"Campus and Community Connections: Conversations for Change" will feature a series of workshops designed to help community leaders establish collaborations with CSUN so they can capitalize on the talents and energies of Northridge students to the benefit of their agencies.

"Students are and can be a wonderful resource to address many local issues and problems," said Maureen Rubin, director of CSUN's Center for Community Service-Learning. "But to start the process, faculty, students and community members must meet, discuss mutual needs and plan future activities."

Rubin pointed out that students can work as volunteers, interns or service-learners who receive academic credit for community service work.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Daniel "Zeke" Ziedler, a former CSUN student government president, will open the conference, and actor and activist Angie Ruiz, who appeared with Richard Gere in the film Bee Season and will be featured in this summer's teen comedy Surf School, will be the luncheon speaker.

Ruiz has created a foundation that provides funds for African organizations Kitsusote and WAMAIA Education, both of which work with the Maasai in Tanzania to provide educational programs and reforestation for the indigenous people of Africa in Tanzania; and MANATA, a non-government organization that raises HIV/AIDS awareness through drama. Ruiz is also involved in creating a school for Maasai children. Conference session topics include the environment and community rejuvenation, early childhood issues; K-12 academics, K-12 enrichment activities, youth challenges and risks such as gangs and drugs, advocacy for public policy, public health, the challenge of poverty, and culture and the arts. There also will be sessions on careers in community and government agencies, using "student power" to bring about change, serving in diverse communities and how local agencies and government can use students to conduct community-based research.

The daylong conference will take place in the University Student Union on the east side of the campus off Zelzah Street. For more information, call (818) 677-7395 or visit its Web site at http://www.csun.edu/csl/conference.html.