About Cassandra

Cassie Horg-Aaron (she/her/hers) identifies as a hapa first-generation college graduate from Fresno, California. From a young age, education was instilled as an important value that would lead to a better life. It is difficult to tell where familial expectations left off and where a personal love of reading and learning began, but Cassie has used these motivators to bring her through a bachelor’s degree to her current status as a doctorate student. 

Cassie comes from a multiracial background and has learned to embrace the joys and challenges of being from different cultures, shaping who she is today. She is a daughter, a mother, a wife, and a cousin. She enjoys reading the newest novel, running to clear her head, and snuggling with her dog Scout. 

Higher Education Journey

Cassie grew up dreaming (and assuming) that she would attend college in Fresno. But during her senior year of high school, she found out she had a grant that would cover tuition at any California State University. Fresno is far from the beach, so once Cassie found out she could attend San Diego State University (SDSU), it was a no brainer. Cassie majored in Hospitality and Tourism Management and graduated in 2017. During her last year of college, she had the opportunity to become a TA for an introduction to hospitality course and discovered her passion for mentoring, advising, and supporting college students.

In 2018, Cassie began the M.A. program in Educational Leadership and Student Affairs at SDSU. Cassie seized many opportunities during her master’s program, including teaching various leadership courses and commuter seminars, working as a graduate assistant in various departments, and serving on a variety of committees advocating for graduate students on campus as the Graduate Student Association President. Supported by Dra. Vasquez, Dr. Dillette, Dr. Gates, Cassie completed her thesis on The Influence of High-Impact Practices on Career Readiness in 2020, which began her love for using research to tell stories and to elevate the voices of students. She is now a Ph.D student at the University of North Texas in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in Research, Measurement, and Statistics.

Research Interests

Cassie's research broadly focuses on high-impact practices and how participation in these educationally effective activities can benefit first generation and other historically minoritized students during their time in and after college. Her master's thesis examined the perceived impact that participation in these activities (e.g. undergraduate research, internships, collaborative projects, capstone courses) had on students post-graduation. She also is interested in using community-based participatory research methods to increase academic and community partnerships to impact social change and create more effective solutions for the community. Overall, she seeks to break down barriers to provide access to information and resources to so education can help others reach their fullest potential.