CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Interim President Richard Yao, Ph.D. will be first speaker in a series of webinars designed to familiarize the public with CSUCI’s plans for a post-pandemic campus. Yao will present his “Vision of the Next Chapter” from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, March 9.
“We want people to see how the University is taking on its mission and preparing for a world that will never be the same,” said Vice President for University Advancement Nichole Ipach. “The purpose of the webinar series is to share with the community all of the incredible undertakings happening at Cal State Channel Islands as we work to reimagine higher education for a new generation in a post-pandemic world.”
The webinars, called “CSUCI Foundation presents: From Change—Opportunity,” will continue through the end of the semester and highlight CSUCI’s overall mission as well as highlights from different divisions and programs on campus. The first two with Interim President Yao and Provost Avila on March 9 will be moderated by KZSB Santa Barbara radio host Neil Kreisel.
Despite changes necessitated by the pandemic, the University’s commitment to provide access to a quality education for all—especially for those who may never have imagined they could pursue a college degree—has remained its North Star, according to Yao.
“To me, that is the beauty of CSUCI,” Yao said. “Our collective vision is our main strength. This clarity will help us lead while our nation struggles with climate change, racial and social injustice, political polarization, and the complexity involved with how we safely emerge from the coronavirus pandemic.”
Yao will detail how CSUCI is planning for a safe return to more in-person instruction and the resumption of co-curricular activities in the Fall.
Mitch Avila. Courtesy photo.
Provost Mitch Avila, Ph.D., will give the next presentation from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, March 30. Entitled “How Academic Excellence Can Shape our Future,” the presentation will challenge preconceptions about the supposed greater value of an Ivy League or “top-tier” college education.
Avila points out that in the past, many have considered the so-called “elite” institutions of higher education as the gold standard when in fact the value of higher education should be measured by how a college degree can transform an individual or family’s social mobility—a sociological term describing the way a person or an entire family’s standard of living can improve.
“The CSU has 475,000 students,” Avila explained. “Harvard undergrads number less than 7,000. And if we step back and think about larger issues of promoting social mobility, access to education, and equity, the CSU has far greater impact that so-called elite colleges. In general, we have formed a false impression of what is a typical and successful institution of higher education.”
The webinar lineup for the rest of the semester includes a presentation about “micro-internships” from the Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics and a look at CSUCI’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, a rich selection of university-level classes offered for anyone aged 50+.
To RSVP for the first two webinars and to learn about subsequent webinars, visit: https://www.csuci.edu/ci-foundation/webinarregistration1.htm.
Tuesday, March 9, 2021 – 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
Speakers: Interim President Richard Yao, Ph.D.
Host: Neil Kreisel
Topic: “Vision of the Next Chapter”
Tuesday, March 30, 2021 – 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
Speakers: Provost Mitch Avila, Ph.D.
Host: Neil Kreisel
Topic: “How Academic Excellence Can Shape Our Future”
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, 1,200 employees and 14,000 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.