CSU Channel Islands President Richard Yao, Ph.D. Courtesy photo.
CAMARILLO — When CSU Channel Islands CSUCI President Richard Yao, Ph.D. gives his State of the University address on Friday, April 29, he will highlight expanding academic programs, new funding for stem cell research, creative internship and scholarship opportunities, and the biggest construction project in the 20-year history of the campus.
“CSU Channel Islands celebrates its 20th anniversary this fall with an eye toward the future,” Yao said. “We are expanding our capacity to serve our growing student body with multimillion dollar campus construction projects, exciting research opportunities, and exploration into new academic programs on the horizon.”
During his annual address, Yao will give an update on the capital improvements to the campus, which include expansion of University Glenand the addition of a new Early Childhood Education Center to provide childcare to campus members and the local community, as well as to serve as a learning laboratory for students in Early Childhood Education and related disciplines.
Another notable project is Gateway Hall, a $71 million structure that is being built at the entrance of the campus and will include offices, classrooms, and 120,000 square feet dedicated to student services.
Yao will also provide an update on an academic planning project that has been underway for several months called “Charting Our Course,” in which campus members were invited to participate in exploring possible new academic programs and majors. Participants also had opportunity to examine the general direction of the University, discussing core values of the institution.
The State of the University will also spotlight some of the initiatives that emphasize CSUCI’s ongoing commitment to equity and diversity, which Yao linked to lessons learned through the pandemic.
“The resilience of this campus was tested with the pandemic and the sudden switch to virtual learning that it required. We saw that it impacted our students in different ways, amplifying economic insecurities of our most vulnerable populations,” Yao said. “I believe it is safe to say that CSUCI is emerging from the pandemic with a rededicated commitment to ensuring that the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion are structurally embedded and understood as core to our success in all that we do.”
The Trade Desk Chief Executive Officer Jeff Green has arranged a first-year student scholarship for students who don’t fit into most scholarship categories because of their grade-point average (GPA). Green’s gift to the University is 50 scholarships for first-year students whose GPAs fall below 3.0. This renewable scholarship will provide $6,000 for recipients the first and second year, and $4,000 for the last two years.
A $75,000 grant from the Educational Credit Management Corporation (ECMC) Foundation will enable the University to hire a consultant to develop a dual admissions program where students enroll in community colleges and CSUCI at the same time. This initiative creates stronger pathways between CSUCI and the community colleges in the area, as well as all of the schools in the region. This measure is also designed to ensure students stay in the area and experience a seamless transition from community college to a four-year university.
An internship program for graduate students wishing to study stem cell technology received a grant for more than $3.6 million over five years from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) this academic year. Co-launched in 2006 by Professor of Biology Nitika Parmar, Ph.D., the program provides paid one-year internships at cutting-edge stem cell research institutions across California for students in the Master of Science (MS) in Biotechnology degree program.
Notable alumni and an innovative student-run business called CI Solutions will also be mentioned during the State of the University presentation.
CI Solutions is run by students out of the Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics. Businesses and nonprofits throughout the county who need help with an individual project—like a social media campaign or help with branding—hire the students to handle their project. This year there are 15 students actively running the business with numerous community clients.
The accomplishments of Dolphin alumni will be highlighted through two representative examples. Class of 2010 Psychology graduate Christiane Ochoa is working as a U.S. Diplomat, and 2020 Master of Business Administration (MBA) graduate Fred Quintero, who received a bachelor’s degree in Business, is employed at The Trade Desk, a global media buying company based in Ventura.
Sponsored by the West Ventura County Business Alliance (WVCBA), the CSUCI Connection Luncheon will take place Friday, April 29 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Pacific View Tower Club at 300 Esplanade Drive in Oxnard.
Cost is $50 for WVCBA members and $65 for non-members.
To make reservations, please email: j.baclayon@wvcba.org. Please RSVP by April 22.
Special meal requests must be made in advance at this email or by calling the WVCBA office at 805-783-9100.
For the latest event details, please visit: https://bit.ly/CSUCIConnection
About California State University Channel Islands — CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) is reimagining higher education for a new generation and era. We are an innovative higher education institution that enables students to succeed and thrive – serving as an engine for social and economic vitality that provides the intellectual resources necessary for a thriving democracy. With more than 7,000 students, 1,000 employees and 22,000 alumni, CSUCI is poised to grow in size and distinction, while maintaining one of the most student-focused learning environments in public higher education. Connect with and learn more by visiting www.csuci.edu or CSUCI’s Social Media.