2025 Student Spotlights - Velee Thompson - Recreation & Leisure Studies
Velee Thompson is obtaining her Bachelor’s degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies, with an emphasis in Tourism Management. After officially declaring her major, Velee says she really wanted to work in her field, so she took an internship at Cispus Outdoor School in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
“I have been able to learn new skills that can transform people’s way of thinking and aid in personal growth,” she says about her internship experience and time spent in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies.
Velee reflects back at her time at CSULB and recognizes all that she has accomplished, giving the challenging circumstances she faced while a student. During her first few weeks of her studies, Velee was unhoused.
“It was a very overwhelming time in my life because I was worrying about balancing my school workload, living situation and working two jobs. I felt very alone and isolated.”
With determination and drive to get herself out of her unhoused situation, Velee asked what her school could do for her to help her through. She obtained help through the CARES – Campus Assessment Response & Evaluation for Students team and Basic Needs services, which not only provided Velee with emergency housing, but food and a long-term living situation until she could get back on her feet.
“Knowing that people cared about what I was going through allowed me to put a lot of energy back into my educational career and hope for obtaining a better future.”
Through the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies, Velee found a new passion and a career path. She took a particular interest in tourism and outdoor recreation and the ability of these fields to pull people out of their comfort zones. Velee herself says the major allowed her to explore new things, and made her a more well-rounded person. From visiting new places to trying out new activities such as kayaking, Velee was able to foster a deep sense of self discovery and achievement, which she now hopes to pass along to others.
“With my degree, I hope to break into the field of adventure tourism and create unique experiences for those who seek it,” Velee says. “As I progress into my field, my long-term goal is to be able to establish a non-profit organization that allows me to bring underserved youth, particularly those facing difficult circumstances, into these types of [recreation] environments, to try activities they may never have had the chance to do otherwise. Through my career path, I hope to empower young individuals like me to discover new strengths, build resilience, and grow both personally and emotionally.” Congratulations, Velee!
