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Office of the Provost

December 8, 2025

Updates on events, resources, & achievements.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CSULB Faculty Turn AI Proposals into Bold New Paths for Student Learning

From inventing a teaching chatbot to incorporating AI in research and learning activities, CSULB faculty members are harnessing the power of AI to prepare students for the next generation of work and education.

Four Beach faculty members received awards in the inaugural, CSU-wide Artificial Intelligence Educational Innovations Challenge. The awards are supporting projects that have the potential to transform teaching methods, foster groundbreaking research, and address key concerns about AI adoption in the academic environment.

In Memoriam: Bob Foster

CSULB honors the life of Bob Foster, a former Long Beach mayor whose dedication to this campus included extensive support for the baseball program. Foster passed away Nov. 30 at 78.

Foster was a longtime supporter of higher education in California. He served on the California State University Board of Trustees from 1997 to 2006, and in 2024, joined the Long Beach State Foundation Board of Directors, which oversees the management and investment of assets donated to CSULB. We thank and we honor all the contributions of Bob Foster on behalf of The Beach.

EVENTS

Dec. 7-11 – Art Department Holiday Sale

Dec. 10 – Loud Hour at the Museum

Dec. 11 – Community Night Crafts in the Museum

Dec. 11 – Building Accessible Canvas Pages

Dec. 16 – Harm Reduction Distribution Program

Dec. 18 – Friendship Factor: Build Authentic Lasting Friendships

POINTS OF PRIDE

History Professor Rajbir Singh Judge Receives Prestigious Book Award

Rajbir Singh Judge, Ph.D., associate professor of History in the College of Liberal Arts, has received the American Academy of Religion’s prestigious “Best First Book in the History of Religions” award for his debut book, Prophetic Maharaja: Loss, Sovereignty, and the Sikh Tradition in Colonial South Asia.

In addition to this top honor, Prophetic Maharaja was also a finalist for the “Excellence in the Study of Religion: Analytical-Descriptive Studies” award – further recognition of the book’s scholarly impact and Dr. Rajbir Singh Judge’s significant contributions to the field.

This distinction is a proud moment for Dr. Rajbir Singh Judge and for CSULB. We are honored to have him as a member of our faculty. Congratulations, Rajbir!

Child & Family Studies Professor Nominated for Early Academic Career Excellence Award for Research on Mindfulness and Relationships

Department of Child and Family Studies assistant professor Matthew Jaurequi was recently nominated for CSULB’s Early Academic Career Excellence Award for his latest publication in the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy (JMFT) entitled, “Trait Mindfulness and Depression in Latino Couples: The Mediating Role of Relationship Satisfaction.”

As a licensed marriage and family therapist and certified family life educator, Dr. Jaurequi’s research is focused on how mindfulness improves the quality of romantic relationships and how these relational benefits contribute to better overall health. In his latest study, he demonstrates the cultural relevance of mindfulness in supporting stronger relationships and better mental health for Latino couples.

CSULB Learning Center Director Dr. Chris Jolly Moderates Panel on Learning Assistance at CRLA National Conference

Dr. Chris Jolly, Director of the Learning Center and President-elect of the California Chapter of the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA), recently served as moderator for a statewide panel at the 2025 CRLA National Conference in San Francisco this November.

The session, titled “State of the State: Perspectives on Learning Assistance in California,” brought together leaders from universities and colleges across the state, including from each of the major state systems – University of California, the California State University, and California Community Colleges – as well as private universities. The panel explored current trends and challenges in academic support and tutoring, including the use of artificial intelligence in learning centers, approaches to equity-minded advocacy, and strategies for sustaining student success efforts in shifting educational landscapes. This panel was the first CRLA “spotlight session” led by a regional chapter, which the organization plans to make a regular feature of future conferences.

Dr. Jolly’s participation highlights CSULB’s leadership in student success and learning support, as well as the university’s engagement in statewide and national professional collaboration aimed at strengthening academic achievement for all students.

CSULB Fuels $2.4 Billion in Economic Activity

The Beach generates an estimated $2.4 billion worth of economic activity while supporting some 16,800 jobs. The enhanced earnings of CSULB alumni – attributable to their Beach degree – supports 51,100 jobs and $10.6 billion in annual economic activity. These are among the findings from “Moving California Forward: The Economic Impact of the CSU,” a new report showing how the 22-campus California State University propels students, alumni, and entire communities toward prosperity.

Accolades

View the latest accolades and see how faculty members are contributing as experts in the news.

IN THE NEWS

Grants & Gifts

Stay up to date on your colleagues that have acquired the latest CSULB grants and gifts on our website.

GRANTS & GIFTS

NEWS & UPDATES

Scan Your Canvas Course with UDOIT Today!

UDOIT is integrated in Canvas and scans your course for accessibility issues. Try it today and prepare your spring semester courses for Title II requirements! Find the UDOIT link in your course navigation menu on the left panel. If the link is not visible, you may need to enable it:

Visit the Settings link.
Select the Navigation tab.
Drag the UDOIT link label up to the top section of the screen.

Pro tip: Practice using UDOIT on your Canvas Sandbox or Development course.

For an overview of this tool, attend an upcoming workshop or watch a recording from a recent session: You Can Do It With UDOIT.

Library Extended Hours Starts Today

With fall semester finals around the corner, the library is starting extended hours today to support students. From December 8-11 hours are 7 a.m. - 12 a.m. From December 14-18 hours are 7 a.m. - 2 a.m. Check the library hours page to verify hours.

Fall 2025 Graduate Writing Retreat

With over 60 attendees during the Fall Break Graduate Writing Retreat, the Graduate Center provided a dedicated space for graduate students to work on writing assignments – including course papers and theses – while staying nourished and caffeinated. The Graduate Center and the Thesis & Dissertation Office staff were on deck to provide support. In addition, Luis Espitia, Beach Wellness student intern, provided helpful tips on establishing boundaries and maintaining balance.

Beach Alum Becomes Prominent Voice in Long Beach’s Food Scene

James Tir ’13 is the creator of @LBFoodComa, an Instagram account he started as a design major at CSULB. He credits the design program with teaching him how to think in systems, build stories, and make ideas useful. Now, managing the account is Tir’s full-time job and he has become one of the most influential figures in Long Beach’s food scene.

Graduate Student Study Nights on the Horizon

Graduate Studies will be hosting two study sessions for graduate students to make a strong finish to their fall semester! Family Study Night will be held on Tuesday, December 9 (4 p.m. – 7 p.m.) for graduate students with children on the second floor of the University Library.

The Graduate Student Finals Study Jam will be held on Wednesday, December 10 (4 p.m. – 7 p.m.) on the second floor of the University Library. It is open to all graduate students. Food will be provided for both study sessions while supplies last.

Graduate Studies thanks the Office of the Provost for supporting these study jams with goodie bags for attendees.

The Lecturer Lifeline Presents: “Lecturer Intersectionality: Inclusion, Access, and Balance”

Join Lecturer Lifeline for a social hour, presentation, and discussion of lecturer work-life balance, finding one's place within the university, and the role of service in the career of lecturer faculty. With food!

Friday, December 12, at 1 p.m. in LA2-200

RSVP here or email Lecturer Lifeline with any questions.

Please email in advance with any accommodation needs (ASL, etc.)

Ukleja Center for Ethical Leadership’s Nell and John Wooden Ethics in Leadership Award Celebration

200 campus and community leaders gathered at The Modern on November 6 to celebrate a presentation of the 2025 Nell and John Wooden Ethics in Leadership Award. Hosted by the Ukleja Center for Ethical Leadership (UCEL), the $10,000 award honored Jeff Levine, President & CEO of the Long Beach Rescue Mission. With compassion as his guiding principle, Jeff is dramatically affecting positive change in our city by changing the trajectory of the lives of individuals and families struggling with homelessness and addiction. Thanks to the generous support of our local business, education, and philanthropic community, the award celebration raised over $65,000 for UCEL’s Ethics Across the Curriculum program.

Your Last Chance to Visit the Kleefeld Contemporary Museum

The Kleefeld Contemporary Museum will close on Thursday, December 11 for the remainder of the fall semester. Now is your last chance to view exhibitions like Solastalgia, Christine Nguyen: Emergence of the Kelp Deer, and Jennifer Celio: Species in Danger. The museum will reopen in spring 2026 with new exhibitions.

Beach Alum Works to Save Indigenous Language and Culture

Deborah Sanchez ’82 is committed to saving her ancestors’ language. Sanchez has Chumash, O’odham, and Raramuri heritage and her work is helping to revive and preserve Indigenous language and culture. Through her efforts, she is raising awareness about the importance of heritage and identity while also contributing to language revitalization and cultural resilience.

38th Annual Student Research Competition

The purpose of the Annual Student Research Competition is to showcase excellence in scholarly research, and highlight creative activity conducted by CSULB undergraduate and graduate students. This year's Student Research Competition will feature oral presentations to an audience of fellow students, university community members, and a jury of distinguished faculty. The 38th Annual Student Research Competition will take place Friday, February 27, 2026. Join us and cheer on our students as they share their inspiring research and creative ideas. View the competition webpage for more information.

CSULB Students Train Autonomous Robots for Real-World Rescue

CSULB PACK lab students are putting cutting-edge robotics to powerful use – they’re training autonomous robots to respond in real-world rescue scenarios. Through hands-on learning, teamwork, and real-world problem solving, these students are preparing technology that could one day help save lives. Their work showcases the innovation, dedication, and impact happening right now at The Beach.

Iconic Campus Pyramid Gets New Name

Following unanimous approval of the resolution by the CSU Board of Trustees, CSULB and LBS Financial Credit Union announced a 12-year, $8.5-million sponsorship agreement that renames the iconic sports and events venue the “LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid.”

Enjoy Shows at the Carpenter Center this Holiday Season

Shows at the Carpenter Center aren’t slowing down as the year closes! Check out captivating choreography with A.I.M by Kyle Abraham on December 13 and get festive with A Broadway Holiday with David Burnham on December 17 and 18. Student tickets are $25 with code HOTTIX and a CSULB student email address. Staff and faculty save $10 with code CSULBFACSTAFF and a CSULB email address.

ALI to Launch English for Trucking & Transportation to Meet Workforce Needs

Qualified truck drivers who speak English as a second language are facing new challenges due to the federal government's increased enforcement of English proficiency rules. In response, CSULB's American Language Institute (ALI) is launching the English for Trucking and Transportation certificate program, which provides specific training for commercial truck drivers needing to demonstrate their ability to communicate with enforcement officials about road signs, inspections, and emergency situations. ALI faculty designed the program after gaining related expertise by completing CSULB's Global Logistics Professional program with support from the Intermodal Association of North America and the Center for International Trade and Transportation.

CALL FOR FACULTY PARTICIPANTS: ASSET Program Applications Due December 12

Accelerating Student Success and Equity in Teaching (ASSET) is a peer-facilitated 3-week intensive, hands-on program. ASSET is for faculty teaching in fall 2025 and spring 2026; Graduate Assistants/Teaching Assistants and undergraduates are not eligible. ASSET combines three synchronous Zoom meetings along with asynchronous activities and deliverables. ASSET is unique in that it blends use of the CSU/CSULB student success dashboards and data with the model of culturally responsive pedagogy (CRP) and equity-minded teaching practices.

This sixth (and potentially final) offering of ASSET will be over winter 2026. Participants will attend synchronous meetings over Zoom on Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the following dates: 1/2, 1/9, and 1/16 (a lunch break will be given). Upon completion of the workshop and deliverables, participants will receive a stipend of $1,000. Due to funding, this may be the last opportunity to participate in ASSET. Applications are due on December 12. Contact ASSET with questions.

Week of Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

The Week of Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity (RSCA) 4th annual event will take place April 20-24, 2026. This event will focus on highlighting some of the amazing work currently being done across the CSULB campus by students, staff, and faculty. We hope to show the immense value and importance that the projects have not only on the campus but also within local communities. There will be plenty of opportunities to meet with presenters, have dialogues regarding various scientific and social topics, and network with members from various disciplines across CSULB.

This year’s event will take place at CSULB and the Week of RSCA encourages everyone to not only engage with the sessions that are related to their own disciplines but also attend and engage with those that are outside of their own disciplines. Check out the RSCA webpage for more information.

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