The CSU system is the largest and most diverse university system in the country and one of the most affordable. CSUF is a comprehensive university serving southern California, especially Orange County. CSUF is the largest four-year public university of the 23 CSU campuses. It is a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Pacific Islander Serving Institution. Based on data from the U.S. Department of Education, CSUF ranks first in California and second nationally in the number of baccalaureate degrees awarded to Hispanics (Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education, May 2017) and fourth to underrepresented students (Diverse Issues in Higher Education, August 2018). The College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM; http://www.fullerton.edu/nsm/) is dedicated to the principle that teaching and research are intricately mixed and that undergraduate and M.S. graduate research, when properly approached, are an integral part of teaching. This fine balance between teaching and research is NSM's greatest strength.