PERSONAL MESSAGES TO THE PRESIDENT
James Kulik, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus
Department of Psychology, University of California, San Diego
From the time you were a graduate student who talked her way into a brain-anatomy class in the medical school and who somehow had researchers offering you free MRI time, I knew your people skills were exceptional. Combined with your enormous passion, integrity, vision, and organizational skill, it was clear even then you possessed all the ingredients of a superlative leader. I’m fortunate to have had numerous grad students who have gone on to excel in academia, but only you have risen to a position that enables such a positive impact on so many young lives. You have done yourself and thereby your old advisor proud. CSUN is very fortunate to have you as its new leader. Brava, Dr. Beck, Brava!
Sandip Thanki, Ph.D.
Associate Vice Provost, Institutional Effectiveness, Nevada State College
I had the privilege of working for Erika for over ten years at Nevada State College. I quickly learned that Erika is a visionary. She can see far beyond the current state of affairs. She can see contributing professionals in new freshmen, innovative experts in new academic officers, and future monuments in open landscapes. Out of many counts of her mentorship, I am a living example – a graduate student teaching astronomy part-time eventually becoming a department chair and an associate vice provost of institutional effectiveness, a path that I would have never envisioned for myself without her guidance. Along with being far-sighted, Erika is an extremely hardworking individual. Even after being in the classroom for many years, being a chair, a dean, and a provost, I have seen her meticulously preparing for her every engagement to serve students’ best interest. One of the very first pieces of advice I received from her was to strive for becoming the best steward of student resources. I still use that advice as one of my guiding principles. I have no doubt that her work will continue to change the face of higher education.
George S. Leis ’81 (Geography)
President & Chief Operating Officer, Montecito Bank & Trust
I have had the privilege of serving with Dr. Beck on the CSUCI and CSUN Foundation Boards. As a proud Matador alumni, I would like to congratulate Dr. Beck on her Investiture as President of California State University, Northridge.
Dr. Beck is one of the most charismatic and strategic leaders I have ever encountered. She is a skilled listener, deeply committed to the belief that diversity, equity, and inclusion are active processes that foster a culture of compassion, open-mindedness, and inclusiveness. Those qualities were invaluable in bringing the campus community together making student success central to every decision she made.
Dr. Beck is committed to reimagining higher education to create a better, brighter, and more equitable future, ensuring our graduates have the critical thinking skills necessary to be successful stewards of a constantly evolving world.
In my interactions with Dr. Beck over the years, she has been consistent in her conviction that the fundamental purpose of a university is to enable human potential. I am excited for the CSUN community as Dr. Beck’s vision of allowing everyone to realize their highest potential becomes embedded in the culture of our university.
Dr. LaSonya Davis
Associate Professor of Nursing, California State University Channel Islands
I had the opportunity to serve under President Erika Beck, during her Presidency at CSU Channel Islands, as a tenured nursing faculty member and as the Inaugural President’s Faculty Fellow. During my fellowship, I had the privilege to observe first-hand the innovation, strength, and integrity of President Beck’s leadership during challenging times. The murder of George Floyd in the summer of 2020 sparked anger, protest, and sadness across this country. The call to action was cast and President Beck was swift to respond. Meeting with Black faculty, staff, and students fueled her commitment to addressing the racial inequities on our campus head on. The preamble to her “Racial Justice: A Commitment to Action” outlined her campus vision of a culture of Inclusive Excellence at CI. This commitment led to the creation of a framework for assessment, accountability, infrastructure, and resources to address justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts on our campus. Her mentoring and friendship have been instrumental in my leadership advancement as a Black woman in academia and for this I will be forever grateful. I wholeheartedly congratulate President Beck on her installation and investiture at CSU Northridge!
Amanda Garcia
Alumna, CSU Channel Islands
As a former graduate of CSUCI, where President Beck served as my President and having the opportunities I did to get to know President Beck at the many events she attended, I would like to celebrate with the students of CSU Northridge in the recognition of this incredible leader they are receiving. Maxwell’s highest level of leadership accomplishment is developing other successful leaders and many believe the ultimate test of a leader is to leave a legacy wherever they have been; this is precisely what President Beck has accomplished. President Beck’s desire to serve others, appreciation for the value of diversity, and her willingness to listen and learn what students need are only a few of the numerous assets she brings to a University. Not only did President Beck support me during my time under her leadership, she provided invaluable advice that I still keep with me to date. I discussed my goals and dreams for my future and my hesitancy to apply for some things I thought I could never reach; her response to me was, “Even if you get a no, it is not a no, it’s a not right now.” That advice encouraged me to apply to the best hospital in the country, where I was offered my dream job. A few years later, when I considered applying to graduate school, fearful and hesitant again with the level of difficulty, I remembered her words of advice. I am very proud to say I am currently a Doctoral student in a competitive Nurse Anesthesia program, looking to continue the leadership I have been fortunate enough to gain from President Beck. I hope she is proud when she sees those she helped to develop into future leaders continue on leading as she continues to inspire and shape the next generation of leaders.
Stevie Ruiz, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, CSUN Department of Chicana/o Studies
Faculty Representative for CSUN President Search and Screen Committee
Having served on the CSUN President Search and Screen Committee that was elected by faculty, I am excited to welcome President Erika D. Beck to our campus community. Along with my colleagues in Chicana/o Studies, Gender & Women’s Studies, Queer Studies and Ethnic Studies departments, faculty are enthusiastic to work with President Beck because of her commitment to equity and diversity. COVID-19 has proven to be a test of a lifetime for all of us, but I am especially committed to partnering with campus leaders like President Beck to bring the best needs practices for the most vulnerable on our campus, especially those who are impacted by systemic racism, sexism, transphobia, and homophobia. I look forward to building the CSUN we all know we can have and deserve.
Dr. Dan Chernow ’67 (History), MA ’89 (Education), MA ’03 (History)
CSUN Alumni Association President
Faculty Representative for CSUN President Search and Screen Committee
On the occasion of Dr. Erika D. Beck’s investiture as the 6th President of California State University, Northridge, it is my honor as President of the Alumni Association to congratulate her on behalf of the nearly 390,000 Matador Alumni. We wish her success as she leads our University in the years ahead. We know she will be as proud of this campus as we are proud to be bearers of its great tradition. We look forward to continue to rise under her leadership.
We epitomize the wonderful diversity in our society and are pleased to represent the many first generation and DACA students graduating from CSUN and the opportunity for all students to receive a college degree.
Welcome to CSUN and congratulations on assuming the presidency!
Rose Merida
Activities Coordinator, CSUN Office of Student Development
2020-2021 Associated Students President
Hello! My name is Rose Merida and I have had the honor to serve in many roles here at Cal State Northridge. As Associated Students President in the 2020 to 2021 academic year, I had the opportunity to be one of the student leaders on CSUN’s Presidential Search and this is where I met Dr. Erika Beck. My first impression of Dr. Beck was a leader who understands the difference between listening to understand and not just to respond. She understands the importance of student voices especially while we are all navigating higher education in uncertain times. As a current graduate student, I am grateful that CSUN received another Matador who is deeply committed to supporting and advancing our community. Our community is made of leaders who are generous with their knowledge and time which truly makes me excited for the future of CSUN. As my family always says in Spanish, “cada día trae nuevas oportunidades” which translates to “every day brings us new opportunities.” New opportunities to learn, to do, to teach and overall become a better version of ourselves. Thank you to all the faculty, staff, and students who make our community better.
Deion Turner
2020-2021 Associated Students Vice President
I will never forget my time serving as the Associated Students vice president and hearing the announcement that you were going to be our University President. I was instantly excited as I did research and heard so many positive things about you and your commitment to not only the work of diversity and inclusion, but your commitment to student success. Having the opportunity to work alongside you was amazing, whether it was meeting with a Congressman to advocate for our dreamers to planning out ways to effectively communicate with different populations of students, I always appreciated how no matter what we did, you kept students first in mind. I am proud and forever grateful to have been your first Matador Student Administrator alongside Rose in 2021.