Iqbal Atwal is the Director/Principal Investigator for the ASPIRE Program at California State University, Stanislaus. He is very passionate and motivated to work with students to help them achieve their academic and professional goals. He has 12 years of experience in higher education, specifically working at universities that serve students of California’s Central Valley area. In his current role he oversees the HSI-STEM and Articulation grant that serves incoming freshmen and transfer students through an articulation program, undergraduate internship program, peer mentoring program, summer bridge STEM immersion program, and 3 courses on career development and college preparedness.

He is a proud alumnus of California State University, Stanislaus in that he received his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science in 2009 and his Master’s degree in Public Administration in 2012. His career has provided him with valuable experience working with students at community colleges, undergraduate programs, and graduate programs. Most recently he has worked as the Project Director for STEM Success at Stanislaus State. Prior to that he worked as the Graduate Recruitment, Retention & Outreach Manager for University of California, Merced where he facilitated the recruitment and admissions for graduate programs and led multiple diversity and STEM initiatives. His previous work experience also includes working for the McNair Scholars Program at University of California Merced and TRIO/Pre-College program at Modesto Junior College.