Provost Newsletter September 2021

November 2021

Provost’s Message

Hello Colleagues,

It has been a busy fall, with so much more activity on campus. We are all working to carry on CSUN’s bright tradition of creativity and commitment.

I am pleased to know that many of you in Academic Affairs volunteered to participate in one of several focus groups on Identity-Based Resource Centers and provided your feedback about CSUN creating these types of centers. These physical and aspirational centers of educational equity will integrate proven strategies in the elimination of equity gaps and address one of the central themes that emerged during President Beck’s Listening Tour, the need to foster culture and build community.

Building off the Listening Tour is the Road Map to the Future, the campus-wide planning initiative to define our collective priorities and move CSUN forward, together. With the Road Map Steering Committee now established and meeting regularly, we are in the midst of designing the planning process by meeting with key stakeholder groups across campus and listening to suggestions, concerns, and priorities. Meetings with the CSUN Cabinet, the Educational Resources Committee, Provost's Council, and Faculty Senate have already taken place, and meetings with other groups are scheduled. You can read more about this below and for additional information on Road Map, see https://www.csun.edu/provost/road-map-future.

Looking ahead to Spring, we can all anticipate a return to more normal, more rewarding campus life. Approximately 80 percent of classes will have in-person components (either fully in-person or hybrids). We have continued to plan towards our return to campus, and we believe that it will be safe and prudent to do so in spring semester, based on current vaccination levels and advisement from Los Angeles County health authorities. We will remain flexible and optimistic for spring, and I personally can’t wait to see more of you on campus!

Enjoy this issue of the newsletter. We have a lot to be proud of!

Mary Beth Walker, Ph.D.
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Latest Academic News

University Library Acquires Shoah Visual History Archive Collection Literacy

The University Library at California State University Northridge (CSUN) recently purchased the USC Shoah Foundation Institute Visual History Archive, a fully streaming video collection of more than 53,000 primary source testimonies of Holocaust survivors and witnesses, in addition to other crimes against humanity, including the Armenian Genocide, Tutsi Genocide, Nanjing Massacre, and the Guatemalan Genocide.
Read the article>

Institute for Transformative Teaching and Learning Returns

The Institute for Transformative Teaching and Learning (ITTL) returns this Spring with a continued focus on improving student retention and closing equity gaps for all students. After a two-day retreat in January, faculty will meet twice a month to discuss and learn an array of teaching strategies using equity-minded, culturally responsive, affirming, and trauma informed teaching frameworks. For details see https://www.csun.edu/undergraduate-studies/faculty-development/programs

CSUN Supports LA Through the Eddy Awards

Earlier this month, Professor Sheena Malhotra, Director of Queer Studies, and Provost Walker enjoyed dinner celebrating the 26th Annual Eddy Awards. Sponsored by the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation, the Eddy Awards recognizes leadership in economic development in business, education, and government throughout Los Angeles County. The awards dinner supports the LAEDC’s mission to advance opportunity and prosperity for all.

Shiva Parsa Named Statewide Chair of EOP Association

Shiva Parsa has been named chair of the Statewide EOP Directors' Association for a term of two years, effective May 2022. Congratulations, Shiva! The association of 23 campus directors of the CSU Educational Opportunity Program was established over 20 years ago not only to meet and share information and data, but also to bring a unified approach to legislative guidelines for the program.

Faculty Interview: Michael Biel

Provost Walker and Dr. Michael Biel, Associate Professor in Communication Disorders and Sciences, recently talked about Dr. Biel's research and work in preparing students for careers in speech pathology. Watch the full interview here>

Road Map Steering Committe Launches Inclusive, Engaged Process

Three-Phase Approach to Develop Recommendations

Charged by President Beck to build consensus around the vision of an equitable, just, and inclusive future for CSUN, the Road Map to the Future Steering Committee is undertaking a three-phase process led by Provost Walker to determine campus priorities and frame big ideas. Now in the Design phase, Steering Committee members are working in five subgroups based on themes from the President's Listening Tour, and early meetings with stakeholder groups are being held now to gather input. In addition, Town Halls are being planned, so be sure to watch for further information on how you can get involved and provide your perspective. Go to https://www.csun.edu/provost/road-map-future for more details.

California State University, Northridge
18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge, CA 91330

Message from the Provost, Mary Beth Walker