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Office of the ProvostAugust 11, 2026 Dear Colleagues, As we prepare for I invite you to join us at Convocation as we convene to celebrate the start of a new academic year, reflect on our progress, and look ahead to what we can accomplish together. Please RSVP for Convocation, and I look forward to welcoming you back for an exciting 2026–27 academic year. Go Beach! Karyn Scissum Gunn, Ph.D. ANNOUNCEMENTS
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the fall semester, I am energized by the opportunities ahead and grateful for the collective work that continues to move our university and our students forward. This year’s Convocation theme, “Rising with the Tide: A New Wave of Student Success,” reflects the momentum we are building together as we continue to support our students and their success, strengthen our academic community, and create pathways for ALL Beach students to thrive. 
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NEWS & UPDATES
Chancellor's Office-mandated eduroam Wi-Fi change may require device reconnection
A required change to eduroam, the primary secure Wi-Fi network for CSULB students, faculty, and staff, took effect on July 29. The CSU Chancellor’s Office changed the digital certificate provider used by all CSU campuses, which may require some personally owned and university-owned phones, tablets, laptops, and other devices to have their eduroam connection re-established.
Faculty and staff members are strongly encouraged to visit the July 24 CSULB CIO message for important, device-specific guidance about reconnecting to eduroam, whether completing the process before returning to campus or after arriving for the fall 2026 semester.
Data Fellows celebrates 10 years of turning data into action
For the past decade, CSULB's Data Fellows program has brought faculty, staff and administrators together to use institutional data to better understand and improve the student experience. Since launching with 36 participants across 14 teams in 2015, the program has engaged more than 430 faculty, staff, administrators and students in projects addressing challenges ranging from graduation and retention to degree pathways and student success.
HSI Week is around the corner
Don’t miss this year’s CSULB Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Week from Sept. 8–11 with programming that reflects the university's ongoing commitment to intentionally serving students and creating an environment where the campus community can thrive. Events include an HSI Forum and zine activity, research and graduate student panels, an Honors student success webinar, and a faculty and staff highlight in partnership with the Chicano and Latino Studies Department. The week concludes with an HSI Week Carne Asada at the Alumni Center on Friday, Sept. 11. Registration for this year’s HSI Week Carne Asada is now open.
Catalina Island research experience turns CSULB students into field biologists
CSULB biology students spent a week on Catalina Island gaining hands-on field research experience alongside the Catalina Island Conservancy. Through the Catalina Island Summer Research Experience, students conducted wildlife surveys, studied native and invasive plants, toured a native plant nursery, and contributed meaningful data to conservation efforts on the island.
Second Saturday Community Day at the Kleefeld
Spend a Saturday exploring art at the Carolyn Campagna Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum on Sept. 12 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Second Saturday Community Day offers free exhibition tours, guided Art Park tours and hands-on art-making activities for visitors of all ages and skill levels. The event is free and open to the public, with no RSVP required.
Get ready for fall with CSULB's new semester roadmap
The 2026-27 academic year brings new, relocated, and expanded resources for students, faculty, and staff across The Beach. From the continued Future U transformation and the opening of the new La Playa residence hall to transportation updates and new student services, there's plenty to know before fall gets underway. Explore CSULB's new-semester roadmap for important updates and resources to help navigate the year ahead.
CSULB Shark Lab welcomes thousands to open house
CSULB’s acclaimed Shark Lab welcomed more than 3,000 visitors to Sharks @ The Beach, its annual open house highlighting marine research, public education, and beach safety. Guests explored live animal tanks, hands-on exhibits, and new research on how white sharks may hear and sense people in the water, while also getting a first look at the lab’s semi-autonomous shark surveillance bot.
Biology Professor Christine Whitcraft provides insight into Long Beach's king tides and local flooding
Biological Sciences Professor Dr. Christine Whitcraft recently shared her expertise on the science behind Long Beach's king tides and the effects rising sea levels can have on coastal communities. Whitcraft, the Paul and Katherine Johansen Endowed Chair for Environmental and Life Sciences, studies wetland ecology, climate change and human impacts on coastal ecosystems. Watch her interview to learn more about what changing tides can tell us about the future of Southern California's coastline.
Faculty member surveys queer Indigenous cinema in new book
Gabriel Estrada, a professor in religious studies, has recently published a book titled “Queer Indigenous Cinemas: Sovereign Genders from Seven Directions” (University of Arizona Press). The book offers an analysis of queer Indigenous media from the Americas, the Pacific and the Caribbean. Estrada uses Indigenous directional space and sovereign mapping methods to uncover the emotional, spiritual and cultural dimensions of queer Indigenous lives. Learn more details in the July Making Waves column.
Carpenter Center launches their 2026-2027 Season
Tickets and new series subscriptions are now on sale. Visit the Carpenter Center’s webpage to view the full season.
Student Discounts: Season shows are only $25 for all CSULB students with code HOTTIX at checkout.
Faculty/Staff Discounts: Faculty/Staff save $10 on shows with code CSULBFACSTAFF and your @csulb.edu email address during checkout.
The Center's upcoming 50%-off discount on select season shows runs from Aug. 31–Sept. 18. Join the Center's faculty/staff discount mailing list to be notified.
CSULB student teachers bring STEM learning to children who need it most
Each summer, CSULB’s SEE US Succeed! camp gives children who are unhoused, in foster care, or living in poverty access to free, hands-on science and engineering lessons, while giving future teachers an opportunity to lead a classroom. Founded as an offshoot of the Young Scientists Camp, the program pairs credential candidates with mentor teachers as they plan lessons, teach experiments, and build confidence in real classroom settings.
Helen Cameron named Access Services Librarian
The University Library is pleased to announce that Helen Cameron has been recruited as Access Services Librarian. After more than a decade serving the University Library as a staff member, Helen now oversees Access Services, including Circulation and Interlibrary Loan, while supporting staff development, strengthening communication, and advancing equitable access to library resources.
Professor’s book explores Indigenous fire-burning practices
Theresa Lynn Gregor, professor and program director for American Indian Studies, served as co-editor for the recently published book, “Landkeeping: Restoring Indigenous Fire Stewardship and Ecological Partnerships” (Oregon State University Press). The book, co-edited by Jared D. Aldern, examines the impact and efficacy of Indigenous fire and cultural burning practices in the face of rising temperatures, longer summers, drought and the increase of wildfires in the United States and Canada. Learn more details in the July Making Waves column.
Beach students support children with autism through community-based research
CSULB psychology students are spending their summer advancing research that supports families of young children showing early signs of autism. Through the Community Autism Research for Equity Lab, or CARE Lab, students are helping study how family-therapist dynamics, language access, and culturally responsive care can improve early intervention services, particularly for Latine and Spanish-speaking families.
Marcelo Martir joins the library faculty
The University Library is proud to announce that former Library intern Marcelo Martir has joined the faculty as a Lecturer Librarian. After completing a successful internship while pursuing his MLIS at UCLA, Marcelo now supports instruction for English and RGRLL, provides reference services, and is developing expertise in collection development.
Graduate Studies announces and celebrates the 2026-2027 Sally Casanova Awardees
The Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Program supports doctoral aspirations of CSU students who are interested in becoming faculty. Sally Casanova scholars receive a $5,000 stipend that allows them to explore and prepare to succeed in PhD/doctoral programs in their chosen field of study. Additionally, they have the opportunity to apply for a full-funded summer research experience. In recent years, the program expanded to include a Health Professions Track.
The 2026-2027 CSULB Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Scholars awardees are: Alexander Uy (Electrical Engineering, MS), Chelsea Acevedo (Counseling, Student Development in Higher Education, MS), Dylan Delprato (History, MA), Isabella Monterosso (Psychology, BA and Criminology, BS), Jake Hunter (Mechanical Engineering, BS/MS - Beach EDGE), Layla Tondravi (Psychological Research, MA), Lucille Curtis (History, MA), Miranda Arnold (Psychological Research, MA), Nanthanann Nuon (Biology, MS), Nicole Reyes Camacho (Psychological Research, MA), Sage Greenstein (Criminology and Criminal Justice, MS), Teresa Falcon (Psychological Research, MA), and Yailanis Cruz (Master of Social Work).
The 2026-2027 Health Professions Track Scholars are: Joyti Chand (Master of Social Work) and Crystal Rivera (Counseling Psychology, MS).
Kleefeld Contemporary fall exhibitions opening celebration
Kleefeld Contemporary invites you to their fall 2026 exhibitions opening reception on September 17! Enjoy music, entertainment, refreshments, art activities, and good vibes. It's the perfect opportunity to see their newest exhibitions. RSVP is highly encouraged and free.
Free resources to help you prepare for the future
The Office of Planned Giving invites you to explore free estate planning resources. Join the Basic Estate Planning: Wills, Trusts and Peace of Mind webinar on August 27 to learn the fundamentals, and take advantage of Giving Docs, a complimentary online platform that helps you create essential estate planning documents from the comfort of your home.
Cheer on Long Beach Coast at CSULB x LB Coast Night
Join fellow alumni, students, faculty, staff, and the greater Beach community for CSULB x Long Beach Coast Night! Cheer on the Long Beach Coast as they take on the Modesto Roadsters and enjoy a fun evening of baseball, school spirit, and community connections at Blair Field.
Vote for the CSU Photo of the Year
Voting is open for the CSU's 2026 Photo of the Year competition, featuring memorable moments captured across the 22-campus system during the 2025-26 academic year. CSULB photographer Sean DuFrene's entry captures student-athlete and indoor and outdoor pole vault record holder Jonelle Scott launching into the air during a track and field training session. Cast your vote by August 28!
CSULB debater-mentors instill the power of persuasion
CSULB Speech and Debate Team members are using their voices to compete, mentor, and inspire the next generation of student leaders. Through collaboration with the Los Angeles Metropolitan Debate League, Beach debaters are helping local high school students build confidence, research skills, and the power of persuasion.
Submissions Open for September INSIDE Academic Affairs Newsletter
Submit items for our September edition by September 8. Please email submissions to AA Communications. Submissions should be brief and include a related hyperlink.
Please note, we cannot guarantee that all submitted items will be published. However, submission items can be used to share in other channels (i.e. social media, news story, etc.).
More Faculty & Staff Resources
Find more campus resources online.
aa-communication@csulb.edu | 562.985.5587
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