But something happened along the way. The history courses sparked Acevedo’s interest in a manner that his other GE courses did not. The material ran so much deeper than the rote memorization of names and dates that he associated with history.

“My professors at CSUSM also made me feel smart, giving me invaluable feedback on my work and my progress as a student,” Acevedo said.

That was more than two decades ago. Intending to major in communication, Acevedo switched to history, graduated with a history degree in 2004 and ultimately became a professor himself – with an ambition to emulate in his teaching the way he was taught at CSUSM.

It seems to be working. Now an associate professor and coordinator of history, political science and American studies at Hudson County Community College (HCCC) in Jersey City, N.J., Acevedo last month received the Distinguished Faculty Award from the New Jersey Council of County Colleges – an honor that covers all faculty across the state’s 18 community colleges. He was recognized for his “profound influence on students academically and professionally inside and outside the classroom.”

Acevedo co-founded the Hudson Oral History Project, through which he guides student interns in interviewing residents, community leaders and business owners to document the history and rapid changes of Jersey City’s Journal Square area. He also helped establish the HCCC Department of Cultural Affairs, which provides free arts and enrichment programming for students and the people of Hudson County.

“When I was notified I got the award, it felt quite rewarding,” he said. “Sometimes it is easy to lose sight of the impact you have on students, especially when doing the work of preparing lessons or confronting challenges like the influence of AI on education. So to receive an award like this was definitely a reminder that the daily commitment to help students grow as learners and thinkers is so worthwhile.”

A Fallbrook native, Acevedo chose CSUSM because of the proximity to home and the intimate learning environment compared to other California State University schools that he considered. Once he switched his major to history, he came under the tutelage of multiple faculty mentors, most notably Alyssa Sepinwall.

Sepinwall invited Acevedo to be part of CSUSM’s Faculty Mentoring Program, which since 1991 has paired first-generation students like Acevedo in a one-on-one mentoring relationship with a faculty member to increase retention rates. At Sepinwall’s suggestion, he attended an academic history conference in Newport Beach that he calls a turning point because it exposed him to what history professors do outside the classroom.

“Dr. Sepinwall also brought in guest speakers and made sure her students got engaged with history beyond just completing our assignments,” Acevedo said. “And she gave me invaluable guidance when I applied to grad school, spelling out in no uncertain terms the challenges of the academic job market, but also pushing me to pursue my dreams. Along the way, she has been my go-to person for all things history.”

Sepinwall’s influence was such that, during his senior year, Acevedo nominated her for the President’s Award for Innovation in Teaching, which she won in 2004. Her admiration for her former student is equally strong.

“I am so impressed by all of Tony's successes since he graduated from CSUSM,” Sepinwall said. “He took everything he was taught here and built on it in his own way to become a superstar teacher. I learn so many things from him when we talk about teaching – and watching him become a state and national leader in history pedagogy, for community colleges and others, makes me tremendously proud as his former Faculty Mentoring Program mentor.”

After graduating from CSUSM, Acevedo earned a master’s degree in history from San Diego State and worked there as a graduate teaching associate. He also taught a history course at CSUSM for a former professor, Darel Engen (another major influence), when Engen was on paternity leave. Hired by HCCC in 2013, he lives in New York City, where he’s in the dissertation phase of achieving a Ph.D. in world history from St. John’s University.

Acevedo particularly values the experience of teaching at a community college.

“Most of my students are first-generation students, and getting to be part of their journey feels special, because for many of them, as for myself, receiving a college degree can be transformational,” he said. “I also can relate to the ways my students have to balance lots of real-life responsibilities, such as heavy work schedules, with their pursuit of a college education, and I am continually impressed by their grit and perseverance.

“Most of my students are also non-history majors taking history courses to fulfill a requirement, so I especially love reading student evaluations that start with ‘I didn’t like history before’ or ‘History was never my favorite subject’ before they explain how much they enjoyed the class.”

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Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

The Student Lab Coat Checkout Program was honored last weekend in Austin, Texas at the annual conference of the Campus Safety, Health and Environmental Management Association (CSHEMA). The program received three CSHEMA Innovation Awards.

Launched last spring, the lab coat program is a collaboration among SHS, the University Library and the chemistry and biochemistry department. Currently enrolled CSUSM students can borrow coats from the library for free for up to 16 weeks, with the items available on a first-come, first-served basis. The program served 241 students last semester.

Marissa Acosta, Vanessa Rivera and Victor Franco Bolanos from SHS worked with three employees in the library’s User Services department – Alysa Hernandez, Kelly Ann Sam and Leslie Hovland – to make the partnership a success.

Acosta said the program was created to address a barrier to equitable laboratory safety: access to proper personal protective equipment (PPE), specifically lab coats.

“Before the program, some students faced financial challenges when purchasing a lab coat,” said Acosta, who received the awards in person on June 19. “This inequity directly affected student readiness for laboratory participation and created preventable obstacles to maintaining a consistent and accessible culture of safety.”

Based in Wisconsin, CSHEMA is the pre-eminent leadership organization representing the environmental health and safety (EHS) profession in campus environments.

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Samarasinghe was honored with the Truer Than Fiction Award, which is presented to “an emerging director of nonfiction features who has not yet received significant recognition.” The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant; it’s one of only three Independent Spirit Award categories that offer cash prizes in addition to trophies.

The 41^st annual awards ceremony took place Feb. 15 at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.

A lecturer in CSUSM’s art, media and design department since 2021, Samarasinghe is a Sri Lankan filmmaker and visual artist who left his native country during its civil war and is now based in Southern California.

He was recognized for his feature film debut, “Your Touch Makes Others Invisible,” which was released last year. In the film, he blends interviews, news footage and reenactments to explore the painful history of the 26-year Sri Lankan civil war, in which tens of thousands of people (mostly from the nation’s Tamil minority) are believed to have disappeared, often at the hands of military forces.  

“I’m deeply honored, Samarasinghe said. ”More than recognition of a single project, the award feels like an affirmation of the sustained, often difficult work that politically engaged filmmakers do to sit with difficult histories and keep bringing them into view."

Of the cash prize, he said: “It helps me keep making the kinds of films I want to make – work that isn’t always embraced with open arms, whether because it leans toward the avant-garde or because it confronts difficult, often heavy subjects. It's truly an incredible gift that gives me some freedom and stability to keep taking risks.”

Samarasinghe previously has directed multiple award-winning short films. He earned a bachelor’s degree in visual arts from UC San Diego and a master’s in film and video from the California Institute of the Arts.

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Neufeldt on Wednesday received the Innovation & Economic Opportunity Award from LEAD San Diego, the leadership development arm of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. She was one of six individuals honored at the 23^rd annual Visionary Awards in San Diego.

“Thank you to LEAD San Diego for this honor," Neufeldt said. "This award is really the campus' award. It's the work we do together for the success and social mobility of our students. I'm so grateful to work alongside so many scholars, innovators and partners to advance what higher education should and must become.”

Neufeldt was nominated for the award for her visionary leadership in a time of rapid change across higher education and for implementing initiatives that expand access, accelerate economic opportunities and redefine how universities prepare students to succeed and lead.

Among other accomplishments, she was specifically recognized for launching multiple buildings and programs at CSUSM: the Integrated Science and Engineering Building (ground broken this summer), the University Village Student Success Housing and Dining Project (set to open next fall), the Innovation Hub, and the Scholars in Wellness and Innovation Fast-Track (SWIFT) Health Programs.

LEAD San Diego is dedicated to cultivating and empowering civic and business leaders in the San Diego region. Through comprehensive leadership development programs, LEAD San Diego provides participants with the tools, insights and connections needed to address the region’s most pressing issues.

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Students are selected based on academic achievements, financial need, excellence in community service and personal hardship. Awardees have all demonstrated inspirational resolve along the path to college success, and many are the first in their families to attend college. 

The CSU recognizes 23 students every year – one from each campus – with the Trustees’ Award. Loyola Torres was named a CSU Trustee Emeritus Kenneth Fong Scholar.

Loyola Torres and the other awardees will recognized during a ceremony as part of the CSU Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 9.

Growing up, Loyola Torres was interested in filmmaking and acting. But he found himself gravitating toward the medical field after taking anatomy and a biomedical elective course at San Marcos High School. A molecular and cellular biology major, he’s the first person in his family to attend college.

Loyola Torres is a Pathmaker intern at Palomar Medical Center Escondido, working alongside health care professionals to provide patient support under the guidance of staff. He also serves in CSUSM's COMPASS research internship, which recruits local high school students and trains them in stem cell science.

Loyola Torres works in biology professor Carlos Luna Lopez’s lab, studying breast cancer cells. Along with a master’s student, Loyola Torres investigates cell culture and how breast cancer cells grow.  

This fall, Loyola Torres is acting as president of the campus’ MedLife club, which aims to combat health care shortages and help increase essential health care services to low-income communities in Latin America and Africa.

Almost 500 students have been honored with the Trustees' Award since the scholarship program was established in 1984 by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation. In 1999, the Hearst Foundation partnered with the CSU Board of Trustees to supplement the endowment with contributions from CSU Trustees, CSU Foundation board members and private donors. Each student scholarship bears the name of a donor. 

Wyden was named the winner of the 2025 Distinguished Business Officer Award as NACUBO recognized six business and finance leaders and one university during its annual meeting, which started Saturday in Washington, D.C.

“This recognition holds profound meaning for me – not only as a personal milestone, but as a testament to the collective efforts, encouragement and wisdom I have been fortunate to receive throughout my career,” Wyden said at the awards ceremony. “This award is more than a professional achievement; it is a reflection of the values and community that NACUBO represents. To be recognized by peers and leaders whom I so deeply respect is both inspiring and humbling. It reaffirms my belief in the transformative power of collaboration and service in higher education.”

Wyden was honored for his significant positive impact on advancing business and finance administration in higher education and on the association. Since joining CSUSM in 2021, he has had wide-ranging impacts on campus, from expanded student housing and dining facilities to sustainable energy practices and streamlined business operations.

Wyden is active in NACUBO, has served as a board member for regional affiliate EACUBO and has been a peer evaluator for the Middle States Commission for Higher Education, among many other volunteer engagements.

“Throughout his four-year tenure at CSUSM, Leon has accomplished what would take many others decades to achieve,” CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said. “He exemplifies the very essence of strategic leadership, fiscal stewardship and innovative thinking, significantly advancing the financial and administrative excellence of our institution and the broader higher education landscape. Leon has been instrumental in transforming CSUSM’s financial operations, leading with integrity, vision and a steadfast commitment to student success.”

CSUSM is the latest stop for Wyden in a distinguished career spanning institutions such as Howard University, Upper Iowa University, Tiffin University, the University of Findlay and Frostburg State University.

NACUBO, founded in 1962, is a nonprofit professional organization representing chief administrative and financial officers at more than 1,700 colleges and universities across the country.

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Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
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The Peabody Awards recognize excellence in storytelling across television, radio and digital media, celebrating narratives that illuminate, inspire and empower audiences. Their prestigious standing within the media industry stems from their academic foundation and reputation for discerning exceptional content.

Joely Proudfit, chair of CSUSM’s American Indian studies department, was the Native production consultant for the Netflix animated series “Spirit Rangers,” which ran for 39 episodes across three seasons from 2022-24. On Thursday, “Spirit Rangers” was nominated for a Peabody Award in the category of “children’s/youth.”

“Spirit Rangers” is a fantasy-adventure preschool show that “celebrates community, nature and the rich heritage of Native American storytelling.” It was created by Karissa Valencia, a member of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians and the first California Native American showrunner.

The show featured an all-Native writers’ room and Natives in every aspect of production. More than 100 Indigenous people worked on the series.

“This recognition fills me with immense pride,” Proudfit said. “The lasting cultural impact this show is creating and will continue to create for generations to come makes me forever proud.

“This nomination honors not just my work, but the entire team’s commitment to authentic Indigenous storytelling.”

Proudfit worked alongside Valencia to help guide all production elements while collaborating closely with Indigenous communities worldwide to authenticate cultural representations, art, music and language. Her meticulous oversight extended to every aspect of the series, from script dialogue to visual artistry and musical sounds.

Proudfit, who’s also the director of the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center at CSUSM, consulted on “Spirit Rangers” through her company. Native Media Strategies provides resources that help foster more authentic representation of Native and Indigenous peoples in Hollywood.

Among other projects, Proudfit previously offered Native consulting services to “Stumptown,” an ABC crime drama that aired in 2019, and “Hostiles,” a 2017 Western film starring Academy Award-winning actor Christian Bale. She currently serves as a consulting producer for "NCIS: Origins" on CBS and also is co-directing an upcoming documentary project.

The 68 Peabody Award nominees were chosen by a unanimous vote of 27 jurors from more than 1,000 entries across television, podcasts/radio and the web in entertainment, news, documentary, arts, children’s/youth, public service and interactive/immersive programming and media.

Winners of the 85^th annual Peabody Awards will be announced on May 1, with a ceremony hosted by comedian and actor Roy Wood Jr. to be held on June 1 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles.

Established in 1940 by the National Association of Broadcasters, the Peabody Award was created to honor excellence in radio broadcasting as the industry’s equivalent to the Pulitzer Prizes. It was later expanded to include television and then to new media including podcasts and streaming.

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Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
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From a pool of nearly 3,500 applicants, Samarasinghe is one of 198 individuals across 53 disciplines who were chosen for the fellowship for both prior career achievement and exceptional promise. This marks the 100^th class of Guggenheim Fellowships awarded by the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation to professionals who have demonstrated outstanding ability by publishing a significant body of work in the fields of natural sciences, social sciences, humanities and the creative arts.

Samarasinghe was recognized under the discipline of “Film-Video.” A lecturer in CSUSM’s art, media and design department since 2021, he’s a Sri Lankan filmmaker and visual artist who left his native country during its civil war and is now based in Southern California.

“This is an incredible honor that will enable me to continue pursuing my creative work, especially during such uncertain times,” Samarasinghe said. “I’m deeply grateful to everyone who has supported me throughout my career, and it’s a privilege to share this recognition with such an inspiring cohort of artists, scholars and innovators across so many disciplines.”

Each Guggenheim Fellow receives a monetary stipend to pursue independent work at the highest level under the “freest possible conditions.” Samarasinghe said he plans to dedicate his time primarily to his second feature film, “The Moment,” a hybrid documentary filmed in China, as well as several other projects.

His first feature, “Your Touch Makes Others Invisible,” is scheduled to be released next month. He also has directed multiple award-winning short films.

Samarasinghe earned a bachelor’s degree in visual arts from UC San Diego and a master’s in film and video from the California Institute of the Arts.

Many Guggenheim Fellows’ projects respond to timely themes and issues such as climate change, Indigenous studies, identity, democracy and politics, incarceration and the evolving purpose of community. Since its founding in 1925, the Guggenheim Foundation has awarded more than $400 million to more than 19,000 fellows.

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Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
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Downie, who curates the Brewchive through the University Library, was given the honor during the San Diego Beer News Awards on March 25 at Societe Brewing in Kearny Mesa. She was recognized for her tireless volunteerism on behalf of the San Diego Brewers Guild.

For almost a decade, Downie has served as the curator of the Brewchive, a comprehensive archive launched in 2017 that celebrates a county that’s widely regarded as the capital of craft beer. The collection is one of only a handful of special collections nationwide focused solely on beer.

It includes photos, videos, marketing materials, coasters, beer lists, menus, recipes, brewing logs, brewing manifestos, unique or rare trade periodicals, and interviews. Many of them come from the personal collection of Greg Koch, who founded Stone Brewing with Steve Wagner in San Marcos in 1996.

Downie, a special collections librarian, has worked for the University Library since the early 1990s, when she was still a student at CSUSM. She graduated from the school in 1994.

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Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
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Dr. Prado-Olmos received the honor at the organization’s Blue & Gold Freedom Fund Awards Gala on April 5 at the Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa, where she was praised for her “remarkable leadership exemplified by the lasting impact of her contributions.” 

The NAACP specifically recognized Prado-Olmos for her steadfast commitment to social justice, equity and community empowerment. Her leadership and advocacy for marginalized communities, along with her dedication to inclusive education, have made a meaningful impact both within and beyond the university. 

“I am extremely honored and humbled by this recognition,” Prado-Olmos said. “I’m very grateful to the NCSD NAACP for their partnership and commitment to building a transformative relationship with CSUSM. The community’s willingness to work with me, and with CSUSM, has galvanized our collective work to advance student success.”

Prado-Olmos began her career at CSUSM in 1997 as a professor of multicultural/multilingual education, and has served as an administrator on the campus since 2008. In her current role, she leads initiatives that strengthen ties between the university and community partners in the region, including military affairs, tribal partnerships, economic development and community-engaged scholarship, positioning CSUSM as a catalyst for social change and regional prosperity.  

Her work has expanded access to higher education for underrepresented populations and ensured meaningful support for diverse communities. She has played a key role in CSUSM’s Coalition on Black and African American Education as well as the university’s Black Student Success Initiative – both of which focus on closing equity gaps, offering culturally responsive resources and empowering students through leadership development. 

Prado-Olmos also was recently honored as a 2025 Nonprofit Board Leader of Influence by the San Diego Business Journal for her work as the board vice chair for MAAC (Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee on Anti-Poverty of San Diego County, Inc.), which provides a wide range of services that focus on promoting economic mobility and self-sufficiency. 

Prado-Olmos holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Pomona College and a Ph.D. in educational psychology from UC Santa Barbara.

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Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
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NASPA, Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, is the leading association for student affairs professionals in higher education. NASPA presents the President’s Award annually to a leader who exemplifies extraordinary dedication to student life and engagement. Neufeldt’s selection highlights her remarkable contributions to student success initiatives, advocacy for equity in and access to higher education, and her unwavering commitment to advancing social mobility. 

“It is an incredible honor and truly humbling to receive the NASPA President’s Award,” Neufeldt said. “Throughout my entire career, I’ve been able to work alongside some amazing colleagues who tirelessly support student success and foster inclusive educational pathways. This work is deeply personal to me, and I feel so lucky to wake up each day in a profession that is driven by such purpose.” 

Since assuming the presidency of CSUSM in 2019, Neufeldt has positioned the university as a national leader in social mobility. CSUSM hosts the National Social Mobility Symposium each year and in 2022 was ranked the nation’s No. 1 institution for social mobility by CollegeNET. Under her leadership, CSUSM has launched innovative programs that integrate research and experiential learning, securing more than $20 million in grant awards and $26 million in donor funding to support initiatives that prepare students for career success. Her dedication to access and equity in education has reshaped student success strategies at CSUSM and beyond. 

“President Neufeldt has achieved something rare among university presidents: She has created a space where students can freely express their candid emotions and pursue their passions, no matter the situation,” student leaders from Associated Students, Inc., wrote in their support letter. “President Neufeldt’s commitment to meeting students where they are has redefined what it means to lead with empathy and intentionality.” 

Colleagues in student affairs and enrollment management who supported Neufeldt’s nomination emphasized her far-reaching impact in higher education leadership. In their letter of support, they wrote: “Beyond her student-centered approach, President Neufeldt has inspired and mentored hundreds of NASPA student affairs professionals who continue to follow her example. Her tireless leadership has had a profound impact on students, faculty and the broader community. She is a woman of action who engages stakeholders with thoughtful consideration and delivers real results.” 

Neufeldt has long been recognized as a national leader in student affairs, previously earning NASPA’s Pillar of the Profession Award (2017) and the Scott Goodnight Award for Outstanding Performance as a Senior Student Affairs Officer (2014). Before leading CSUSM, she held key leadership roles at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Salisbury University in Maryland and Old Dominion University in Virginia, where she spearheaded transformative student success and social mobility initiatives. 

CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt made the announcement in a campus message Wednesday.

Clark-Ibáñez has been a faculty member at CSUSM since 2003, and she gained full professor status in 2016. In the sociology department, she serves as the associate chair of student success and student challenges, and was previously department chair, internship coordinator and graduate coordinator.

“I feel very overwhelmed and overjoyed,” Clark-Ibáñez said of winning the award. “Putting together the material for the nomination dossier was a big task – and it gave me meaningful reflection about how lucky I am to work with incredible colleagues and students since the moment I got here in 2003. I am really proud to contribute to many efforts creating meaningful change with and for students, for our campus, and in our communities. Thank you to the award committee and President Neufeldt for this humbling recognition.”

Clark-Ibáñez has served on committees at the college, university and California State University system levels, including as a member of the CHABSS Chicanx studies leadership committee (2012-18) and American Indian studies curriculum committee and advisory council (2012-16), as the faculty lead for the Hispanic-Serving Institutions grant Pathways to Academic Success and Opportunity (2015-17) and as a reviewer of sociology course descriptors from community colleges for the CSU Chancellor’s Office Lower-Division Transfer Patterns project (2006-08).

She also served from 2016-20 as Faculty Center director for the National Latino Research Center, where she and her team brought in nearly $10 million in external grants and contracts. Funded projects included civic engagement and leadership development for Latinx, immigrant and Spanish-speaking families as well as formerly incarcerated individuals.

Clark-Ibáñez’s research addresses critical social issues, with two major focuses: undocumented immigration and computer science education. Her work on undocumented immigration has resulted in published books, journal articles and practical guides that illuminate the educational experiences of undocumented and mixed-status students.

She co-led, with computer science professor Youwen Ouyang, a five-year, $1 million National Science Foundation grant project to provide scholarships, mentorship and career preparation for low-income computer science students, bridging gaps in student retention and the students' social capital and community cultural wealth.

“Over the past 21 years at CSUSM, Dr. Clark-Ibáñez has exemplified excellence through her impactful teaching, innovative initiatives to connect STEM fields and the social sciences, and dedicated service to the campus community, her colleagues and students,” Neufeldt said.

CSUSM has given out the Brakebill Award since 1998. It’s named for Harry E. Brakebill, a former executive vice chancellor of the CSU system and a valued adviser in the early years of CSUSM. The award was established by his daughter, Ann Bersi.

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Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
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Griffith’s research focuses on the sociology of queer life, cities and human agency. He examines what happens to the collective identity of queer neighborhoods as society's perception of LGBTQ+ people evolves.

“I investigate the material impacts that arise for individuals within these communities,” Griffith writes on the Master of Arts of Sociological Practice website. “By analyzing the genealogies of queer neighborhoods, I aim to understand the consequences of changes to both the physical and social spaces that exist within them.” 

The conference’s theme focused on human rights, policy threats, alliances and community resistance. The keynote speaker was UC San Diego sociology professor Camila Alvarez, who’s speech focused on environmental justice issues.

The mission of the California Sociological Association is to promote the scientific study of society among interested persons within the state of California; to stimulate discussion and encourage cooperative relations among persons engaged in the scientific study of society; and to further the aims of instruction, practice and research in the field of sociology.

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Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs
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The award honors alumni associations’ pioneering programs, culture and initiatives that encourage and support diversity, inclusion and a sense of belonging for all alumni, irrespective of racial or ethnic background, sexual or gender identity, religion, socio-economic status, world view and beyond.

CSUSM will be featured, along with 31 other recipients, in the June 2024 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.

"Today, we celebrate not only the remarkable achievements of our Alumni Association and our team, but also the vibrant mosaic of experiences, backgrounds and dreams that define our alumni community,” said Lori Brockett, associate vice president of alumni engagement and university events. “Over 57% of our graduates last year were first in their families to earn a degree, and each one of our alumni brings a unique narrative of resilience, making it imperative that our association board reflects the diversity of our student body.”

INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine selected the CSUSM Alumni Association because of its commitment to diversity initiatives, including a focused goal of recruitment and representation on the Alumni Council Board to reflect that of the diverse student body at CSUSM. The CSUSM Alumni Association also was noted for creating and building affinity group alumni networks over the past few years.  

“We know that alumni associations are not always recognized for their dedication to diversity, inclusion and belonging,” said Lenore Pearlstein, owner and publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. “We are proud to honor these college and university alumni associations as role models for other institutions of higher education.”

This marks a special recognition for the CSUSM Alumni Association and coincides with the recent accolade won by the CSUSM library for access and diversity. CSUSM proudly upholds its commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable campus community and also celebrates a decade of consecutive honors as the recipient of the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity award by INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.

For more information about the 2024 Alumni Association Inclusive Excellence Award, visit insightintodiversity.com.

This year marks the first year that INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine has presented the LEAD Award, which honors academic libraries’ programs and initiatives that encourage and support DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) across their campus. These include, but are not limited to, research, technology, accessibility, exhibitions and community outreach.  

The CSUSM library will be featured, along with 55 other recipients, in the March 2024 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. 

“We are so grateful for this honor that recognizes the work we do each day for the benefit of our students and in alignment with our campus values,” said Jennifer Fabbi, dean of the CSUSM library. “While we know that diversity work never ends, we are proud to be placed with such an access- and justice-minded group of libraries.” 

Insight Into Diversity magazine selected the CSUSM library because of its many diversity initiatives, including the infusion of DEI in its recently completed strategic plan; hiring a bilingual (Spanish and English) librarian to work with student families and the larger community; its support of underrepresented authors and researchers; art installations with DEI themes; and mandatory and valued DEI work in the librarian tenure process. 

“We know that many academic libraries are not always recognized for their dedication to diversity, inclusion and access” said Lenore Pearlstein, owner and publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. “We are proud to honor these college and university libraries as role models for other institutions of higher education.” 

A call for nominations for this award was announced in October. 

INSIGHT Into Diversity also annually hands out the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, which recognizes U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. CSUSM last fall received the HEED Award for the 10^th consecutive year.  

For more information about the 2024 LEAD Award, visit insightintodiversity.com. 

The CSU received the Momentum Award at the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Summit in Los Angeles on Sunday. The event, put on by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, recognizes organizations and individuals for their outstanding contributions to advancing MHFA’s reach across the country.

The Momentum Award, handed out for the first time this year, was instituted to celebrate an organization that has built considerable enthusiasm for MHFA in their community.

MHFA is training that teaches individuals how to identify,  understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders.  

Strother is a Spanish professor who has taught in CSUSM’s Modern Language Studies department since 1993. In 2019, she was introduced to MHFA by Bonnie Gasior, a fellow Spanish professor from Cal State Long Beach, and the two faculty found it so empowering that they became certified to facilitate the training.

The next year, Strother and Gasior were named faculty fellows for Student Mental Health and Wellbeing through the CSU’s Innovative Teaching and Future Faculty Development program. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic that spring, they developed two webinars to prepare faculty and student support professionals to become virtual mental health allies.

Since then, they have trained more than 600 CSU faculty in MHFA across all 23 campuses.

Strother and Gasior shared the Momentum Award with Emily Daniell Magruder, the CSU’s director of Innovative Teaching and Future Faculty Development, who accepted the award at the L.A. Convention Center; and Sailesh Maharjan, also a faculty fellow and a psychology lecturer at Cal State San Bernardino.  

“I’m honored to be part of the team that received this amazing recognition,” Strother said. “It is really a testament to the caring and committed faculty across the CSU who understand that knowing how to address our students’ mental health needs better can go a long way in supporting our students’ success.”

Strother designed and taught a course called “Literatura y salud mental” (Literature and Mental Health) and directed a CSUSM Faculty Learning Community on the topic of MHFA. She has provided faculty workshops both in the United States and in Latin America on the topic of mental health in higher education.

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306