Provost Message - February 8, 2017

This week and last have been busy for all of us. I attended the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) meeting in San Diego where I was impressed with the strong statements against the direction of the Trump Administration. Here on campus, there continue to be protests, meetings, and many discussions, all representing the finest American democratic traditions.

With the spring semester underway, my lunches with faculty continue and I remain impressed by your passion, wisdom and knowledge. These lunches are a highlight of my week.

Lastly, I share with you the news that Linda Fontes, who coordinates this newsletter and many of our divisional communications, is leaving the university for an exciting new position with the City of Irvine. She will be missed, although we wish her the very best in her new job. While we search for a new communication specialist, my message will come out every other week. Please send any items for upcoming messages to aa-commmunication@csulb.edu.

Campus Interviews for CED Dean, Vice Provost for Planning Begin Next Week

Finalists for the College of Education Dean and Vice Provost for Planning will be on campus beginning next week. Finalists for the College of Education Dean will be on campus for interviews February 14-March 9. Candidates include

  • Dr. Shireen Pavri Interim Dean of the College of Education, CSULB
  • Dr. Anna Ortiz Chair of Educational Leadership, CSULB
  • Dr. Matthew Lynch Owner of Lynch Consulting Group, LLC
  • Dr. Keith Wilson Faculty member, Rehabilitation Institute, Southern Illinois University

Information on each candidate, dates and times of their open forums and a form to provide feedback are available online.

Finalists for the Vice Provost position include

  • Dr. Dhushy Sathianathan Interim Vice Provost for Academic Planning, CSULB
  • Dr. Mark Poisel Vice President for Enrollment and Student Affairs, Augusta University
  • Dr. Samuel Bersola Assistant Vice Provost for Graduate Education, UCLA

They will be on campus for interviews and open forums February 15-22. Information on each candidate, dates and times of their open forums and a form to provide feedback are available online.

Open Forum: Trump Executive Order 157

CIE staff and an immigration attorney will be present to address the uncertainties and concerns regarding visas and the travel ban at the forum on Monday, February 13, 2017 at 4 p.m. in the Foundation Building, Room 204.

Inaugural Elena Diane Curris Lecture on Global Issues Addresses Human Rights

Faculty, staff, students and community members are invited to the inaugural Elena Diane Curris Lecture on Global Issues on Tuesday, February 21 from 8-9:30 p.m. at the University Theater. Guest speaker Andre Banks will address “Designing Resistance: Remaking the Movement for Human Rights.” The talk will focus on the ways in which social action campaigns have raised the profile of critical issues and delivered real victories for human rights and social justice before turning to a focus on the powerful tools that all of us have in a free society to stand up for what we believe in. Banks is co-founder of All Out, is on the global governing board of Amnesty International and ColorOfChange. He has twice been named by the Economist magazine as one of the “Top 50 Diversity Leaders in Public Life.” See the event flyer for more information.

This event is free and open to the community. If you have any questions, please contact Kandis Pogoda at extension 5-5236 or Kandis.Pogoda@csulb.edu.

Before her unexpected passing in 2015, Elena Curris served CSULB in several advancement and public relations capacities. In recognition of her global interests, highlighted by her chairing the planning committee for "The President's Forum for International Human Rights" and co-directing the annual Veterans Day Celebration, and in support of the University's International Studies Program, her family has established a memorial endowment to sponsor the annual Elena Diane Curris Lecture on Global Issues.