As an information systems major, Tyler Kom hopes to make a difference in the community through innovation and dedicated work in his field.
“I plan to apply my expertise to support electrical infrastructure mapping, asset management, and spatial analysis for utility operations,” said Kom, who will receive a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems (CIS) from Cal State LA’s College of Business and Economics.
Kom, a 25-year-old San Diego resident, is part of Cal State LA’s Class of 2025 and will participate in the Commencement ceremony at the Shrine Auditorium on Monday, May 19. He completed his degree coursework in the winter and has already started a full-time position with the San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) company.
“My [current] goal is to make a meaningful impact at SDG&E by leveraging my knowledge and skills,” he said. “The company has the resources and infrastructure to drive positive change, and with my education, I believe I can contribute significantly to their efforts.”
A first-generation college student, Kom attended Saddleback College in Mission Viejo before transferring to Cal State LA. Kom shared that he chose to enroll at Cal State LA after researching CIS programs across seven CSU universities.
“Cal State LA’s program stood out as the most aligned with my career goals, offering relevant coursework that has proven invaluable,” he said.
The university provided invaluable opportunities that shaped his career, including the CIS program’s hands-on learning, which helped place him in an internship with the City of Los Angeles.
While working there, he contributed to a large-scale project for the LA28 Olympics. The project entails analyzing pavement conditions near Olympic venues in Los Angeles using Geographic Information System (GIS) and various data sources. GIS is a technology that is used to create, manage, analyze, and map all types of data.
“My findings were used by the city to prioritize city improvements in preparation for the LA28 Olympics,” he said. “Additionally, the map I created was recognized for its impact and received an award at L.A. County’s GIS Day. This experience reinforced my ability to apply academic knowledge to real-world problems.”
“Throughout college, I’ve discovered a passion for learning and connecting with others, which has enriched my personal growth and professional aspirations,” Kom said, describing how these hands-on experiences shaped both his confidence and direction.
Reaching that point, however, took dedication and perseverance. One of the biggest hurdles he faced early on was self-doubt.
“For a long time, I didn’t think I was capable,” he said. “Breaking through that mindset and fully committing to my education was difficult, but once I did, I gained the confidence to push forward and succeed.”
Kom not only overcame but excelled in his academics, earning a 3.8 GPA and making it to the Dean’s List. He will be graduating this spring with magna cum laude honors.
“I highly recommend others to apply to Cal State LA because of its supportive environment, dedicated faculty, and hands-on learning opportunities,” he said.
He noted that one of the best experiences at Cal State LA was working on fire severity projects in Professor Vivian Sultan’s class, which introduced him to GIS and resulted in their research being published.
“Professor Sultan has been the most influential professor I have had at Cal State LA, providing invaluable guidance and support,” he added. “The faculty members [here], like Sultan, go above and beyond to ensure students succeed, providing mentorship and real-world guidance.”
Kom’s collaborative research, entitled “Impact of Reforestation on Wildfire Severity in California,” aims to explore how various restoration efforts, such as afforestation and reforestation, influence the intensity and frequency of wildfires across the state.
He indicated that the goal was to understand whether these restoration activities help mitigate fire severity or if they inadvertently contribute to higher risks due to factors like fuel load and ecosystem imbalance.
“My objectives for this research included identifying the most effective restoration practices, assessing their impact on wildfire dynamics, and providing insights for future policy recommendations and environmental management strategies to reduce fire-related damage,” he explained.
In an email message from his college, Kom was commended for his contributions to wildfire analysis and infrastructure management. It stated: “His work in GIS, research, and community engagement exemplifies academic excellence and professional growth.”
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California State University, Los Angeles is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles. Cal State LA is ranked number one in the United States for the upward mobility of its students. Cal State LA is dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good, offering nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education, and the humanities. Founded in 1947, the University serves more than 26,000 students and has more than 250,000 distinguished alumni.
Cal State LA is home to the critically-acclaimed Luckman Fine Arts Complex, Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs, Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center, Hydrogen Research and Fueling Facility, Billie Jean King Sports Complex and the TV, Film and Media Center. For more information, visit www.CalStateLA.edu.
