Provost's Message - November 20, 2019

Message From Provost Jersky

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Provost Brian Jersky

Dear Campus Community,

Three weeks ago, the Los Angeles Times wrote a story about the CSU’s overall graduation rate. When the reporter heard about our numbers from the Chancellor’s office, she wanted to reach out to our campus to understand how we accomplished the exceptional graduation increase. As I talked to the reporter, I simply reflected on what the data illuminated all along.

For the past four years, our campus has taken a collective approach at ways to reduce systematic barriers for our students. We then actively tackled these issues by creating workable solutions across all divisions.

I am appreciative and grateful that we have started to accomplish our goal. More students succeeded to graduation. Barriers our students experienced to a timely graduation were actively eliminated. More achieved their dream of a college degree. All of this is a reason to celebrate our success and echo back the good work we continue to do.

For this Provost’s Message, I would like to highlight some of the remarkable work our campus is actively engaged in. Last month, the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) released its newest Quest publication. What I appreciate most about this magazine are the in-depth stories behind the research. I know each article displays impact for our students.

Another recent publication is the debut of the online BUILD magazine. This piece features the widespread impact the BUILD grant cultivates across campus through cross-discipline research.  What both these magazines share is how key research opportunities, combined with student engagement, invest in our ultimate purpose: student success.

Ways to Give Back on Campus

With all the busyness of the holidays quickly approaching, are you looking for a way to make a difference right here on campus? Here are some upcoming opportunities for you to donate to those in need on campus and beyond.

ASI Beach Pantry - The pantry provides non-perishable food items for CSULB students in need. For access to the food pantry program, students must be currently enrolled and come prepared to present a CSULB ID. Students can use the ASI Beach Pantry three times a week. Here is a link for ways to donate.

Staff Council 22nd Annual Bob Rodgers Cherishing Children Toy Drive - Bring new, unwrapped toys to collection boxes throughout campus by or before Monday, December 9, 2019. The toys go to local foster children in need. During the event, each child will receive a gift, a photo with Santa, and a goodie bag. We will have a bin on the third floor of Brotman Hall, Suite 300.

Alumni, Faculty, & Staff Holiday Shopping Night Silent on November 22 in the Bookstore - Silent auction proceeds during the event, will go towards CSULB student scholarships. This is also a fun event to get a head start on holiday shopping.

Soles4Souls - Donate your gently used shoes at the CSULB Shoe Drive. This organization helps people living in poverty gain new dignity, courage and hope. When you donate used shoes to Soles4Souls, you are helping provide needed shoes to people in our community.

I appreciate all our campus is engaged in to help those in need. If you feel so inclined, get involved. Thank you again for making a difference.

Sincerely,

Brian Jersky
Provost and Senior Vice President


News

Academic Affairs News

Grants and Gifts

Julie O'Donnell. YMCA of greater Long Beach Community School Evaluation Program. Social Work. CHHS. YMCA. $55,000. (October 2019 - September 2020)

Saba Yohannes-Reda. Type II: California State University I-Corps Site. Outreach & Recruitment. COE. San Diego State University Research Foundation. $1,000. (June 2019 - October 2019)

Aili Malm. Using Social Network and Spatial Analysis to Understand and Address Fentanyl Distribution Networks in America’s Largest Port City. Criminal Justice. CHHS. Department of Justice. $995,490. (January 2020 - December 2022)

Loretta Enriquez. Educational Talent Search STEM CAMP. Student Support Administration. SA. US Department of Education. $40,000. (September 2016 - August 2021)

Loretta Enriquez. Educational Talent Search - South Bay STEM CAMP. Student Support Administration. SA. US Department of Education. $40,000. (September 2016 - August 2021)

Jane Roeder. Ethics at The Beach Student Seminar. Ukleja Center for Ethical Leadership. CBA. County of Los Angeles. $1,000. (August 2019 - June 2020)

Abraham Weil. Transgender Studies Quarterly. Women's Gender and Sexuality Studies. CLA. Duke University Press. $5,500. (January 2020 - June 2020)

Parviz Yavari. CALPAR. Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. COE. NextGen Aeronautics. $145,273. (October 2019 - June 2021)

Laura D'Anna. B-Free OC: A Multi-Level Community Collaboration for HBV Care. Center for Health Equity Research. CHHS. Vietnamese American Cancer Foundation. $85,000. (July 2019 - June 2020)

Stephen Mezyk. Effects of Alpha and Gamma Radiation on Complex and Metal Loaded Solvents for Advanced Extraction Processes. Chemistry & Biochemistry. CNSM. The Regents of the University of California - Irvine via DOEnergy. $165,000. (October 2017 - September 2020)

Klaus Hagedorn. RUI: Collaborative Research: Defining the biogeochemical context and ecological impacts of submarine groundwater discharge on coral reefs. Geological Sciences. CNSM. The University Corporation via NSF. $52,825. (September 2019 - August 2020)

Thomas O'Brien. International Urban Freight Conference/Smart Freight Week. CITT. CPIE. USC via Caltrans. $45,000. (August 2019 - January 2020)

Yada Treesukosol. The Role of Taste Variability in Alcohol intake in Male and Female Rats. Psychology. CLA. The International Honor Society in Psychology. $2,000. (September 2019 - July 2020)

Lora Stevens. CSU LSAMP 2018-2023 (Fed Portion). Geological Sciences. CNSM. University Enterprises, Inc. via National Science Foundation. $15,800. (September 2019 - August 2020)

Anthony Byrnes. Theatre Communications Group Conference. Theater Arts. COTA. Arts Council for Long Beach. $1,000. (March 2019 - March 2020)

Tracy Maples. MEP Program 2019-2020. COE Administration. COE. The Regents of the University of California, Office of the President. $10,000. (July 2019 - June 2020)

Curglin Robertson. Summer Food Services Program. Student Support Administration. SA. California Department of Education. $7,308. (June 2019 - September 2019)

Noah Asher Golden. Supporting Marginalized Students (re)positioning: Investigating the role of instruction in adolescent learners identity work. Teacher Education. CED. Spencer Foundation. $50,000. (April 2019 - March 2020)

Chris Brazier. Department of Chemistry/Biochemistry Research Forums. Chemistry & Biochemistry. CNSM. Allergan Foundation. $10,000. (October 2019 - September 2020)

Shadi Saadeh. Joint Training and Certificate Program - Phase III. COE Administration. COE. State of CA Department of Transportation. $1,328,280. (June 2019 - June 2022)

Cara Richards Tutor. Interdisciplinary Training for Effective Culturally Responsive Tiered Behavior Intervention and Supports for CLD Youth with Disabilities. Advanced Studies in Education and Counseling. CED. U.S. Department of Education. $1,208,169. (November 2020 - October 2021)

Rafael Topete. TRIO-Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program. Student Support Administration. SA. US Department of Education. $253,031. (October 2017 - September 2022)

Lily House-Peters. Incorportating Local & Traditional Knowledge Systems: New Insights for Ecosystem Services & Transdisciplinary Collaborations. Geography. CLA. University of Calgary. $17,301. (June 2019 - July 2020)

In Memorium

Bob Bersi, who recently passed away, served as the Vice President of UR&D and was an emeriti faculty for HHS. 

Emeriti faculty from CLA Sim Crowther recently passed away. He was a former chair of Economics, Dean, and Chair of the Academic Senate, among his many contributions to the university.


The next Provost’s Message will be published on Wednesday, December 18th. Items for the upcoming message should be submitted by Friday, December 13th, to aa-communication@csulb.edu.