California State University Channel Islands

Camarillo, CA - CSU Channel Islands (CI) invites children, families, teachers and community members to the Ninth Annual Children's Reading Celebration and the 37th Annual Young Authors' Fair on Saturday, April 5, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the John Spoor Broome Library.

The annual event coordinated by the John Spoor Broome Library brings together a celebrated children’s author with Ventura County children and their families for stories, crafts, creative writing, the Young Author’s Fair, reader’s theater, and other fun activities that celebrate reading and writing. The program is sponsored by the John Spoor Broome Library, Ventura County Reading Association (VCRA), Target Foundation, the CI English Program, CI Mortar Board, and the Ventura County Office of Education.

Headlining this year’s event is Wade Bradford, author of the critically acclaimed picture book, “Why Do I Have to Make My Bed? Or, A History of Messy Rooms,” published in 2011 by Tricycle Press/Random House. In a starred review, “Publishers Weekly” said of the book: “This book deserves a place on the shelves next to the Magic School Bus series." An English instructor at Moorpark College, Bradford has written more than 25 plays, including “CSI: Neverland,” “Promedy,” and “Tomorrow's Wish,” and developed numerous fun educational plays and materials for teachers, parents and students.

Children and their families will be able to meet the author and receive a free autographed book, while supplies last (one per family). This gift is funded by an early childhood literacy grant from the Target Foundation.

Hundreds of books written and illustrated by K-12 students throughout Ventura County will be on display and available for children to read. Any child whose school participates in the Ventura County Reading Association’s Young Authors’ Fair is eligible to write a book and have his or her teacher enter it to be displayed and read at the Reading Celebration.

The day will also feature hands-on participation in crafts and other activities. Children will be able to listen to stories and create watercolor bookmarks with CI students enrolled in Claudia Reder’s English 212 course, Introduction to Children’s Literature. A craft area, creative writing station, and open-mic session where children can share their own stories will be hosted by students in CI’s Mortar Board National Honor Society Four Pillars chapter.

New this year, children in grades 4 and up will be able to bring stories to life before an audience in “Reader’s Theater.” This live performance event is developed and hosted by CI students in Mary Adler’s English 477 course, Adolescent Literature.

All children must be accompanied by an adult. Public admission and parking are free. Once on campus, follow the directional signs to the designated parking lot.

For more event details and to RSVP, visit http://go.csuci.edu/children, or contact Janet Pinkley at janet.pinkley@csuci.edu or 805-437-3217. For additional information about VCRA’s Young Authors’ Fair, visit http://vcrareading.org/young-authors-faire.htm. Learn more about featured author Wade Bradford at http://www.wadebradford.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.

California State University Channel Islands

Camarillo, CA - CSU Channel Islands (CI) will show its support for World Autism Awareness Day by lighting the John Spoor Broome Library blue and hosting Autism Awareness events during the week of April 2-6.

The awareness week kicks off Wednesday, April 2, at 6 p.m. in front of the John Spoor Broome Library. The public is invited to bring a picnic lunch and listen to soft blues music performed by Déjà vu, a local Ventura County band.

“Light It Up Blue” is a global initiative to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day. On April 2 the international goal is to shine a blue light on communities throughout the world to raise awareness and take action for autism. The event will provide a community resource fair and speeches by students and parents affected by autism. The resource fair will involve groups offering support services from the campus and community, including the Autism Society of Ventura County, regional service providers, and CI’s Disability Resource Programs. The event also celebrates the unique talents and skills of people with autism and warmly welcomes autistic individuals, their families and anyone in the community who wishes to learn more. Participants will receive free, blue light bulbs and glow sticks, while supplies last.

Throughout the week, students also will participate in activities supporting autism awareness. Blue lights will be displayed in offices and common areas.

The week culminates CONTINUED »

In recognition of Women’s History Month, the Ventura College Santa Paula campus presents the art exhibition, “Women in the State of Grace,” from March 17 through May 16, 2014. Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m.-8:30 p.m.

The exhibition features 18 women artists from Ventura, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Featured artists include Judy Baca; Juliane Backmann; Jacqueline Biaggi; Gayel Childress; Lynn Creighton; Paty Diaz; Lois Freeman-Fox; Margaret Garcia; Sylvia Huerta; Pola Lopez; Tatiana Luboviski-Acosta; Isabel Martinez; Christine Morla; Angela Ortiz; Sylvia Raz; Marianne Sadowski; Cola Smith; and Jenchi Wu. The exhibition is curated by Vanessa Acosta of Cultural Arts Tours and Workshops.

An opening reception is scheduled for Friday, March 21, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. Meet the artists and enjoy poetry readings by Luzmaria Espinosa, as well as live music by Carmen Moraza, Lencho Moraza, and Xavier “Big X” Montes. Appetizers will be served. This event is free and open to the public. Free parking is available. The Ventura College Santa Paula Campus is located at 957 Faulkner Road, 106, Santa Paula, CA.

California State University Channel Islands

Camarillo, CA - CSU Channel Islands (CI) will host a statewide two-day conference highlighting successful efforts to prevent alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse among students. The 2014 CSU Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs (ATOD) Educational Conference, “Forecasting the Future: Intervention Today, Prevention Tomorrow,” will take place Thursday, April 3, and Friday, April 4, on the CI campus.

The conference brings together students, staff and faculty from all 23 CSU campuses, as well as participants from the University of California campuses, community college campuses, and the community, to share ideas, activities, and promising practices in preventing substance abuse among students.

The annual event, being hosted for the first time by CI, is expected to draw 250 to 300 registered participants, making it the largest in the conference’s 13-year history. It has already exceeded records for the number of registered program presenters and submissions.

The conference will feature opening keynote remarks by CI President Richard R. Rush and a closing address by acclaimed Oscar-winning actor, author and philanthropist Louis Gossett Jr. Gossett will share his poignant story of film, TV and theatre success, behind-the-scenes struggles with racism, alcohol and drug addiction, and his renewed purpose as founder of the Eracism Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to stamping out racism and mentoring troubled youths.

Scott and Julia Starkey, founders of the national program Aware Awake Alive, will also join in the conference. After losing their son Carson to alcohol poisoning in a fraternity hazing ritual, the Starkeys formed Aware Awake Alive to bring alcohol awareness and education programs to schools nationwide and prevent others from suffering a similar tragedy.

Over the two-day conference, colleges and universities from around the state will share successful programs, lessons learned and plans for the future. A variety of topics will be covered, including alcohol and tobacco abuse prevention, bystander intervention and mental health issues. The conference also includes an awards presentation recognizing outstanding campus and individual efforts, break-out sessions highlighting key experts, research and initiatives, a student story panel, networking, and a vendor exposition.

“This is a great opportunity for CI to highlight our campus substance abuse prevention efforts, exchange information with colleagues throughout the state, and engage our campus and local community in addressing this important issue,” said Dr. Wm. Gregory Sawyer, Vice President for Student Affairs. “By working collectively to fight substance abuse on and off college campuses, CI is strengthening our commitment to the CSU system, our students and our community.”

ATOD is a program established by the CSU Chancellor’s Office to educate students about the potential negative consequences of drug and alcohol use and/or abuse. Through innovative programming, peer education, campus outreach, and community collaborations, the ATOD program serves to create a harm-free environment in which students can achieve their academic goals and acquire skills necessary for life-long success.
The registration deadline for participants is Friday, March 21. To register or learn more, visit http://www.csuci.edu/atod, or contact the conference organizers, Dr. Deborah Gravelle at Deborah.gravelle@csuci.edu, or Dr. Jennifer Miller at jennifer.miller@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.

Following a nationwide search process, the Moorpark College President Search Committee has narrowed its selection to four finalists for the position of President. The finalists, in alphabetical order, are Mr. Cliff Davis, Dr. Joyce Ester, Dr. Betty Inclan, and Dr. Vernon Smith. The finalists will participate in a public forum on March 26, 2014, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the EATM Auditorium on the Moorpark College campus located at 7075 Campus Road in Moorpark. Students, faculty, staff, and community members are encouraged to attend the public forum. Audience members will have an opportunity to submit questions. The finalists are scheduled to speak as follows: 11:00 a.m. – Cliff Davis; 12:00 p.m. – Joyce Ester; 1:00 p.m. – Betty Inclan; 2:00 p.m. – Vernon Smith. A final recommendation for the Moorpark College President’s position will be presented to the Ventura County Community College District Board of Trustees in April.

Ventura College Foundation program has helped hundreds of students since 1999

Ventura, Calif. — The Ventura College Foundation is awarding Phoenix Scholarships to 32 adults who decided to return to school at Ventura College to achieve their career goals. Scholarship recipients with minimal or no financial resources to cover the costs of their education will receive scholarships of $1,000 each at the 15th annual scholarship ceremony, held 6-8 p.m., March 20 at Wright Event Center on the Ventura College campus, 57 Day Road. The Ventura College Foundation’s staff and board of directors will host the event.

“I’m always inspired by the scholarship recipients’ stories of perseverance as they overcome financial and personal challenges to be in school so they can upgrade their skills,” said Norbert Tan, executive director of the Ventura College Foundation. “It’s stressful trying to pay for college when you’re already balancing school with working and caring for a family, so being able to give these hard-working students a Phoenix Scholarship is very rewarding.”

Ventura College Foundation board members started the Phoenix Scholarship Program in November 1999 after learning about the special needs of Ventura College re-entry students. Re-entry students are defined as people who return to school to learn new skills in order to be competitive in the marketplace or who are returning to school after an extended break.

Phoenix Scholarship recipients are selected based on their academic goals and progress, along with their financial need. To be eligible for a scholarship, the students must submit an application and essay, and obtain recommendations from counselors, faculty and employers.

A list of recipients is below.
Established in 1983, the Ventura College Foundation provides financial support to the students and the programs of Ventura College to facilitate student success and grow the impact and legacy of Ventura College as a vital community asset. The Foundation also hosts the Ventura College Foundation Marketplace, an outdoor shopping experience held every weekend on the Ventura College campus east parking lot. For more information, contact Norbert Tan at (805) 289-6160 or ntan@vcccd.edu. Or visit www.venturacollege.edu/foundation.

2014 Phoenix Scholarship Recipients:
Amanda Marie Adams
Donald Adams
Allison Paige Akrop
Julia Barrios
Kristen Marie Cappellucci
Mariesa Kristine Chavez
Crystal Coke
Morgan Conner
Dana Jean Espina
Christy Ferguson
Whitney Glidden
Sandy Gonzalez Zavala
Katherine Elizabeth Gronewold
Maria Guerrero
Katiuska Hernandez Caro
Scott L. Kosche
Carlos Valentino Landeros
James Williams Mallinson
Keith Allen Manson
Sara Medina
April Pentangelo
Jeanette Susanne Rennie
Wayne Romans
Christopher Salazar
Amber Elizabeth Shields
Caryanne Shin
Nicole Marie Snyder
Rachel Stark
Lucas Thayer
Kelsey Tribble
Kristen True
Dolores Yolanda Velasquez

In recognition of Women’s History Month, the Ventura College Santa Paula campus presents the art exhibition, “Women in the State of Grace,” from March 17 through May 16, 2014. Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m.-8:30 p.m. The exhibition features 18 women artists from Ventura, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Featured artists include Judy Baca; Juliane Backmann; Jacqueline Biaggi; Gayel Childress; Lynn Creighton; Paty Diaz; Lois Freeman-Fox; Margaret Garcia; Sylvia Huerta; Pola Lopez; Tatiana Luboviski-Acosta; Isabel Martinez; Christine Morla; Angela Ortiz; Sylvia Raz; Marianne Sadowski; Cola Smith; and Jenchi Wu. The exhibition is curated by Vanessa Acosta of Cultural Arts Tours and Workshops.

An opening reception is scheduled for Friday, March 21, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. Meet the artists and enjoy poetry readings by Luzmaria Espinosa, as well as live music by Carmen Moraza, Lencho Moraza, and Xavier “Big X” Montes. Appetizers will be served. This event is free and open to the public. Free parking is available. The Ventura College Santa Paula Campus is located at 957 Faulkner Road, 106, Santa Paula, CA.

School Principal John Wilber.
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Fillmore Mayor Manuel Minjares.
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City Librarian Cathy Krushell.
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On Friday night, March 7, in culmination of Dr. Suess’s Read Across America week, Mountain Vista Elementary held their annual Community Reading Night and Book Exchange. Over 100 students, parents and community members came to the event to swap their books for new books and to hear books being read from community leaders. Around 400 books were swapped this evening as kids exchanged favorite well worn reads for new books to appreciate. The children were also able to listen as books were read to them on stage by Fillmore Mayor Manuel Minjares, School Principal John Wilber, City Librarian Cathy Krushell and teacher Sandra Butts. A special guest appearance by Dr. Suess’s Cat in the Hat was made as well. This was the fourth year in a row that this event has been held which was started for the purpose of helping kids get excited about reading and finding new favorite authors and it was successful evening!

SANTA BARBARA, CA - UCSB has long had a ‘campus’ in the heart of Ventura. The Ventura Center has for decades been a vibrant outpost of UCSB’s globally recognized academic excellence.

On March 13, 2014, from 5:30-7:00pm, UCSB Extension will open the Ventura Center doors for a community information session where attendees are encouraged to ask questions, mingle with their academically-inclined neighbors, and learn what it means to have a world-class university at their disposal, and in the heart of Ventura. From 5:30 to 6pm there will be general information and light refreshments. From 6 -6:45pm there will be five separate breakout sessions to drop in on for subject area- specific information, each representing a UCSB Extension Program; Human Resource Management, Financial Planning, Paralegal Studies/Mediation, Accounting, and Project Management.

“UCSB is within your reach at the Ventura Center, “ says Dr. Michael Brown, Dean of Extension. “The Ventura Center has the resources of a world-class university – accessible, affordable, and convenient – to serve your professional and academic goals. Come and see what we have to offer you.”

UCSB has had a presence at 3585 Maple Street in Ventura since at least 1975, when that space was called the Ventura Learning Center and, along with a handful of other classroom facilities around the Ventura area, provided evening and weekend courses for working adults, and across an array of subjects. Today the Ventura Center’s offerings are specifically aligned with the needs of the region’s workforce, and provide relevant professional development to those who want to burnish their know how, add to their portfolio of professional skills, or move into a new line of work entirely. The March 13 event is an opportunity for UCSB Extension and Info Session attendees to get to know each other. More info can be found here: http://extension.ucsb.edu/pr
UCSB Extension Program Manager Anissa Stewart oversees the Paralegal, Human Resource Management and Mediation programs for UCSB Extension, each of which offers course work at the Ventura Center. “Professional development is more important than ever—to jumpstart your career, to stay competitive, to continually expand your knowledge and skills, and to perform more effectively and efficiently. What UCSB Extension offers is meaningful, relevant, timely, and stimulating professional development courses and workshops.”

As the continuing education division of UCSB, Extension offers certificate programs, courses, and seminars for personal and professional development on a year-round basis. Courses are open to the general public, including UCSB students. UCSB Extension is supported by student fees and receives no state funds.

Camarillo, CA - CSU Channel Islands (CI) invites the public to the groundbreaking of Sierra Hall – a three-story, cutting-edge science lab and instruction building and a model for green technology. Join CI President Richard R. Rush, faculty, staff, students and community friends on Friday, March 14, at 9 a.m., as the University embarks on its next important building project.

Located along the Central Mall at the corner of Los Angeles Avenue and Ventura Street, the 68,000-square-foot building will house CI’s growing programs in Anthropology, Computer Science, Geology, Environmental Science & Resource Management, Physics and Psychology. The new building was designed to meet each program’s needs, offering flexible, efficient instructional science lab spaces, Cloud-based computer labs, state-of-the-art multimode lecture halls and offices, and classrooms that support active and collaborative learning.

A roof garden terrace will provide an outdoor space for learning and gathering. The upper-level courtyard is being created with input from several academic programs that plan to use it as an outdoor instructional space with students.

The building meets LEED Gold and CALGreen Tier 2 standards – high ratings awarded by national and state certification systems that encourage the construction of energy and resource-efficient buildings. Sierra Hall’s innovative and sustainable design includes the use of recycled and renewable building materials, reclaimed water in toilets, and energy-efficient windows and lighting controls that make maximum use of daylight and shut off when rooms are unoccupied. These features earned it an $82,000 rebate from Southern California Edison and will make the building 28 percent more energy efficient than what is required by code.
Sierra Hall is scheduled for completion in summer of 2015. The $42.7 million project is being financed with lease revenue bonds – long-term bonds issued by the state of California to finance public improvements, including state office buildings, state universities, prisons, and food and agricultural facilities.

“We hope the community will join us to celebrate this milestone in CI’s evolution,” said President Rush. “With Sierra Hall’s highly innovative and responsive design, we expect to open up new teaching and learning opportunities for students and faculty.”

To attend the groundbreaking ceremony, please RSVP by March 7 to noheli.viramontes@csuci.edu or 805-437-3552. Light refreshments will be served. Once on campus, follow signs for complimentary event parking.

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.

Kindergarten registration will be held on April 7– April 17, 2014, at San Cayetano School, 524-6040, Rio Vista School, 524-4210, Mountain Vista, 524-8302 and Piru School, 521-1709. Piru residents may register at Piru School. Parents are to register at the school site within their boundaries.

In order to complete registration, parents must have birth certificate, verification of adequate immunization for their children, verification of address (such as utility bill or driver’s license).

Parents must provide documentation that their child has completed a Physical Examination; (physical needs to be dated after March 1st, 2014), and Dental/Oral Examination. All four elementary schools have a supply of the physical examination and dental forms.

Immunizations: Required doses of Polio, DPT, MMR, Hepatitis B and Varicella vaccines.

For additional questions, contact the elementary school sites, or M. E. Romero, R.N., District Health Coordinator at 524-6029.

Dr. Jamillah Moore, Chancellor, Ventura County Community College District, received a 2014 “Education Award” as part of California State University Channel Islands African American Achievement Awards. Dr. Moore’s recognition as an honoree of the African American Achievement Awards was based on exceptional historical and multicultural contributions to the field of education. Dr. Moore has 19 years of educational, policy, instruction, and advocacy experience. She began her career in public policy advocacy as a California State Senate fellow, was then appointed Senior Vice Chancellor of Governmental and External Relations for California Community Colleges by Governor Schwarzenegger, and served as President of Los Angeles City College prior to joining the District in August 2012. Dr. Moore is the author of Race and College Admissions: A Case for Affirmative Action and has taught communications and multicultural education. She holds an Ed.D. in International/Multicultural Education from the University of San Francisco and an M.A. in Intercultural Communication/Public Policy and B.A. in Communication from California State University, Sacramento. Dr. Moore provided the keynote address at the February 26 celebratory event honoring award recipients for their contributions and empowerment of the African American community.

Camarillo, CA - The Art Program at CSU Channel Islands (CI) is pleased to present “Guardian,” a series of illustrations and sketch concepts by senior art student Marlies Urbauer, in CI’s Grad Wall Gallery at Napa Hall. The exhibition runs from Monday, March 10, to Friday, April 4, concurrent with Gary Lloyd’s multimedia exhibition in the main gallery. A public reception with the artist will be held Thursday, March 13, from 6 to 8 p.m.

With “Guardian,” Urbauer presents a rich visual narrative set in the era of the Vikings and in a fantastical setting based on Norse mythology. With each illustration and sketch concept, she unveils a creative process of designing a new world by turning words and ideas into illustrations. The work showcases visual development in the early stages of storytelling through sketches of characters, environments and objects.

Limited parking is available on campus with the purchase of a $6 daily permit; follow signs to the parking permit dispensers. Free parking is available at the Camarillo Metrolink Station/Lewis Road with bus service to and from the campus. Riders should board the CI Vista Bus to the campus; the cash-only fare is $1.25 each way. Buses arrive and depart from the Camarillo Metrolink Station every 30 minutes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday. For exact times, check the schedule at www.goventura.org.

The Grad Wall is located in Napa Hall, Room 1154, on Ventura Street on the CI campus. The Grad Wall is an exhibition space showcasing the works of top graduating students from CI’s Art Program. Regular gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For additional information, contact the CI Art Program at 805-437-2772 or email art@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.

THOUSAND OAKS, CA - California Lutheran University is offering a free public workshop to help entrepreneurs deal with the psychological issues that come with launching new businesses.

“The Equipped Mind” will be held from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 9, in Lundring Events Center on CLU’s Thousand Oaks campus.

Starting a business can cause significant stress, and entrepreneurs often keep feelings of anxiety and despair hidden from view. There is a high risk of failure and a lot of tasks to juggle. Consumed by work, they often make sacrifices in areas such as exercise, sleep, diet, hobbies and time with family and friends that can impair their ability to cope. Research also shows that many entrepreneurs share character traits that make them more vulnerable to mood swings.

Brandon Highland, an entrepreneur who provides consulting and support for the startup community in Ventura County, will discuss mental health as it relates to entrepreneurship. Highland graduated from CLU in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy.

Nelson Pizarro, an assistant professor of entrepreneurship at CLU, will teach meditation techniques. Pizarro, who has founded six companies, meditates and practices yoga.

The presenters will provide insights into the entrepreneurial mind and tools for overcoming the mental challenges of starting and running a business. Topics will include stress management, concentration, healing, inner strength and the power of laughing.

CLU’s School of Management is sponsoring the event with assistance from CLU clubs Future Treps, which supports students’ entrepreneurial efforts, and Active Minds, which encourages students to speak openly about mental health.

Attendance is limited to 40 people. To RSVP, go to www.equippedmind.com. For more information, contact Future Treps President Rob Bueschen at rbuesche@callutheran.edu.

California State University Channel Islands

Camarillo, CA - The Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics at CSU Channel Islands (CI) announces next speakers for the Spring 2014 Speaker Series, “Lessons from Successful Entrepreneurs and Executives.” The presentations are free, open to the public by reservation, and include lunch. All events will be held from noon to 2 p.m. in Malibu Hall 100 on the CI campus. Please register at http://business.csuci.edu/events.

Jason Spievak, CEO of Invoca
Friday, March 7, noon to 2 p.m. in Malibu Hall 100
Spievak is one of the founders of Invoca (formerly RingRevenue), a multimillion-dollar public company that provides enterprise inbound call marketing solutions. Formed in 2008 with support from leading venture capitalists (Upfront Ventures and Rincon Venture Partners), Invoca’s cloud-based platform delivers complete campaign management, clear attribution, practical analytics and mobile optimization tools to create one easy-to-use solution for marketers.

Joe Schroeder, President/CEO of Ventura County Credit Union
Friday, May 2, noon to 2 p.m. in Malibu Hall 100
A graduate of the CSU (B.A. in Communications and MBA from Cal Poly Pomona), Schroeder leads the largest credit union headquartered in Ventura County – with six offices, 60,000 members and more than $600 million in assets. He currently serves as Vice Chair of the Board of FOOD Share, a nonprofit organization fighting hunger in Ventura County. In 2013, the California and Nevada Credit Union League recognized his two decades of leadership with its Unsung Hero Award.

The Spring 2014 Speaker Series is sponsored by the Business Advisory Council of the MVS School of Business & Economics.

Complimentary campus parking will be available for all events. Once on campus, follow signs to the designated lot.

For more information, visit http://business.csuci.edu/events, or contact Merissa Stith, Events Coordinator, at 805-437-8548 or merissa.stith@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.

Highlighting the critical importance of improving student success in America’s community colleges, the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program has named Moorpark College as one of the nation’s top 150 community colleges eligible to compete for the 2015 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence and $1 million dollars in prize funds.

“This important Prize is awarded every two years. The Aspen Institute informed us that it is the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among America’s community colleges,” announced Dr. Jamillah Moore, Chancellor, Ventura County Community College District.

“The award recognizes colleges for exceptional student outcomes in four areas. They are student learning, certificate and degree completion, employment and earnings, and high levels of access and success for minority and low-income students,” explained Dr. Bernard Luskin, Moorpark College President. “The Aspen Institute identified the top 150 community colleges through an assessment of institutional performance, improvement, and equity on student retention and completion measures. Together, the 150 community colleges eligible to compete for the Prize represent the diversity and richness of our colleges,” said Luskin.

Chosen colleges are located in 37 states across the nation; represent urban, rural, and suburban markets; and encompass large community colleges and small community colleges. A full list of the 150 community colleges is available at www.AspenPrize.org. Prize winners will be announced in early 2015.

Nearly half of America’s college students attend community college, with more than seven million students working toward certificates and degrees across the country. Moorpark College was selected from a national pool of over 1,000 public two-year colleges. The selection data focus on student retention and completion, considered from three perspectives:

Performance (retention, graduation rates including transfers, and degrees and certificates per 100 “full-time equivalent” students)
Improvement (awarded for steady improvement in each performance metric over time)
Equity (evidence of strong completion outcomes for minority and low-income students)

“Ten finalists selected from the 150 nominees will be named in fall 2014. Following campus visits, a distinguished Prize Jury will select a grand prize winner and a few finalists with distinction in early 2015.” Being identified as one of 150 best community colleges in America is quite a prize itself,” Luskin proudly said.

About Moorpark College
Moorpark College is a fully accredited community college in the Ventura County Community College District. Moorpark College enrolls more than 14,000 students in academic transfer programs and career and technical programs. Moorpark College is an important member of the California higher education community.

The Aspen College Excellence Program aims to identify and replicate practices and policies that significantly improve college student outcomes. For more information, visit http://www.aspeninstitute.org/cep.

The Aspen Prize is funded by the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, Joyce Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and Lumina Foundation.

THOUSAND OAKS, CA - An artist and author from Oxford University will offer a master class in drawing and a lecture on sustainability at California Lutheran University in March.

The CLU Artists and Speakers Series will present a master class in drawing with Sarah Simblet from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, in Kingsmen Park. A lecture on “The New Sylva” will follow at 4 p.m. in the Roth Nelson Room. Both events are free.

The master class in drawing is open to everyone, regardless of expertise.

The afternoon lecture will be based on Simblet’s forthcoming book with co-author Gabriel Hemery, “The New Sylva.” The book describes the most important tree species that currently populate the landscape and explains what trees really mean to us culturally, environmentally and economically. Simblet captures the delicacy, strength and beauty of trees through the seasons in 200 drawings. The book was inspired by “Sylva,” a 1664 comprehensive study of British trees by horticulturist and diarist John Evelyn. It was the world’s earliest forestry book and the first book ever published by the Royal Society. Publication of “The New Sylva” will mark the 350th anniversary of Evelyn’s work.

Simblet is director of drawing and a tutor in anatomy at Oxford’s Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art and has taught CLU students participating in an annual study abroad program at the English university. Her research interests include the relationship between art, science and history. She has published three major reference books, “Anatomy for the Artist,” “The Drawing Book” and “Botany for the Artist.”

She contributes drawn installations, framed works and, occasionally, documentary films to art shows, festivals and events. Her drawings can be found in national and private collections including the Royal Academy of Art in London and the Ashmolean in Oxford. She contributes regularly to British, American and international television and radio programs about science and art and consults on national exhibitions. She is a freelance lecturer at The National Gallery in London. She holds a doctorate in drawing from Bristol University.

Kingsmen Park is located near Memorial Parkway on the Thousand Oaks campus. The Roth Nelson Room is located at 3391 Mountclef Boulevard. Visitor parking is located at the corner of Mountclef Boulevard and Olsen Road.

CLU’s Artists and Speakers Committee is sponsoring the events. For more information, contact Michael Brint at brint@callutheran.edu or 818-707-9686.