Graduate students perform “Class of 2012,” a hip-hop dance choreographed by Allen Chung and Rowena Garcia of the Department of Kinesiology for “Colaboratoria: Graduate Student and Faculty Dance Concert.” The concert took place in the Plaza del Sol Performance Hall on Nov. 13 and 14, showcasing diverse dance styles and bringing choreographic visions to life. Above, the piece is performed by the dance crew called Creative Organization for Synergistic Movement and Innovative Choreography (COSMIC). From left: Thalia Diaz, Daniel Johnnson, Bebe Liang, Nancy Ishiara, Rowena Garcia, Talia Magleby, Michael Santos and Brandon Tong.

Leanne Stein is the recipient of the first Mediscan scholarship for speech-language pathologists. Photo by Lee Choo.

Mediscan, one of the largest healthcare staffing firms in Southern California, is honoring California State University, Northridge’s impact on their company by partnering with the Communication Disorders and Sciences (CDS) program in CSUN’s College of Health and Human Development. Mediscan is now providing $1,000 scholarships to master’s students training to be speech-language pathologists (SLPs), an area in which Mediscan works extensively, staffing both school and clinical settings.

The first scholarship recipient, Leanne Stein, a student in her final year of the CDS program, received the inaugural award this year. In addition to taking required classes and clinical hours, Stein has been working to cover her expenses. But with two externships and comprehensive exams to complete this year in addition to her finishing her final courses, Stein was going have limited, if any, time to work to pay for it all.

The scholarship provides Stein with the ability to focus on school. “Being able to put money away and save up for the time I won’t be working is really helpful,” Stein said. “To not have to work and be able to focus these last two semesters really on finishing and studying and learning as much as I can before I’m done definitely helps.”

Emily Serebryany ’94 (Accounting), president of Mediscan, founded the company with her husband just a year after graduating from CSUN in 1994. With many campus buildings rendered uninhabitable by the earthquake at the start of that year, her final classes were held in tents. Although her most profound memory of CSUN is of shaken foundations, the foundation CSUN gave her is anything but.

“I am a first-generation immigrant,” said Serebryany, “so I came here without any funds or support. CSUN really helped me to build a foundation and a way to move from not having anything to having a very successful company. It was a foundation for me. Its impact can’t get any bigger than that.”

Mediscan considered several universities when deciding where to fund scholarships. While giving to her alma mater is very gratifying, the excellence of the CSUN CDS program itself compelled Serebryany and her colleagues to make their gift here. “It’s an amazing program,” said Serebryany. “We dealt with some other schools in the country, but this program is very unique, especially the way people are dedicated to the program. It was shown to us on different levels. I was just really impressed.”

Speaking as one businesswoman who is supporting the program, Serebryany agrees that it’s important to support future generations. “I came to this country with absolutely nothing, and I got a chance to succeed,” she said. “It is my personal obligation to share this with other people and help out people who are in the position I was in 20 years ago, and it’s a great personal satisfaction to be able to help out and share the success of the company while helping someone else to succeed. On the company level, it’s been the same philosophy—you want to help people succeed and reach their potential.”

With the strength of the CDS program and Mediscan’s support, Stein knows that she is being well prepared for her future career. “The program itself is so diverse and so strong and then having such a big alumni network, it just gives me confidence that when I graduate I am going to be OK,” she says. “I’m smart enough, got enough information in grad school, and learned everything I was supposed to in order to go out in the world and make CSUN proud.”

Has racial discrimination disappeared, or does it still continue in subtler forms? Virginia Huynh, assistant professor of child and adolescent development, presents her research on the impact of microaggressions in social interaction.

Produced by University Advancement, the “Think CSUN” video series features faculty experts at Cal State Northridge. We asked these campus thought leaders to speak clearly, candidly and off-the-cuff on contemporary issues in their fields of expertise.

The Big West Conference has thrown down the gauntlet and the student-athletes at California State University, Northridge and their classmates in CSUN’s Department of Kinesiology have taken up the challenge.

For the past six years, conference officials have challenged the student-athletes at its 10 member institutions to collect coins to donate to charity. The college that collects the most money also gets to claim 25 percent of what is collected by its sister institutions for its chosen charity.

CSUN’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee has chosen 100 Citizens, an innovative, multigenerational wellness project that encourages San Fernando residents to make healthy life choices, as their charity, and they have until Feb. 28 to collect their coins.

“We’re going for first place,” said Associate Athletic Director Janet Pinneau, noting that CSUN’s middle of the pack placement last year didn’t sit well with the members of its athletic teams. Last year’s winner was Pacific University in Stockton, which collected $3,495.24 in coins, while CSUN brought in $1,129.44.

“We know we can do better than that,” Pinneau said.

Kinesiology professor Steven Loy, who developed the 100 Citizens program with San Fernando recreation officials and works with a team of CSUN students who facilitate it, is determined to see CSUN win

He’s galvanized his students to help the student-athletes place coin collection buckets in strategic locations across the campus, including key eating facilities, and in San Fernando, and collect money at all Matador athletic events this month.

“I know we can do this,” he said, adding that the goal is to collect enough money for creating a TRX training facility, which uses suspension training to work on a number of muscles at the same time, for use by the citizens of San Fernando.

“We’ll take anything you are willing to give, whether its pennies or dollar bills,” he said. “This is a worthy program that is making a difference in the health of the residents of San Fernando, and we’d love to see it continue to grow and be a further demonstration of what 100 Citizen programs can do.”

Pinneau invited everyone, on and off the Northridge campus, to contribute.

“100 Citizens is a good program that is doing good in the community, and we would love to add their efforts,” she said. “You can come to a Matador game, or just drop by the campus and we’ll accept your coins, no matter how small. Every penny helps.”

Those interested in helping the campaign, can drop by the Department of Kinesiology in Redwood Hall on the west side of the campus at 18111 Nordhoff St. in Northridge or attend a Matador game. For a game schedule, visit the website http://www.gomatadors.com/landing/index.

Prominent dietitian Julieanna Hever M.S. ’05 (Family and Consumer Sciences) will discuss plant-based diets in a lecture at CSUN.

Prominent dietitian Julieanna Hever M.S. ’05 (Family and Consumer Sciences) will discuss plant-based diets and their importance in improving health, fostering sustainability and addressing hunger in a lecture at California State University, Northridge on Thursday, March 14.

The lecture, entitled “Whole Food, Plant-based Diets: Improving Health, Fostering Sustainability and Addressing Hunger,” will be held in room 113 of Nordhoff Hall on the south edge of campus at 18111 Nordhoff St. in Northridge. Admission is free.

The event is presented as part of the Marilyn Magaram Center for Food Science, Nutrition and Dietetics’ Continuing Education Series, in collaboration with the Office of Graduate Studies’ Distinguished Visiting Speaker Program, a program designed to bring well-known speakers to CSUN.

Hever, also known as “The Plant-Based Dietitian,” is a passionate advocate of following a whole food, plant-based diet. She is the host of Veria Living Network’s “What Would Julieanna Do?” author of the best-selling book, “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition,” and the nutrition columnist for VegNews Magazine. She is the co-author of “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Gluten-Free Vegan Cooking,” which she wrote with Chef Beverly Lynn Bennett. She also has been featured on numerous television and radio programs, lectures extensively throughout the United States and counsels a variety of clients around the world.

Hever received her master’s degree in family and consumer sciences, with a focus in nutrition, dietetics & food science from CSUN in 2005. According to Ritamarie Little, associate director of the Marilyn Magaram Center, this was a crucial draw in bringing Hever to campus. “As an alumna, she provides a great example for our current students of the many possibilities available to them in a career in food science and nutrition,” Little said.

CSUN’s Marilyn Magaram Center for Food Science, Nutrition and Dietetics promotes interdisciplinary alliances in the study of food science, nutrition and dietetics and distributes this knowledge to students, professionals, and the community. The Center supports research, education, and community services. It also serves to provide programs not normally offered through university curriculum and programs, including outreach to local communities, where the Center addresses health disparities and works within communities to find solutions. The Center hosts and funds all of its programs relying on both government and foundation grants and private donations for all operations.

For more: Learn more about the Hever’s lecture and the Magaram Center at the Marilyn Magaram Center’s website.

With funds from the Suzan Jean Lebowitz Scholar program, Silvia Juarez Viveros, shown here at her undergraduate commencement from CSUN, is conducting graduate-level nutrition research in local schools.

Silvia Juarez Viveros, a California State University, Northridge, graduate student pursuing a master’s in nutrition and food science, has been named the inaugural Suzan Jean Lebowitz Scholar.

Juaraez Viveros, who earned a bachelor’s degree in nutrition at CSUN, is using the funds to conduct field research on nutrition education in local elementary schools.

For her project, Juaraez Viveros has been teaching garden and nutrition lessons to parents of children at Van Nuys elementary schools. She will then be studying how the classes impacted the family’s diets. If effective, the program will be studied further and implemented in more schools.

Juaraez Viveros is excited at the opportunity to continue working with community members and impact health, especially childhood obesity. “I really look forward to putting all my energy and best efforts into each lesson and interaction with the parents. I know this will be essential to making the most positive impact in their lives and helping them lead healthier lifestyles,” she said.

The Suzan Jean Lebowitz Scholar program is funded by a generous endowment from Marty and Joanie Lebowitz ’75 (Home Economics). Named in honor of their daughter, who passed away at just two years old, the program provides funds for research in nutrition, a topic close to the Lebowitzes’ hearts, since Joanie studied it while earning her second bachelor’s degree at CSUN.

Marty and Joanie Lebowitz, photographed on the CSUN campus, have endowed the Suzan Jean Lebowitz Scholar program to fund research in nutrition. Photo by Lee Choo.

When her daughter passed away, Joanie Lebowitz began taking college courses, first at Santa Monica College and then at CSUN. “Cal State Northridge gave me a lot of comfort during a time of grieving, and they really helped me move forward,” she said. “The endowment is a way of honoring Suzan and giving back to Cal State Northridge, who gave a lot to me.”

The Lebowitzes decided to fund nutrition research in honor of their daughter, furthering CSUN’s ability to attract and support talented graduate students while also furthering nutrition’s crucial role in public health. “I think there are so many health problems that are going to solved with good nutrition,” said Joanie Lebowitz.

“Words can’t describe how thankful I am to Marty and Joanie Lebowitz for their generosity and kindness,” said Juaraez Viveros. “It’s a huge honor to be the recipient of this research grant because it comes from individuals who also have a passion for improving the lives of others.”

For the Lebowitzes, the ability to determine exactly how their gift would be used was crucial. “We were given the choice of directing our contribution in a way that gave us even greater pleasure than simply giving a general donation, so we picked nutrition, which is very dear to our hearts,” said Marty Lebowitz.

Joanie Lebowitz echoed his sentiments when asked about her advice to anyone else considering a gift to the university. “Give sincerely from your heart with lots of love,” she said. “Pick out something, a real worthy cause, and go for it!”

For more: Help other students by contributing to CSUN student scholarships.

CSUN nursing students practice their skills on a “mannequin” in the university’s nursing lab. Photo by Jenny Donaire.

California State University, Northridge nursing students have achieved a near-perfect pass rate on the national pre-licensure exam.

Recent rankings from the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), which measures the competencies needed to perform safely and effectively as a newly licensed entry level nurse, show that CSUN students achieved a 97.06 percent pass rate. For the past several years, Cal State Northridge’s nursing students have been receiving a pass rate of more than 90 percent.

“The ability of our students to pass the board exam is a conformation of the high quality of our program here at CSUN, and the quality of students attracted to the program,” said Marianne Hattar-Pollara, chair of CSUN’s Department of Nursing.

CSUN offers several nursing programs, includeing an accelerated bachelor’s of science in nursing (A-BSN), the Registered Nurse (RN) to BSN program and a public health nursing certificate. The mission of CSUN’s bachelor of science in nursing degree is to develop professional nursing leaders in all areas of practice who can apply new and past nursing knowledge and build upon existing competencies.

The NCLEX exam is required to be taken by every candidate wishing to become a nurse. The examination measures the competencies needed to perform safely and effectively as a newly licensed, entry-level nurse. National Council of State Boards of Nursing, develops two licensure examinations, the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN), that are used by boards of nursing to assist in making licensure decisions.

“The A-BSN, attracts a highly qualified pool of applicants, but we are normally able to only admit about 9 to 10 percent,” said Hattar. “Currently we run two cohorts per year. We are working on expanding the program to include one more cohort per year.”

For more information on CSUN’s nursing program visit their website at http://www.csun.edu/~nursing/.

CSUN Nursing programs offer a options for students with a bachelor’s in any discipline who do not have their RN but wish to earn the BSN. Students entering programs with an RNs can enhance their education through the BSN or thepublic health nursing certificate.. Options include taking advantage of a partnership between CSUN and College of the Canyons which allows students to enroll in both nursing programs concurrently, taking courses for their BSN from CSUN while completing their associate degree at College of the Canyons.

When Carly Marino ’06 (Kinesiology), M.S. ’08 (Kinesiology) was a student at California State University, Northridge, she appreciated the importance of mentors and professionals in guiding her career. She said the faculty provided great education and insight but she had questions for professionals working in her field of interest.

That’s why Marino, now a regional physical activity specialist with the state’s Department of Public Health Network for a Healthy California, participated in the College of Health and Human Development’s annual Professor for a Day program. She was one of 15 guest lecturers to participate in the event on Thursday, March 14.

“When I was in your shoes,” she told the students in her class. “I was always trying to figure it all out, and I just wanted someone to answer my questions.”

The guest lecturers were a mix of alumni and community leaders who donned the title of “professor” and shared useful advice and personal stories about how they have achieved success in their profession. They represented a cross-section of the college’s nine departments and lectured on a range of topics, including child and adolescent development; radiography; nursing; speech and language development; women’s health; organizational health services; nutrition; kinesiology; leadership in recreation; meetings and conventions; the fashion industry; and health administration.

“Programs like this (Professor for a Day) offer an opportunity for students to have candid conversations with professionals about real life experiences in careers,” said Marino about the program.

Sylvia Alva, dean of the College of Health and Human Development, said the Professor for A Day program is a “great example of how CSUN shines.”

“The guest professors were impressed by our students and the quality of their questions, and our students were able to benefit from the knowledge and experience of many of our alumni and supporters,” Alva said. “As leaders and mentors in their fields, our alumni bring a wealth of professional knowledge and career advice to the classroom.”

Karen Embrey ’04 (Nursing), clinical director of the USC Keck School of Medicine nurse anesthesia program, recommended that students commit to being “lifelong learners.”

“Have a vision for yourself,” Embrey said. “The secret to success is making little steps everyday towards your goal.”

Houman Salem ’94 (History), founder of Argyle Partners, a global management consulting firm to the fashion, apparel and retail industry, told students in a apparel design and merchandising class to stay “flexible and nimble” with their careers.

“The successful ones (students) will be able to adapt to different environments,” Salem said.

Edward Daco, a student in the college’s nursing program, said the Professor for a Day program is “extremely helpful.”

“It has really helped me see nursing from different perspectives and specialties,” he said.

Speech-language pathology students at work. Photo by Lee Choo.

The University Professional Continuing Education Association (UPCEA) has given California State University, Northridge its 2013 Outstanding Program Award, specifically recognizing the university’s Master of Science in Communication Disorders and Sciences: Speech-Language Pathology program for its innovative work in the field.

CSUN’s Tseng College and College of Health and Human Development collaborate in this fully online program, which draws students from around the country. Speech-language pathologists help people of all ages who need assistance learning to communicate because of conditions ranging from illness and injury to congenital speech or communication impairment.

“We thank you for your innovative programming, which provides a model to which your colleagues can aspire,” said Alice S. Warren, chair of the awards committee for UPCEA, an association of leaders in professional, continuing and online education from throughout North America.

The UPCEA will formally present the award to university officials today at its annual conference in Boston.

“We proudly share this honor with Tseng College,” said Sylvia Alva, dean of the College of Health and Human Development. “A strong online program like this does not develop overnight. This important award reflects our commitment to academic standards and forward-thinking in quality online education programs.”

Joyce Feucht-Haviar, university senior international officer and dean of the Tseng College, praised the collaboration that created and continues the program, saying, “Together we can make grand things happen.”

Jennifer Kalfsbeek, director of graduate and professional education and services for the Tseng College, said congratulations were in order “for Stephen Sinclair, chair of the Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences, and his exceptional team of faculty who teach in the program. Special thanks also to go key support staff members who make this extraordinary offering the best online communication disorders and sciences program in the nation.”

The program fills a vital need in a field where demand continues to grow. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook projects employment growth in the field of 23 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than average for all other occupations.

CSUN’s College of Health and Human Development offers 11 undergraduate and 10 graduate degree programs in disciplines and areas of study that prepare students for a wide range of rewarding and dynamic professional careers and areas of study, including child and adolescent development, communication disorders and sciences, environmental and occupational health, family and consumer sciences, health sciences, kinesiology, nursing, physical therapy and recreation and tourism management. It also offers several credentials in partnership with CSUN’s Michael D. Eisner College of Education, and self-supported programs in partnership with the Tseng College. Its mission is to prepare competent and caring professionals who share the university’s commitment to enhance and promote the health and wellbeing of the diverse communities Cal State Northridge serves.

The Tseng College is one of nine academic colleges at California State University, Northridge and is dedicated to helping professionals and other students achieve education in areas that demand increased knowledge and sophistication. In addition to offering master’s degrees in collaboration with CSUN’s other colleges, Tseng College also offers graduate and continuing education-unit certificate programs, Intensive English and University Pathway Programs for international students, programs for professionals in government and nonprofit sectors, and University Access programs such as Winter Term, Summer Session and Open University.

Dancers perform “Tala” at last year’s annual “Kinesis: Emerging Choreography” performance at the Plaza del Sol Performance Hall. Hilary Gereaux and professional classical Indian dancer Tharini Shanmugarajah (facing forward, from left to right), and Darrell Hardaway, Rebecca Daly and Cheyenne Spencer (with their backs to audience, from left to right). Photo by Lee Choo.

California State University, Northridge students will demonstrate diverse choreographic visions, passionate dancing and powerful performances at the Department of Kinesiology’s annual spring dance concert.

The “Kinesis: Emerging Choreography” show will take place on Tuesday, April 23, at 8 p.m. and Wednesday, April 24 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the Plaza Del Sol Performance Hall, located in the University Student Union on the east side of the campus.

“The choreographers’ mission is to have an artistic and creative voice,” said Paula Thomson, kinesiology professor and event director. “All of the dances have special meaning behind them as they tackle different themes addressing powerful, social and political issues.”

The Department of Kinesiology will feature the best undergraduate choreographers’ work, which were juried and selected by a panel of experts. Performances will range from West African dance, to classical East Indian dance and mixtures of hip-hop and Irish dance. The dance concert also will include well-known professional dancers such as Hilary Gereaux, Talia Magleby and Tharini Shamuganarajah.

Tickets for the event are $15 for students and seniors and $20 for nonstudents. To obtain tickets, call (818) 677-2488. For more information about the performance, contact Paula Thomson at (818) 677-7575 or paula.thomson@csun.edu.

Journalism professor Melissa Lalum working with a student on an iPad. Photo by Lee Choo.

California State University, Northridge President Dianne F. Harrison has announced the launch of myCSUNtablet Initiative to reduce the cost and increase the quality of learning materials for CSUN students.

The initiative includes courses in multiple disciplinary programs across the campus. It will formally begin this fall in biology, journalism, public health, physical therapy, kinesiology, liberal studies and engineering and computer science. As part of the initiative, participating students will be able to purchase iPads on a payment plan and gain immediate access to e-texts, apps and other e-learning materials for their classes.

“This partnership represents the university’s commitment to explore new technologies to improve student learning and success, as well as help reduce costs for students,” said Harrison. “I’m delighted by this partnership with Apple and look forward to evaluating the impact this effort will have on learning.”

Hilary J. Baker, CSUN’s vice president for information technology and chief information officer, said the use of the iPads in the classroom is all about enhancing the student experience—reducing the cost and increasing the quality of learning materials for students.

“The myCSUNtablet Initiative uses Apple iPad technology as the enabler to provide new forms of teaching and learning materials in a single portable device for students to use anytime and anywhere,” Baker said.

University officials noted the cost for the iPads being used in the myCSUNtablet Initiative is less than what it would cost the students to purchase the traditional textbooks and materials that would normally be used in their courses. Students who already have iPads meeting the minimum requirements are free to use their own equipment. The university is also offering several payment plan options to spread the cost of an iPad out over a sequence of courses for those students who may need assistance.

Students may choose to participate in the myCSUNtablet Initiative by selecting designated “myCSUNtablet” course sections in the schedule of classes for the fall 2013 semester. These selected courses will not require a textbook. Instead, the courses will use digital materials on the iPad, including e-texts, apps and other learning materials.

University officials said the initiative would be evaluated regularly to examine the impact of tablets on student-learning outcomes. Faculty taking part in the myCSUNtablet Initiative will also be encouraged to convene periodically, either within departments or across departments, to share thoughts, breakthroughs, new apps, lessons learned and evaluate student/learner outcomes.

More than 70 faculty members are supporting the initiative and all student professional advisors will be using the iPad to help students register for classes in the fall.

Students already using their personal iPads for classwork said using the tablet has enhanced their learning experiences and they look forward to taking classes using it as a primary tool for coursework.

“It’s definitely worth it to have an iPad,” said chemistry major Shawnita Preyer. “The portability of being able to go where you need to go and to take everything with you, that’s the best.”

Teewa Saks, who is getting her master’s in elementary education, agreed.

“It’s amazing how you can take pictures and make videos. There are so many ways you can be creative with it,” she added.

Journalism professor Melissa Lalum said she looked forward to the start of the initiative.

“I think it’s an incredible opportunity to harness the multiple uses of a tablet to create more student-centered learning opportunities,” she said.

A model shows off the designs of 2012 TRENDS fashion show first place winner Akane Shimizu. This year’s show will be held Saturday, April 27. Photo by Lee Choo.

Apparel design and merchandising students will showcase their most stylish creations at California State University, Northridge’s annual spring fashion show on Saturday, April 27.

The 34^th annual spring fashion show, titled “Through the Looking Glass: A Fashion Wonderland,” presented by the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences and TRENDS, the department’s student fashion organization, will take place at on Saturday, April 27  at 5 p.m. in the University Student Union’s Northridge Center.The Apparel Design and Merchandising fashion show production class and TRENDS will collaborate to host a show that highlights the university’s graduating apparel design and merchandising students. Sixteen graduating seniors will present their collections of five to six different looks with the help of student volunteer models who will walk the runway.

“It showcases student designers’ work in a professional fashion show setting where judges from the industry evaluate and critique each student’s designs,” said Zouleika Knight, student co-director of the show. “The event enables fashion students to gain exposure for their designs, network and get real-life insights from professionals in the working world.”

The event will begin with a private dean’s reception at 3 p.m. followed by VIP party at 4 p.m. for those who purchased VIP tickets. Doors will open for the general public at 5 p.m. for the show.

The fashion show is paid for with funds raised by TRENDS throughout the year and donations from sponsors, family members and other community organizations. This year’s major sponsors are Fashion Supplies Inc., a garment supply retailer servicing students and Milani Cosmetics, a multicultural collection that creates wearable colors for all ethnicities.

“The spring fashion show gives our students, TRENDS, and our program exposure to the fashion industry,” said Shirley Warren, apparel design and merchandising faculty and faculty producer of the fashion show. “It’s an opportunity for the community to see what our students have to showcase.”

Tickets are available at the Associated Students box office and Ticketmaster. Tickets are $10 for CSUN students and $15 for general admission. VIP tickets are sold-out.

2013 graduating students. Photo by Nestor Garcia.

California State University, Northridge ranks among the top 10 universities in the country that award undergraduate and graduate degrees to Hispanic students, according to Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education.

The magazine’s annual ranking of the “Top 100” institutions for Hispanics appears in its May 13 issue.

“I am pleased to see the university maintain its high ranking on this list,” said CSUN President Dianne F. Harrison. “The recognition underscores our standing as one of the most diverse university campuses in the nation, as well as our commitment to success and in providing opportunity and access to students from traditionally underrepresented communities.”

Northridge ranked 10th in the nation among colleges and universities that award undergraduate and graduate degrees. Miami Dade College in Florida ranked first, followed by Florida International University and the University of Texas-Pan American. Cal State Fullerton, which ranked eighth, and CSUN were the only California institutions of higher education to break the top 10 based on 2011 data from the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics’ Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System.

CSUN ranked fifth in the nation in the total number of Hispanic undergraduate and graduate students enrolled full time. First was Miami Dade College, followed by Florida International University, the University of Texas-Pan American and the University of Texas at El Paso. CSUN ranked 19th in total enrollment, both full- and part-time, of Hispanic undergraduate and graduate students.

The magazine also ranked CSUN first in the nation for bachelor’s degrees awarded to Hispanic students in journalism and in liberal arts and sciences; second in bachelor’s degrees awarded in general psychology; fourth in degrees awarded in the social sciences; ninth in degrees awarded in ethnic, cultural, minority or gender studies; and 10th in health and physical education or fitness.

California State University, Northridge has more than 36,000 full- and part-time students—34 percent of whom are Hispanic—and offers 69 bachelor’s and 57 master’s degrees, 28 teaching credential programs and two applied doctoral degree programs. Founded in 1958, CSUN is among the largest single-campus universities in the nation and the only four-year public university in the San Fernando Valley. The university is home to dozens of nationally recognized programs where students gain valuable hands-on experience working alongside faculty and industry professionals, whether in the sciences, health care and engineering or education, political science, the arts and the social sciences. While regionally focused, the university’s faculty and administrators recognize the important role its students and alumni play in shaping the future of the state and the nation.

Paula Thompson working with a student. Photo by Lee Choo.

California State University, Northridge kinesiology professor Paula Thomson has been named one of the top female professors in California by StateStas.org.

Thomson has been at the university for seven years. Prior to joining CSUN she taught and/or choreographed at the Julliard School of Music, Stratford Shakespearean Festival and Canadian Opera Company.

Her research, started when she worked at York University in Toronto, Canada, focuses on dissociation, trauma, and metabolic disorders and their effects on creativity.

“When I came to CSUN, I immediately began collaborating with Dr. Victoria Jaque,” said Thomson. “She is truly the most significant faculty member in my research process. I basically consider my research as our research. It has been a privilege to further the field of creativity and the relationship to dissociation, trauma, attachment and psychophysiology in performing artists, athletes and patients.”

StateStats.org representatives said the list is designed to highlight post-secondary educators who have been recognized recently for excellence in the classroom, on campus, and/or in the community.

StateStats.org is a nonprofit organization that builds free, open source tools with the goal of increasing accessibility to education and information through the use of new technologies.

California State University, Northridge has more than 36,000 full- and part-time students and offers 69 bachelor’s and 57 master’s degrees, 28 teaching credential programs and two applied doctoral degree programs. Founded in 1958, CSUN is among the largest single-campus universities in the nation and the only four-year public university in the San Fernando Valley. The university is home to dozens of nationally recognized programs where students gain valuable hands-on experience working alongside faculty and industry professionals, whether in the sciences, health care and engineering or education, political science, the arts and the social sciences. While regionally focused, the university’s faculty and administrators recognize the important role its students and alumni play in shaping the future of the state and the nation.

Chef Cecilia de Castro, founder of the Academy of Culinary Education. Photo by Lee Choo.

The challenge was issued to children ages 5 to 18 attending summer camp at San Fernando, Branford and El Cariso parks—develop an appetizing, healthy dish using ingredients normally found in their pantries.

The winners of the park competitions will face off in a cooking contest on Saturday, July 27, at California State University, Northridge. In addition to a trophy, cash prize and free cooking classes with acclaimed chef Cecilia de Castro, founder of the Academy of Culinary Education in Woodland Hills, the winner of the cook-off will also take home bragging rights as one of the best young cooks in the San Fernando Valley.

“The idea behind the cook-off is to encourage children and their families to make healthier choices when they eat,” said nutrition professor Annette Besnillian, director of dietetic internships in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences in CSUN’s College of Health and Human Development. “What better way to teach that lesson than to have the kids involved in the decision-making and cooking process? They learn that creating and cooking healthy dishes can be fun and can taste good.”

The San Fernando Valley Healthy Kids Cook-Off 2013 is scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to noon in Room 112 of Sequoia Hall, located near the center of the campus at 18111 Nordhoff St. in Northridge.

The competition is sponsored by the Valley Care Community Consortium (VCCC), a health and mental health planning collaborative that serves residents in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys. The consortium is made up of representatives from government and community agencies, including CSUN’s Institute for Community Health and Wellbeing and Marilyn Magaram Center for Food Science, Nutrition and Dietetics, who work together to improve the health and wellbeing of the area’s residents.

Besnillian said three of her undergraduate and graduate nutrition and dietetics students have spent the past several weeks working with VCCC, including community liaison ublic health nurses Shiarron Baker and JoAnna Levinson, who coordinated the cook-off, and the families at the three parks to teach the children about food safety and making healthy food choices.

Last month, the children were challenged at camp to come up with an attractive, tasty and healthy cold dish developed from items they would normally find in their kitchens at home. The first-, second-, third- and fourth-place winners of the park competitions will put their recipes to the test on July 27 when a panel of judges, which will include other children and de Castro, will determine who came up with the best dish.

“We find that children tend to make the right choices when it comes to nutrition, more often then not, if they have the knowledge or access to information,” Besnillian said. “What better way to give them those tools than through a cook-off?”