California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) has appointed Mi-Sook Kim as dean of the College of Health, Human Services and Nursing. She will begin her new position July 19.
The CSUDH College of Health, Human Services and Nursing (CHHSN) offers more than a dozen degree and certificate programs that prepare students who are committed to improving lifelong health, wellness, development, and overall adaptability in a diverse and evolving society. The college houses the longest-running online Bachelor of Nursing program in California, one of only two Orthotics and Prosthetics programs in the state, and is in the process of developing the CSU’s first doctoral program in Occupational Therapy.
As dean, Kim will lead the coordination of curriculum and program review for all programs in the college to ensure continued academic excellence and growth of the college.
“We are thrilled that Dr. Kim will be assuming the leadership of our college. We are excited for the opportunities that Dr. Kim will bring to our college given her vast experience in the CSU system and her many years stewarding departments, programs and university level offices,” said Interim Dean Claudia Payton and Interim Associate Dean Enrique Ortega in a joint statement. “Our college is poised to grow its role producing excellent health programs and professionals in our region, and we are confident that Dr. Kim will play a great role fostering such growth.”
Kim comes to CSUDH from San Francisco State University (SFSU), where she is a professor in the Department of Kinesiology. She joined the university in 1999 as an assistant professor. During her tenure at SFSU, Kim also served as chair of the Department of Kinesiology for four years and led the Division of Graduate Studies as interim dean for two years.
Kim’s career in higher education began in 1990 as a research assistant working with faculty at Chung-Ang University in South Korea. She held positions as a research and teaching assistant at Purdue University and the University of Valencia in Spain before arriving at SFSU. Kim’s primary research examines sports and exercise psychology from positive motivational climates and cross-cultural perspectives. She has co-authored numerous articles for professional journals and conferences, and in 2019 was one of the authors of the book “A Coach’s Guide to Maximizing the Youth Sport Experience: Work Hard, Be Kind.”
She has served on and led multiple international and national professional organization committees. Kim currently serves on the board of directors of the American Kinesiology Association, and chairs their Student Awards Committee. In January 2017, Kim was awarded the organization’s Distinguished Leadership Award.
Kim holds a Ph.D. in Kinesiology, with a specialization in sport and exercise psychology from Purdue University, and an M.S. in Kinesiology and a B.S. in Physical Education from Chung-Ang University, South Korea.
“CHHSN has a clear future-forward vision and mission to meet public needs and facilitate social change and transformation,” said Kim upon her appointment. “Higher education is moving in the direction of ensuring that our students are both civic-minded and career-ready upon graduation. CHHSN is right at the center of this movement, and the faculty and students are doing innovative work in this interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary environment. I am thrilled to join the team and help build on and highlight its excellence. Together, we will create a space where social justice and ethical thinking are embodied in our work.”
