CSUN Couple Creates Two-Year Teaching Scholarship

Kim L. Randall created a new scholarship at California State University, Northridge that will give aspiring history teachers two years of financial support, honoring her late husband Steve and the scholarships that made their own educations possible.

Kim and Steve Randall met at CSUN in the 1970s as history majors who shared a love for student politics. Steve became student body vice president while Kim ran his campaign, sparking a partnership that lasted decades.

Both came from middle-class families and relied on scholarships to attend college. After graduation, Steve earned his teaching credential at CSUN and became a public school teacher, while Kim built a successful career in insurance.

The Steven G. and Kim L. Randall History Scholarship for Future Teachers will launch for the 2027-28 academic year. High school seniors can apply through CSUN's myMatador scholarship portal, with priority given to students in the History BA/Teaching Credential track.

The scholarship automatically renews for a second year if students maintain at least a 2.5 GPA. This gives incoming freshmen crucial early support as they navigate their first two years of college.

The four-year integrated program prepares students to teach History-Social Science at middle and high schools. It combines the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences with the Michael D. Eisner College of Education.

The Ripple Effect

Steve Randall passed away in 2009, but his commitment to education lives on through this scholarship. The gift ensures future teachers receive the same kind of support that allowed both Randalls to build meaningful careers and a vibrant life together in the San Fernando Valley.

CSUN research shows that freshmen scholarship recipients are more likely to persist to their sophomore year and build momentum toward graduation. Early financial support helps students focus on their studies instead of financial stress during those critical first years.

The scholarship represents more than money. It's a reminder that the support we receive can echo forward for generations, creating opportunities for students who will shape young minds across California.