California State University Channel Islands

Camarillo, CA - Addicted and incarcerated, Natasha Williams just wanted to die.

"All I could do was use and plan my death," said Williams, 35.

Teresa Failauga, 31, was also an addicted new mother. She gave birth to her son in jail, and immediately lost custody of him.

Less than a year later, both women are clean and sober after several months at an Oxnard residential treatment center for women called Prototypes.

In an effort to support women in recovery like Williams and Failauga, CSU Channel Islands (CI)'s Center for Community Engagement (CCE) will be volunteering at Prototypes on Friday, Jan. 30—Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Day of Service.

CI's Intercultural Services and the staff of Project ISLAS will also be on site for the MLK Day of Service.

The CCE "adopted" Prototypes during the United Way Day of Caring in fall of 2014, which means CCE will be concentrating its volunteer efforts on Prototypes for all of the national days of service in 2015.

"This is the first year to adopt an organization and be able to concentrate all our days of service on one site and build a strong partnership with them," said Center for Community Engagement Managing Director Pilar Pacheco.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Jan. 30, about 35 student, faculty and staff volunteers will paint; do arts and crafts with children; garden; clear brush and hold a workshop on how to get to college.

The director of Prototypes in Oxnard, Vel Linden, said any help maintaining the multi-storied 1898 house is welcome. Many of the children of the mothers in recovery stay and play on the 3 ½ acres, so there is a lot of upkeep.

CI creative writing major and volunteer Ashley Medina, 22, will be among those lending a hand on Jan. 30.

"I'm a big believer in rehabilitation, even if I can help with something as simple as doing groundwork," Medina said.

Medina was raised by a single mother who benefited from the kindness of others when times got tough, so she believes in volunteerism.

Project ISLAS staff educate community members on how to get to college, which Linden believes will be valuable information to women at Prototypes.

"A lot of women come and feel their story is already written," said Linden, who attended CI during its first year. "A lot of them don't think they can go to college."

Besides regaining custody of their children, Williams and Failauga plan to pass their General Educational Development (GED) tests, then attend college to become addiction counselors themselves.

"I love the way I am now," Failauga said.

About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands (CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI's strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master's degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more about CI by visiting CI's Social Media.

The California State University (CSU) will reach a significant milestone of 3 million alumni during commencement in spring 2015 and has launched the world's largest yearbook. The Class of 3 Million online yearbook is an interactive platform where alumni can create a profile and connect with the millions of other alumni from the 23 CSU campuses across the state. Alumni who sign up for the yearbook will also be entered into a special contest to win one of three $10,000 scholarships for a current or future student, sponsored by Herff Jones. For more information about the yearbook and the Class of 3 Million, visit https://classof3million.calstate.edu/

The Lions Student Speaker Contest will be Monday, Feb. 2 at 7:00 pm sharp. The topic is "Water conservation-How can we reduce, recycle and reclaim?" The wimnner will receive $100 and the runner-ups $25. No more than 6 speakers can compete-so enter quickly. There will be a mandatory meeting on Thursday Jan. 29 at lunch time in the fillmore highschool conference room.( also after school for those who cannot attend at lunch. Please contact Bill Edmonds at 524-4839 or Mr. Dann, or Mr. Olverton at the highschool.

Sonshine Preschool has broadened the age range for eligible students.

Beginning January 5, 2015, students as young as age 2, if potty trained, can begin their preschool career. Due to numerous requests for 2 yr old enrollment we sought out licensing changes which were quickly granted.

Angelica Gonzalez, (Miss Angie) and Leticia Ocegueda, (Mrs. O) are teaching partners in this new class which still has spaces available. Children age 2 through 4.4 qualify for this Monday/Wednesday/Friday class.

California State University Channel Islands

Camarillo, CA - Research on Santa Rosa Island; reliable health care information on the Internet; genetically modified food; and what it means to be a man are included in topics scheduled for the California State University Channel Islands free library lecture series, which begins Jan. 12 and continues through May 14.

The lecture series offers the public a chance to hear from some of CI’s most dynamic experts in the comfort of their local library. CI’s scholars will discuss and field questions about timely, compelling and entertaining topics that will range from 19th Century Mexico City to California’s native flora to healthcare Internet resources.
The series will be offered at libraries in Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Ventura and Santa Paula.

Simi Valley Public Library, 2969 Tapo Canyon Road, Simi Valley
“Laundering Labor and Images in 19th Century Mexico City,” Monday, Jan. 12, 6 to 8 p.m. Travel back in time to 19th Century Mexico City with Professor of History Marie Francois, Ph.D., to meet the laundry women or “lavanderas” behind the white shirts and clean sheets that polished the images of their clients.

“What it Means to be a Man in America Today,” Monday, Feb. 2, 6 to 8 p.m. When boys in America are told to “act like a man,” “quit crying” or “go big or go home,” are we setting them up for failure? Assistant Professor of English Sean Carswell, Ph.D., will use advertisements and other media to illustrate how our definitions of masculinity are far more cultural than biological, with both positive and negative results.

“The Great GMO Label Debate—Science, Politics, and the Court of Public Opinion,” Monday, March 2, 6 to 8 p.m. Attorney and Lecturer in Business Panda Kroll, ESQ., will take a closer look at the national debate over the use of genetically modified organisms or GMOs in the food we eat and legislation over whether to label GMOs. Kroll will examine consumer-led lawsuits against manufacturers as well as the science and political climate surrounding this multi-faceted debate.

“Good, Bad or Otherwise: Reliable Healthcare Internet Resources,” Monday, April 4, 6 to 8 p.m. The Internet can be a jungle when it comes to finding good information about healthcare. Assistant Professor of Nursing Colleen Nevins, Ph.D., will guide us through which web sites are valid, up-to-date and reliable.

City of Thousand Oaks Grant R. Brimhall Library, 1401 E. Janss Rd., Thousand Oaks (lectures will be held inside the Marvin E. Smith Community Room)
“The Neglected Pacific Theater of the First World War,” Thursday, Feb. 12, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Images and stories from World War I tend to center on the European Theater, but Professor of History Rainer Buschmann, Ph.D., will discuss the conflicts that raged in the Pacific over German colonial presence in China and the Pacific Ocean.

“Natural Habitats and Native Flora of California State University Channel Islands,” Thursday, March 12, 7 to 8:30 p.m. The Springs Fire of 2013 blackened the rolling hills around the CSU Channel Islands campus, but the area is beginning to recover. Biology Lecturer Steven M. Norris, Ph.D., will discuss the regrowth of the over 120 native species of CI flora that have been identified to date, and talk about the natural history survey CI has been conducting since the university opened in 2002.

“Hidden Gems of Latin America,” Thursday, April 16, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Professor and Chair of Spanish Stephen Clark, Ph.D., will give guests an armchair tour of some of Latin America’s most intriguing cities with a taste of their culture, history and architecture.

“China: The Socialist Market Economy,” Thursday, May 14, 7 to 8:30 p.m. China is a trading giant with the world’s second largest economy and the longest sustained economic growth in the history of mankind. Associate Professor of Finance Priscilla Liang, Ph.D., will discuss whether China can continue as a socialist market economy without political reform.

Ventura County Library, 651 East Main St., Ventura (lectures will be held in the Topping Room at E.P. Foster Library)
“Folding Them In: Using Science to Teach Science,” Wednesday, Feb. 4, 5 to 7 p.m. The digital age has created a kind of golden age for teaching science, according to Associate Professor of Chemistry Blake Gillespie, Ph.D., Virtual science libraries and curated web content put high quality learning at students’ fingertips. Gillespie will share methods he uses to bring the next generation of scientists into the fold.

“Through the Looking Glass: a Chemist’s Perspective on Lewis Carroll”—Wednesday, March 4, 5 to 7 p.m. Less well known than Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” was “Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There.” Professor of Chemistry Phil Hampton, Ph.D., will discuss what he found there, using gumdrops and hands-on demonstrations to illustrate the scientific significance of Carroll’s sequel.

“Gender Differences in the Social Behaviors of Girls and Boys with Autism,” Wednesday, April 22, 5 to 7 p.m. Boys and girls on the autism spectrum have different behaviors, according to Assistant Professor of Special Education Michelle Dean, Ph.D., Dean will present research on how gender relates to the social behavior and relationships of school children with high-functioning autism.

Blanchard Community Library, 119 N. 8th St., Santa Paula
“Monitoring Latina/o Progress: A Demographic Approach,” Thursday, Feb. 19, 6 to 8 p.m. The Latino population is now the nation’s largest minority group. In addition to rapid demographic growth, Latinos have experienced significant social and economic change. Assistant Professor of Sociology Luis Sánchez, Ph.D., will provide an overview of these changes and what it means for the 21st Century.

“A New Era of Research on Santa Rosa Island,” Thursday, March 12, 6 to 8 p.m. CSU Channel Islands Santa Rosa Island Research Station Manager Cause Hanna, Ph.D., will talk about several studies going on about the human and natural history and ecology on the island. Hanna will also share ways in which students of all ages are learning about real world resource management.

“Bees, Food and You,” Tuesday, April 7 (tentative) 6 to 8 p.m. Most people don’t realize how important bees are to their everyday lives, according to Assistant Professor of Biology, Ruben Alarcón, Ph.D. More than 130 fruit and vegetable crops in the U.S. are pollinated from bees and other insects. Recent declines in the honeybee population have underscored the need to study bees, and learn ways to help them better survive. For final date on “Bees, Food and You” please contact the Blanchard Community Library at: 805-525-3615.

About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands (CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more about CI by visiting CI’s Social Media.

The California State University (CSU) will reach a significant milestone of 3 million alumni during commencement in spring 2015 and has launched the world’s largest yearbook. The Class of 3 Million online yearbook is an interactive platform where alumni can create a profile and connect with the millions of other alumni from the 23 CSU campuses across the state. Alumni who sign up for the yearbook will also be entered into a special contest to win one of three $10,000 scholarships for a current or future student, sponsored by Herff Jones. For more information about the yearbook and the Class of 3 Million, visit https://classof3million.calstate.edu/

Camarillo, CA - CSU Channel Islands (CI) closed out 2014 by making the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for the fifth year in a row.

Each year, the President of the United States recognizes institutions of higher education for their commitment to community service that has made a meaningful, measurable difference. CI is among 15 California State University campuses to receive the national honor in recognition of the students’ volunteer service in 2014.

“These students go out in the community and help solve a problem,” explained Stephanie Thara, communication specialist for the California State University Office of the Chancellor.

In 2014, more than half of CI’s student body— 2,687 students—participated in some form of Ventura County community service for a total of 123,418 community service hours.

“To have CI recognized five years in a row is a great honor and a testament to the power of partnerships between the faculty, the students, and our many community partners,” said Pilar Pacheco, managing director of CI’s Center for Community Engagement.

Student volunteers spent those hours doing everything from children’s reading programs to a preparatory academy designed to light the pathway to college for high school students who may not have considered higher education.

One colorful example of student volunteerism that helped CI make the honor roll is the annual Science Carnival, coordinated by CI chemistry professor Phil Hampton.

For the past six years, CI students have introduced students from kindergarten through eighth grade to the colorful side of science with over 70 hands-on activities, including “Touch a Reptile” with live snakes and lizards; a mock archaeological dig; and the “Gummi Bear Sacrifice,” to name a few highlights.

“The screaming Gummi Bears is a classic chemistry demo where you melt an oxidizing agent and drop in the Gummi Bear,” Hampton said. “The Gummi Bear catches fire and makes a ‘whooshing’ noise. This demonstration shows dramatically how much energy is contained in a Gummi Bear.”

The carnival drew 150 attendees in 2008, its first year. The 2014 carnival drew about 3,000 kids and parents. “It’s been a pretty powerful showcase of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math),” he said.

The Honor Roll is compiled annually by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal government agency that encourages volunteerism and public service, in collaboration with the U.S. Departments of Education and Housing and Urban Development, Campus Compact, and the American Council on Education. CI was one of 766 U.S. institutions of higher education who made the 2014 honor roll.

For more information on the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, visit www.NationalService.gov/HonorRoll or contact Pilar Pacheco at pilar.pacheco@csuci.edu or 805-437-8851.

About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands (CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more about CI by visiting CI’s Social Media.

The California State University (CSU) will reach a significant milestone of 3 million alumni during commencement in spring 2015 and has launched the world’s largest yearbook. The Class of 3 Million online yearbook is an interactive platform where alumni can create a profile and connect with the millions of other alumni from the 23 CSU campuses across the state. Alumni who sign up for the yearbook will also be entered into a special contest to win one of three $10,000 scholarships for a current or future student, sponsored by Herff Jones. For more information about the yearbook and the Class of 3 Million, visit https://classof3million.calstate.edu/

Luis Pablo Sanchez

The Ventura County Community College District Board of Trustees will consider action to confirm Luis Pablo Sanchez, JD, LLM, as President of Moorpark College at their public meeting on January 20, 2015. Sanchez was recommended to the Board following a nationwide search process that resulted in three finalists for consideration.

Born in Laredo, Texas, Sanchez attended public schools in Texas and California, earning his Bachelor's degree in Psychology from California State University, Los Angeles, in 1976. In 1983, he earned his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, and was admitted to the California Bar Association. While practicing commercial law, Sanchez earned a Master’s degree in Business and Tax Law from McGeorge School of Law. Sanchez taught business and corporate law part-time from 1986 to 1991 while maintaining a full-time private law practice. From 1991 to 2006, he taught Business Law, Federal Income Taxation, and Law and Society as a full-time instructor at Sierra Community College in Rocklin, California. During this time, Sanchez continued to practice law on a part-time basis and was honored by students with Sierra College’s Outstanding Instructor award in 1997-1998 and 1999-2000. He also wrote and published two textbook supplements on California Business Law. In 2006, Sanchez was appointed Associate Dean of Business and Technology at Sierra College and was subsequently promoted to Dean of Business, Technology, and Public Safety. In July 2011, Sanchez assumed his duties as Associate Superintendent and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, California.

"I am pleased Luis plans to join the District and lead Moorpark College," commented Chancellor Jamillah Moore, Ventura County Community College District. "He understands the importance of student success in the California community college system, and his depth of experience and expertise will benefit Moorpark College employees, students, and the community." Upon Board approval, Sanchez would start at Moorpark College in February 2015.

As the County’s only non-for-profit Home Health and Hospice provider, we support the total well-being of our community. As part of our services, we host free monthly education classes throughout the county which include the following:

Special Classes/Events
 Ojai: Peace Beyond Losses on Wednesday, January 21st at a new time…from 1-2:30pm at Ojai’s Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association office at 202-A Cañada Street, Ojai. Brock Travis, PhD, teaches guidance and support through life changes. Call (805) 272-8593 for more information.

Social Services/Bereavement Groups
 Ojai: Caregiver Support Group Monday, January 5th and 19th from 10:00am – 11:30am at Continuous Care Center, Fireside Room, 1306 Maricopa Hwy, Ojai (behind Ojai Valley Community Hospital). Find encouragement and hope during your time as a caregiver. Share, listen and explore thoughts and feelings about the struggles, losses and successes of caring for your loved one. For more information call (805) 633-9056.
 Ojai: Adult Bereavement Support Group January 13th and 27th (2nd & 4th Tuesdays) 10:30-Noon at Help of Ojai, West Campus 370 Baldwin Rd., Ojai. These groups are open to individuals who have experienced loss and are no-charge. Call 642-0239 for more information or email griefinfo@livingstonvna.org.
 Oxnard: Adult Bereavement Support Group on Wednesdays, Janury 7, 14, 21, & 28 from 3:00-4:30pm at First Presbyterian Church, 850 Ivywood Dr, Oxnard. These groups are open to individuals who have experienced loss and are no-charge. Call 642-0239 for more information or email griefinfo@livingstonvna.org.  Ventura: Adult Bereavement Support Group Wednesdays, January 7, 14, 21 & 28 from 6:30-8:00pm at Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association office, 1996 Eastman Ave., Suite 109. These groups are open to individuals who have experienced loss and are no-charge. Call 642-0239 for more information or email griefinfo@livingstonvna.org.
 Ventura: Newly Bereaved Support Group Thursday, January 8th 6-7:30pm at Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association office, 1996 Eastman Ave., Suite 109. This monthly group is designed for adults who have recently experienced the loss of a loved one and is free. Call 642-0239 for more information or email griefinfo@livingstonvna.org. These groups meet every 2nd Thursday of each month.

Diabetes Classes
 Ojai: Monday, January 26th from 2-3pm at Livingston’s Ojai office at 202-A Cañada Street, Ojai. General information is provided about Type 2 Diabetes with emphasis on the development of an individualized plan of care that includes diet, medication, exercise and blood sugar monitoring. Call (805) 272-8593 for more information.
 Ventura: Tuesday, January 6th from 1-2:30pm at Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association, 1996 Eastman Ave, Suite 109. These meetings are held on 1st Tuesday of each month. General information is provided about Type 2 Diabetes with emphasis on the development of an individualized plan of care that includes diet, medication, exercise and blood sugar monitoring. Call 642-0239 for more information.
 Simi Valley: Wednesday, January 7th from 10:30am-12pm at Simi Valley Senior Center, 3900 Avenida Simi. These meetings are held on 1st Wednesday of each month. General information is provided about Type 2 Diabetes with emphasis on the development of an individualized plan of care that includes diet, medication, exercise and blood sugar monitoring. Call 642-0239 for more information
 Camarillo: Wednesday, January 7th from 2:30-4pm at Camarillo Community Center Room #3 at 1605 Burnley Street. These meetings are held on 1st Wednesday of each month. General information is provided about Type 2 Diabetes with emphasis on the development of an individualized plan of care that includes diet, medication, exercise and blood sugar monitoring. Call 642-0239 for more information.
 Thousand Oaks: Wednesday, January 28th from 1:30-3pm at Thousand Oaks’ Goebel Senior Center Foothill Room, 1385 E. Janss Road. General information is provided about Type 2 Diabetes with emphasis on the development of an individualized plan of care that includes diet, medication, exercise and blood sugar monitoring. Call 642-0239 for more information

Joint Replacement Classes
 Ventura: Thursday, January 8th from 1:00-2:00pm at Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association offices, in the Community Room at 1996 Eastman Avenue, Suite 109 in Ventura. You will learn what to expect before, during and after knee or hip replacement surgery and how to be an active participant in your care. These meetings are 1st Thursday of each month. Dr. Hofer, Orthopedic Surgeon will be presenting. For information or to RSVP call Dinah Davis at (805) 642-0239 ext. 739.
 Ventura: Monday, January 12th for both English and Spanish speaking. English 4:00-5:00pm and Spanish 5:30-6:30pm at Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association offices, in the Community Room at 1996 Eastman Avenue, Suite 109 in Ventura. You will learn what to expect before, during and after knee or hip replacement surgery and how to be an active participant in your care. For information or to RSVP call Dinah Davis at (805) 642-0239 ext. 739.
 Camarillo: Wednesday, January 14th from 10-11am at St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital, 2309 Antonio Ave., Camarillo in Classroom #2, on third floor. You will learn what to expect before, during and after knee or hip replacement surgery and how to be an active participant in your care. RSVP to Barrie Gilster at (805) 797-7699.
 Simi Valley: Wednesday, January 13th from 1-2pm at Sunrise Senior Living of Wood Ranch, in the Activity Room at 190 Tierra Rejada Rd. You will learn what to expect before, during and after knee or hip replacement surgery and how to be an active participant in your care. RSVP to Barrie Gilster at (805) 797-7699.
 Ventura: Friday, January 16th from 12:00-1:00pm at Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association offices, in the Community Room at 1996 Eastman Avenue, Suite 109 in Ventura. You will learn what to expect before, during and after knee or hip replacement surgery and how to be an active participant in your care. Dr. Jeffers, Orthopedic Surgeon will be presenting. For information or to RSVP call Dinah Davis at (805) 642-0239 ext. 739.

California State University Channel Islands

Camarillo, CA - After 20 years in the U.S. Navy, Andrew Ayres enrolled in CSU Channel Islands (CI), where he was surrounded with students and no longer answered to a commanding officer.

“It was a difficult transition,” said Ayres, 42, of Newbury Park. “The one thing I missed more than anything was the camaraderie.”

Ayres found the fellowship of former and active duty military as well as help with the transition from the military to academia through CI’s Veterans Affairs Program. The effectiveness of CI’s Veterans’ program caught the attention of Military Advanced Education magazine, which just named CI as a Top School in Military Advanced Education’s (MAE) 2015 Guide to Colleges & Universities for the fourth year in a row.

“For being a relatively new Veterans Affairs Program, it seems CI has implemented quite a few support services for its military and veteran students,” said MAE editor Kelly Fodel.

CI Veterans Affairs Program Coordinator Jay Derrico launched the program almost four years ago. While researching and listening to the needs of military and veteran students, Derrico heard common themes. For example, a CI student veteran’s average age is between 26 and 30 with some college and a wealth of life experience.

“They have been through quite a bit in their military career, and it has matured them quite a bit,” Derrico said. “And it’s a totally different lifestyle. Veterans when they are active military are in a very structured environment, and school is probably the most unstructured environment you can go to.”

Among other services, the Veterans Affairs Program provides student military and veterans with information about financial aid; paid internships; workshops; peer-to-peer counseling and a resource center inside CI’s Bell Tower where veterans and military can get information, study, or just talk.

That’s where Ayres met psychology major and former Seabee Kevin Taylor, 42, of Oxnard.

“I found Kevin who also likes sports, so I can dog out on him and his Florida State Seminoles,” said Ayres, a University of Georgia Bulldogs fan.

“My team is in a playoff,” Taylor shot back with a grin.

The MAE Guide to Colleges & Universities provides students with information about institutions like CI, which go out of their way for their men and women in uniform. The 2015 Guide will be released in their December issue.

About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands (CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more about CI by visiting CI’s Social Media.

The California State University (CSU) will reach a significant milestone of 3 million alumni during commencement in spring 2015 and has launched the world’s largest yearbook. The Class of 3 Million online yearbook is an interactive platform where alumni can create a profile and connect with the millions of other alumni from the 23 CSU campuses across the state. Alumni who sign up for the yearbook will also be entered into a special contest to win one of three $10,000 scholarships for a current or future student, sponsored by Herff Jones. For more information about the yearbook and the Class of 3 Million, visit https://classof3million.calstate.edu/

The Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) Board of Trustees held their annual meeting on Tuesday, December 9, 2014, at the District Administrative Center in Ventura. The Board appointed Dianne B. McKay as the new Board Chair, and Larry Kennedy was named Vice Chair.

Chair McKay, who was re-elected to the Board of Trustees in the November elections, represents Area 2 in Ventura County (Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Westlake Village, Oak Park, Bell Canyon, Hidden Valley, Lake Sherwood, Somis, Las Posas Valley, California State University Channel Islands, portions of the Oxnard Plain, Santa Rosa Valley, Naval Base Ventura County Point Mugu, California Air National Guard, and South Coast). Chair McKay is active in statewide issues and currently serves as Chair on the Advisory Committee for Education Services (ACES) for the Community College League of California. She is also the VCCCD Chair for the Planning, Accreditation, Communications, and Student Success (PACSS) Board Committee. Chair McKay lives and works in Conejo Valley and provides a strong business perspective to the Board, supported by 30 years in private business. She maintains a strong presence in education demonstrated by more than 20 years of volunteer service in the community. Chair McKay is married to Duncan McKay, and they have four children.

Vice Chair Kennedy, elected to the Board in 2012, represents Area 3 (Camarillo, Port Hueneme, Southeast Oxnard, East Oxnard Plain, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Piru, East Lockwood Valley, and Eastern Portion of Naval Base Ventura County Port Hueneme). Vice Chair Kennedy, a former Oxnard College professor, provides valuable insight to VCCCD from a faculty and student perspective having taught Management and Economics for over 30 years. As past Director of the Oxnard College Job and Career Center, he has a deep understanding of workforce needs in Ventura County. Most recently, Vice Chair Kennedy served as Chair of the VCCCD Policy Committee and Member of the Board’s Legislative Committee. Vice Chair Kennedy, a Management Consultant and Veteran, is also an active community leader, with over 30 years’ service as a volunteer Board member of local Chambers of Commerce, Rotary International, the Workforce Investment Board, and other organizations. Vice Chair Kennedy is married to Joanne Kennedy, and they have two children.

Trustees Stephen P. Blum, Art Hernández, and Bernardo M. Perez remain on the Board. Ilse Maymes serves as Student Trustee. The Board of Trustees generally meets on the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are open to the public, and times/locations can be found at www.vcccd.edu.

California State University Channel Islands

Camarillo, CA - CSU Channel Islands (CI) junior Danny Larkins had been studying art for three years when he switched his major to computer science because "it felt right," he said.

An award Larkins won from a national software company this week suggests Larkins made a good choice. Larkins won the national “2014 OmniUpdate Gadget Challenge” for a software “gadget” he invented.

OmniUpdate is a Camarillo-based web content management systems company for institutions of higher learning. CI is among 700 colleges and universities that use OmniUpdate.

The CI student, who is from Agoura Hills, beat more than 40 other entries to win free registration to the OmniUpdate User Training Conference in Newport Beach in March; $1,500 to cover all conference expenses; and a one-day cruise out of Newport Beach.

Larkins, a student assistant in CI’s Web Services in the Division of Technology & Communication, was at his computer Tuesday, Dec. 9, when a representative from OmniUpdate surprised him with a t-shirt and the news that he had won. “I was surprised, I didn’t expect it at all,” Larkins said after slipping on the conference t-shirt over the Batman t-shirt he wore that day to the applause of staff and fellow student assistants.

Larkins’ winning gadget is a highly technical “dependency tag manager,” which helps programmers prevent broken links when moving pages around on a website.

Web Services Supervisor Daniel Martinez is delighted at Larkins’ progress since Larkins arrived two years ago. "He came in very green, not knowing anything about web coding or html," Martinez said.

About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands (CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more about CI by visiting CI’s Social Media.

The California State University (CSU) will reach a significant milestone of 3 million alumni during commencement in spring 2015 and has launched the world’s largest yearbook. The Class of 3 Million online yearbook is an interactive platform where alumni can create a profile and connect with the millions of other alumni from the 23 CSU campuses across the state. Alumni who sign up for the yearbook will also be entered into a special contest to win one of three $10,000 scholarships for a current or future student, sponsored by Herff Jones. For more information about the yearbook and the Class of 3 Million, visit https://classof3million.calstate.edu/

California State University Channel Islands

Camarillo, CA - A recent study by the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) shows that students at CSU Channel Islands (CI) are overwhelmingly engaged and satisfied by their educational experience. The group’s 2014 report, “Bringing the Institution into Focus,” details and compares survey results from more than 355,000 students attending 622 U.S. colleges and universities about their learning experiences and success.

The annual study asks first-year and senior students about their participation in activities and programs that promote learning and personal development. Rather than providing rankings, the results offer a snapshot of how undergraduates spend their time and what they gain from attending their university. Institutions use the data to identify successful practices and areas for improvement.

Among the key findings, CI students rated their University significantly higher than its peer institutions for the quality of interactions with faculty and student services staff, respect for diversity, support and services to help students succeed, and their own satisfaction.

The study also revealed that CI students were much more likely to participate in “high-impact” learning experiences – including undergraduate research, service-learning, learning communities, study abroad, internships or culminating experiences – than their peers at other universities. According to the data, 98 percent of CI seniors and 71 percent of CI first-year student respondents were engaged in some form of high-impact learning. The report defines high-impact practices as “enriching educational experiences that can be life-changing,” adding that high-impact activities “demand considerable time and effort, facilitate learning outside the classroom, require meaningful interactions with faculty and other students, encourage collaboration with diverse others, and provide frequent and substantive feedback.”

“CI student engagement begins in the classroom,” said CI political science and communication double-major Kristina Cervi, who is active in Associated Students Incorporated, Mortar Board National Honor Society, Model United Nations, and the Alumni & Friends Association. “Our professors make their subjects so interesting that you feel inclined to engage and learn more, whether it's through service learning or club involvement.”

Abundant research shows that students who are engaged are more likely to enjoy and excel in college, complete their degrees, and even pursue leadership and mentoring roles. CI offers a wide array of opportunities to ensure that every student is impacted, whether it’s participating in research with professors, engaging in mentoring and peer learning communities, undertaking community service projects, pursuing internships, or assuming club and campus leadership roles. Many CI seniors participate in a culminating Capstone course that allows them to apply what they’ve learned in a meaningful and constructive way. A high percentage of CI students also study abroad, either in semester-long programs or in shorter International Experience class trips. These trips are often subsidized by student Instructionally Related Activities Funds, so all students can visit and experience other cultures, regardless of financial circumstances.

Cervi, a senior who recently completed a semester in Washington, D.C., as a Panetta Congressional Intern, says the experience confirmed that CI offers its students an unusually rich support and engagement network.

“My internship in Washington really opened my eyes to how unique CI is,” she said. “In my discussions with student leaders from other universities, there was a common theme that the students didn't feel like they had much say in the functions of their university. At CI, we are so lucky to have student-led fee committees that oversee how our fees are spent, an ASI that balances power between four entities, and small class sizes with open-minded professors that allow us to ask questions that test the status quo. CI truly does put the student at the center of the University.”

According to the NSSE survey, 93 percent of CI seniors and 89 percent of CI first-year students rated their experience as “excellent” or “good.” In addition, 92 percent of seniors and 84 percent of first-year students said they would “definitely” or “probably” choose to attend CI again. Both satisfaction ratings exceeded averages for all CSUs.

“We are pleased that our students recognize they are the focus of our mission, the center of their own learning experience, and the people in whom we invest our greatest hopes, support and confidence,” said CI President Richard R. Rush. “Our fulfillment as educators comes from witnessing the many CI graduates who dedicate themselves to bettering their campus and community. The NSSE study is a guide for future improvement and a confirmation that we are headed in the right direction.”

For the full report, visit http://nsse.iub.edu/NSSE_2014_Results/. To learn more about CI’s results, contact Genevieve Evans Taylor, Special Assistant to the President, at 805-437-3998 or genevieve.evans-taylor@csuci.edu.

About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands (CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more about CI by visiting CI’s Social Media.

The California State University (CSU) will reach a significant milestone of 3 million alumni during commencement in spring 2015 and has launched the world’s largest yearbook. The Class of 3 Million online yearbook is an interactive platform where alumni can create a profile and connect with the millions of other alumni from the 23 CSU campuses across the state. Alumni who sign up for the yearbook will also be entered into a special contest to win one of three $10,000 scholarships for a current or future student, sponsored by Herff Jones. For more information about the yearbook and the Class of 3 Million, visit https://classof3million.calstate.edu/

Camarillo, CA - The gift of two unmanned aerial vehicles from Northrop Grumman will help CSU Channel Islands (CI) students and faculty and reach new heights in educational exploration.

Northrop Grumman recently donated two Inventus-class unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to the University. The UAVs were built in 2003 as test platforms for military defense and homeland security operations, but their uses can extend to the civil and commercial sectors, including mapping, data collection, wildfire management, aerial photography, search and rescue, wildlife and agriculture monitoring, and dozens of other applications. The six-foot, fixed-wing UAVs serve as host airframes for the integration and testing of a variety of sensors and receivers, and boast a maximum flight time of 30 hours, a range of 2,000 miles, an altitude of 10,000 feet, and a top speed of 140 miles per hour.

Faculty, staff and students are excitedly exploring their potential uses. Faculty in CI’s Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Science & Resource Management Programs hope to use UAVs for faculty/student research to monitor habitats, watersheds, wildlife populations and environmental changes, as well as in research partnerships with groups like NOAA and the National Park Service. The UAVs are also expected to play an important role in disciplines like applied physics, computer science, mathematics, and in engineering-based programs that the campus hopes to develop in the future.

“We are grateful to Northrop Grumman for providing us with an invaluable tool for expanding our educational, research and community partnership capabilities,” said Karen Carey, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Arts & Sciences. “An exciting industry is rising in Ventura County around unmanned aerial systems. CI is exploring ways to support this industry, incorporate UAS into faculty research and teaching, and prepare students for opportunities in this promising field. This gift truly encourages our faculty and students to ‘reach for the sky.’”

The gift emerged from an encounter between a Northrop Grumman engineer and three CI employees at one of the monthly meetings of the Channel Islands Chapter of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) held on CI’s campus. Mark Mendenhall, a Principal Engineer at Northrop Grumman in Camarillo and founding member of the AUVSI chapter, was introduced to CI Director of Major Gifts Carrick DeHart, Senior Research Officer Jason Miller, and math and computer science instructor Ron Rieger, who were looking to expand UAV opportunities for CI students.

Mendenhall had been seeking a way to honor the memory of Charlie Evans (1944-2010), a mentor and colleague who led Northrop Grumman’s Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) team in Camarillo from 2000 until his retirement in 2007. When Mendenhall learned that CI was interested in creating an unmanned systems curriculum, he recognized an ideal opportunity to commemorate Evans and his legacy.

“Charlie instilled a culture of innovation across our engineering teams, and he often challenged us to find ways to assist others who were exploring ideas and concepts that could be drawn from in the future,” Mendenhall said. “Charlie’s team ended up creating a handful of transformative technology innovations that eventually formed the basis for some of our larger UAS solutions, including the MQ-4C Triton UAS (a surveillance aircraft used by the U.S. Navy). Our hopes are that the two sUAS aircraft donated to CI’s emerging unmanned system engineering efforts can lead to even more innovation by CI’s faculty and students.”

The UAVs won’t go into service for some time. The University must first obtain a Certificate of Authorization from the FAA, develop a series of protocols, and reconfigure the UAVs for their new, academic missions. Just like the Northrop Grumman engineers who preceded them, the CI faculty/student teams will experiment with design, development, testing and monitoring, and tackle challenges such as Space Weight and Power (SWaP) requirements and sensor integration. In the meantime, the UAVs are on loan to Ventura County’s Career Education Center Air Academy, where high school students get specialized training for college studies and careers in the aerospace industry.

“I’m happy that CI students will be able to learn as we did from experimentation with these sUAS assets,” Mendenhall said. “The lessons they learn will be directly applicable to the growing needs of companies and universities involved with the application of UAS or other unmanned systems emerging worldwide.”

Though best known for their use in military and security applications, drones are increasingly in demand for commercial, practical or otherwise "dull, dirty and dangerous" missions. They can aid in scientific research, help first responders in search and rescue operations, provide assistance during or after natural or man-made disasters, allow farmers to monitor fields and dust crops, help companies inspect power lines and pipelines, and capture aerial shots for filmmakers.

Their potential uses make unmanned aerial systems a promising industry for study, research and economic development. Currently, the use of drones is limited to government entities, including public universities, but the FAA is testing ways to safely integrate UAVs into civil airspace. Beginning in 2015, as the FAA Modernization and Reform Act (a.k.a. the“Drone Act” of 2012) loosens authorization for commercial uses, the industry is expected to skyrocket. Aerospace industry analysts estimate that it could become a $90 billion industry by 2020 – with the bulk of jobs and revenues in California.
“There are a lot of key technologies that need to be proven out before UAS can operate in national air space, and I expect that CI students may participate in studying, prototyping and evaluating some of these critical needs,” Mendenhall said. “The integration of sensors focusing on marine-wildlife monitoring, first-responder needs, or those aligned with search and rescue or fire-fighting needs are areas of opportunity that students are likely to explore. This is exactly how Charlie would have wanted to see these UAVs used after we were done with them.”

For more information, contact CI’s Jason Miller, Senior Research Officer at 805-437-8898 or jason.miller@csuci.edu, or Mark Mendenhall at 805-987-9480 or mark.mendenhall@ngc.com.

About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands (CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more about CI by visiting CI’s Social Media.

The California State University (CSU) will reach a significant milestone of 3 million alumni during commencement in spring 2015 and has launched the world’s largest yearbook. The Class of 3 Million online yearbook is an interactive platform where alumni can create a profile and connect with the millions of other alumni from the 23 CSU campuses across the state. Alumni who sign up for the yearbook will also be entered into a special contest to win one of three $10,000 scholarships for a current or future student, sponsored by Herff Jones. For more information about the yearbook and the Class of 3 Million, visit https://classof3million.calstate.edu/

Lights, Camera, Education! Please join us for the Ventura County Community College District Third Annual Entertainment Panel on Wednesday, December 10, 2014, 6-8 p.m., at Ventura College, Guthrie Hall, 4667 Telegraph Road, Ventura, CA 93003. Hear experts share their stories, experiences, and advice about the entertainment industry and the REAL Hollywood. Panelists will respond to audience questions as moderated by VCCCD Chancellor, Dr. Jamillah Moore. Panelists include Beverly Ware, Entertainment Lawyer; Rick Najera, Director, Screenwriter, Actor, and Comedian; Jose Yenque, Actor, Producer, Humanitarian; and Steve Binder, Director, Producer, and Writer. This event is free and open to students, employees, and the public. Event Contact: Laurie Nelson-Nusser, tel. 805-652-5508, or email at LNusser@vcccd.edu.

Camarillo, CA - CSU Channel Islands (CI) has been named one of the nation’s top universities for Hispanic students by BestColleges.com, an independent, research-based college-planning website for students and families.

CI ranked 19th on the website’s list of the “Top 50 Colleges for Hispanic Students.” To compile the rankings, BestColleges.com evaluated data from the National Center for Education Statistics at U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences (IPEDS and College Navigator) against data from the 242 schools in the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU). The study then examined factors that enhance the experiences of Hispanic students, including the percentage of Hispanic students enrolled; acceptance, retention and graduation rates; tuition, financial aid and scholarship programs; and degree programs, services, and cultural resources offered for Hispanic students. Schools that excelled in all areas received the highest rankings.

“Many Hispanic students are the first in their families to attend college, so it is important for them to choose the right school – one with a support system that will help them navigate degrees, financial aid, and their school and social obligations,” the BestColleges.com report states. “To make the transition from high school to college, many students may be looking for ‘Hispanic friendly’ schools. … Each school on our list boasts a cultural center, degree programs or scholarships dedicated to enhancing the experiences of Hispanic students.”

The report cites CI’s Chicana/o Studies program, multicultural mission and curriculum, abundant cultural events and forums, and high percentage of Hispanic students admitted, enrolled, retained and graduated among its enticements. In 2012, CI had a Hispanic student enrollment of 37 percent.

On a national level, Hispanic students are the fastest-growing college-going population. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2012, 49 percent of Hispanic high school graduates enrolled at a postsecondary public institution, surpassing white student enrollment rates for the first time. Since 1996, Hispanic enrollment in colleges and universities has increased 240 percent. With one-fourth of all U.S. public school students now identified as Hispanic, that trend is expected to grow.

However, despite such records, Latinos still lag behind other groups in completing college. In 2012, only 14.5 percent of Latinos ages 25 and older had earned a bachelor’s degree.

As a Hispanic Serving Institution focused on student success, CI offers a number of programs designed to help underserved minorities thrive in higher education. Through federal Title V grant-funded programs such as Projects ACCESO, ISLAS, VISTA, ASCENCION and ALAS, CI offers a range of services, including peer and faculty mentoring, focused learning communities, readiness programs, orientations, scholarships, curriculum and professional development, and outreach to local schools and community colleges.

“Our goal is to have a campus that reflects our community and empowers it to flourish through the students we educate, the people we employ, and the programs and services we offer,” said CI President Richard R. Rush. “At CI, we are fortunate to have dedicated faculty, staff, students, and community partners who make this vision a reality. This recognition from BestColleges.com validates that our team efforts are working to create greater opportunities and outcomes for underserved students.”

Vanessa Bahena, CI’s Student Body President, said the recognition is well-deserved.

“As a first-generation Hispanic student, I can attest to the supportive atmosphere and extensive resources that CI provides to ensure that we achieve our highest potential,” Bahena said. “My four years here have been eye-opening and empowering beyond my wildest dreams, enabling my transformation from an anxious first-year student to an active campus leader. CI has made a change in me, my family, and my community. It is a gem of a public university that brings out the best in its students.”

To view the rankings, visit www.bestcolleges.com.

About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands (CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more about CI by visiting CI’s Social Media.

The California State University (CSU) will reach a significant milestone of 3 million alumni during commencement in spring 2015 and has launched the world’s largest yearbook. The Class of 3 Million online yearbook is an interactive platform where alumni can create a profile and connect with the millions of other alumni from the 23 CSU campuses across the state. Alumni who sign up for the yearbook will also be entered into a special contest to win one of three $10,000 scholarships for a current or future student, sponsored by Herff Jones. For more information about the yearbook and the Class of 3 Million, visit https://classof3million.calstate.edu/