Body Building Upon His Foundation at ULV

“Believe in yourself. Show up for yourself. And always move forward despite life’s challenges.” These words from Guillermo Escalante ’97, MBA ’99, are the personal mantra that transformed a nine-year-old immigrant from Costa Rica who spoke little English into a recognized leader in sports science and higher education.

Today, Escalante serves as Associate Dean of the College of Natural Sciences at California State University, San Bernardino, where he began as an adjunct professor in 2012, became a tenured associate professor in 2018, and achieved full professor status in 2022. His remarkable journey exemplifies the transformative power of perseverance and mentorship.

Escalante’s connection to the University of La Verne began early—his father was an adjunct professor of marketing. Understanding that education was the key to opportunity, Escalante came to ULV to study while running sprints and playing football. He was fascinated with sports training and nutrition.

After tearing his ACL, he pivoted from the football field to courtside, helping the men’s basketball team as a student athletic trainer. Here he discovered his true passion. Despite becoming a father at age 19, he graduated early at 20 with his BS in athletic training and a minor in biology. He earned his MBA at ULV by age 22 in 1999, then obtained his doctor of science in 2012.

Escalante has been published more than 50 times in peer-reviewed publications and another 50 in leading fitness publications including Bodybuilding.com and Muscle & Fitness. He presents research findings at international conferences.

“I remember when applying to be a professor early on, I had a gap in my CV with no peer-reviewed publications yet,” Escalante recalls. “I decided to bridge that gap by committing myself to scientific inquiry and engaging students in research opportunities.”

At a recent Oxford conference, surrounded by experts from Harvard and other prestigious institutions, Escalante experienced what he calls a “pinch me” moment. “Imposter syndrome is real,” he reflects. “You can accomplish so much in your life. But inside you still remember being that insecure kid who had trouble speaking and writing English as a second language. But I am proof that it’s about what you do with each day to drive your life forward.”

Escalante’s influence extends far beyond the classroom. He serves as Vice President of the International Society of Sports Nutrition and will become its president in 2026. He’s chaired several committees for the National Strength and Conditioning Association and serves on scientific advisory boards of multiple sports nutrition companies.

After running a successful fitness business for almost 20 years, Escalante established a certification program for physique and bodybuilding coaches. In 2018, he partnered with the National Academy of Sports Medicine as the lead subject matter expert, developing a comprehensive program now considered the gold standard certification for bodybuilding coaches.

“At CSUSB, there are many minority and disadvantaged students. I see the younger me in many of them. Not feeling smart enough or good enough. But they are! I want them to thrive and find a career they love as much as I do.” This passion led Escalante to co-author a proposal for a $5 million U.S. Department of Education grant in 2021 designed to attract underrepresented minorities to STEM majors. The grant has helped more than 1,000 minority students succeed through paid research opportunities and comprehensive mentorship.

In 2022, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities named Escalante as a fellow for its Leadership Academy, making him the first CSUSB faculty member selected for this prestigious program designed to increase diverse leadership in higher education.

Escalante credits much of his success to mentors from ULV, particularly Paul Alvarez and Marilyn Oliver. “Paul and Marilyn had confidence in me that I would complete my BS degree despite the challenges of being a young father,” he says. “They helped me during my formative years and showed me how to genuinely care for people. Connections last a lifetime.”

He also fondly remembers Carol Fetty ’78, his freshman English professor, who told him he was a strong writer before he could see it in himself—recognition that proved prophetic given his extensive publishing career.

Looking ahead, Escalante sees unlimited possibilities: “Dean, provost, university president—it’s all a possibility.” But regardless of his next role, his commitment to lifelong learning and lifting others remains unwavering, embodying the transformative power of education and mentorship that began at the University of La Verne.