Awards and Accolades: History Professor Receives SHEAR Dissertation Prize

The Society for Historians of the Early American Republic (SHEAR) announced that Julia Lewandoski, a Cal State San Marcos assistant professor of history, is the recipient of the SHEAR Dissertation Prize, which is awarded to an exceptional unpublished dissertation pertaining to the history of North America from 1776-1861.

Lewandoski was honored for “Small Victories: Indigenous Proprietors Across Empires in North America, 1763-1891.”

Established in 1977, SHEAR is “an association of scholars dedicated to exploring the events and the meaning of United States history between 1776 and 1861.”

Physics department honored

The physics department is among the recipients of INSIGHT Into Diversity’s 2020 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award, which recognizes unique and innovative efforts for improving access to science, technology, engineering, and math for underrepresented students.

Among the areas highlighted by INSIGHT Into Diversity was the department’s ranking for being sixth in the nation among undergraduate-only programs in awarding physics degrees to students from underrepresented groups.

Professor’s art collective on Lumen longlist

Allochronic Cycles, by the art collective Cesar & Lois with contributions from CSUSM arts, media and design students, is on the longlist for the 2020 Lumen Prize for Artificial Intelligence. CSUSM students engaged in independent studies with professor Lucy HG Solomon, who began Cesar & Lois with Brazilian collaborator Cesar Baio, contributed to the project’s research last spring.

The shortlist will be announced on Sept. 9 with winners announced on Oct. 22.

$1 million grant for chemistry professors

Robert Iafe, an associate professor of chemistry, and Paul Jasien, a professor of chemistry and biochemistry, have received a grant of almost $1 million from the National Science Foundation that will support the retention and graduation of high-achieving, low-income students in chemistry and biochemistry.

Rankings

• CSUSM is 22^nd on Money’s list of “Most Transformative Colleges” and 202^nd out of more than 700 schools on Money’s list of “Best Colleges in America, Ranked by Value.”
• The university ranks 27^th in the Great Value Colleges list of the “Top 30 U.S. Colleges That Are Excelling in Community Outreach.”
• CSUSM is ranked 97^th in the country and seventh in California by LendEDU for having one of the lowest student loan debt figures for the Class of 2019.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314