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I understand you are the director of the MESA Engineering Program, an academic advisor, and recruiter for the College. What’s a typical day like for you?On a typical day, there is a line of students outside my ofice. They all want one of three things: information about scholarships and internships, help with academic and career advising, or a tour of our labs. Between meetings with students, I have meetings with faculty, staff, and administrators as well as with industry representatives.All the meetings are focused on developing programs, opportunities, and resources to help students graduate and enter industry careers or graduate school.You’re an alumnus of Cal State Northridge. What brought you to Cal State L.A. as a staff member?It has been my pleasure and honor to serve the College for the past six years. I had been working as the associate director of the Institute at Indian Hills, which is an applied educational research institute at the Claremont Graduate University. In this position, I evaluated grants and educational institutions. I missed working directly with students to help them reach their goals, so when I saw the job posting for the College, I applied.What qualities do the best engineers have?The best engineers are intrinsically motivated to solve dificult problems. They have a strong command of technical knowledge and are able to use that knowledge to solve problems. And they can communicate their vision to other engineers and scientists, politicians and legislators, and funders and investors.You personally strive to be a clear communicator. What other qualities describe you?As a young child, my grandfather taught me to live my life in such a way as to improve myself, my family, and my community. One of my best qualities is that I am a service-minded person born with a gift to motivate and to help individuals see things inside themselves that they are otherwise unable to recognize.What is the best advice you ever received?There are people in this world who kill dreams. I was taught to not let anybody or anything keep me from achieving my dream. I know that if I can dream it, I can achieve it. •InSights | 33BEHIND THE SCENES WITH T. FOXT. Fox is the director of the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) engineering program, which supports academically disadvantaged students with counseling in academics and career development, leadership preparation, and a strong academic peer community. He also wears other hats in his position at the College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology at California State University, Los Angeles.