Dean's Message to Students
David Nazarian Receives Honorary Doctorate
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Nazarian College Receives AACSB Recognition
Dr. Erika D. Beck began her leadership of California State University, Northridge in January 2021 and proudly serves as CSUN’s fourth consecutive female president. A strong advocate for the power of higher education to improve lives, transform communities and promote social mobility, Dr. Beck champions the academic success of students in the attainment of their highest educational aspirations and as future leaders prepared to excel in today’s rapidly changing economy and society. Her unwavering commitment to advancing equity, inclusion and justice is the foundation upon which she leads institutions of higher learning to facilitate human potential while advancing knowledge that serves the public good.
As president, Dr. Beck is invested in the success of a campus community of more than 40,000 students, faculty and staff. Under her leadership, CSUN has developed a new equity-centered strategic plan; realized record level giving, including the two largest gifts in CSUN's history; launched the Global Hispanic Serving Institution Equity Innovation Hub and received the Seal of Excelencia from Excelencia in Education for leadership, practice and success in serving Latinx students. CSUN is ranked as the second best public university in California and seventh in the nation for accelerating the social and economic mobility of its students.
Immediately prior to coming to CSUN, Dr. Beck served as President of CSU Channel Islands from 2016 to 2021. She was Provost and Executive Vice President at Nevada State College from 2010 to 2016, where she previously served as the Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences and a tenured member of the psychology faculty. Dr. Beck was a research associate at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of California, San Diego, a master’s degree from San Diego State University, and a Ph.D. in experimental psychology from the University of California, San Diego.
As President of CSU Channel Islands, Dr. Beck facilitated the development of a comprehensive strategic plan that led to record enrollment, retention and graduation rates among students and a significant expansion of philanthropic investment in academic priorities and capital projects. Under her leadership, the campus received the inaugural Seal of Excelencia from Excelencia in Education.
Dr. Beck was named one of the Most Influential Leaders in Education by the Pacific Coast Business Times and Woman of the Year by the California Women’s Caucus, and has served on numerous boards and commissions. She is currently a board member of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, the Coalition of Urban Serving Universities and the Executive Committee of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Committee’s Board of Governors.
Dr. Beck enjoys reading, yoga, and occasionally upstaging her sons with her Tik Tok dance moves.