrowed the career field down to the public sector, I still do not know what specific career I should seek. At this point, I enjoy not-for-profit management much more than government-related jobs. I can certainly see myself working in the nonprofit sector in the future, perhaps in some sort of environmental advocacy setting. Also, I have an urge to get some sort of professional degree. I am researching both the JD – which means three years and many thousands of dollars worth of law school – and the Ed.D. (Doctorate in Educational Leadership) here at CSU Stanislaus.
Why did you choose to attend graduate school?
I was the first person in my entire family to earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year university. For my parents and grandparents, a degree was never really a requirement to find a good job. For my generation, however, it seems that there is so much competition that each of us must do as much as we can to distinguish ourselves from the rest. To me, this means I need to specialize in some sort of field of study, perform extensive research in the field, and gather enough experience and credentials to meet the many requirements of the career field I am seeking to enter. Plus, I feel I need to go above and beyond the minimum requirements; I see many people simply settling for the minimum, and I do not want to be one of them.
What clubs, sports, and activities have you participated in?
- Student Leadership Program (SLP), 2008-2009
- Intramural Flag Football
- University Student Union Board of Directors, 2008-present
- Campus-wide committees: Student Recreation Oversight Committee, Student Fee Advisory Committee, and several subcommittees
- California Higher Education Student Summit (CHESS), CSSA
- Economics Student Association
Who is your most influential personal and/or University mentor?
It is difficult for me to choose just one mentor because so many people have influenced me along the way. Here are a few of the many:
- Clement Labrouche – Mr. Labrouche was my high school track coach, and I now coach alongside him. He is extremely motivating and always positive. He gives good, applicable advice when I need it as he has been through many of the same experiences that I have faced or will soon be facing.
- Matthew Moberly – Though Matt and I are roughly the same age, I always looked up to him. He was the Chairman of the Board of Directors last year, and I was his Vice Chair of Finance. I tried to shadow him in hopes of eventually becoming the Chairman. I continue to try to think the way he would think when faced with a challenge.
- Byron Kamp – Byron is the Executive Director of the University Student Union and serves as a resource to the Board of Directors; but to students, he is also an advisor. Byron constantly strives to make the Board of Directors experience student-oriented and learning-oriented.
- Dr. Marty Giaramita – Dr. Giaramita is a Professor of Geology here at CSU Stanislaus as well as the Faculty Representative on the Board of Directors. He is a former professor of mine. As a professor, he made learning about rocks interesting by engaging the students. As the Faculty Representative, he goes beyond what is expected of him and constantly seeks to empower students through the Board of Directors experience.
- Dr. Hamid Shirvani – President Shirvani has achieved so much, yet he continues to make the students at CSU Stanislaus his number one priority.
E-mail Address
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