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Briana Phillips

Writer, communicator, storyteller 

About

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Articles

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My background

I started my working life as a barista at Starbucks and, while I love a good cup of coffee, I’m less passionate about making them. What I am passionate about is telling stories, whether it’s the retirement of California State University San Marcos’ longtime K-9 police dog Armor or a student veteran receiving one of the California State University system’s most prestigious award. I’m proud that in May 2023 I became the first person in my family to graduate from college. It wasn’t always an easy path – in fact, I wrote about it for CSUSM’s alumni and donor magazine, Steps – but I’m grateful for the support I received along the way.

After nearly two years working in the University Communications office at California State University San Marcos, I’m looking forward to continue growing and sharing compelling stories.

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"I have many wonderful opportunities to interact with student assistants and interns in our office. Over the 15 years I have been at the university, Briana has stood out as a shining star amongst them all with unmatched talent and skills. Briana's contributions to the University Communications office have been outstanding. She is an excellent writer and editor, brings fresh ideas to meetings, and has a 'can-do' attitude and spirit of collaboration in all things. We have been so lucky to have Briana on our team and I have no doubt she will be a tremendous asset to her future employers."

- Margaret Chantung, Chief Communications Officer, Cal State San Marcos

"Bri has made incredible contributions to the Cal State San Marcos community through her communications and marketing work. Bri has such a positive presence, and her attitude, dedication, skills and professionalism make her an asset to any organization."

- Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist, Cal State San Marcos

Popular articles

CSUSM •

EOP Hosts Inspiring Conference for High School Students

The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) welcomed ninth-grade girls from 14 high schools throughout San Diego County for the at Cal State San Marcos on Nov. 3.

“I've been hosting this conference for 28 years because you are my future,” Michael Lewis, EOP outreach and retention counselor, told attendees. “Today begins a relationship with all of us. When you go to college, we are your resources.”

This Thursday, EOP will host the Brothers Gonna Work It Out conference for high school boys. The co
CSUSM •

Student Recognized for Inclusive Excellence Efforts

Serrano’s efforts continue to pay off, and she was recognized as Cal State San Marcos’ 2023-24 recipient of the President’s Student Champion Award for Inclusive Excellence at the annual All Peoples Luncheon on Oct. 19.

“It still hasn't even hit me that I won,” said Serrano, who was lauded for being an advocate for undocumented and mixed-status students. “I just do what I do because I love it and I want to help.”

In high school, Serrano was in the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), whic
CSUSM •

University Ties Run Deep For Trustees' Award Recipient

When Yesenia Mora was about to graduate from high school, there was no question that she would attend Cal State San Marcos.

Mora has been visiting campus from before she could even remember. Since she was 10 months old, she has accompanied her mother, Rosa, to CSUSM. Rosa, who is a senior resources and operations analyst for Student Affairs, has worked at the university for 27 years.

“My mom encouraged me to apply to CSUSM, but also wanted me to apply to other schools,” Yesenia said. “I was li
CSUSM •

Alumna Paves Way as Palomar's First Latina President

It’s been more than three decades, but Mary Gonzales still remembers the Friday meetings with Star Rivera-Lacey at an IHOP in Oceanside.

Gonzales referred to these regular meetups as her “counseling sessions” because Rivera-Lacey always shared sound advice. The two friends would chat over a cup of coffee and, if they were lucky and had enough money, share a piece of pie.

When Gonzales was struggling, Rivera-Lacey would ask, “On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being world poverty, where does this p

Advocate Leaves Lasting Impact on Students

Christa Wencl never considered a career in supporting sexual assault victims until she took a class while attending St. Cloud State University in Minnesota.

It wasn’t the class she was most interested in at the time, but it was the one that changed her career path and led her to become a certified sexual assault advocate.

When Wencl started volunteering at a local rape crisis center and working in a domestic violence shelter, her passion for helping victims was solidified.

“This is when my pa

Anthropology Professor Hosts Student Tool-Making Activity

Cal State San Marcos professor and anthropological archaeologist Jon Spenard developed a series of hands-on activities to teach his students about first-century technologies.

Spenard invited Nick Hearth, senior archaeologist for Michael Baker International, to campus Oct. 12 to demonstrate flintknapping, a method of stone tool making that dates back 2.6 million years. These tools were used for hunting and making spears, knives and blades. Spenard also is planning a spear-throwing experiment to

Showing Resilience on Path to Trustees' Award

Johnathan Rodney remembers the moment he failed a test in his precalculus class during his first semester of college.

He thought the only way to tell if he was cut out to be in college was to put everything into his next test. If he failed again, he would take it as a sign to pursue a different path.

“I studied obsessively, and ended up getting a B on that next test,” said Rodney, a biochemistry major at Cal State San Marcos. “It wasn't an A or anything crazy. But I thought maybe I can manage

Student Veteran Selected to Receive Prestigious CSU Award

Cal State San Marcos student Johnathan Rodney has been selected as the campus’ recipient of the 2022 Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement, the California State University’s highest recognition of student accomplishment.

Students are selected for demonstrating superior academic performance, personal accomplishments, community service and financial need. Awardees have all demonstrated inspirational resolve along the path to college success, and many are the first in their families to atten

Sacramento Internship Experience Inspires Students

Mariah Wade was only 15 years old when the injuries from a traumatic car accident changed her pathway to her college decision. She bruised a soft tendon between her neck and spinal cord, which affected her ability to walk for almost three weeks.

Just one year later, Wade got into another car accident that worsened her previous injuries.

The recovery was a difficult process for Wade. She missed almost a month of her senior year of high school because she could not walk properly. She frequently

Family Inspires Biology Student's Research Path

Growing up, Clarissa Garcia’s parents worked multiple jobs and long hours. Garcia spent a lot of the time at her grandparents’ house while her parents worked to support the family.

To pass the time, Garcia’s grandmother, Antonia, introduced her to at-home science experiments they could do together. Garcia’s grandmother wasn't a scientist, but the two of them shared a genuine curiosity about biology.

Little did Garcia know that this would spark her interest in pursuing a career in science resea

Extended Learning Building Hosting Open House on April 5

Cal State San Marcos will host an open house to tour the Extended Learning Building from 4-6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 5.

The , which opened in 2019, is located in the North City development in San Marcos.

Extended Learning offers a wide range of professional and career-oriented programs for students and community members at all stages of life. Open-house guests are invited to talk to ELB ambassadors about the creative collaborations and teaching methods that are available and tour the interactiv

Business Student's Epilepsy Leads to New Beginnings

Karolina Lindberg never had many complaints about her epilepsy. She was aware that she wouldn’t be able to drive a bus or become a police officer or firefighter because of her diagnosis. But Lindberg didn’t know her epilepsy would stop her from pursuing her dream career.

Lindberg always wanted to find a career that would allow her to see more of the world while she was growing up in Sweden. She set her sights on becoming a flight attendant for the travel opportunities, but her epilepsy made it

Student's Short Film Wins Emmy Awards for Impactful Message

Salma Rodriguez had trouble choosing a topic for her final project for her audio and videography class.

Rodriguez’s Cal State San Marcos classmates wanted to do their final video project on something lighthearted, but she had something different in mind.

Rodriguez saw the assignment as an opportunity to highlight the personal stories of those who have immigrated from Mexico to the United States. She was hesitant at first because she didn’t know how it would be received by her classmates. But R

Student Goes from Self-described introvert to ASI President

When Julia Glorioso was in third grade, she took a field trip with her classmates to visit Cal State San Marcos.

The trip was a way of getting young students to think about their educational futures. But for Glorioso, this was a trip to remember. A photo of Glorioso with other students on CSUSM’s Mangrum Track & Field during the visit even made it into the local Valley Center newspaper.

The experience certainly had a lasting impact. A decade later, Glorioso made her way back to campus, this ti

Beloved K-9 Police Dog Retiring After 7 Years of Service

It was Cai Steffler’s first week at his new job, and as he was settling in for his third day of work he became startled when he looked down and saw a German shepherd at his desk. Steffler didn’t grow up around dogs, and he was apprehensive.

At first, Steffler thought he got himself in trouble because Sgt. David Angulo and a K-9 police dog were there next to him. But as he looked around the room, Steffler quickly realized that this seemed like a routine welcoming visit.

Steffler saw how excited

Business Student's Passion Leads to Becoming Entrepreneur

Sophia Lombardi discovered her love for sewing and entrepreneurship during the pandemic.

Sewing is something Lombardi and her cousin picked up as a hobby when they had extra time on their hands. She had no intention of starting a business.

Lombardi wanted to be resourceful because fabric was expensive and she had limited funds. She saved her leftover fabric scraps, not knowing what she would end up doing with it.

Little did she know, this would change her trajectory of finding her career path

Bench Fundraiser Honors Memory of Beloved Academic Adviser

Cindy Yumiko Harper dedicated herself to helping students realize they can accomplish anything.

David McMartin, the director of Cal State San Marcos’ Office of Academic Advising, remembers when Harper expressed concern for a first-generation student in her advising session who was having trouble adjusting to being new on campus. Harper not only wanted to make sure the student had a warm welcome to CSUSM, she wanted the student to know that they had a support system ready to help. Harper knew th