Connections

Formerly incarcerated students from Cal State LA’s pioneering prison education program celebrate earning degrees at Commencement

Six graduates of Cal State LA’s groundbreaking prison education program celebrated earning degrees at Commencement 2022. More than 35 students have earned their bachelor’s degrees through the Prison B.A. Graduation Initiative, which is the first in-person bachelor’s degree completion program for incarcerated students in California. Read more about the graduates.

New report explores Cal State LA’s top economic mobility ranking

A new report explores Cal State LA’s top ranking in think tank Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index. The analysis ranked universities in the U.S. that provided the best return on investment for the highest number of students, putting Cal State LA at number one. The new ranking follows the University’s previous recognition as number one in the nation for upward mobility by the Equality of Opportunity Project, now known as Opportunity Insights. In the Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index, Cal State Dominguez Hills was ranked number two, and Cal State Bakersfield, Stanislaus, Fresno, and San Bernardino were also in the top 10. All of the top 10 schools were Hispanic-Serving Institutions. Read more about the Economic Mobility Index.

Cal State LA, Cal State San Bernardino faculty awarded grant to help close equity gaps in degree completion

Cal State LA faculty member Jessica Morales-Chicas and two Cal State San Bernardino professors have received a grant to establish a program to help close equity gaps in degree completion across the California State University. The faculty team’s proposal was one of five across the CSU’s 23 campuses to receive a Creating Responsive, Equitable, Active Teaching and Engagement, or CREATE, Award. The CSU CREATE Awards support innovative faculty projects that increase the number of bachelor’s degrees awarded, while also reducing equity gaps, in support of the CSU’s Graduation Initiative 2025 goals. Read more about the CREATE Award.

Cal State LA faculty awarded grant to support interdisciplinary LGBTQ digital storytelling map

A team of Cal State LA faculty members has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the American Council of Learned Societies to support the continued development of an interdisciplinary LGBTQ digital storytelling map. The arqive is a free interactive, global online map of user-generated LGBTQ stories, history, current events and community resources. The goal of the project is to increase the visibility of LGBTQ stories and spaces and connect queer people globally to reduce social isolation. Read more about The arqive.

CSU, Cal State LA community commemorate Juneteenth with symposium

The California State University hosted the Inaugural CSU Juneteenth Symposium on June 15-16, which recognized Black history and achievement while promoting and sustaining the CSU’s anti-racism work. President William A. Covino joined a group of Cal State LA administrators, faculty, staff, and students for the live event at the Hyatt Regency LAX, and members of the Cal State LA community gathered to watch the livestream on campus. “The event activated discussions that will continue through the summer and into the fall. I look forward to hearing ideas and proposals and continuing to support the ongoing work that moves us forward,” Covino said in a message to the University community. “There is much to celebrate, and there is work to do. Juneteenth calls our attention to that work, and to the crucial importance of our continuing improvement of all of the elements that contribute to the deep sense of equity and inclusion that must define Cal State LA.”

René Vellanoweth named dean of the College of Natural and Social Sciences

René Vellanoweth has been named dean of the College of Natural and Social Sciences. A Cal State LA alumnus, Vellanoweth currently serves as the interim dean for the college and professor of archaeology in the Department of Anthropology at Cal State LA, which has been his home department since 2008. Before joining the faculty at Cal State LA, he taught at Cal Poly Humboldt, previously Humboldt State, for seven years. Throughout his career, Vellanoweth has been active in faculty governance, serving 12 years as department chair, two terms on the Academic Senate, and on various college and University committees. He will start as dean on July 1.

Admissions and Recruitment Director inspires youth at Dolores Mission Career Day event

Vince Lopez, senior director for admissions and recruitment at Cal State LA, spoke to more than 120 students at the Dolores Mission Church and School in Boyle Heights last month as part of a career day event for local youth. “Career Day: Planting Seeds for Our Future” featured prominent Latino professionals who shared inspirational stories about reaching success with the students. Other speakers included Assemblymember Miguel Santiago and Los Angeles Times reporter Robert Lopez, who previously served as associate vice president for communications and public affairs at Cal State LA.

Alumni Association to host personal brand building workshop

Join the Cal State LA Alumni Association’s Business Alumni Network for a free professional development webinar on July 27 at 5:30 p.m. “Brand Building: Creating Your Personal Brand” will feature a presentation by Cal State LA alumna Leily Sanchez, a senior research analyst at FleishmanHillard True Global Intelligence, who will offer practical tips for how to build a personal brand. Register for the webinar online.

Golfer caps historic season with Academic All-America

Cal State LA golfer Morgan Sjoerdsma was named an Academic All-American by the College Sports Information Directors of America, marking the first time in program history a Golden Eagle has won the award. The CoSIDA Academic All-America award has only been won by 15 other Cal State LA student-athletes in the University’s history. The honor caps off a phenomenal season by Sjoerdsma, in which the junior golfer won the CCAA Individual Championship, became the program’s first golfer to participate in the NCAA postseason, earned All-America accolades for her athletic performance, and received a Cal State LA Billie Jean King Award as Cal State LA’s Female Athlete of the Year.

Men’s soccer player Morten Bjoershol named CCAA Male Athlete of the Year

Cal State LA men’s soccer star Morten Bjoershol was named the California Collegiate Athletic Association Male Athlete of the Year, becoming the second consecutive winner from Cal State LA to win the conference’s top award. Bjoershol, the program’s first three-time All-American, is the ninth Cal State LA student-athlete to win a CCAA Athlete of the Year award and just the fourth from a Cal State LA men’s team. In his final season with the Golden Eagles, Bjoershol was named NCAA Division II Player of the Year and helped lead Cal State LA to the first national championship title in the history of the men’s soccer program in 2021.