The Social Work Pioneer Program was created to honor members of the social work profession who have contributed to the evolution and enrichment of the profession. The Pioneer Program identifies and recognizes individuals whose unique dedication, commitment and determination have improved social and human conditions.

NASW Pioneers are considered role models for future generations of social workers. Their contributions are reflected in every aspect of the profession, as well as in the establishment of social policies and human services programs.

Haynes will be honored at the NASW Social Work Pioneers 13^th Annual Program & Luncheon on Oct. 28 in Washington, D.C. The NASW is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world with 132,000 members.

Haynes is CSUSM’s longest-serving president and the senior president in the 23-campus California State University system, the first woman to hold that position. She has served for over 30 years as an academic administrator and is in her 23rd year as a university president, including 8½ years as president of the University of Houston-Victoria.

Drawing upon her experience as a social worker, Haynes has long championed higher education as an engine of social mobility and regional prosperity. Fifty-four percent of CSUSM’s 2017 graduating class were the first in their families to earn a four-year degree and 38 percent were from historically underrepresented backgrounds.

Under her leadership, CSUSM has become a first-choice campus for the region, with a particular focus on serving educationally at-risk student populations such as:

• Former foster youth, who have an 86 percent retention rate — 30 points higher than the average college student and nearly 15 percent higher than similar support programs — thanks to CSUSM’s ACE Scholars Services, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
• Veterans, including the highest percentage of veterans and military-affiliated students in the CSU system.
• American Indians, who comprise 4 percent of CSUSM’s total student population; the University has the highest per-capita number — and the only increasing number — of American Indian students in the CSU system.

Haynes leads CSUSM with her eye continually trained on social transformation through access and education; increasing the educational attainment rate of students in the region; developing relevant degree programs that make CSUSM students in demand; and engaging with the community in unique and meaningful ways. She has overseen tremendous growth at CSUSM, including the construction of 10 new facilities, the addition of a Temecula campus, and the doubling of relevant new academic programs and career certificates.

Haynes has received numerous awards and honors for her work, including:

• The 2015 Woman of the Year Award from San Diego Magazine for her commitment to creating positive change in the region;
• The 2015 President of the Year Award from the California State Student Association, which represents all 460,000 CSU students, for outstanding commitment to CSU students;
• Named a Power Broker of 2015 by the San Diego Business Journal for being a “catalyst for change and a champion for the underserved” in her leadership of CSUSM;
• The Cool Woman of 2015 Award from the San Diego Girl Scouts; and
• In 2014, the Social Work Degree Guide named Haynes the third-most influential social worker in the United States.

A first-generation college student, Haynes holds both a doctorate in Social Work from the University of Texas in Austin and a master’s in Social Work from McGill University in Montreal.

About California State University San Marcos

Building on an innovative 27-year history, California State University San Marcos is a forward-focused institution, dedicated to preparing future leaders, building great communities and solving critical issues. Located on a 304-acre hillside overlooking the City of San Marcos, it is the only public four-year comprehensive university serving North San Diego, Southwest Riverside and South Orange Counties.

The University enrolls nearly 17,000 students. With approximately 2,000 employees, the institution is a Great College to Work For® (The Chronicle of Higher Education). As a recipient of the annual HEED Award since 2014—a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion—CSUSM is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment.

Travel changes how you see the world and, perhaps even greater, travel changes how you see yourself in the world. Personal growth and self-discovery happen when you step outside of your comfort zone, and traveling can get you into that zone fast.

I was 23 when I boarded my first international flight. The destination: Malaysia. But this flight – which would seed my passion for travel – was not intended for vacation. I was moving to Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. It was a real change from my East Coast roots and it was my first time leaving North America.

Although I lived in Kuala Lumpur, I traveled along the eastern coast of Malaysia and visited rural areas as well. Living abroad opened my eyes to so much of the world, and those experiences imprinted a deep desire to see and experience more of it.

Two years later, I stepped further out of my comfort zone when I accepted a job managing research and training contracts for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in Cairo, Egypt. Being a young, working mother in the Arab world in the late 1970s had its challenges.I had to navigate through gender roles and discrimination as well as harassment in public areas. I had to hone my skills as a leader within a culture that was new to me. Active listening takes on a whole new meaning when your team's first language is different from your own. Motivating staff also proved to be an interesting challenge, as salary incentives did not exist in Egypt at the time. Instead, I had to develop a leadership style grounded in intrinsic motivation, and the power of persuasion.

Rarely do I visit the same place twice but I keep a record of every trip and every city. I also maintain a list of all the countries I have traveled to (44 nations so far), as well as a list of all the places I still want to see. I have had the privilege of visiting and living on six of the seven continents, excluding only Antarctica.

When I travel, I like to wander and discover hidden shops tucked away. I like to sample authentic flavors at quaint restaurants and cafes untouched by commercial tourism (although always with caution in regards to food preparation). I like to explore a city, town, or village as much like a local as possible, and meet new people along the way.

As I wander, I always find something wonderful: a clearer perspective. Traveling always gives me an opportunity to look both outward and inward. When I go abroad, it is easy to see firsthand our many interesting differences, whether political, religious, or ethnic, that are equally compelling and powerful. It is through travel that I know that we don’t always have all the answers in this country – from how we engage in diplomacy to how we do business. Travel also gives me an appreciation for what I consider the comforts of home.

For all the amazing growth that comes from traveling, living in another country is transformative. Don’t just take my word for it, ask any one of our 390 international and exchange students at CSUSM. They will tell you – just as I have experienced firsthand – nothing can compare to the eye-opening experiences of living, studying, working, and managing the ordinary tasks of everyday life in a foreign country.

As summer approaches and you begin to make plans, I hope that you will consider traveling somewhere new. It doesn't have to be far, or expensive, or even international. Diverse experiences may be just up the street or a road trip away. I encourage you to use this time to explore, to study abroad, to travel, and to live outside your comfort zone. It will change you – I know it changed me. And, like me, it could begin to prepare you for a career you never saw coming.

I am very proud of how our entire campus community responded to this crisis situation - from our orderly evacuation to the tireless dedication of our emergency operations personnel. As a campus, our training and preparation allowed us to ensure the safety of our campus community, make critical decisions and provide timely and frequent updates. Once again our campus community demonstrated the unique spirit that makes us Cal State San Marcos.

We are especially grateful for the eight military Sea Hawk helicopters and the Cal Fire DC 10 Air Tank that flew over our hills making drops of flame retardant and water; and to the firefighters and police from so many other districts who came together to fight these fires. Their efforts ensured the safety of our campus and saved so many homes and businesses in our surrounding community.

Over the coming weeks our region will continue to recover from these horrific wildfires. Our campus will serve as a resource to help aid and facilitate that effort.