Aimee Lim hopes to provide students with lifelong learning experiences

imee Lim knows first-hand the personal and financial challenges many college students encounter. She felt overwhelmed and lost when she first started at Cal State LA as a freshman.

But she found the comfort and encouragement she needed through a part-time job on campus, as a student assistant for the Educational Opportunity Program.

The EOP director and staff motivated Lim and provided academic support. One staff member even fed her when she was hungry, drove her home after work when she needed a ride and encouraged her to volunteer for campus events.

They made Lim feel that she belonged to the university community. Now, as a Cal State LA alumna, she wants to make sure that other students have that same sort of life-enriching experience.

That’s why Lim donated to Cal State LA’s Library Fund for Innovation, which provides for students who can’t afford to or don’t have the opportunity to engage in the full spectrum of experiences that Cal State LA offers.

“As I reflected on all the things that Cal State LA and its employees gave to me, I wanted to pay forward the blessings I was given,” Lim explains.

The Library Fund for Innovation could help a student who is a senior and is trying to complete a capstone course or project. Or, the fund might support activities that expand learning beyond the classroom, such as a trip by a group of students to a local art show.

“This would also help students feel that they are part of the Cal State LA community,” says Lim.

Lim, who completed her bachelor’s degree in liberal studies in 2002 and master’s degree in education in 2009, is now a resource and operations analyst for the College of Business and Economics. “Cal State LA has become my family,” she says.

Lim’s work with the EOP staff empowered her to help other first-time freshmen acclimate to college life and navigate through academic requirements.

“Ever since then, I have been volunteering my time at university events,” Lim says. “And all because Corlis Ushijima instilled in me the importance of giving back.”

She hopes other graduates will also look for opportunities to donate to Cal State LA, “because it’s important that our university continues its mission of enriching our students’ lives through education and lifelong learning experiences.”