University Advancement

Public Relations and Strategic Communications

NEWS RELEASE

CSUN Dean Receives Latin Business’ ‘Spirit Award’

(NORTHRIDGE, Calif., Oct. 17, 2006) -- Helen Castillo, dean of Cal State Northridge’s College of Health and Human Development, was honored last week with the Latin Educational Spirit Award from Latin Business magazine at a black-tie dinner at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.

Greg McComb, editor and publisher of Latino Business, explained in the letter notifying Castillo of the award that "the Latino Educational Spirit Award is annually presented to a Latino with a stellar record of achievement in education.

"We strongly believe you to be worthy of this honor by virtue of your visionary work at the College of Health & Human Development at California State University, Northridge and your support to the Latino community," the letter to Castillo went on to say.

Castillo said she was "honored to receive this accolade for myself, my family and particularly my college. What made it particularly meaningful is that the Educational Spirit Award focuses on positive ways to address issues facing administrators, teachers and students, and those who seek new learning opportunities and pathways to education."

Castillo oversees more than 3,900 students and staff in the College of Health and Human Development, which includes the departments of child and adolescent development, communication disorders and sciences, environmental and occupational health, family and consumer sciences, health sciences, kinesiology, leisure studies and recreation, and physical therapy.

She serves on the board of trustees for the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation and the West Hills Medical Center, whose work is closely related to the professional programs offered in the college.

She has more than 25 years of experience in higher education, hospital administration and professional nursing. She came to CSUN in 2002. Prior to that, she was dean of the College of Health Sciences and Human Services at the University of Texas-Pan American.

She earned her R.N. at St. Vincent’s College of Nursing in Los Angeles, her bachelor’s of nursing from the University of Texas System School of Nursing, and a master’s in nursing from the University of Texas at Austin. She earned her Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from New Mexico State University.

Her extensive experience in professional and community service includes work with state agencies on the setting of standards for nursing accreditation reviews for graduate and undergraduate nursing programs.