Provost's Message - January 15, 2020
Message From Provost Jersky
Welcome back to CSULB and to the start of a new decade. I hope you had a restful and safe holiday break. I always appreciate the collective time off before the new semester. As we celebrate the start of a new decade, I recognize that the year 2020 already seems full of changes not only for our campus, but the nation and world as well. I believe this year we will see history in the making.
In just a few short weeks, so many concerning events have occurred in the world. It seems that every moment, we’re faced with ever more troubling developments, from fires and wars to elections. Each day seems to bring something new. It’s sometimes hard to not lose hope for our future.
And yet, around the world, we’re presented with equal, if not greater, amounts of good. Fundraising efforts for the devastating Australian wildfires continue to grow, as well as numerous uplifting stories of kindness. Our youth lead the way in anti-war protests, environmental mindfulness, and political activism.
At CSULB, we’re facing numerous important milestones of our own. We’ve been preparing for a spring semester that will include our WASC Accreditation renewal, campus-wide surveys of students, staff and faculty, commencement, and numerous other large-scale events. This spring, CSULB expects another increase in our 4-year graduation rates with a record number of students graduating. Our campus is rolling out more opportunities for student engagement and research. We are surrounded with many who are committed to our campus vision, mission, and working hard to advocate for that change. I can’t help but feel hopeful.
As we prepare for the year, I’ve found that taking a moment to recharge and prioritize internal growth can keep a positive perspective. We’ve likely all read about the benefits of a growth mindset – here is another from the CSU on the topic. Our perspectives and how we handle our external circumstances are really the only area we can control. As J.R.R. Tolkien wrote in The Fellowship of The Ring, “I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo.
“So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
It’s sure to be a memorable decade and I truly look forward to making positive changes within our university, society, and within ourselves.
Happy New Year!
Brian Jersky
Provost and Senior Vice President
News
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Podcasts with the Provost - Principal Investigator of the Build Program, Chi-Ah Chun
For this month's episode of 'Podcast with the Provost,' learn about how the $20 million BUILD Program is reducing barriers for minority students pursuing doctoral programs and careers in healthcare. Chi-Ah Chun, Principal Investigator of the BUILD Program, discusses how this innovative cross-discipline approach to research is changing the game for CSULB students. Also on Spotify. Join the conversation. -
Counting Our Blessings: The Grunion Gazette with President Jane Close Conoley
Academic Affairs News
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Jane Close Conoley - What Long Beach Will Look Like In 2030 – The Grunion Gazette
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Brian Jersky - First Year, Reimagined - The California State University
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Katie Dudley - Long Beach’s fiscal future looks hazy, officials say – Signal Tribune
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Jane Close Conoley - Cal State Long Beach sees decade of record demand – Long Beach Post
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This is how Long Beach is getting ready for the 2020 Census – Long Beach Post
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Shabnam Sodagari - Member of the Editorial Board of IEEE Open Journal on Vehicular Technology.
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Maria Claver - 8 Ways to Make 2020 Your Best Year Ever - The California State University
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Raisa Pacheco - The Amazing Monkey Island In Puerto Rico Where Humans Are The Ones In Cages - Forbes
Grants and Gifts
In Memorium
The next Provost’s Message will be published on Wednesday, February 19th. Items for the upcoming message should be submitted by Friday, February 14th, to aa-communication@csulb.edu.