Provost Newsletter September 2021

December 2021

Provost’s Message

Hello Colleagues,

Seasons greetings! The end of the semester is here, and I know everyone is looking forward to a relaxing break. I hope you are spending some time with those you love. I personally plan to enjoy family, play some tennis, and take long walks with my dog.

I feel good about our work during this Fall Semester. We all pulled together to make a difference for our students, and I know all our planning and effort will ensure that the Spring Semester brings a return to the vibrant campus life we all love. Of course, we all have to stay flexible -- the COVID situation requries that -- but I've been enjoying my walks on our beautiful campus, and I am eager to see more of you in the upcoming weeks.

This issue of the newsletter includes plenty of good news, including updates on the Faculty Hiring Initative, the Diversity and Equity Innovation Grants, the Road Map to the Future, and a very interesting interview with one of our newest faculty members, Dr. Nicardo McInnis. Enjoy!

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

Latest Academic News

Faculty Equity and Compliance Representatives Hired

The Equity in Faculty Hiring Initiative continues to move forward, and CSUN is fully committed to advancing faculty diversity. We have now hired nine Faculty Equity and Compliance Representatives (FECRs) who will support our Co-Directors of Faculty Equity and Compliance, Sylvia Macauley and Elena Miranda. Congratulations to our new FECRs! View the complete list of FECRs.

Twelve Diversity & Equity Innovation Grants Awarded

Twelve teams were awarded funding through this year's Diversity & Equity Innovation Grant program. Total funding granted this cycle was $500,000, and the projects funded represent a broad cross-section of CSUN, including: the College of Health & Human Development, the College of Humanities, the Michael D. Eisner College of Education, the College of Science & Mathematics, the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences, the University Library, the University Student Union, the Student Affairs Division, and the Information Technology Division. Read the list of grant recipients.

Grad Student Mixer a Success

Nearly 125 graduate students recently gathered for a Grad Student Mixer, and the mood was joyful. Amy Levin, AVP Graduate Studies, explained, "It was our first in person event since early 2020 and it was incredible to feel the energy in the room. The students were excited to make connections and Drs. Beck, Walker, Watkins and I were grinning behind our masks for the entire 90 minutes! Some students will be graduating in May 2022 and this was their first time on campus meeting other graduate students face to face." View the event photos.

Take Advantage of Campus CARE Resources

The Office of the Provost and the Campus Care Recovery Program recently offered a program on COVID trauma and self-care featuring Laura van Dernoot Lipsky. Additional programs and resources are being planned through the Campus Care Recovery Program. Be sure to watch for other initiatives that promote well-being and campus recovery efforts for the benefit of the CSUN community, as well as a central website with COVID recovery resources and toolkits.

Faculty Interview: Nicardo McInnis

Provost Walker and Dr. Nicardo McInnis, Assistant Professor in Economics, recently talked about his research on the effects of income disparities and his work in the classroom. Watch the full interview here.

Road Map Steering Committee Holds Three Town Halls

Earlier this month, the Road Map Steering Committee held three town halls to explain the Road Map process, answer questions and gather input from CSUN faculty, staff and students. Nearly 200 participants joined the town hall forums moderated by Dr. Willam Watkins, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students and by Gigi McGuire, Assistant Director of Student Outreach and Recruitment. Many discussions, town halls and meetings are being planned in the February-March timeframe to gather community input to help guide CSUN's strategic directions, so be sure to watch for your opportunity to participate. Go to https://www.csun.edu/provost/road-map-future for more details and even click on the "Share Your Input" link at the bottom of that webpage to give feedback now.

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

Message from the Provost, Mary Beth Walker