Provost Newsletter

September 2023
A Note from the Provost

Dear Faculty and Staff,

Happy Fall Semester!

I hope the new academic year has started well for you! As you may know, this is my first Fall Semester at CSUN, and it has been wonderful seeing everyone back on campus. The hustle and bustle bring a renewed sense of energy and purpose. Whether it is through CSUN Navigators directing new students across campus weeks ago or seeing students walking to class and chatting with friends, it is clear to me that our community is strong and I’m proud to be part of it.

First and foremost, I’d like to congratulate and welcome Jackie Stallcup as our Interim Vice Provost. I am thrilled to partner with her in moving us forward in teaching and learning to promote excellence across our campus and in our community.

Speaking of excellence, we welcomed 30 outstanding new tenure-track faculty members into the Matador family and they participated actively in a four-day orientation. These new faculty members are experts in their respective disciplines and are already teaching and engaging our students. They were selected through national searches and come to us from around the country.

Similarly, I am looking forward to welcoming over 9,800 new undergraduate and 1,500 new graduate students to campus at New Student Convocation next Wednesday, October 4. I encourage all of you to join me in celebrating the arrival of our newest Matadors at the event’s reception on the University Library Lawn. You may find more information and RSVP on the New Student Convocation webpage.

I’m also excited to get to know every one of you as I make my way across campus visiting all departments. It’s important to me to connect with you and learn firsthand about the work you’re doing, as well as your future goals, as you help our students and campus community reach greater heights. I am especially interested in how we are connecting with each other across departments to accomplish these goals. So, please say hello and introduce yourself if you see me.

On another important note, I’d like to call your attention to the launch of the Black Student Success Initiative (BSSI), led by Dr. William Watkins and Freddie Sanchez in Student Affairs, in partnership with Dr. Damon Williams and the Center for Strategic Diversity Leadership and Social Innovation (CSDLSI). I hope you will show your support of this crucial campus initiative by attending the kickoff and listening sessions happening next month. More information can be found below.

Lastly, CSUN is offering many professional and personal development opportunities this semester. Please be sure to check out the calendar of events on the Professional Development Training webpage.

Thank you for all you do and your dedication to our students and mission.

Sincerely,

Meera

Meera Komarraju, Ph.D.
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Latest Academic News

Check Out the Latest Center Proposal from Research & Sponsored Programs

Research and Sponsored Programs is seeking comments from the CSUN community on one new proposed center: The Ethnic Studies Center for Research, Activism, and Community Empowerment (ES Center for RACE). The Center’s purpose and functions are posted on the RSP website. A full draft of the charter is available to view on Box. Please submit your comments to research@csun.edu. Comments must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 13, 2023. Comments will be de-identified and shared with the Provost’s Council during the second read of the charter. Contact research@csun.edu with any questions.

Using TurnItIn to Check for Originality - Oct. 9

TurnItIn is an online plagiarism detection tool, which screens student work against a digital database of publications, papers, and websites. In addition to plagiarism checking, Turnitin offers various grading tools for annotating and commenting on student work. Turnitin is available to use with Canvas assignments. Register here.

Save Time Using Generative AI - Oct. 11

Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT have revolutionized the teaching and learning process, offering new possibilities. As educators, there is no need to fear these advancements; instead, we can embrace them to enhance our teaching practices. Register here.

Spotlight: Graduate Studies & Amy Levin, AVP Graduate Studies

How long have you been the AVP of Graduate Studies and what do you enjoy most about it? I have been AVP of Grad Studies since January 2017, so nearly 7 years. Time sure has flown and I have learned so much about so many different disciplines outside of my own over these past several years. What I most enjoy about my position is getting outside of my comfort zone...I love that I have met so many incredible staff and faculty... Read more about Amy Levin and Graduate Studies.

The Black Student Success Initiative (BSSI) Launches on October 5

CSUN is seeking to better understand campus efforts pertinent to Black student success and academic achievement. This includes gathering information on the lived experiences of students, faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni. One way we are gathering this information involves hosting a series of listening, dialogue, and community-building sessions. These 60-minute discussion groups will be led and facilitated by members of the external research team helping to advance research associated with the Black Student Success Initiative (BSSI).

For more information or to register, visit the Black Student Success Initiative (BSSI) webpage.