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FALL 2016 • VOLUME 20 NUMBER 2 • BI-ANNUAL

MAGAZINE

Beck for the future

Erika Beck CI’s new President PAGE 16

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

An exciting time to be at CI W

hen I arrived on campus in August, my top priority was to engage with our campus community and learn more about the people who have enabled CI’s culture and values to flourish since the time of our founding. I have spent my time immersed in campus life: attending student events, touring departments and meeting with program faculty and staff. I also have been getting to know our community partners, donors, friends and alumni. Through my conversations, I have developed a tremendous sense of pride for our collective work and its impact on our individual students, as well as their families and our entire community. When I chat with students relaxing in the South Quad between classes or enjoying refreshments at Freudian Sip, we often engage in conversations about their CI experience. The vast majority tell me what they most appreciate and value about the University is the people. Our students recognize the extraordinary commitment that our faculty and staff have for their success inside and outside of the classroom and see CI as the place to achieve their highest aspirations. I am genuinely honored to serve as the President of such an extraordinary university community. To say that it’s an exciting time to be at CI would be an understatement. In late August, we welcomed 2,152 incoming students to campus — the largest entering class of undergraduates in our history. We started the fall by unveiling a new extension of Islands Café and completing the Santa Rosa Village construction project, which provides 600 additional students the opportunity for on-campus living. Earlier this fall we entered into a publicprivate partnership with global real estate firm Kennedy Wilson, which will invest in expanding the University Glen apartments and Town Center. Its partnership is a critical step towards our University’s growth; proceeds will be used to provide initial funds for much-needed capital projects and project development. I’m looking forward to engaging with many more students, faculty, staff and alumni over the course of the academic year as we work towards delineating our strategic priorities and planning for the future. Although I will conclude my official “listening tour” soon, I want you to know that I will never stop listening to you. You are the very heart and soul of this extraordinary University and we will only continue to achieve greater levels of success if we do so together. Of all the things I have learned about our campus since the time of my arrival, none has resonated with me more than the priority of putting people first. I look forward to the journey ahead. Sincerely,

Erika D. Beck President

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CONTENTS Departments 4 University News Channel is an official publication of California State University Channel Islands. It is published twice a year for students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community at-large by the Communication & Marketing office within the Division of Technology & Communication. We welcome your comments and suggestions. Please send correspondence to: ci.news@csuci. edu or CSU Channel Islands, Communication & Marketing, One University Drive, Camarillo CA 93012-8599, 805-437-8415. FALL 2016 VOLUME 20 NUMBER 2 BI-ANNUAL

Vice President for Technology & Communication A. Michael Berman Executive Editor Nancy Covarrubias Gill ’05 Editor and Production Director Joanna Murphy Copy Editors Marya Jones Barlow, John T. Garcia Contributors Marya Jones Barlow, Nancy C. Gill, Kim Lamb Gregory, Zoe Lance, James A. Martinez, Christie Medina, Joanna Murphy, Ekin Pehlivan Magazine Design & Layout Sarah Schumacher Photography & Videography Kevin Mapp

6 In the News 7-9 In Focus: Students 10-11 Scholarly & Creative Activities 12-13 In Focus: Faculty 14 In Focus: Student Leadership 15 In Focus: Staff 28-29 Alumni Profiles

30 Alumni — Where are they now? Back Cover

Celebrating the opening of new student housing.

Calendar

Features 16 Cover: Staying Grounded 19 A+ accommodations and world-class cuisine 20 New Faculty Faces 22 Students thank scholarship donors at reception 23 Humanizing online learning 24 CSU initiative to increase graduation rates 26 Concert fundraiser introduces new president

Web Production Jennifer Kubel, Joanna Murphy, Sarah Schumacher

Social Media Tom Emens, Kim Lamb Gregory Distribution Kristin Steiner

Cruising CI with Caroline Doll.

Cover: Erika Beck CI’s New President

See cover story page 16 CSU Channel Islands Mission Statement Placing students at the center of the educational experience, California State University Channel Islands provides undergraduate and graduate education that facilitates learning within and across disciplines through integrative approaches, emphasizes experiential and service learning, and graduates students with multicultural and international perspectives.

Michelle Pacansky-Brock is making tech human.

If you would like to be added to our email or mailing list for University events or special announcements, please submit your contact information to: ci.news@csuci.edu

This news magazine is printed on recycled paper.

The CI community enjoys a concert with Bruce Hornsby.

Student Government creates a food pantry. California State University Channel Islands

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UNIVERSITY NEWS CI launches nationwide search for provost

said. Pandya’s parents are happy to do whatever it takes to pay for their eldest son’s education, but the CI graduate student would rather his parents spend their money on the school Pandya’s father has run for 30 years back in his native city of Vadodara in the western Indian state of Gujarat. Pandya’s father, a retired civil servant, teaches pre-school through 10th grade for low-income students.

CSU Channel Islands is searching for a new provost and has secured the Washington, D.C.-based executive search firm Academic Search Inc. to field candidates from across the country for the appointed position, which will begin in summer 2017. As Chair of the Academic Senate, Professor of Math Cynthia Wyels, also serves as Chair of the Provost Search Committee. Wyels said the committee is searching for someone with vision and dedication for the newest campus in the CSU system. “We need somebody here who wants to help lead a young and ambitious institution that has accomplished a lot and is poised for yet more,” Wyels said. “Someone who wants to make a difference in the lives of our students and our region, and have our campus serve as a national model.” Read the full story at: go.csuci.edu/provostsearch

Read the full story at: go.csuci.edu/pandya

Professor named chief editor of International Journal Student wins prestigious Edison Foundation scholarship Emotion took over when CI Computer Science graduate student Dhruv Pandya learned he had been named an Edison Scholar through the California State University Foundation. “I was sitting at my desk and I started to cry,” said Pandya, 26. “I cried for about 10 minutes.” The $4,000 that comes with the Edison Scholar program lifted a lot of the economic burden Pandya has as an international student far from home. Part of the reason Pandya enrolled in CI was because of its affordability. But, because he is on his own carrying a full academic load while working to make enough for school and living expenses, it has been a strain. “I have a responsibility to look after my own education,” Pandya

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has named CI Professor of Political Science Andrea Grove as the chief editor of the International Journal of Social Business. The International Journal of Social Business is a new journal aimed at those who want to know more about the field of social business and how they can get involved and/or invest. “Dr. Grove’s understanding of both the social business concept and its potential power to address the threat posed by wealth concentration makes her an ideal editor for this new international publication,” said Yunus, who developed the concept of social business. Social business is a self-sustaining business with a philanthropic cause. Profits from a social business might, for example, empower those in poverty to become entrepreneurs themselves, build a community center or bring clean water to a village. Read the full story at: go.csuci.edu/ijsb

For information on other University news stories visit www.csuci.edu/news 4

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UNIVERSITY NEWS Nursing student receives prestigious CSU Trustees’ Award CI senior Nursing student Natalie Titcomb has been awarded a CSU Trustees’ Award. Titcomb is one of 24 CSU students to be awarded a scholarship of $6,000 to $12,000 in recognition of their superior academic performance, personal accomplishments, community service and financial need. The scholars include one student from each of CSU’s 23 campuses, along with the top-scoring scholar in the entire CSU system. “The accomplishments of these determined, bright and compassionate students are remarkable,” said CSU Chancellor Timothy P. White. “These scholarships will help them go on to accomplish even greater things on their campuses, their communities and California’s future.” Read the full story at: go.csuci.edu/titcomb

Sierra Hall wins ‘Best Project’ award from Engineering News-Record

Mortar Board chapter wins national award The Four Pillars chapter of Mortar Board National College Senior Honor Society at CI has earned national recognition for a third year in a row.

Less than a year after its grand opening, Sierra Hall on the campus of CI has won the “Best Project” award from the Engineering News-Record, widely considered the primary trade journal of the construction industry.

“This demonstrates how committed each group has been each year in pursuing all the requirements,” said Four Pillars Mortar Board president Lynn Utley, a senior Biology major/ Chemistry minor. Utley accepted the award at the 2016 Mortar Board National Conference in Indianapolis.

Sierra Hall won in the Higher Education/ Research category from the Engineering News-Record/ California, which covers California and Hawaii.

With 228 chartered chapters across the nation, CI’s Four Pillars chapter was one of 34 Silver Torch winners. The Silver Torch is awarded to chapters that make significant accomplishments in the areas of scholarship, leadership and that provide meaningful service to their institution.

“I’m proud that a major project that is instrumental to the campus’ future success has been acknowledged for its innovation and excellence,” said CI Campus Architect John H. Gormley, Assistant Vice President for Facilities Services.

Read the full story at: go.csuci.edu/fpmb

There were 90 entries spread across 18 categories in ENR/California’s Best Project 2016 competition. Read the full story at: go.csuci.edu/sh-enr

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IN THE NEWS

University Glen Apartments acquired by global real estate company for $81 million C

I recently completed a public-private partnership with Kennedy Wilson when the global real estate investment company acquired the University Glen apartments and Town Center for $81 million. Kennedy Wilson purchased a 100-percent leasehold interest in the 386-unit multifamily community, which consists of townhomes and apartments. The acquisition also includes the Town Center, which is home to restaurants, the Cove Bookstore and the Town Center Market. “The closing of this transaction represents a critical step by CI toward its expansion plan, which is expected to double enrollment by 2025,” said Nicholas Bridges, Managing Director of Kennedy Wilson Multifamily Investments. “We hope this partnership with CI will serve as a model for Kennedy

Wilson to partner with other colleges and universities seeking to maximize the value of their existing owned real estate by leveraging Kennedy Wilson’s investment and expertise as a real estate operator.” CI President Erika Beck also is pleased with the transaction. “Public-private partnerships like this are in the bedrock of our University foundation,” Beck said. “Our University strengthens our community and the community strengthens CI. In addition, this acquisition allows us to concentrate more on our primary mission: to educate our students.” CI Vice President for Business & Financial Affairs Ysabel Trinidad said this will help CI remain financially robust and positions CI to grow campus academic resources. “We are pleased we were able to work with the Chancellor’s office to make this happen,” Trinidad

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said. “This is one way we are able to support ourselves and grow without relying solely on state funding.” Proceeds will be used to retire the debt that is associated with the rental program and will provide initial funds for capital projects and program development on CI’s main campus. Kennedy Wilson plans to add value to its new acquisition by building a new community center, clubhouse, leasing office, fitness center and by renovating the housing units. Kennedy Wilson has engaged E&S Ring Property Management to provide day-to-day operations and oversight of the apartments and Town Center. The term of the leasehold acquired by Kennedy Wilson is for 82 years. The transaction also includes the University leasing back 40 percent of the units for CI’s use for the initial 20-year term of the lease. -C

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IN FOCUS + STUDENTS

Ghana native finds his groove at CI By Kim Lamb Gregory

I junior Eugene “Swanzy” Hammond has gone from living in a West African village with unpaved roads and no indoor plumbing to a career as a crowd-pleasing deejay with a photography team, a manager, a clothing sponsorship and a loyal following on and off campus. “He’s really awesome,” said friend and fan Selwa “SueSue” Eldanaf, 21, a CI psychology major. “He has a lot of energy. He’s super into it and you can tell.’ Hammond, whose African name is “Swanzy,” grew up in modest circumstances in the West Coast African country of Ghana. “When I needed water to take a shower, I had to go to the well and get water,” said Hammond, 20. “If I wanted a hot shower, I had to get water and put it on the stove.” Ten years later, Hammond has mastered English, excelled at CI as a Health Science major with a Communication minor and has a steady stream of gigs as “DJ Swanzy.” During the week, Hammond carries a full academic load, works in CI’s student housing as a resident assistant, is a CI orientation leader and works with the Black Student Union. But on weekends, he’s off to Los Angeles to work as “DJ Swanzy.” Hammond has done the opening show for such artists as DJ Earworm, 2 Chainz and Tyga, to name a few. He finally had to get a manager to coordinate all of the work he was getting. Hammond then hired a professional photography team to help his brand, and was pleasantly surprised when he was offered a clothing sponsorship. “They said ‘We’ll make Swanzy clothes and Swanzy merchandise and I said ‘That’s pretty dope!’” Hammond said. It’s a long way from his native Ghana, where he and his friends had very little, but they improvised. If the boys wanted to play soccer, for example, Hammond and his friends would bind two shoes together or wad up a trash bag to create a makeshift soccer ball. When Hammond was in the fourth grade, his parents relocated to Corona, California, to find a better life. He was overwhelmed with culture shock. “I was fascinated by freeways,” Hammond said. “I didn’t like American food and I still had an accent. My grades weren’t that good.” But Hammond persisted, learned English, made

friends and during his sophomore year in high school, discovered he had a knack for playing music and working the crowd. He was a natural disc jockey. One day, a friend asked Hammond to act as deejay for a party he was holding in a barnyard. Hammond used some speakers, his laptop and a deejay software he bought from a friend for $150. “That party was so much fun. After the party was over, people were talking about it,” Hammond said. “They were saying, ‘When is there going to be a Part II?’ I started doing every party in Corona.” It wasn’t long before DJ Swanzy was the go-to mixmaster. He set up a website, his own business and began doing weddings, parties and events around CI. “Eugene, or ‘Swanzy,’ as he is known at CI, exhibits an entrepreneurial and can-do attitude,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Wm. Gregory Sawyer, one of the faculty and staff members Hammond considers a valuable mentor. “I could go to him for anything,” Hammond said of Sawyer. “He taught me a lot about African culture.” Another mentor valuable to Hammond is Jeremy Booker, Assistant Coordinator of Residential Education in CI’s Housing & Residential Education, where Hammond worked as a Resident Assistant in Santa Cruz Village. “Swanzy does not visualize himself through the lens that many youth do,” Booker said. “He believes in himself and humbles himself to ask questions when necessary.” After he graduates in 2018, Hammond plans to work as a physical therapist during the week, while on the weekends, it’s “DJ Swanzy.” For more on Hammond, visit: www.djswanzy.com -C

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IN FOCUS + STUDENTS

Senior’s Wanderlust Helps Her Win a Scholarship By Kim Lamb Gregory

I Business major Ruby Ortega can’t wait for her next overseas adventure, which she is planning for summer of 2017, right after she graduates. “I want to go to the United Kingdom. I’ve always loved London, but I’ve never been there,” Ortega, 22, said. “The pictures! The culture, the fashion!” A scholarship she earned based on her newfound passion for travel will make the trip possible. In June, Ortega was presented with a Hostelling International USA 2016 Explore the World Scholarship for the Los Angeles area. Ortega, who also is a student employee in CI’s Division of Technology & Communication, is one of six college students from the Los Angeles/Ventura County region who won out of more than 200 applicants. Ortega and the other honorees received $2,000 to help them broaden their horizons with travel. At the scholarship awards ceremony, Ortega spoke about discovering the joy of travel after applying for the two-and-a-half week study abroad program at the Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University in Karlsruhe, Germany, which is offered through CI’s Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics. “We often dislike what we don’t understand,” she said. “Traveling opens up your mind.” It was a big step for Ortega, whose family rarely left her hometown of Oxnard. “I lived a sheltered lifestyle,” Ortega said. “We did minimal traveling when I was younger — just inside California and Mexico, to Rosarito Beach and Ensenada.” Ortega grew up with two older sisters, two older brothers and one younger sister. Her brothers opted not to attend college, but the eldest sister, Angelina, now 35, blazed a trail for her younger siblings by enrolling in CI. “She was the first woman in my family to go to college,” Ortega said. “I saw Angelina work full time and go to school full time and still take care of us and the house because my parents worked.” Angelina graduated from CI with a degree in Liberal Arts, followed by Christina, now 29, who graduated with a degree in Psychology. After high school, Ruby and Isabel “Bella,” now 19, also became CI undergraduates. Bella carries a

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double major in Business and Health Science. “Their dedication inspired me,” Ruby said. “Angelina didn’t know the process of applying to the university. She had to find the resources to do that herself. She passed that knowledge onto Christina, me and Bella.” Just as her older sisters inspired Ruby to venture outside her comfort zone, Ruby is now sharing her love of travel with Bella with plans to take her along on her trip to the United Kingdom. Ruby sometimes thinks about how close she came to backing out of her first trip overseas, and how grateful she is that she shared her trepidation with Professor of Management and Chair of the Business program Andrew Morris, and Associate Professor of Business Susan Andrzejewski. Both encouraged her to go. “Travel may push students out of their comfort zone, yet some of the most meaningful educational moments occur when students are pushed out of their comfort zone and learn things that expand far beyond what could be covered in any college textbook or classroom,” Morris said. Morris shared a quote from author T.S. Elliot that reads: “The end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” “I suspect I said something to the effect of ‘Go. Not only will you see something of Germany, but when you get back you will see Oxnard for the first time,’” Morris said. -C FALL

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IN FOCUS + STUDENTS

Sara Whipple, ’17 Business

In Sync By Zoe Lance

hen Sara Whipple thought about going back to school for her bachelor’s degree, her first priority was finding the right program that worked for her. Whipple, who works at Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) as an academic technology support specialist, wanted a program that worked with her tech background. She needed something that could build off of her associate’s degree from the community college. And most importantly, it had to have a flexible schedule. “I was looking for a program that I could do while working full time,” she said. “And something I could do in a reasonable amount of time.” Luckily, she didn’t have to go very far — Whipple turned to CI’s Extended University program at SBCC. In 2014 she applied as a Business major. “I found out about it when the program first came to SBCC,” she said. “It was on campus, and I had taken a lot of the courses just out of interest.” Whipple is one of many Santa Barbara residents who enroll in CI’s Extended University undergraduate and graduate degree programs at SBCC. The community college and four-year university partner together to make CI’s education regionally accessible. CI also has growing student populations at its Goleta and Thousand Oaks satellite campuses. She’s on track to graduate in the spring. CI’s Business program teaches its students interdisciplinary fundamentals in accounting, information systems, management and more.

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made sense with all of the other classes. This program gave me a better understanding of business processes and techniques.” While she already had 15 years of real-world experience, Whipple learned more about styles, project planning and “I already had a career, but this degree managerial business operations that have helped her in the computer lab. She recommends the program to will allow me greater future flexibility. people who want to return to a college campus It will make me even more valuable as for a bachelor’s degree. Whipple is looking forward to finishing up an employee.”– Sara Whipple her degree at the Camarillo campus, where she’ll complete a computer science minor. She’s While she enjoyed the technology courses and already thinking about the returning to CI’s Extended learning from her favorite professors, her favorite University after graduation to work toward an M.B.A. part was her capstone course. She and her cohort “I already had a career, but this degree will allow worked on a business simulation game that used me greater future flexibility,” she said. “It gives concepts from all of their courses. me more credentials and will make me even more “The capstone class was the best,” Whipple said. “It valuable as an employee.” -C California State University Channel Islands

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SCHOLARLY & CREATIVE ACTIVITIES

Social Justice Research in Mathematics Education By James A. Martinez, Lecturer, Field Supervisor and Thesis Advisor for CI’s School of Education.

ith the support of both CSU Channel Islands and California Lutheran University, I recently completed a quantitative research study relating psychosocial learning attitudes to academic achievement in mathematics for U.S. high school students. The study served as an extension of my doctoral dissertation and provided the basis for an article to be published in the November 2016 edition of the Academy of Educational Studies’ Critical Questions in Education Journal. In addition, results of this study were presented last spring at the 2016 California Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Mathematics Symposium and this fall at the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Regional Conference. The purpose of this study was to examine the degree that psychosocial attitudes affect academic achievement in mathematics for students of different races during their secondary school years. Data was gathered from a nationally distributed longitudinal survey involving more than 16,000 student participants under the auspices of the National Center for Education Statistics. The students identified their racial backgrounds by selecting from a list of races, which included: White, Hispanic/Latino, African American, Asian, Native American/Alaskan, and Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander. Transcript information was incorporated into the analysis, so student math attitudes and racial profiles could be correlated to courses taken and grades. Significant differences were found when comparing Hispanic to non-Hispanic students regarding student self-evaluations of mathematics affinity, appreciation and capacity. In addition, there were statistically significant differences in the levels of mathematics courses taken by students of differing races, which led to the conclusion that high school

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students in the United States are differentially prepared in mathematics based on race. Some very surprising results also were discovered when comparing student grades obtained by sophomores who were enrolled in geometry, a course considered “on track” for that grade level. In this nationally representative sample, Hispanic students had the highest grades in geometry as compared to those earned by whites, African Americans and those of Asian ancestry. After a detailed case-by-case analysis, it was determined that Hispanic students taking geometry as sophomores were some of the highest achieving students of their race at their schools, and the traditionally higher achieving students from other races (i.e. whites and students of Asian ancestry) were enrolled in higher level mathematics classes, such as Algebra II and Pre-Calculus in their sophomore years. Additionally, Hispanic students in the study, significantly more than their non-Hispanic peers, felt that “(you) had to be born with math ability,” which represents limitations to these students’ self-confidence and motivation toward achieving mathematics as high school students. -C FALL

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SCHOLARLY & CREATIVE ACTIVITIES

Measurement of Mission Effectiveness By Christie Medina, ’17 Business Ekin Pehlivan, Assistant Professor of Marketing

n this study, we utilize marketing research techniques to measure CSU Channel Islands’ effectiveness in instilling the four mission pillars into the student body. These four pillars are multiculturalism, community engagement, interdisciplinary and internationalism. CI offers many curricular and extracurricular opportunities for students to reach these ends, such as interdisciplinary student research communities, service learning and volunteering activities, long- and short-term study-abroad programs and events to foster tolerance, acceptance and appreciation of diverse cultural perspectives. While effectiveness is difficult to define in the context of a university mission statement, for our purposes we define effectiveness as how strongly or successfully CI was able to instill the four mission pillars into the class of 2016 in comparison to the incoming students. We set out to measure the effectiveness of these opportunities through a survey that uses psychographic measurement

scales created by marketing scholars (Jibaja et al 2000; Leucht et al 1990; Morais & Ogden 2011) to segment students and measure the differences between incoming students (freshman and first-year transfer students) to the graduating class of 2016. The survey was distributed to all 5,918 undergraduate students. We received 682 unique responses. We hypothesized that the graduating class would score significantly higher than the incoming class on scales related to multicultural diversity, interdisciplinary approaches, international perspectives and community engagement. Our preliminary results suggest that our hypothesis regarding community engagement was supported, and our hypotheses regarding multicultural diversity, interdisciplinary approaches

INTERNATIONALISM

interdiscipli narity

COMMUNTIY ENGAGEMENT

Multicultura lism

and international perspectives were marginally supported at a significance level of ≤ 0.1. While the graduating class scored higher on each variable than the incoming class, the mean comparisons may suggest that CI students gain an appreciation for community engagement during their college experience (assuming incoming cohorts are similar each year). While there were several limitations to this study, the major limitation is the cross sectional data: We do not follow the incoming students as a panel to understand whether they graduated with higher scores in these four areas than their score at admission, but merely compare the incoming and graduating class’s score on each pillar. Our contribution to CI through this study can be two-fold: First this study might enable us to evaluate how well CI can instill its core values across the student body. A secondary contribution can be to provide information to recruitment and admissions on how to target specific students during the admissions process based on the psychographic profile of the current student body. -C

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IN FOCUS + FACULTY

Inspiring ‘unexpected students’ Professor of Math Cindy Wyels is identified by students as ‘a driving force in my life’ By Marya Jones Barlow

hough she’s won numerous awards and prestigious grants for her work as a professor of mathematics, Cindy Wyels is not driven by a passion for numbers. Instead, she’s found her calling in the “unexpected students” — the students who aren’t expected to go to college, let alone become scientists, mathematicians or professors. They might be underrepresented minorities, lowincome, first-generation students, non-native English speakers, community college transfers or the shy students sitting in the back row. These are the students that Wyels has dedicated herself to helping. “The simple act of showing faith in a student can lead to a life-changing relationship,” Wyels said. “I deliberately cultivate an attitude of anytime, anywhere mentoring. You never know which encounter will provide the spark that helps students realize their full potential.”

believed in me, I am becoming all of those things.” Now a Ph.D. student in Applied Mathematics for Life and Social Sciences at Arizona State University, Moreno uses mathematical modeling to assess risks and trends in areas ranging from global health and epidemiology to voting. “My plan is to get a job in academia so that I can continue mentoring students through research,” he said. “I want to be to other students what Dr. Wyels was to me: a light of hope, guidance and trust.” That’s precisely what Wyels aims to accomplish. Though mentoring can be a round-theclock endeavor, she sees it as an investment with infinite returns. Each of the programs Wyels leads is purposefully designed to create peer-mentoring relationships, so that students are not only receiving support but also “paying it forward.” “I tell them: ‘We need all of you; your diversity and individual talents are treasures that make an

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As faculty director of the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, Wyels has mentored many underrepresented students in STEM to help them achieve their full potential. Wyels uses her own story to illustrate to students that STEM success is not a byproduct of natural ability. Initially drawn to study languages, history and the humanities as an undergraduate at Pomona College, Wyels found the challenge of mathematics intriguing. With a professor’s encouragement, she pursued graduate study in math at a large, Midwestern university. However, as a female student with no department funding, she found herself set adrift and unsupported in an unwelcoming environment. Wyels earned her master’s and went on to get her Ph.D. at University of California, Santa Barbara, where she found a better network for disenfranchised students. Ever since, Wyels’ priority has been to make academia a welcoming place for students, faculty and staff of all backgrounds. She carries that principle forward as CI’s newest Academic Senate Chair, where she sees her role as “leading a thoughtful discussion around our priorities and values,” which include hiring more diverse, tenure-track faculty to support CI’s rapid growth and CSU systemwide goals of higher graduation rates and zero achievement gaps. “The job of Academic Senate Chair is not to have an agenda or take sides,” she said. “It’s about facilitating the faculty role in shared governance through informed discussion and debate and fostering strong collective decision-making. We have all come to CI because we believe higher education can be a transformative power for social and economic good. My role is to help shepherd that process.” -C

“The simple act of showing faith in a student can lead to a life-changing relationship.” – Cindy Wyels

Just ask Victor Moreno (’04 B.S. Mathematics, ’09 M.S. Mathematics), one in a long line of CI alumni who credits Wyels with his transformation from an overlooked student on a vocational track to a high-achieving academic role model. “Dr. Wyels has been the single most influential person in my life,” Moreno said. “Before meeting her, I never envisioned myself as someone who could be a graduate student, a mathematician or ‘Dr. Moreno.’ Because she cared and

organization stronger,” she said. “As you go up a rung on your career ladder, your responsibility is to reach back and pull someone else up.” Wyels is Co-Director of Student Success for Project ACCESO, a $6-million Hispanic-Serving Institution federal grant that she co-leads with Professor of Chemistry Phil Hampton. Since implementing the program, CI has doubled the number of students majoring and graduating in STEM disciplines, going on to graduate school, and entering scientific careers.

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IN FOCUS + STUDENT LEADERSHIP

President Michelle Noyes (left) and Vice President Marlene Pelayo.

Student Government Prioritizes Food Pantry, Advocacy and Student Engagement Q&A with President Michelle Noyes and Vice President Marlene Pelayo By Marya Jones Barlow

hat are your goals for this year? Michelle Noyes: We have three main goals: Establishing a food pantry, increasing student involvement, and advocating for CI at the community and state level. By May, student government leaders hope to see a permanent system to address food insecurity among students, increased student participation in campus clubs and committees, and an even stronger relationship between CI students and our local community. What’s the status of the food pantry and how will it work? Marlene Pelayo: We have already identified some temporary spaces on campus to open a food pantry this

spring. Until then, the student government office is stocked with cans, snacks, and other items available to all students on a confidential trust system. We’re also accepting donations and exploring partnerships with groups like FOOD Share and local vendors. We hope students are not shy about using the pantry, since many of us have found ourselves in those situations. It is important that as a campus community we encourage the use of a pantry, provide extra resources for long-term help, and move toward removing the stigma behind food insecurity and homelessness. What are the biggest challenges you see for CI that you hope to address? Michelle: I believe our biggest challenge is growing pains. For many of our students, it’s difficult

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to find parking on campus, get into classes and graduate in four years. Student government members will be lobbying the state of California this year to provide more funding for the CSU system, so we can continue expanding our campus, hiring professors and offering more classes to help students graduate on time. What are you most excited about this year? Michelle: I’m excited to work with the largest freshman class CI has ever had and the new President and administration to see what ideas they have for the future of CI. Marlene: I’m very excited to see a large amount of new staff and faculty members on campus. I think they will bring in a fresh and diverse new perspective on what the campus needs going forward. -C

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IN FOCUS + STAFF

Eternal student Caroline Doll, Director of Special Projects By Marya Jones Barlow

aroline Doll can’t get enough of higher education. In addition to working on the CI campus for the past 18 years, she also found time to earn an M.B.A. in 2007 at the age of 49 and a J.D. in 2013 at age 55. “I’ve always enjoyed the privilege of having access to affordable education,” she said. “I value learning and I’m always taking classes in things that interest me. I’ll probably keep going until I drop dead.” As Director of Special Projects in CI’s Division of Business & Financial Affairs, Doll has a hand in numerous initiatives that help shape the campus and character of CI. Her most recent work has focused on implementing CI 2025, the strategic vision guiding CI’s next decade of growth. Favorite projects include oversight of University Park, a 367-acre park on campus, and the Channel Islands Boating Center, first working on contractual agreements and now working with staff on operational issues. “Caroline always supports CI in a collaborative and collegial manner,” said her boss, Ysabel Trinidad, CI’s Vice President for Business & Financial Affairs. “She can be counted on to be flexible and responsive to getting the job done, which is hugely important as our campus grows and develops.” Doll was working on the campus even before it officially became CSU Channel Islands. Hired in 1998 as a leasing consultant, she rented building space and managed tenant relationships on the vacated Camarillo State Hospital grounds. As the campus evolved, there were

other needs, such as creating the Physical Master Plan committee and bringing food service to the campus. In 2003, Doll became director of University Glen Corp., where she managed day-to-day operations and the selling and leasing of residential and retail spaces. She’s been Director of Special Projects since 2006, working on an eclectic mix of projects ranging from copiers, land transactions and business continuity, to internal audit coordination with the Chancellor’s Office. “Caroline’s energy and productivity is inspiring,” said CI Risk Manager Katharine Hullinger. “In the past 15 years, she has been engaged in a wide range of projects that require daily interaction and collaboration with campus constituents. “Currently, she is busy drafting contracts and leases, negotiating agency agreements on use of the CIBC, managing Public Records Act requests, handling subpoenas and

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managing an array of committee work, including the Business Continuity Planning Committee, Emergency Operations, Physical Master Plan Committee and CI 2025. Caroline is deeply embedded in the strategic operations of the CI campus.” Though her work goes on largely behind the scenes, Doll is a familiar sight on campus, biking to meetings on her colorful beach cruiser, squeezing in a five-mile run on the trail at University Park or working out in the campus gym. She and her husband of 32 years, Steve, both take part in marathons and triathlons and therefore enjoy spending their weekends running the trails and swimming in the ocean near their home in Ventura. They have two grown children. “This campus is vibrant and dynamic and there’s always something going on — an event, a lecture, an art exhibition,” she said. “It’s fun to work around all that energy and with so many great people.” -C b

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Staying Grounded Everyday encounters inspire President Beck’s vision By Zoe Lance

student hurries his way down South Quad, noticing a woman in the distance. As they near one another, the student stops her. “Do you know where Solano Hall is?” he said. “I’m late to my class, and I can’t find the building.” “I know exactly where that is,” she replied. “Let’s walk there together.” On the way, they talk about what it’s like to be a CI student and how exciting a new school year is. They find the classroom and the student thanks the woman. “What do you do here?” he asked. She smiles. “My name is Dr. Beck,” she said. “I’m CI’s President.” Erika Beck, who became the University’s President in August, loves this kind of interaction. She knows that the only way to understand a university is to know its heart and soul — the people who live, work and study here. “I genuinely love what I do,” she said. “It’s such a privilege to support students, faculty and staff all working to achieve their highest academic aspirations.”

her doctorate in experimental psychology, focusing her research on social behavior, emotion and the brain. “I loved being a part of a university campus, where you have the opportunity to think about societal and world problems,” she said. “I still love that. My kids tease me that I went to college and never left.” The opportunity to be at the front of the classroom also gave her invaluable perspective on the student experience. “The minute I walked into the classroom, I fell in love with teaching,” she said. “I understood the transformational power of education in a whole new way because I saw it happen firsthand. My scholarly background and my experiences in the classroom always frame my perspective about our students and their needs.”

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REIMAGINING HIGHER EDUCATION wanting to continue impacting students, but seeking a way to reach more of them, Beck moved into leadership positions. She shaped her educational philosophy through tackling university-wide issues and using her psychologist’s training. “Data really matters to me, especially from the A TRANSFORMATIONAL EXPERIENCE student’s perspective,” she said. “We need to know if beck’s higher education career began in what we’re doing has a positive impact on students. adolescence. When she was in the sixth grade, she I often ask myself, ‘If I were a first-generation picked up an introduction to psychology textbook. college student and I just got here, would I be able to It wasn’t a complete surprise — her grandfather was navigate these processes?’ actively engaged in research involving psychology and “There are a lot of complexities to being a college the brain. She decided on becoming a psychologist student in 2016. At the institutional level, we can herself and never looked back. examine new ways of helping students so that they “I’ve always been curious about people and can become more successful. We can’t take anything how the world works,” she said. “I’m definitely a for granted.” scientist at heart.” While serving as provost and executive vice president at Nevada State College Henderson, Nevada, Beck heard “I loved being a part of a university campus, in about CSU Channel Islands President Emeritus Richard Rush’s retirement where you have the opportunity to think and the presidential search. When she learned more about the CI ethos, about societal and world problems. I still she was captivated. love that. My kids tease me that I went to “It is absolutely clear that our faculty and staff are dedicated college and never left.” – Erika Beck to our students,” she said. “I was excited about the idea of joining a young and growing university that is so connected As a psychology undergraduate at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), Beck found the exposure to our surrounding community. We have a forwardto new scientific ideas and the academic setting thinking culture and we’re well-positioned to thrilling. She went on to get her master’s in psychology reimagine higher education in a way that genuinely from San Diego State and returned to UCSD to earn serves our student population and our state.” California State University Channel Islands

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EXTRAORDINARY OPPORTUNITIES in her first 100 days as president, beck embarked on a listening tour of the campus. Her main priority has been to understand CI’s challenges, values and goals. She started with the biggest campus constituency: the more than 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Through conversation, she learned more about their top-of-mind issues: financial and food insecurity, transportation and campus involvement. She says she has been impressed by the diverse student body’s deep investment in CI, and notes that there’s a collective sense of building for future generations — a significant strength for the university. “Our students have spent a lot of time thinking about how to solve local community challenges, which is pretty extraordinary,” she said. “The Central Coast is their home and they want to build their lives here.” She’s also met with faculty and staff to learn about their scholarly work and interdisciplinary initiatives. When she eats lunch at Islands Café, people from around the campus stop by her table to chat about their mutual aspirations for CI. Her listening tour also has blossomed into an online presence. She vlogs (video blogs) about her week and shares snapshots from CI events on Twitter under the handle, @CIPresBeck. Student leaders from CI’s Associated Students Inc. encouraged her to get on Instagram and post photos with students and the hashtag #SelfieswithBeck was born.

“Every day, I have students come up to me and ask to take selfies,” she said. “When we’re taking the selfie, I ask them about their experiences with the University and their hopes for the future. It opens a dialogue that wouldn’t have been there without social media.” Beck sees a bright future in CI’s horizon. Her vision includes strengthening ties with community leaders and organizations, cultivating even more innovative undergraduate research and continuing to provide access to higher education for students in the region. It’s a tall order, but she’s confident it’s possible. “I know that our future is very bright — we are in such a unique and special community,” she said. “The past couple of months have only reinforced my perceptions of a vibrant campus community. We have experienced tremendous success in the first 14 years and we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to continue to soar to even greater heights.” -C go.csuci.edu/prescom

Mark your calendar for the Investiture of President Beck on Friday, May 5, at 10 a.m.

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A+ accommodations and world-class cuisine Santa Rosa Village and Islands Café up the ‘wow’ factor By Marya Jones Barlow

hen it comes to campus living, first-year CI student Madison Harman admits she feels a bit “spoiled.” “As far as college dorms go, I think I hit the jackpot,” said Harman, from Moorpark, California. “Friends at other schools have up to five roommates in rooms the same size as mine. At Santa Rosa Village, I have a good-sized room with one roommate, plus we have game rooms, study rooms, community rooms, and a kitchen. I’ve made so many friends here. Santa Rosa makes us feel like a family.” Standing four stories high and accommodating more than 600 students, Santa Rosa Village is CI’s newest and largest residence hall. The building skillfully blends classic California Mission-style architecture with the amenities coveted by the 21st century college student, making it a model community to meet the enrollment influx on the nation’s fastest-growing campus. The residences are designed to foster community and interaction, with student suites centered around spacious, modern living rooms and communal kitchens. Living areas connect to an outdoor courtyard and common laundry area. The building meets California Green Building Standards Code — a high state rating certification for energy and resource-efficient buildings. “The focus is on the freshman experience, where social engagement is a key element in the design concept,” said John Gormley, CI’s Campus Architect and Assistant Vice President for Facilities Services. “I always see my residents with their doors open, having friends and other residents over,” said Resident Assistant Maximilian Seligman. “In my opinion, the communal design enables them to easily meet new people and enjoy the first-year experience. It’s always

nice to walk down the hall, join in on conversations, and say ‘hi’ to everyone on my way to class.” CI’s Islands Café also received an extensive makeover, doubling its service, indoor and outdoor seating capacity, and expanding its menu to include a broad array of healthy, diverse, mouth-watering fare. Among the changes, patrons now can enjoy regional Asian dishes at the Pan Asian station; visit the gasfired deck pizza oven for thin-crust artisan pizzas; find organic, vegan and allergy-friendly options and local produce at the Farmers Market station; gobble freshlymade rolls from the Suzumo sushi-rolling machine; or enjoy the all-day breakfast menu. For a one-time $5 fee, diners get a reusable lidded container that allows them to take meals to-go. Each time they return, they can exchange their dirty container for a clean one. “The response to the expanded facility has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Dave Nirenberg, Senior Director of University Auxiliary Services. “Our intention was to provide the ‘wow’ factor for our customers and that was the comment most heard as students, faculty, staff and visitors entered the facility during the opening weeks.” “I love the Islands Café!” Harman said. “There are endless options to satisfy any mood or food preference. I’m gluten-free and that usually means I can’t eat out easily, but Islands Café has gluten-free bread, pizza, pasta, and even cookies, so I never feel deprived.” Peter Maher, Executive Chef and Director of Food Services, said the changes have even attracted offcampus visitors and return customers. Islands Café is open seven days a week to the public and charges $9.25 for all-you-can-eat lunch and $11.25 for all-you-can-eat dinner. For weekly menus and hours, visit go.csuci. edu/dining -C

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New Faculty Faces C

I continues to build on the depth and diversity of its teaching talent, welcoming 18 new tenure track faculty members to the CI community this year. In this year’s class we welcome faculty joining us from Poland by way of Austria, Taiwan, Ukraine, England and Turkey; as well as faculty members with deep roots in Southern California, Ventura County and the CSU. We welcome new faculty with significant teaching experience at CI and elsewhere, as well as those just beginning their careers in the professoriate. Their expertise ranges from orchestral music to the Mexican Onda of the 1960s; from managerial decision making to climate change; from immigrant and undocumented teachers in the public schools to the plight of Syrian refugees. They are:

Stacey Anderson

Javier Gonzalez

Assistant Professor of English

Assistant Professor of Global Languages & Cultures

Ph.D. Claremont Graduate University (2004)

Ph.D. University of Colorado, Boulder (2013)

Dylan Cooper

Reha Kadakal

Ph.D. University of Arizona (2016)

Ph.D. New School for Social Research (2008)

Assistant Professor of Management

Assistant Professor of Sociology

Hua Dai

Megan Kenny Feister

Associate Professor of Management Information Systems

Assistant Professor of Communication

Ph.D. Purdue University (2015)

Ph.D. University of North Carolina at Greensboro (2009)

José García

Alona Kryshchenko

Ph.D. University of Texas at Austin (2016)

Ph.D. University of Southern California (2013)

Assistant Professor of Education

California State University Channel Islands

Assistant Professor of Mathematics

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KuanFen Liu

Charlene Niemi

Assistant Professor of Performing Arts

Assistant Professor of Nursing Ph.D. Azusa Pacific University (2016)

D.M.A. Thornton School of Music, University of Southern California (2010)

Jaime Matera

Pawel Pilarczyk

Ph.D. University of California, Santa Barbara (2013)

Ph.D. Jagiellonian University, Poland (2001)

Aaron McColpin

Melanie Pribisko Yen

Assistant Professor of Computer Science

Assistant Professor of Anthropology

Assistant Professor of Nursing

Assistant Professor of Chemistry

DNP Maryville University (2015)

Ph.D. California Institute of Technology (2010)

Matthew Mendez

Rachel Soper

Ph.D. University of Southern California (2015)

Ph.D. University of California, San Diego (2016)

Robin Mitchell

Clare Wormald Steele

Assistant Professor of Political Science

Assistant Professor of Sociology

Assistant Professor of History

Assistant Professor of Environmental Science & Resource Management

Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley (2010)

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Ph.D. University of Rhode Island (2007)

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2016 Scholarship Recipients

Students thank scholarship donors at reception By Marya Jones Barlow

hen Deja Simon, a senior from Victorville, California, graduates with a bachelor’s degree in psychology in the spring, she wants to share her accomplishment with the scholarship donors who helped make it possible. “I would like to say thank you, thank you so much,” she said. “Scholarships have eased the financial burden on my family and helped me achieve my educational goals. I would not be the person I am today if I had not attended college, or even if I had attended a university other than CI. I am eternally grateful for the opportunities and memories that donors made possible.” Simon is one of the 185 students awarded scholarships totaling more than $464,000 for the academic year. On Sept. 9, she and fellow awardees met and thanked donors at a reception at CI’s John Spoor Broome Library. More than 250 guests were on hand to celebrate the students and their benefactors. “Without scholarship funds, many of the students would not be able to attend CI on their own,” said Eva Gomez, Director of Annual Giving & Special Gifts. “For some students, scholarships cover the expense of books and fees. For others it means the difference between taking jobs to pay their way and being free to focus entirely on their studies. And for many, a scholarship can

California State University Channel Islands

mean the difference between attending college and not going at all.” More than 80 percent of students at CI receive financial aid. CI offers more than 180 scholarships based on need and merit considerations, funded through donors like the family of Sonja Corwin. When Corwin passed away in 2015, her son, Tyler, set up a scholarship honoring her impact as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher in the Pleasant Valley School District for 30 years. A passionate educator and speaker of many languages, Sonja Corwin believed that all students deserved equal access to a quality education and an opportunity to thrive. The Sonja M. Corwin Memorial Scholarship, made possible by donations from friends and family, has helped ESL students with a financial need attend college. During the fall reception on CI’s campus, Corwin’s husband and daughter met the three students who received the Sonja M. Corwin scholarship. “The reception was a memorable, personally rewarding experience,” said Stacey Johnson, Corwin’s daughter. “It gave us the opportunity to learn more about the educational journeys and goals of the recipients. We wish them all continued success.” For additional information, visit www.csuci.edu/ giving -C FALL

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Humanizing online learning Michelle Pacansky-Brock is helping faculty and students break barriers using technology By Marya Jones Barlow

rom a home office nearly 400 miles away, Michelle PacanskyBrock is revolutionizing online learning for CI faculty and students. In faculty development workshops ranging from one-on-one sessions to online classes, she shares the many ways online learning can not only be interactive but also active, fun, intimate and empowering. “Getting rid of those four walls supports endless learning opportunities and all the differences that students bring to a classroom,” she said. “You can design a class in a way that allows you to hear all of their voices. Students can interact with each other, share content, receive feedback, even engage in mobile field trips. It’s a different way of imagining learning, but so much more powerful and inclusive.” A Teaching & Learning Innovation Specialist at CI since 2014, Pacansky-Brock is part of the Teaching & Learning Innovations team with Jill Leafstedt, Executive Director of Teaching & Learning Innovations and Senior Academic Technology Officer, Kristi O’Neil-Gonzalez, Instructional Technologist, and Michael McGarry, Instructional Technologist. The team supports faculty with transforming their teaching and students’ learning using technology. Pacansky-Brock brings years of experience as a nationally recognized speaker, author, blogger and authority on “humanizing” online learning to the university. She shares her expertise and enthusiasm in classes called How to Humanize Your Online Course, How to Design Your Online Course, and Designing Engaging Online Activities, all offered through CI’s Online Teaching Preparation Program. She also offers individual online consulting sessions and meets regularly with instructors in Zoom, an internet-based conferencing system, and during visits to campus to facilitate connections and sharing between faculty. The second edition of her book, “Best Practices for Teaching with Emerging Technologies,” is set to publish next spring. “I believe that being an educator today is a gift, as we are amidst the greatest learning revolution in history,”

she said. “Technology will continue to enable a future where learning is inclusive and accessible to all, but teachers — not tools — will fuel this shift. Designing human-centered learning experiences is our new focus.” Pacansky-Brock’s fans include Assistant Professor of English and Composition Director Stacey Anderson, who redesigned her first-year composition and upper-division interdisciplinary writing classes with digital tools and now coaches other CI faculty. Anderson said web-based tools have made it easier to explain expectations, hold students accountable, share and review writing progress, create peer interaction, and, most encouragingly, improve students’ passing rates. “What’s amazing is that students who may not participate in a traditional, face-to-face class discussion are often more comfortable making contributions in an asynchronous, online environment, where they don’t feel the pressure of a ‘live’ conversation,” Anderson said. “Similarly, students who are accustomed to writing with their instructor as their target audience thrive when they are asked to write in an online medium where their readers will include not only their classmates but also anyone else who happens to encounter their blogs. Students write much more interesting prose when they anticipate sharing their work with actual readers.” For more information visit: www.csuci.edu/tli/ online-blended.htm -C

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CSU initiative to increase graduation rates By Zoe Lance

he California State University has launched a systemwide effort to increase graduation rates and strengthen its commitment to student success. Announced in January 2015, the Graduation Initiative 2025 aims to increase freshman and transfer graduation rates for the 475,000 students across the CSU’s 23 campuses. Students often face many obstacles on the road to earning a bachelor’s degree, and each campus is charged with the tasks of boosting support programs and widening the educational pipeline. The initiative will add 100,000 more baccalaureate degree-educated citizens to California over the next 10 years, bringing the total number of expected CSU graduates between 2015 and 2025 alone to more than 1 million. The state legislature has allocated $35 million in one-time funding spread across the campuses, enabling them to begin the initiative’s efforts. In fall 2016, each campus drafted a Student Success Plan to meet the initiative’s objectives. In the coming months, CI will refine a long-term plan to guide campus efforts. The graduation rate goal across the system is to raise the freshman 4-year rate to 40 percent, and the 6-year rate to 70 percent. For transfer students, the goal is to raise the 2-year graduation rate to 45 percent, and the 4-year rate to 85 percent. Daniel Wakelee, CI’s Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, says that the University already has some of the highest graduation rates in the CSU. CI currently has a freshman 4-year graduation rate of 25 percent, and is looking to increase that rate to the CSU goal of 40 percent by 2025. CI’s transfer 2-year graduation rate is 42 percent, with a goal to increase that number to 54 percent, above the system goal. “We still have work to do in increasing the retention of students in their second year,” he says. “Improving our student success efforts will help retain and graduate students while improving the quality of their educational experience at CI.” CI’s long-term goals include fortifying the University’s professional advising staff and support services, as well as expanding classroom space and creating new facilities for enrollment services and undergraduate research. The plan also consists of developing new student intervention strategies and

California State University Channel Islands

Freshman 4-year Graduation Rates

40% 25% Current

Goal

2015

2025

Transfer 2-year Graduation Rates

42%

54%

Current

Goal

2015

2025

increasing tenure track faculty hiring. University leadership also crafted a short-term plan for the 2016-17 academic year. Over the next few months, University leadership will work to target graduating students, identifying the bottleneck courses that prevent them from graduating on time and offering more class seats. Meeting the goals of the Graduation Initiative 2025 will require participation by all campus community members, including faculty, staff and student government. Wakelee is confident that it will strengthen CI’s student-centered culture. “This effort will allow the campus to maintain academic quality and preserve our commitment to educational access, while focusing and concentrating our efforts to better support students.” -C FALL

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TIPS FOR GIVING CHARITABLE GIFTS GIVE BEFORE THE YEAR END TO

REDUCE

YOUR INCOME TAXES

ROLLOVER TEXT “CIGIVE” IRA GIFTS CAN LOWER TO 41444

INCOME & TAXES

Help others at this time of year by making a gift to CI The final weeks of the season give you an opportunity to balance your income and giving for the tax year. When you give a gift to a qualified nonprofit organization, you receive an income tax deduction. Your gift can go a long way toward helping our University. This holiday season,

consider the gifts that you would like to make, and then make them happen. As you review your income for the year, you may find that you want to offset it with a charitable deduction. You may also want to support the University with a legacy gift, by including CI in your will or trust.

Become a CI Legacy Society member by including CI in your will or trust. Contact us by March 1, 2017 and attend our Legacy Luncheon later that month. Contact Grace Robinson at 805-437-3615 or grace.robinson@csuci.edu

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Bruce Hornsby performs during CI’s benefit concert.

Concert fundraiser introduces new President I

n her first public introduction to the community, CI President Erika Beck thanked the more than 900 guests that filled the historic Libbey Bowl in early October. “I was very pleased to greet CI’s supporters at our concert,” said Beck. “I continue to be inspired by the meaningful partnerships our students, staff and faculty have with this community. “What has really stood out for me during my first couple months at CI is the warmth with which I have been welcomed to Ventura County. I thank you all for what has been such a wonderful start to a new chapter for all of us.” The sold-out 2016 President’s Dinner and Concert, presented by the CSU Channel Islands Foundation and Rabobank, featured a solo performance by Grammy award-winning artist Bruce Hornsby. Hornsby, whose 30-plusyear career includes popular, jazz, country music and film-score collaborations, entertained the audience with favorite songs and musical glimpses of his idiosyncratic musical path. Earlier in the evening, nearly 250 VIP guests enjoyed a delicious, three-course meal inspired by local farm ingredients and catered by Seasons Catering. Funds raised will strengthen academic programs and create opportunities for CI students. Construction, Union Bank, Ventura Rental Party Center, Karen & Peter Wollons.

Title Sponsor: Rabobank Diamond Sponsor: Gene Haas Foundation Platinum Sponsor: Sage Publishing Gold Sponsor: Wells Fargo Media Sponsor: 95.1 KBBY VIP Reception Sponsor: Montecito Bank & Trust Silver Sponsors: Cassar Family Foundation, Harrison Industries, Meissner Filtration Products, Pacific Western Bank. Bronze Sponsors: Bank of America, Canteen of Coastal California, Elise & Bill Kearney, Leavens Ranches, PCL

California State University Channel Islands

Copper Sponsors: Armando Gomez of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Commercial Real Estate Broker Douglas B. Kays, Julie Kays Design, Limoneira, Musick, Peeler & Garrett LLP, David Press, Staples Construction Co., Ventura County Star. In-Kind Sponsors: Jordano’s, News Talk 1590 KVTA, Pacific Coast Business Times, Seasons Catering, V3 Printing. Community Sponsors: Camarillo Chamber of Commerce, Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce. -C

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Guests enjoyed an Ojai afternoon.

President Beck addressed the crowd

George Leis, President Beck, Josh Travers, Debbie and Sal Cisneros

Liz King, Noah Zerbe and Jeanne Grier

Joaquin NuĂąez and Margaret (Peg) Meehan

Josh Travers, President Beck, Betsy and John Grether

Assemblymember Jacqui and Jon Irwin

Keets and Hugh Cassar, Sita and Raj Toor

ALUMNI PROFILE

Stephanie Sumell, ’10 B.A. Art

People Person By Zoe Lance

f you ask Stephanie Sumell what’s on tap for her work week, you better have a few minutes to hear about her packed schedule. Sumell, a journalist and 2010 CI graduate, will tell you that she’s in back-to-back interviews or out in the neighborhood looking for stories. She may zip out to CI to cover an event or a city council meeting. And every Wednesday, she helps lay out the weekly print edition by hand. Sumell works at The Acorn, a newspaper for Ventura County readers. She reports on Camarillo local government, but she also writes about the faith community and what’s happening at CI. “Every day is different,” she said. “There’s something really satisfying about breaking down complex or contentious issues into something that anyone can understand. It’s great to hear that people read the paper.” Sumell started her journalism career as a student, but in an untraditional way. The Westlake Village

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capstone — showcasing student artists’ work through CI View (student newspaper) articles. When looking for internships, she thought of The Acorn. “I didn’t originally think journalism, but I wanted to do some sort of writing,” she said. “Art wasn’t the typical path of someone in that field.” When she got the internship, Sumell took it “I would have felt lost at a bigger extremely seriously — she even spent her free university. [CI] was a good fit for me.” time on writing assignments. Her dedication paid off: after graduation, the newspaper gave Sumell clerical work and freelance assignments that – Stephanie Sumell blossomed into a staff position. native wanted to study art, and turned to CI’s She sees a connection between her art background program to hone her skills. She immediately delved and journalism. “My favorite articles are the humaninto her studies, focusing on portraiture. interest pieces,” she said. “I’m fascinated by people, “When I looked at CI, I was really impressed,” she and getting to hear their unique stories is something said. “I would have felt lost at a bigger university. It I’ve always gravitated towards.” was a good fit for me.” Sumell credits her hard work at CI for scoring the During her senior year, she realized that she was fateful internship. “I feel so fortunate to have been given the opportunity, and I lucked out,” she said. also passionate about writing. She loved writing “The Acorn took a chance and brought me to where I classes, tutoring at the writing center in the am now. I’m forever grateful.” -C John Spoor Broome Library and working on her

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ALUMNI PROFILE

Donny Warrecker, ’07 Teaching Credential

Bringing Home the Win By Zoe Lance

hen Donny Warrecker steps out onto the baseball diamond, he sees it as more than just the ballfield. To the Santa Barbara High School (SBHS) teacher, it’s also an outdoor classroom. “Baseball is certainly a metaphor for life,” he said. “You have to persevere, be a good teammate and do your part. I really care about my students, and I do my best to teach them skills to be successful.” Warrecker is in his ninth academic year at the high school, teaching biology and marine biology. Two years ago, he succeeded his father as the Santa Barbara Dons varsity baseball coach. SBHS has a special place in Warrecker family history. “I’m a third-generation Don,” Warrecker said. “My dad taught there for 31 years and coached for 43 years. My grandmother, mother, five older brothers and I graduated from here. My nephew is a freshman.” The path from being a SBHS student to a teacher wasn’t an easy pitch. Warrecker played collegiate baseball at University of California, Santa Barbara, and studied biological sciences. He wasn’t sure where he wanted to take his career, but knew he had always loved school and sports. After graduation, Warrecker traveled to Sweden to play professional baseball. A chance to coach a Swedish youth team gave Warrecker an idea about the rewards of teaching. “It was a natural fit for me,” he said. “I said to myself, ‘This is really satisfying to work with these kids and see the results.’ I felt like being a high school teacher and a coach was an opportunity I could take advantage of.” After returning to Santa Barbara and a few years of working in the hospitality industry, he decided to

“I felt like being a high school teacher and

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alma mater to teach and assist his father. “I thought CI would be the best option, and I’m really glad I did it,” he said. “I a coach was an opportunity I could take really enjoyed the program. I felt as advantage of.” – Donny Warrecker prepared as you could be going into teaching.” get serious about teaching. When researching science His roles in and out of the classroom go hand in credential programs, Warrecker chose CSU Channel hand, he says. “I’m a better coach because I teach,” Islands for its flexibility and small class sizes. After said Warrecker, “and I’m a better teacher because I completing the program in 2007, he returned to his coach.” -C California State University Channel Islands

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ALUMNI: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Fashion and the fast lane Sister and brother duo Maggie (’14 Liberal Studies) and Michael (’10 Business) Donahue are making a mark in their respective industries. By Marya Jones Barlow

ou never know where a CI degree might take you. For Margaret “Maggie” Donahue (’14 Liberal Studies), creative director and photographer at Fashion Forms, it’s the pages of fashion magazines, billboards in Times Square and catalogs and websites for retailers like Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s. For her younger brother Michael Donahue (’10 Business), it’s life in the fast lane. As sales manager at Tesla Motors in Santa Barbara, he heads a sixperson sales team, organizes marketing events and hits ambitious sales targets for the luxury electric car maker. He also rubs elbows with a few celebrity clients, including Oprah Winfrey. Both siblings say CI helped them connect their passions and talents to find fulfilling careers. “I had an epiphany at CI,” Michael said. “I noticed I would try harder in classes that I was legitimately interested in, and would only focus on passing grades in others. It revealed to me that my career had to be focused around something I loved. I left CI knowing that incorporating my love for automotive/ technology was the right choice.” Maggie spends her days bringing her creative visions to life in photo shoots, ads and marketing campaigns for Fashion Forms, a leading producer of specialty bras and accessories. The company, founded by longtime CI supporter Ann Deal, is known worldwide for its problem-solving undergarments worn by celebrities on the Red Carpet. “Working at a small company means wearing many hats, and I’ve been given many opportunities to create at a high level and see those results translate into beautiful, stunning marketing campaigns,” Maggie said. “I have an aesthetic eye, and it’s just so fun for me. I think that comes through for the viewer. I feel a strong sense of belonging and purpose here.” She landed the job during her last semester, thanks to CI connections. When Fashion Forms’ Design Director Heather Switaj (’14 Art) contacted Photography Lecturer Larry Lytle looking for a photographer, he recommended Maggie. “I was in the right place at the right time, and that place was CI,” she said. -C

California State University Channel Islands

Maggie Donahue works as a photographer in Austin, Texas.

Michael Donahue manages a sales team at Tesla Motors.

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ALUMNI EVENTS

Mentorship & Networking Night February 16, 2017 5:30-8:30 p.m. Grand Salon, CSU Channel Islands Join us for this unique event that matches alumni and students with local professionals in their fields. For more information email Steven Guetzoian at steven.guetzoian@ csuci.edu or call 805-437-3622.

Save the Date!

Wine & Beer Tasting Save the Date!

June 15, 2017 • • • • •

Enjoy amazing local beer and wine Scrumptious appetizers Visit a unique location in Ventura County Bring friends and enjoy great company Support CI student scholarships

To be a sponsor or for more information, contact Alumni Relations at 805-437-3525.

www.csuci.edu/alumni/event.htm

California State University Channel Islands

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TEL: 805-437-8400 www.csuci.edu One University Drive Camarillo, CA 93012-8599 Fall 2016 Volume 20 Number 2 Bi-Annual

CALENDAR OF EVENTS – 2017 For a complete list of University events, visit www.csuci.edu Spring Semester Series: • Arts & Sciences LIBRARY LECTURE SERIES csuci.edu/academics/artsandsciences/library-lecture-series (schedules to post early spring semester) • Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics – MVS SPEAKERS SERIES business.csuci.edu/events.htm • MVS CAMARILLO LIBRARY LECTURE SERIES csuci.edu/news/releases/2015-camarillolibrarylectureseries

April 20: Business & Technology Partnership LEADERSHIP DINNER May 5: President Erika D. Beck INVESTITURE – Broome Library Plaza May 6: SAGE Student Research Conference – Broome Library May 13: HONORS CONVOCATION – Broome Library Plaza May 20: COMMENCEMENT – South Quad Ceremonies at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. csuci.edu/commencement

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