Published in the Daily Breeze ALMOST five years ago, I arrived here in the South Bay as a transplant from New York to serve as the president of California State University, Dominguez Hills in Carson. In February, I was appointed to the presidency of one of our sister universities, Cal State Fullerton and will take my place there in June. As I look forward to the celebration of the 2012 Commencement Ceremonies on Friday and Saturday and look back on my tenure at CSU Dominguez Hills, it is with a sense of poignancy and pride. Three factors stand out that will make the transition much easier: the university's strong connections in the South Bay, pride in our graduates and the ... Read More
Archives for May 2012
Toro Forensics Speech and Debate Team Wins at Tournament
Talking their way into success, three members of the California State University, Dominguez Hills Toro Forensics team won five first and second place awards at the 2012 Pacific Southwest Collegiate Forensics Association (PSCFA) Cool-Off Tournament on April 28-29 at Saddleback College. Wowing the judges at the speech and oral presentation competition, Teela Caldwell, a student in the business and public administration master's program, and Catalina Cook, a senior theatre major with a dance emphasis, took first place in the duo dramatic interpretation category for their performance of a scene from the play "The Next Mrs. Jacob Anderson," by Ann Wuehler. Cook also competed individually ... Read More
University’s OSHA Training Center Awarded Exclusive Contract
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Training Institute Education Center (TIEC) at California State University, Dominguez Hills has recently been awarded a sole source contract with the Inspections Division of Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) to provide safety training for employees constructing the $1.5 billion expansion of the Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). According to Jason Vogel, director of the Center for Training and Development in the College of Extended and International Education at CSU Dominguez Hills, LAX sole source contracts are highly unusual. The three-year award to the university's OSHA training center ... Read More
Christian Somoza: From Soldier to Psychology Graduate
At 18, Christian Somoza didn't know what he wanted to do with his life. He was enrolled in Cerritos College but was struggling a bit. After a semester he decided he wasn't ready for college, and joined the Marine Corps, where he could develop discipline, serve his country, and earn a G.I. Bill, which covers a range of veteran benefit programs, including college tuition assistance. After four years in the Marine Corps, leaving at the rank of sergeant, Somoza returned to Cerritos College ready to focus on his education. While there, he took an introductory psychology course, during which he learned more about post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSDs). It piqued his interest. “[In the ... Read More
Faculty Highlights – May 2012
Our faculty members participate in conferences around the world, conduct groundbreaking research, and publish books and articles that expand their knowledge and expertise. Here are a few recent highlights. Nancy Erbe, professor in the Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding Program, has been invited by the Fulbright Scholar Program to serve a second year on Fulbright Specialists Program Discipline Review Committee, which evaluates and recommends applications for individuals interested in being Fulbright senior specialists in peace and conflict studies. She also has been selected as a faculty mentor for the Penn State Berks Undergraduate Journal of Service Learning & ... Read More