BROOK MASTERS' PASSION TO HELP MARGINALIZED STUDENTS

It’s hard to miss the lady with the fiery red hair with her dog in the ALLIES for STEM program at California Lutheran University. Brook Masters started to work at CLU last May to help marginalized students, ironically having her own emotional support dog with her. “When Jolie is not with me I don’t quite feel like myself,” said Masters with a smile.

“She gets along with everyone and my students love her.”

Originally a support dog for her now 14-year- old daughter, who suffered with anxiety during her parents’ divorce, Jolie has been going to work with Masters for seven years. But it’s that work, that makes Masters the hidden weapon of so many students on campus.

CLU is an expensive institution, yet there are plenty of students here who don’t come from privilege. Masters helps those students in the mathematics and science programs.The reason why Masters is so passionate about helping these students is because she came from a low-income family raised by a single mother herself. “When I think of how hard I had to work and how hard my mom had to work to make higher education possible for me, those are the people I want to be in partnership with. They are the people who are sacrificing a great deal while their families sacrifice a great deal for those opportunities,” said Masters. She is the person who wants to provide opportunities for everybody and offer the resources for those who cannot afford to. Working with ALLIES in STEM has allowed her to provide the support needed for students in the program.

She recalls an earlier time in her life where she couldn’t survive high school, but theater saved her. “I kinda fell through the cracks academically. I always did well academically but going to a big public school in Los Angeles was difficult. And that’s where the theater program helped me get through high school. So it was about finding community in the sense of belonging,” Masters stated. This idea of belonging and support groups is exactly what Masters wants to create with students at CLU.

Jaynessa Lopez, the ALLIES in STEM program specialist, says Masters is nothing but an asset to her students. “She works really well with all her students in the department and provides the support a student would need at Cal Lutheran. Her dedication to her job really shows what kind of a person she is,” said Lopez. Lopez frequently works with Masters in the STEM program.

Involvement at CLU is a must-do with Masters and is the reason why she decided to work here after attending graduate school in the institution. Her experiences at this school stood with her and she wanted more. “I love Cal Lutheran. I had a wonderful experience in the graduate program and I really believe in the mission of the school. I came here for a graduate degree. I didn’t expect to gain as much as I did in terms of the journey inward and understanding your mission of purpose and identity. This school is intentional of creating opportunities for these students, so I wanted to give back to the institution,” said Masters.

Before her passion to support students at CLU she earned a bachelor’s degree in theater at a small university. Masters decided to leave theater to work in education, though. “I found a home, an artistic home, which was really great at the time and that got me to a bachelor’s degree but I think creating similar opportunities for marginalize and minority students became my passion because I see education as a gateway to the power systems.” Her decision for this change wasn’t an instant one. She traveled from Los Angeles to New York to Montreal and back to Los Angeles for school and jobs in a course of several years.She now lives in Camarillo. Masters earned a graduate degree from CLU while in her early 40s. “The day I graduated with a master’s degree was something I never thought I would ever accomplish. I’m late in life earning a master’s degree and that was such a huge milestone because I was doing that as a single parent. I hope I’m a good role model for my daughter.”

The efforts Masters has given to help students who need resources to accomplish their goals at CLU is a testament of her dedication to ensure their success. With a rough childhood and the experience of feeling lost and alone, Masters has made sure to improve that standard for students so they can feel included at school while supporting their academic journeys. Her passion for all subjects in her life is seen through her work and experience with her touch of positivity and light-hearted spirit she carries throughout her day. As a parent, mentor and dog owner, Master’s presence is crucial to everyone who wants endless amounts of support and energy around them.

#clu #diversity #inclusive