Honoring culture and community, alumna Laurena Bolden reflects on her CSUSB journey

Alumna Laurena A. Bolden ’11, B.A. psychology, B.A. criminal justice, describes herself as a proud member of the Yuhaaviatam of the San Manuel Nation and a steadfast voice for the protection and advancement of Native culture. It’s difficult to imagine a more fitting description.

She serves as Second Governing Council Member, Culture Pillar Co-Lead and Vice Chair of the San Manuel Education Board, where she has completed three terms.

She has demonstrated her commitment to the repatriation of ancestral remains and cultural items by advocating at the state level and by serving on the California Indian Advisory Council at Cal Poly Pomona. In 2023, she was appointed to the California Native American Heritage Commission by Governor Gavin Newsom. 

On April 10, she will be honored with the Paw Print Award at CSUSB’s annual Alumni Hall of Fame ceremony, recognizing alumni whose accomplishments reflect the spirit of their academic college. Through her leadership and advocacy, Bolden reflects the spirit and impact of CSUSB’s College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

As the university celebrates its 60th anniversary, Bolden reflected on her first impressions as an incoming student. “I remember a campus that felt welcoming, grounded and full of possibility,” she recalled. “The atmosphere was diverse and community‑oriented, and it reminded me in many ways of the values I was raised with — respect, collaboration and shared responsibility.”

That sense of belonging began even before she arrived on campus. “Preparing to enter university education can be both exciting and intimidating,” she said. “But it was also honorable because two of my uncles are alumni of CSUSB, so I felt like I was carrying on a legacy.”

As she balanced academic life with the cultural teachings passed down from her ancestors and family, Bolden said Cal State San Bernardino felt like a place where both worlds could coexist. “It was a space that supported my growth while allowing me to remain rooted in who I am as a Yuhaaviatam woman,” she said. “The experience of attending CSUSB prepared me for a career with the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel tribal government that I am most proud to serve.”

The environment also helped guide the academic path she decided to pursue. “I was drawn to psychology and criminal justice because both fields aligned with my desire to understand people, systems and community well‑being,” she said. “In my Tribal upbringing, we are taught that understanding human behavior and protecting community safety go hand in hand.”

Bolden found that pursuing both degrees felt like a natural extension of those teachings.  “CSUSB supported this path by offering strong academic programs and a flexible structure that allowed me to explore both disciplines while still honoring the cultural responsibilities and values I carried from home,” she said. 

Inside and outside the classroom, Bolden found that her academic studies reinforced lessons she had learned growing up, deepening her understanding of justice and community systems while reinforcing Tribal values. “My elders taught me that leadership is service, advocacy is protection and decisions are made to benefit future generations.”

Interacting with students from many backgrounds also expanded her perspective and helped her understand the interconnectedness of others and their respective experiences. “It affirmed the importance of cultural preservation while also embracing collaboration across differences,” she said.

Those experiences also helped prepare her for the complex work she now conducts in Tribal governance and cultural preservation. “My education at CSUSB provided analytical tools, communication skills and a deeper understanding of structures that influence policy and community well-being,” she said. “But it was the knowledge passed down from my ancestors and family that gave me the cultural lens needed to apply what I learned."

Even after graduating, Bolden has remained deeply connected to the university and has given back to the university in a number of ways. She established the Gladys Martha Manuela Endowed Scholarship fund at CSUSB, which supports students majoring in psychology, including biological or clinical psychology.

The motivation to create the scholarship “came from a place of deep gratitude from my husband and myself — for education and for the generations of women in our family whose strength shaped who we are today,” she said. “When you are lifted up, you have a responsibility to lift others, as well.”

At the same time, she said, “I hope students see that giving back isn’t just a financial act — it’s a cultural one. When students see alumni staying engaged and offering support, it demonstrates a living cycle of reciprocity.”

That philosophy also shapes the advice she offers current CSUSB students. “Trust your instincts, seek out learning opportunities and lean on the teachings of your family or community,” she said.
“Your background is not something to set aside — it’s your compass.”

Bolden sees her journey as part of a larger story that includes “the generations of my own people who taught me to pursue education with purpose,” she said. 

“As CSUSB marks 60 years, I am honored and humbled to be a small part of its legacy,” she continued. “My journey reflects both worlds working together — the academic opportunities provided by CSUSB and the ancestral knowledge that continues to guide my service.”