Page Content Your browser does not support the video tag. Louis Adamsel“Receiving financial aid at CSU San Marcos helped me focus on my studies and stay on a timeline.” Louis Adamsel didn't hesitate to immerse himself in activities while at California State University San Marcos. In addition to his coursework, volunteering for numerous charities and his time as Associated Students, Inc. president, the first-generation college student even helped to launch a historically black fraternity at the campus.All of this was possible because of the financial aid Adamsel received. One of the priorities of the CSU's Graduation Initiative 2025 is striving to ensure that economic status does not impede a student's success. The assistance Adamsel received allowed him to focus on academics during his time at CSUSM, and also opened up free time so he could fully engage in college life.“I didn't have to worry about working so much," he explains. “If I was working full-time and going to school, it would have taken me longer to pay everything off. It allowed me to stay on a timeline with my schooling and be able to only work part-time."Life didn't start out easy for Adamsel. After his mother passed away when he was only five years old, he and three of his six older siblings went to live with his aunt. Just out of high school, he joined the Army National Guard in hopes of gaining more life experience before applying to CSUSM.In 2018, Adamsel graduated with his bachelor's in communications and now works as a business continuity coordinator at his alma mater. Walking onto campus every morning, he looks back fondly at his time as a student.“I was able to find mentors in so many different people and use that as I navigated my way through college," he recalls. “Now I feel like the sky's the limit." Learn more about Louis's story and about the CSU’s Graduation Initiative 2025, which strives to increase graduation rates for all students while eliminating opportunity and achievement gaps. “San Marcos is a great school, especially being a first-generation college student. There aren’t many universities that take the time to invest in every single student. The student aid I received helped with tuition, rent, food and transportation. It was all-encompassing and helped me sustain myself. ” “Joining the National Guard gave me the discipline I wanted and taught me how to work hard to reach my goals. The veterans center at San Marcos helped guide me in the correct direction when I was first on campus. Over time, it became one of the many places I would go for resources.” “When you find your community and people who are willing to help, it really makes you feel at home. My community was made up of a bunch of different people: the EOP office, my friends, my fraternity brothers, the black faculty and staff on campus at the time and some of my student government folks.”[Adamsel with Francisco Checa, EOP retention counselor] “Omega Psi Phi is a historically black fraternity that was founded at Howard University in 1911. Some of my friends and I had the goal to bring that experience to San Marcos. Being in that fraternity allowed me to gain mentorship with elder black men and have a support system. There were a multitude of events we were a part of that made me see that no matter how old I get, I can easily give back to the community.”[Left to right: Devin Vaughn, William Hogan, Tim Gibbs, Adamsel, Clarence Thomas, Ashton Mackey, Lamar Dupree and Carlos Forney] “My sisters and niece were able to see me graduate, and it felt nice. I was nervous but ready for a new experience. The thing you worked so hard for…it hits you. The biggest thing for me was understanding that now I had all these connections and mentors that I didn’t have when I started college.” “I’m currently attending San Diego State for its Homeland Security master’s program. Using my degree and working knowledge, I know I can move up. It may take me somewhere different. I like to stay as fluid as I can and see which opportunities come knocking.” Eighty percent of CSU students received some form of financial aid in 2018-19.More than half of CSU undergrads graduate debt free.CSU students collectively received $4.5 billion in financial aid in 2018-19.Click one of the links below to see how the CSU assists students with financial aid. Financial Aid Grants Scholarships & Fellowships Read More GI 2025 Success Stories STORY: MICHELLE MCCARTHY PHOTOGRAPHY: Patrick Record, courtesy of Louis Adamsel, courtesy of CSU San MarcosShare this story Share Tweet Email Share