Dear Faculty and Staff Colleagues,
As our first full year back on campus ends, I want to thank each and every one of you for your work and commitment to our students and their futures. Time and time again, our faculty and staff have shown we share a common belief: What’s best for our students is what’s best for our university. Although there are many challenges ahead, keeping student success and wellness as our guiding star will always keep us on the right path.
As you know, on Wednesday we learned that Sacramento State’s new president will be Dr. J. Luke Wood. This is great news and an auspicious moment for our university. Dr. Wood is a nationally recognized equity-minded educator with a proven track record of innovative strategies for providing transformational education. As we say a goodbye to President Nelsen with great gratitude for his many student-centered victories, we welcome Dr. Wood who will build on those successes and take Sacramento State to even higher levels. It is a testament to the indelible imprint our campus has on students that Dr. Wood is coming home to lead us into our next chapter.
On a personal note, I am excited to work with Dr. Wood, my longtime colleague and collaborator, as president and provost. We have co-authored four books on educational leadership together and, as fellow first-generation college students, share a deep understanding of our student body—both the challenges they face and the rewards that await them if we give them the support they need to meet their educational goals.
Of the challenges that face our students and campus as a whole right now, the growing equity gap in student success is the most urgent. We started this academic year with the good news that Sacramento State’s graduation rates had increased for the sixth year in a row, keeping the university on track to exceed the CSU’s goals. The number of students who graduated in four years rose to 28.1% last year, compared to just 9% in 2016—the largest improvement in the CSU that puts the goal of 30% by 2025 clearly in our sights. That’s certainly a success worthy of celebration and you all contributed to it.
But as we come to the end of Spring Semester, a more complex story of how some students are struggling post-pandemic is becoming apparent. While our graduation rates remain on track, the percentage of first-time Black students with a first semester GPA below 2.0 has doubled since 2019, from 20% to 49%. For Hispanic students, it’s gone from 18% to 31%. By many critical metrics like these, the equity gaps in student outcomes are widening. Overall, we’re seeing higher course failure rates and lower retention for first-time students, and instructors are reporting lower attendance and fewer students completing coursework or seeking help.
As much as we’d all like to get past the COVID years, post-pandemic learning loss is real, and we will be dealing with it for a while. There’s no one program or initiative that can fully address a problem this systemic; the only way to finally eliminate racial equity gaps is to change the systems that perpetrate educational disparity. For that to happen, we will each need to play a part. If our challenge to lean harder into equitable student success seems daunting, it helps to remember how much we can accomplish on our campus in just one year. Below (and here in our year-end newsletter) you will find highlights from the past academic year that display the rich culture of teaching and scholarship at this university. I am confident that our new president will be a champion in the fight for equity; I am equally confident that our division is ready to join him in that fight.
Carlos Nevarez
Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
2022-2023 Academic Affairs Highlights
- Office of Academic Affairs launches ambitious program to improve DFW rates: The Critical Course Success Program is a student-centered approach that empowers faculty to share proven strategies for success.
- College of Business launches New MS in Finance program: The Finance, Insurance and Real Estate (FIRE) Department helped the College of Business launch an MS in Finance (MSF) program in August 2022 to provide rigorous training in finance and the practical knowledge needed in today’s financial and investment industry.
- New first responder scholarship opportunity: Future emergency medical technician and paramedic students at Sacramento State's College of Continuing Education (CCE) will now have the option of applying for a First Responder Scholarship, a first-ever opportunity for students in both programs to receive financial assistance. Sacramento State is the first and only California State University campus to offer a paramedic program, and we offer the most clinical and field provider agency contracts of any accredited paramedic program.
- Sacramento State faculty take on mass incarceration: On May 24 and 25, Sacramento State’s Transforming Outcomes Project (TOPSS), an Academic Affairs program that seeks to reduce recidivism by providing higher education to incarcerated Californians, held its first ever commencement ceremonies at Folsom and Mule Creek prisons. Newly released Pell Grant regulations will allow for growth of the program.
- Faculty and staff represent Sacramento State at All Africa Diaspora Summit: The conference promoted African-centered education worldwide and called for the global African family to be part of building Africa’s future.
- Faculty member secures $600,000 for anti-violence theater program: Michele Hillen-Noufer, who teaches Children’s Theater in the department of Theatre & Dance and is Executive Director of NorCal School of the Arts, helped that organization land a $600,000 grant from the Department of Homeland Security to implement programs designed to prevent terrorism and violence.
- CCE awarded CSU PaCE Accelerator Grant: The College of Continuing Education (CCE) was awarded the grant to support the development of a School Mental Wellness Certificate Program. As a collaborative partnership between CCE and the College of Education, the certificate program is designed for any personnel within the TK-12 system wanting to address the wellness needs of school-aged children.
- New Carlsen Center class moves real-world expertise to the classroom: The course, called Entrepreneurial Mindset and offered beginning Fall 2022 through the College of Social Science & Interdisciplinary Studies, enables students to develop an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset and experience in problem-solving.
- Report co-authored by Sac State faculty highlights need for equity-based education practices: “Equity in Motion”, by Dr. Vajra Watson, Dr. Ijeoma “IjO” Ononuju (Touro University), Shaun de Vera and Angelina Kier (current Ed.D. students at Sac State), aims to help inform the ways San Juan Unified School District will learn, move, and grow through intentional and strategic partnerships with community organizations.
- Sac State students win big at CSU Student Research Competition: The annual competition, held April 28-29 in San Diego, showcases research by students from all 23 campuses in the CSU system. Sac State students earned two first-place and four second-place awards, the most honors of any CSU campus.
- PARC re-accreditation: The Peer and Academic Resource Center (PARC) received notice in August that Sacramento State is internationally certified for Supplemental Instruction (SI) for the next 3 years, making us one of eight campuses in the CSU system that received this recognition.
- Faculty support students in crisis: After faculty and student support services reported a drop in student wellness including reports of intimate partner violence and sexual assault, Academic Affairs expanded its role in connecting students to resources.
- Project for Informed Electorate (PIE) releases election explainer videos for November 8 California Election: Hosted by Professor of Political Science and PIE Founder and Director Kim Nalder, the series was supported by the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) and the Sacramento Public Library.
- Library Stinger Studio Makerspace opens: The Stinger Studio is a shared workspace where students and others can explore a variety of hands-on endeavors such as machine embroidery and 3D printing. Opened in Fall 2022 on the first floor of the library in Room 1522, the Stinger Studio expanded to a much larger space across the hall in Spring 2023.
- Sac State faculty appointed to climate task force: In August, the Sacramento Board of Supervisors named 13 members to the task force, including three Sacramento State faculty members. Roslyn Roberts, Assistant Professor, College of Business, Ghazan Khan, Department Chair, Civil Engineering, and Ajay Singh, Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies.
- Carlsen Center hosts Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) events: Partnering with Western Health Advantage, Sacramento State’s Carlsen Center hosted a full slate of events November 14-18 representing the 2022 GEW themes of Education, Ecosystems, Inclusion, and Policy.
- Division of Criminal Justice Convocation: The Division of Criminal Justice held its 9th Annual Division of Criminal Justice Convocation November 15 in the University Ballroom. This year’s theme was “The Future of Justice IX: The Impact of COVID-19 on the Criminal Justice System.
- Women in the Humanities discussion series: Sponsored by the Humanities and Religious Studies and Women's and Gender Studies departments, this series celebrated women’s contributions to the humanities both as scholars and as subjects of scholarship.
- IPGE hosts International Education Week November 14-18: International Education Week (IEW), a joint initiative of the Department of State and Department of Education, celebrates the importance of global education and student exchange programs. As part of IEW, the Office of International Programs and Global Engagement hosted a number of events to showcase the study abroad opportunities and experiences available at Sacramento State.
- Sacramento State Lands $3 Million Digital Equity Project: Working with Sacramento Congresswoman Doris Matsui, Sacramento State secured $2,997,092 in funding from the National Telecommunications Information Administration’s Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program.
- Center for Practical and Professional Ethics presents 17th annual Fall Ethics Symposium: This year's theme was "The Ethics of Providing Healthcare" and included four presentations from scholars representing the fields of economics and law diagnosing deficiencies in the just and efficient delivery of health care services in the United States.
- College of Business hosts 12th Annual COB Film Festival: This year’s film projects focused on leading with emotional intelligence during organizational crises.
- New faculty books focusing on race, gender, and U.S. immigration: The Center on Race, Immigration and Social Justice (CRISJ), the Department of Women’s Studies, and the Division of Social Work hosted a faculty author book talk featuring recent books by Dr. Tristan Josephson, Women’s and Gender Studies, and Dr. Serge Lee, Social Work.
- Jean-Francois Coget appointed Dean of College of Business (COB): Formerly the Dean of Sonoma State School of Business and Economics, the Paris native said he was drawn to Sacramento State for the opportunity to build on the COB’s success in providing social mobility for all Californians.
- Office of Water Programs (OWP) marks 50 years of service: A division of Academic Affairs, the OWP fulfills Sacramento State’s Anchor University imperative to educate and engage local communities by providing cost-effective solutions for protecting and enhancing water resources, public health, and the environment through training, scientific research, and public education.
- Student history journal named best in nation:Clio was named the nation’s top graduate student journal in the Nash History Journal Prize competition, sponsored annually by the Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society. The journal placed first in 2018 and second in 2019 and 2020.
- College of Education (COE) co-sponsors MLK event with Sacramento Kings: Co-sponsored by COE, Doctorate in Educational Leadership Program, Department of Inclusive Excellence, Academic Affairs, DELSA, Sacramento State Athletics, the Sacramento Kings, and SMUD, the event was designed to create strategic connections among leaders in the region focused on the power of transformative leadership.
- CCE launches new master’s programs: In partnership with the College of Education, the College of Continuing Education (CCE) launched the Master of Arts in Universal Design for eLearning, assisting educators to improve the design of online and hybrid learning spaces to reach every student. In partnership with the College of Business, the Master of Science in Finance was launched to prepare students with a rigorous training in finance and build a strong foundation of investment analysis and portfolio management skills.
- College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM) hosts 2nd Annual NSM Fest: The interactive game event engaged NSM students, especially new and transfer, with the great opportunities, support, and services available from the college. The students had the opportunity to get to know their professors, explore the campus and win prizes.
- $20,000 Circular Economy Innovation Competition: The Carlsen Center partnered with the Western Placer Waste Management Authority to present the Circular Economy Innovation Competition. This was an opportunity for innovators and entrepreneurs to showcase their innovations, technologies, and businesses while receiving mentorship and the opportunity to win prize money.
- CCE joins grant-funded research-policy-practice partnership: Sac State’s College of Continuing Education (CCE) joined California Competes, Shasta College Attainment and Innovation Lab for Equity, and ProjectAttain! in a research-policy-practice partnership to study promising postsecondary practices that better engage comebackers and propel them to degree completion. Funded by the Kresge Foundation, the grant funds adult learners as co-creators in the research.
- New AVP of IPGE appointed: As the new assistant vice president of International Programs and Global Engagement (IPGE), Piram Prakasam plays a crucial role in promoting cross-cultural exchange and understanding, and in preparing students to succeed in a globalized world.
- New fellowship program for Japanese American Archival Collection Research: The University Library announced a new fellowship program, The Japanese American Archival Collection Research Fellows Program (JAAC RFP), that provides two fellowships of up to $3,000.00 for individuals or research teams who wish to use Sacramento State’s vast Japanese American Archival Collection (JAAC) for research or creative-end products relating to the Japanese American experience.
- College of Business launches accelerated, fully online iMBA program: To create the new “iMBA” program, the COB revamped an existing master’s degree program so students can earn their MBA in a year without ever setting foot on campus.
- Department of Psychology hosts first Sacramento State Happiness Day: The March event helped the campus community understand the benefits of happiness–and that those benefits are both essential and attainable. Participants also learned about well-established activities that promote happiness, such as taking a moment to text a loved one or writing a thank-you card to someone on campus.
- Outstanding Faculty Awards recognize academic excellence: Established by the Academic Senate in 1992, the Outstanding Faculty Awards recognize the important role faculty play in teaching, learning, student success, and accomplishing our universities strategic goals. This year’s awards were presented March 9 in a special event that allowed the honorees to be celebrated by their families, friends, and peers for the outstanding work.
- CCE joins degree completion initiative: Through the College of Continuing Education (CCE), Sacramento State was invited to participate in the Degrees When Due Community of Practice to Policy. This national community of practice is supporting efforts to amplify adult reengagement and address systemic changes in order to remove barriers for returning adult learners.
- ECS and NSM hosts annual D3 event: The College of Engineering & Computer Science (ECS) and the College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics (NSM) hosted their annual D3 “Discussion, Discovery, and Dissemination” for industry, alumni, and campus community partners. Attendees engaged with ECS and NSM faculty about academic research interests and creative activities, promoting new ideas and discovering cross-discipline collaboration opportunities.
- HHS holds Posttraumatic Growth Conference: The HHS Center for Health Practice, Policy and Research hosted “The Science & Practice of Posttraumatic Growth - Recognizing Personal and Community Strength and Growth in the Aftermath of Trauma” with Joyce Mikal-Flynn, professor in the School of Nursing, world-class athlete Charles Clark, and a panel of experts speaking on how we can acquire the tools to transform adversity and trauma into strength through the development of resilience, compassion, and posttraumatic growth.
- AACSB recognition for Organizational Wisdom Studio: The College of Business Organizational Wisdom Studio was featured in AACSB Insights, a thought leadership digital platform published by the AACSB to help shape and inform the societal impact leadership framework. The article demonstrated the societal impact of Sacramento State’s interdisciplinary efforts as a leading institution in co-creating wisdom to enhance well-being in our society.
- COE Counselor Education Symposium: The College of Education’s (COE) Counselor Education program held its 2023 symposium, Counselor Ed Fall Retreat & New Student Orientation, with the theme: Fostering Professional Identity in Counseling Through Advocacy, Leadership, and Collaboration.
- University-Wide Innovation & Entrepreneurship Pitch Competition: Sac State’s Carlsen Center hosted an opportunity for innovators and entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas, technologies, and/or businesses while receiving mentorship, and the opportunity to win prize money and a seat at a CSU-wide pitch competition.
- CCE joins Building Rural Community Learning Systems Pilot: As part of a cross-sector project aimed at creating clear and supported pathways between adult learners, higher education, and workforce investment boards, job centers, employers, and social service providers, Sac State’s College of Continuing Education (CCE) is one of seven entities in the Building Rural Community Learning Systems Pilot. Funded through Ascendium, the participating institutions are positioned to seek additional funding and design new interventions that improve educational opportunities for rural communities.
- Psych professor’s article most-read: Melissa Holland’s article, "Risk Assessment and Crisis Intervention for Youth in a Time of Telehealth" was the most-read article from Contemporary School Psychology for publications 2019–2022. The article has over 3700 requests. Holland, a Professor of School Psychology in the College of Education, is a regular editor of the Journal of Contemporary School Psychology, the official publication of CASP (California Association of School Psychologists).
- New Hornets Abroad Website: The Office of International Programs & Global Engagement (IPGE) and IRT launched a new Hornets Abroad website to serve as a centralized location where students can search available programs, submit applications, and upload documents to a secure site. The new TerraDotta platform was a significant upgrade over the existing application system.
- NSM Faculty wins Multicultural Center award: Kimberly Mulligan, associate professor of biology, was awarded the "Education Advocacy Award" by the Multicultural Center. It was awarded to one faculty member campus-wide "who advocates for change to enhance the educational experience by promoting equity and empowerment."
- ECS faculty secure $600K NSF grant: Faculty from the department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, Dr. Praveen Meduri, Dr. Milica Markovic, and Dr. Mohammed Eltayeb led a team that was awarded a $600,000 National Science Foundation grant for “Project ACE: Active-learning (A) based Engineering Curriculum-transformation (C) for Excellence in Equity (E).” The research project investigated the effectiveness of project-based learning and course-based undergraduate research experiences to fill an important knowledge gap in the field of engineering epistemologies.
- K-16 Collaborative: On behalf of the Provost, the College of Continuing Education (CCE) is serving as the hub for Sac State’s role in the Sacramento K-16 Collaborative. The multi-year grant is aimed at supporting innovation and systems change that improve data sharing across the region, expanding dual enrollment infrastructure, creating an ecosystem of supports for high priority student populations, expanding transfer pathways, and expanding pathways to and through education and into the Healthcare, Engineering, and Computing industry sectors.
- The Office of Graduate Studies hosts 3rd Annual Sac State Grad Slam Competition: Of the nine participants in Sac State’s March 28 competition, two top graduate students, Olivia Sinclair (MS in Biological Science) and Haley Myers Dillon (Ed.D. in Educational Leadership), represented Sac State in the CSU-wide Grad Slam hosted by San Diego State on May 5; Haley Myers Dillon successfully progressed to the final round of the CSU-wide event.
- NSM grad student awarded prestigious Scholarship: College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM) MS graduate student Amanda Croteau was awarded the highly competitive Nancy Foster Scholarship. This is among the most competitive fellowships in the field of marine science and typically is awarded to Ph.D. students at research-intensive institutions.
- State Hornet Journalists win nine awards: The State Hornet, Sacramento State’s student newspaper, took home nine Best of Show awards at the Associated Collegiate Press convention held March 9-11. The awards included second-best student media website in America.
- NSM student researchers shine: Three students from the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM) received graduate research fellowship awards from the National Science Foundation. These are Sac State’s first-ever NSF-GRFP awards, a testament to the high education quality at Sac State. The NSM college-wide research symposium this year had a total of 88 posters with over 120 student authors.
- ROTC Administrative Support Coordinator receives national recognition: Amber Griffith, an ASC II assigned to support ROTC and the Military Science department, was nationally recognized as a US Army Cadet Command Hero of the Battlefield for her work supporting students.
- Chemistry Assistant Professor secures NIH grant: Stefan Paula received a $142,000, two-year grant from the National Institute of Health (NIH) titled: Development of phenolic small molecule inhibitors of PfATP6, a Plasmodium calcium ATPase. The project is aimed at the discovery and characterization of novel compounds that interfere with the function of an essential enzyme present in malaria parasites, thereby generating information needed for the development of new antimalarial drugs.
- Sacramento State film professor’s documentary makes streaming debut: Associate Professor Kathy Kasic debuted her documentary Lake at the Bottom of the World. The film follows Kasic and her team as they embarked on an Arctic expedition to document a subglacial lake. This documentary is available for streaming.
- Sacramento State secures NSA designation: The National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) program, managed by NSA's National Cryptologic School, designated Sacramento State as NSA CAE institution for 2023-2028. This designation will enable many valued opportunities, such as scholarship funding for students, faculty, and the greater Sacramento community.
- NSM and COE faculty team up for physics teaching grant: Physics faculty, Eliza Morris (Principal Investigator), Mikkel Jensen (Co-Principal Investigator), Vera Margoniner (Co-Principal Investigator), and College of Education faculty Bita Rivas (Co-Principal Investigator), received funding from National Science Foundation with a total amount of $299,916, titled: “Comparing student success, team dynamics, and cost in three different active learning formats in undergraduate physics education”. This project aims to serve the national interest by promoting student success in an introductory college physics course.
- Construction Management Professor wins regional teachingaward: Assistant Professor Dr. Atefeh Mohammadpour, from the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) Department of Construction Management, received the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) Regional Teaching Award. This award recognizes contributions to construction education, excellence in teaching, service to the Associated Schools of Construction, and dedication to the construction profession.
- New Undergraduate Studies funding to support first-year-students: The Office of Undergraduate Studies (OGS) received funding from the Chancellor’s Office to create the Smart Start program funded by the CO as “Supportive Pathways”, formerly known as Early Start. It is designed to provide support for incoming first-year students in completing A2 and B4 GE Requirements. Smart Start will support qualified students in two distinct but overlapping programs: Smart Start Summer and Smart Start Academic Year.
- CCE DEIBJ Plan: In alignment with Sac State’s Antiracism and Inclusive Campus Plan, the College of Continuing Education (CCE) launched a 2023-2026 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Plan that engages staff, instructors, and learners with actionable steps to foster appreciation, empathy, and respect.
- RCA Awards announced: Named for the 2022-2023 University Award for Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity for Early Career Faculty was Dr. Nicole Fox, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice in the College of Health and Human Services. Named for the 2022-2023 University Award for Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity for Senior Career Faculty Was Dr. Katherine McReynolds, Professor of Chemistry in the College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics.
- Engineering faculty awarded DHSIgrant: Rohollah (Roham) Moghadam (EEE) was awarded a Developing Hispanic Serving Institutions (DHSI) Career Mini-Grant for 2023 of $10,000 for a project titled, “Improving Students Knowledge in Robotics by Adopting Autonomous Ground Robot.” The mini-grant funding was sponsored by a larger university US Dept of Education DHSI Grant.
- Sacramento State named AANHPI Student Achievement Program Statewide Central Office: California Assembly Bill 190 created an annual appropriation of $8 million to be given to the CSU to fund this campus-based, statewide central office which will operate the systemwide Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Student Achievement Program.
- NSM faculty receive endangered species grant: Jamie Kneitel, chair of the Biological Sciences Department, and collaborators received a 2023 30x30 Grant through East Bay Regional Park District to conduct research and restoration of an endangered fairy shrimp species in rock pools.
- In Spring 2023, Protected Writing Time helped motivate 22 graduate students working towards the completion of their culminating experience (thesis, project, dissertation, or comprehensive exam) by providing dedicated virtual space on Saturdays throughout the semester to set time management goals in order to support them in achieving their degree completion.
- In the 2022-23 academic year, Graduate Preparation Academy (GPA) had a total of 599 undergraduate students registered to attend six virtual workshops that provided them with information and advice on the necessary skills and qualities when preparing for graduate education at Sac State
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