By Anonymous — Monday, July 25th, 2011
Honor by The Chronicle of Higher Education puts University in elite company
Camarillo, CA – For a second consecutive year, CSU Channel Islands (CI) has been named one of the best universities in the nation to work for, according to a new survey by The Chronicle of Higher Education. The results, released today in The Chronicle’s fourth annual report on The Academic Workplace, are based on a survey of more than 44,000 employees at 310 colleges and universities. In all, only 111 of the 310 institutions achieved “Great College to Work For” recognition for specific best practices and policies. Even more significantly, CI was named on The Chronicle’s 2011 Honor Roll, where only 42 institutions nationwide were recognized in at least five categories. Results are reported for small, medium, and large institutions, with CI included among medium campuses that have between 3,000 to 9,999 students. CI won honors in seven categories this year: · Collaborative Governance – faculty members are appropriately involved in decisions related to academic programs; · Teaching Environment – faculty members say the institution recognizes innovative and high-quality teaching; · Compensation & Benefits – pay is fair, and benefits meet the needs of employees; · Confidence in Senior Leadership – leaders have the knowledge, skills and experience necessary for institutional success; · Respect and Appreciation – employees are regularly recognized for their contributions; · Tenure Clarity & Process – requirements for tenure are clear, faculty members say; and · Diversity – the institution makes a concerted effort to create a welcoming and fair environment for all its employees. “I am extremely proud that CI has been recognized a second year by The Chronicle of Higher Education. Despite multi-year budget challenges, receiving this honor further demonstrates how our Channel Islands community values the contributions of every employee. As we focus on our mission to serve students, everyone at CI helps to make this a great place to work,” said University President Richard R. Rush. The Chronicle is the nation’s most important source of news about colleges and universities. “Even in a down economy when many colleges and universities are freezing salaries or having layoffs, employees still find good in their work. Great workplaces are about more than dollars and cents. This program shows that great workplaces are not decided on salary alone. The Great Colleges to Work For don’t always pay the best, but they have created environments where people feel appreciated and valued,” said Jeffrey J. Selingo, editor, The Chronicle of Higher Education. The survey results are based on a two-part assessment process: an institutional audit that captured demographics and workplace policies from each institution, and a survey administered to faculty, administrators, and professional support staff. The primary factor in deciding whether an institution received recognition was the employee feedback. Great Colleges to Work For is one of the largest and most respected workplace-recognition programs in the country. For more information and to view all the results of the survey, visit The Chronicle’s Web site at http://chronicle.com/academicworkplace. About California State University Channel Islands |
By Anonymous — Monday, July 25th, 2011
State tuition hike won’t be passed on to 170 students
THOUSAND OAKS, CA. - California Lutheran University students receiving a scholarship that normally matches the cost of attending University of California colleges will this year pay less than they would have paid to attend a UC school. CLU President Chris Kimball decided this week that he didn’t want the state system’s latest tuition hike to be passed along to the 170 new and continuing students in the CLU Guarantee Scholarship: Private Education, Public Price program for the 2011-2012 year. The university will maintain the scholarship value that was set in spring so participating students aren’t faced with a cost increase of $1,120 just weeks before classes start. The popular program allows incoming students who are also admitted to one of five UC schools to attend CLU for the cost of attending the public university. The value of the CLU Guarantee Scholarship is the difference in the tuition, books and living expenses for full-time residential students attending CLU and the average price of attending the UC colleges. Based on UC tuition figures set in spring, the value of the CLU scholarship for the 2011-2012 year will be $19,431. On July 14, the UC regents raised tuition 9.6 percent for the fall. This could have triggered a cost increase for qualifying CLU students, reducing the value of the scholarship to $18,311 for the coming year. CLU launched the scholarship in 2008, garnering national media attention and leading universities in other states to adopt similar programs. The program has expanded through the years and is now open to both freshmen and transfer students who are admitted to UC San Diego, UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, UC Davis or UC Berkeley. The number of students participating has increased rapidly each year, with a 65 percent jump in the number of recipients from last year to this year. The scholarships awarded for the 2011-2012 year total about $3.3 million. The program is open to all students applying for the traditional undergraduate program and the Adult Degree Evening Program. It has no income or residency requirements. Students can also receive federal, state and institutional aid based on need to further reduce the cost. If students make satisfactory academic progress and meet GPA requirements, they can renew the scholarship each year. The amount increases if the cost of attendance goes up. Of the students receiving the CLU Guarantee Scholarship last year, 46 percent were first-generation college students and 40 percent identified themselves as Latino. Retention rates among recipients are extremely high, with 92 percent of recipients still enrolled at CLU last year. In spring, six students became the first scholarship recipients to graduate from CLU. For more information, visit http://www.callutheran.edu/cluguarantee or contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission at (877) 258-3678 or admissions@callutheran.edu. |
By Anonymous — Monday, July 25th, 2011
Largest gift will expand successful teaching program
THOUSAND OAKS, CA - California Lutheran University’s graduate schools have received $200,000 in gifts to expand a successful teaching program and launch an accounting lecture series. The estate of the late CLU alumna and former teacher Susan E. Price donated $150,000 to the Graduate School of Education to expand its pilot program for using drama techniques as a teaching strategy in all subject areas in the Moorpark Unified School District. CLU’s Department of Teacher Education will now take the new Susan Greiser Price Arts Integration Program to other school districts throughout the region and incorporate music, art and dance as well. Sixty teachers are currently using the Project ACT (Active, Collaborative, Transformative) approach in six elementary schools. Students learn about various subjects and demonstrate their understanding through theater games, creative dramatics, drama enactments and process drama. Initial results show that student achievement, measured by grades, has improved. English learners are more engaged, teachers are reenergized and CLU teacher candidates and undergraduate interns involved in the program are developing a better understanding of the teaching and learning process. Project ACT was originally funded for four years by a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The new endowed gift will provide annual funding for training additional teachers, teacher candidates and undergraduate interns. Price earned a bachelor’s degree in drama from CLU in 1966 and went on to teach elementary school for more than 30 years in Camarillo, Saugus and Green Bay, Wis. She was passionate about the integration of arts into the curriculum. The estate of Ernest A. Alne donated $50,000 to the School of Management for a new accounting lecture series. The Ernest A. Alne Accounting Lectureship will enable School of Management faculty and Accounting Club students to invite notable business and accounting professionals to share their insights on the latest business and accounting practices, standards and issues with students, alumni, professionals and the public. CLU may use part of the grant to host a foreign visiting scholar in spring. A retired accounting executive and member of the American Institute of CPAs, Alne served on CLU’s Board of Regents, Convocation and California Lutheran Educational Foundation Board. |
By Anonymous — Wednesday, July 20th, 2011
Darling Foundation provides $250,000 grant
THOUSAND OAKS, CA. – California Lutheran University has received a $250,000 grant to open a new center to boost the scientific computing skills of middle school, high school and college students. Set to launch Aug. 1, the Hugh and Hazel Darling Center for Applied Scientific Computing will enable the university to develop innovative new courses and intensive summer research opportunities for CLU students majoring in bioengineering, biology, chemistry, computer science, math and physics. The center will also offer workshops for middle and high school students to impart computing skills and encourage them to study science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines in college. The center’s activities will help students gain a command of the computing techniques that are crucial to formulating hypotheses, designing experiments, interpreting results and simulating the dynamics of complex natural and physical systems. The focus will be on both theoretical perspectives and real-world applications. With the new curriculum, CLU will be able to add a minor in applied scientific computing. Part of the grant will fund 10 $5,000 student research fellowships during the next two years, increasing the number of CLU students who will be able to engage in full-time research with faculty mentors during the summer. The center’s co-directors will be Grady Hanrahan, assistant dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and the John Stauffer Endowed Professor of Analytical Chemistry, and Craig Reinhart, an associate professor of bioengineering, computer science and physics. The center, which will be housed in D Building, will have high-performance computers capable of running heavy processing workloads such as modeling, molecular simulation, advanced mathematics and computational chemistry. It will also have a 3-D prototype printer that will allow faculty and students to produce physical models. The Hugh and Hazel Darling Foundation of Los Angeles was established in 1988 to advance education in California. The foundation previously provided a $500,000 grant for a distance-learning laboratory in CLU’s Spies-Bornemann Center for Education and Technology and donated $250,000 for renovations to Pearson Library. |
By Anonymous — Tuesday, July 19th, 2011
Students Need ‘Tdap’ Booster for New State Law Requirement, Peak Season Protection
SACRAMENTO, CA - The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the California Broadcasters Association are asking media outlets to air public service announcements (PSA) about a new state law requiring a pertussis (whooping cough) booster vaccine. The message targets parents and urges them to make sure all public and private school students entering seventh through 12th grades have proof of a whooping cough Tdap booster shot when starting classes this school year. It is estimated that more than 1 million California students may not yet have received the booster vaccine, also leaving them vulnerable to this potentially deadly disease. “Whooping cough remains an ongoing threat to Californians with a high number of cases already reported this year,” said CDPH’s Director Dr. Ron Chapman. “We encourage the news media to help get the word out by broadcasting the PSA and putting it on their online news sites so parents across California know how to get their children the required vaccination.” The PSA is available for download on shotsforschool.org. The California Broadcasters Association is encouraging TV stations throughout the state to make use of the PSA. The radio and video ads highlight the new requirement and encourage parents to make an appointment as soon as possible to get the booster to help beat the back-to-school rush. More than 9,000 cases of whooping cough were reported to CDPH in 2010, including 10 infant deaths. The number of cases was the most since 1947. So far this year, more than 1,900 cases of pertussis have been reported. The majority of cases in 2010 and other years occurred between May and November. “Having the first series of shots before kindergarten is not enough to stay protected throughout the school years,” explained Chapman. “All middle and high school students need to get a booster shot now to protect themselves and their families during the traditional peak seasons of summer and fall. While the booster vaccine helps guard individuals, it will also decrease the spread of what has proven to be a deadly disease.” Parents should make an appointment as soon as possible to get the booster. For those who don’t have a health care provider, other options are available. Physicians participating in California’s Vaccines for Children’s (VFC) Program provide low-cost Tdap shots to eligible patients. Also, many local health departments and pharmacies provide Tdap boosters. For the most complete and up-to-date information on the whooping cough (Tdap) requirement, including where to find a VFC physician, visit shotsforschool.org. |
By Anonymous — Monday, July 18th, 2011
FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 3:00 P.M. SPECIAL MEETING CLOSED SESSION – INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT SELECTION PROCESS AGENDA |
By Anonymous — Wednesday, July 13th, 2011
Professional schools renamed on anniversary
THOUSAND OAKS, CA - California Lutheran University has renamed its professional schools on the anniversary of their formation. The School of Education is now the Graduate School of Education, and the School of Business is now the School of Management. The name changes reflect the evolution of these programs through the years. The School of Management now offers many management-related programs and serves students working for nonprofit and government organizations in addition to businesses. Graduate School of Education faculty members now teach post-baccalaureate students almost exclusively. CLU began offering a single master’s degree in education in the mid-1960s and launched an MBA program in the early 1970s. In 1986, the university established the School of Education and the School of Business and changed its name from California Lutheran College to reflect the growth in programs. A series of celebrations and presentations by distinguished speakers throughout the 2011-2012 year will mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the professional schools, which now offer classes in Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Woodland Hills and online. The Graduate School of Education now confers five master’s and two doctoral degrees. Accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, CLU has helped prepare nearly 8,000 counselors, teachers, principals and superintendents for their work. CLU has awarded more than 3,000 graduate business degrees, and the School of Management has helped shape the region through education, research and outreach. Eighty percent of the alumni work locally. Both professional schools have a history of innovation. From 1983 to 1990, many bilingual classroom teachers obtained master’s degrees through a pioneering program at CLU that provided federal funding to cover full tuition for selected students. CLU’s California Reading and Literature Project, the only such program housed at a private university, has provided professional development to more than 5,000 teachers since 2000. In recent years, the Graduate School of Education launched an online credential, started a deaf and hard-of-hearing teacher-preparation program and began developing a national model for using drama in the classroom. In the past decade, the number of graduate programs offered by the School of Management has grown considerably. New master’s degree offerings include an international MBA program that has 100 full-time students from China, Taiwan, India, Saudi Arabia and many European countries, and an online MBA program in financial planning that has been honored by the United States Distance Learning Association. The School of Management is included in the 2010-2011 Global 200 Top Business Schools report, which is based on a survey of international employers. CLU has also established research centers to provide information on economic trends and forecasts. |
By Kimberly Rivers — Tuesday, July 12th, 2011
The Sacramento Bee, Jul. 10, 2011 Editorial: State board is set to approve smart rules on 'parent trigger' for schools Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/07/10/3757242/state-board-is-set-to-approve.h... Recognizing some sense of urgency to do something about 1,300 chronically low-performing schools in California, the Legislature last January opted for innovation. In a first-of-its-kind law in the nation, lawmakers gave parents direct tools to require school boards to act to restructure schools. But regulations to implement the law have been painfully slow in coming from the State Board of Education. A year and a half after the law's passage, parents and school districts still do not have predictable, consistent rules in place for everybody to follow. Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/07/10/3757242/state-board-is-set-to-approve.h... |
By Anonymous — Monday, July 11th, 2011
FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT AGENDA 5:00 p.m. B. ROLL CALL C. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION AND NON AGENDA ITEMS, PETITIONS D. CLARIFICATION OF AGENDA AND TIME ALLOCATIONS FOR DISCUSSION ITEMS E. CLOSED SESSION In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Superintendent’s Office at (805) 524-6038. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the district to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. [In accordance with Government Code 54961 and Board Bylaw 9320(a).] F. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION Any Action From Closed Session G. FUTURE MEETINGS August 2 5:30 p.m. Closed Session – Board Room H. BOARD CLOSING COMMENTS AND AGENDA BUILDING I. ADJOURNMENT |
By Anonymous — Wednesday, July 6th, 2011
Camarillo, CA - The Henry L. “Hank” Lacayo Institute (HLI) at CSU Channel Islands (CI) recently received a $25,000 grant from AT&T. The purpose of the grant will be to fund a Telecommunications/Technology Literacy/Workforce Development and Community Sustainability Forum which will take place during the fourth quarter of 2011. “CSU Channel Islands is very appreciative of the support from AT&T. The AT&T and Channel Islands partnership strongly reflects the University’s ongoing commitment to its students while engaging and participating in community service,” said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dawn Neuman. The Community Workforce Studies Program of the HLI is focused on the sustainability of our statewide and national economies, communities, and the workforce connection between opportunity and quality of life. Through the HLI, CI’s Small Business Institute (SBI) provides CI students with numerous opportunities to work with small businesses and conduct vital public forums with topics focusing on contemporary workforce trend analysis. "AT&T is extremely proud to join with the Hank Lacayo Institute on this important economic development and community service program. Through the Telecommunications/Technology Literacy/Workforce Development Forum, students at CSU Channel Islands will be empowered to play an important role in the development of workforce opportunities for local residents, which includes the use of the latest technology," stated Mike Silacci, Regional Vice President, AT&T External Affairs – Southern California. Drawing heavily on student participation, the Telecommunications/Technology Literacy/Workforce Development and Community Sustainability Forum will provide a quality venue to showcase student research findings and to promote public discussion on the role of telecommunications and technology as a key component towards a sustainable and viable workforce in this fast growing sector. About California State University Channel Islands |
By Anonymous — Wednesday, June 29th, 2011
L.A. Press Club honors KCLU program director
LOS ANGELES, CA - The Los Angeles Press Club honored KCLU’s Jim Rondeau as Best Radio Anchor at its 53rd Annual Southern California Journalism Awards Gala on Sunday. Rondeau, program director and morning anchor for the National Public Radio station serving Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, beat out finalists from KABC, KCRW and KPCC. Through the years, many organizations have honored Rondeau for his coverage of stories ranging from wildfires to same-sex marriage. Under his guidance, KCLU’s audience has increased substantially, and the station has become a leader in news and public affairs programming. Before coming to KCLU, the Seattle native worked at stations in the Northwest, San Diego and Los Angeles and produced nationally syndicated programming for Premiere Radio Networks. KCLU, a community service of California Lutheran University, provides NPR and local news programming to 70,000 listeners in Ventura County at 88.3 FM, in Santa Barbara County at 102.3 FM and 1340 AM, and online at http://www.kclu.org. The station moved into a new broadcast center on the CLU campus in May. |
By Anonymous — Monday, June 27th, 2011
FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION 5:30 P.M. – CLOSED SESSION AGENDA 6:30 P.M. |
By Anonymous — Monday, June 27th, 2011
Interim Superintendent Recruitment and Selection Process
FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION 1:00 P.M. – CLOSED SESSION – INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT SELECTION PROCESS AGENDA 1:00 p.m. B. ROLL CALL C. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION AND NONAGENDA ITEMS, PETITIONS D. CLOSED SESSION E. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION Any Action From Closed Session F. FUTURE MEETINGS G . BOARD CLOSING COMMENTS AND AGENDA BUILDING H. ADJOURNMENT In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Superintendent's Office at (805) 524-6038. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the district to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. [In accordance with Government Code 54961 and Board Bylaw 9320(a).] |
By Anonymous — Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011
Pertussis booster now required for 7th-12th grade, no shot, no school
VCHCA Las Islas Mobile Medical Clinic & Ventura County Public Health Immunization Program have partnered to offer low cost or no cost Tdap vaccine for students entering 7th - 12th grade this year. WHEN: Thursday, June 30th 4pm-7pm WHERE: Santa Paula West Clinic 254 West Harvard Blvd, Santa Paula, CA (In the parking lot behind the Clinic and DMV) . Parent or legal guardian must be present for children under 18 years . Bring child's insurance card or Medi-Cal card . Bring all immunization records (yellow immunization card) For more information about this upcoming "LOW Cost or NO Cost Tdap Vaccine Clinic," please contact the Immunization Program at Ventura County Public Health: 805-981-5211 or Immunization.Program@ventura.org For more information on the event, go to our facebook: http://on.fb.me/TdapVaccineClinic |
By Anonymous — Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011
Advanced students will act, build sets, teach
THOUSAND OAKS, CA – Thirteen advanced acting students from several colleges are spending the summer building sets, leading camps and performing at the Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival at California Lutheran University. The following students were selected for the 2011 Kingsmen Shakespeare Company Apprentice Program: Elizabeth Arenas from California State University, San Bernardino; Andy Babinski from California State University, Fullerton; Aaron Anthony Bonilla with the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts (PCPA); Jeremy Hanna from CLU; Seth Kamenow from CLU; Eric Klein from CLU; Casey Kooyman from University of the Pacific and PCPA; Clare Lopez from Saint Martin’s University and PCPA; Garrett Patrick Marshall with PCPA; Caitlyn O’Connor from Whittier College; Annie Sherman from CLU; Molly Stilliens from CLU; and Hannah Mae Sturges from CSUF. In a new addition this year, the apprentices will present two free staged readings of plays by Shakespeare’s contemporaries. “The Tamer Tamed” by John Fletcher will be performed at 3 p.m. July 16 and 17. The apprentices will present “The Jew of Malta” by Christopher Marlowe at 10 a.m. July 30, 2 p.m. July 31 and 7 p.m. Aug. 1. The apprentices are also helping high school students in the Rhodes Junior Apprentice Company to stage a public production of “Romeo and Juliet,” which is another first for the festival, on July 30 and 31 and Aug. 6 and 7. As in years past, the apprentices will understudy the professional actors in the company, play small roles and create and perform pre-show entertainment. They will also teach sessions of the company’s Summer Theatre Camp, build scenery, make costumes and set up and clean up the festival grounds. The apprentices started on June 6 and will continue working long days through Aug. 13. The professional theater company of CLU is presenting “The Taming of the Shrew” from July 1 through 17 and “The Merchant of Venice” July 22 through Aug. 7. The festival, which is in its 15th season, is one of the area’s most popular theatrical events. For more information, visit http://kingsmenshakespeare.org. |
By Anonymous — Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011
FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AGENDA 6:30 p.m. |
By Anonymous — Wednesday, June 15th, 2011
All students who registered for summer and/or fall class had an email sent to their MYVCCCD student portal informing them that they would be dropped from classes if they did not pay their registration fees. Students were informed of the opportunity to create a payment plan ($15 fee) and/or reminded of the financial aid process, etc. It has been reported that approximately 1,200 students have been dropped. They can re-register and will be given a seven day grace period effective at the time of registration. Beginning August 1st all fees will be due at time of registration. VC Promise students were told to submit their application IMMEDIATELY as the deadline date has been changed numerous times. The deadline is now July 21, 2011. |
By Anonymous — Tuesday, June 14th, 2011
The Ventura County Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) is proud to announce special education staff members who, in June 2011, completed all requirements for the Autism Certification Program and are recognized as experts. The candidates receiving certificates are: Las Virgenes Unified School District, Instructional Specialist, Jimalee Lunstrum; Ventura County Office of Education, Paraeducator, Alissa Bautista; and Ventura Unified School District, School Psychologist, Trish Malotte. In order to achieve this certification, candidates participate in a variety of professional development events gaining skills and expertise for working with children with autism. For more information on SELPA’s Autism Certification Program go to our website at: www.venturacountyselpa.com and click the “Autism” button; or call the SELPA office at (805) 437-1560. |
By Anonymous — Tuesday, June 14th, 2011
The 2010-2011 Ventura County Grand Jury is pleased to announce the public release of a report entitled: School Bus Safety SUMMARY School bus safety is a serious issue. A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed that, during the eleven-year period from 1998 through 2008, an average of 19 school-age children died in school transportation-related traffic crashes each year. The majority of people killed in school transportation-related crashes are not school-age bus riders, but are occupants of other vehicles involved or pedestrians. The Grand Jury reviewed school bus-related information provided by all 21 school districts (Districts) within the County, including the Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE). The information provided to the Grand Jury by the Districts appears to indicate that school bus travel in the County is safe. The Grand Jury estimated that the number of daily student bus riders in the County for the 2009-2010 school year was 16,167. The Grand Jury found that there were a total of 41 school bus-related accidents in that school year, resulting in four injuries to student bus riders. However, the Grand Jury found that there is a lack of comparable, consistent data between Districts which makes objective measure of school bus safety difficult. The Grand Jury searched the websites of all 21 Districts and a representative sample of individual school websites and was unable to find school bus safety statistics. The Grand Jury was unable to identify any agency with the responsibility for collecting and reporting County school bus safety information at the County level. The Grand Jury recommends that the VCOE assumes responsibility for the collection and reporting of school bus safety information within the County and develop a standard form for the collection of such information from the Districts. The Grand Jury recommends that the Districts use this standard form to collect school bus safety information, report this information to the VCOE, and post it on District websites. The Grand Jury recommends that the VCOE reports District school bus safety information on its website for the County as a whole. After a study of the issues surrounding seat belts on school buses, the Grand Jury found that it is unclear whether seat belts on school buses significantly increase school bus safety. Go to the Grand Jury website to review the entire report http://grandjury.countyofventura.org |
By Anonymous — Tuesday, June 14th, 2011
Camarillo, CA. - Students enrolled in CSU Channel Islands’ (CI) Master of Science in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics with an emphasis in Stem Cell Technology and Laboratory Management Program have had two very successful years. The program requires a one-year internship during which students work full-time in a research institution or a company doing advanced, real-time research on existing stem cell science projects. The internship program is overseen by Dr. Chunnian Zhao, an instructor for the MS program. A grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) funds the year-long internships for up to 10 students in the program each year at $35,750 for each student. The first cohort of students from CI’s MS program graduated in September of 2010. All had job offers. Some of the companies or institutions they have joined since graduation include Dr. Jeanne Loring’s lab at the Scripps Research Institute, Dendreon Corporation, Celavie Biosciences, Stem Cell Core Facility at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Dr. Joseph Gleeson Lab at UCSD , PDS Technical Services, Inc., UCSB Center for Stem Cell Biology and Engineering, City of Hope, and Amgen. Some of the students have already published papers in the nation’s most prestigious journals. More manuscripts are being prepared for publication. The second cohort of students will graduate in September of 2011 and are currently working as student interns at Scripps Research Institute, UCSB, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, University of Southern California, and City of Hope. These students are involved in cutting-edge stem cell research at a very advanced level. Michael Winkler, a student from the second cohort, is working at the City of Hope, under the guidance of Dr. Teresa Ku, a preeminent diabetes researcher. Winkler sought this opportunity because his father has diabetes and he has chosen research in diabetes and endocrinology as his field. “I am able to work at something that helps my family personally and in my field of interest, with a doctor who is tops in her field.” Chase Gabrelow is doing his internship at Scripps Research Institute and describes his research as, turning skin cells into brain cells.” The goal of this research is to help a patient with a neurodegenerative disorder, such as Alzheimer’s, by providing better and more specific treatment options. Upon completion of the program, Chase hopes to return to CI to earn his MBA, thus widening his career options. “This internship program has provided wonderful opportunities for our students to engage in front-line research in an exciting and rapidly advancing field and our students have benefited greatly from the program” said Dr. Ching-Hua Wang, the Director for the MS program. For additional information about these programs visit: http://www.csuci.edu/exed/msbiotech.htm. About California State University Channel Islands |