In this issue…
Current News
Sports analytics major set to launch at CBU in the fall
California Baptist University is offering a new major that promises to be a game changer. This fall CBU will offer a Bachelor of Science in Sports Analytics, the first-of-its-kind offered west of the Mississippi.
Dr. Lisa Hernandez, chair of the department of natural and mathematical sciences, said the new major will be geared toward those who want to make a career in professional sports.
“Sports, like any other major industry, is looking to gain an advantage through analytics,” Hernandez said. “We live in a data-driven era where every click on any site can be potentially used to your advantage. It’s no different on the playing field.”
Hernandez said that throughout mathematic departments in academia, students have been told that majoring in statistics could help land a sports analytics job. However, at CBU there is now an effort to focus on courses and experiences that will better equip a person for this specific field.
Part of the upper division coursework will include a partnership with Lancers Athletics, where students will work closely with coaches and staff to determine statistics that need to be analyzed for various teams. Additionally, an internship will be required pushing students out into the community to gain hands-on experiences.
Hernandez said CBU faculty was a prominent factor in the ability to launch this program.
Dr. Linn Carothers, professor of mathematics and one of the faculty for the new major, has a reputation for using supercomputing to analyze statistics at a high level.
Carothers led the effort to secure two grants at CBU that provide access for faculty and staff to supercomputers located all over the country. CBU faculty can now model, simulate and predict using big sample data that is bootstrapped, or resampled thousands of times from these supercomputers.
“For CBU students, it means that we can train them at the bleeding edge of technology. They can use the most advanced software [available],” Carothers said.
Director aims to create the go-to-place for research at CBU
Faculty, staff and students will have a more comfortable place on campus come fall to explore and conduct research at California Baptist University.
Erin Smith, assistant professor of psychology and director of research at the School of Behavioral Sciences, said she envisions the Center for the Study of Human Behavior (CSHB) as the “water-cooler” spot to develop the culture of research at CBU.
Smith said that while CSHB is not new to CBU, it is receiving a makeover this summer.
“We are working to create a more warm psychical space where research can be conducted,” Smith said.
The center will have spaces designated to utilize research methods such as interviews or focus groups. The center will also have computers, cameras and microphones to assist in the research processes.
While the center is housed within the School of Behavioral Sciences, the CSHB is an interdisciplinary facility, and faculty, students, and researchers from across disciplines are encouraged to utilize the center, Smith said.
Smith also envisions the center as a place to host workshops where instructors can share their research findings with other faculty. She wants the place to be a melting pot and birthing place of ideas.
“Sometimes we can be consumed with teaching,” Smith said. “We want the center to be a place to take a break and learn about other projects that are going on at CBU and work on building interdisciplinary collaborations.”
Smith said she also wants graduate programs to know that undergraduates are looking for opportunities to gain experience with conducting research. The center will aim to connect students with research opportunities.
“Undergraduate students can be effective resources for our graduate programs,” Smith said. “They need to pad their resume with research experience, and we can use their help…it can become a mutually beneficial relationship.”
CBU students land fellowships with city, government agencies
Six students from California Baptist University were selected to participate in the inaugural Western Regional Council of Governments (WRCOG) Fellowship Program.
WRCOG focuses on solving issues pertinent to the 17 cities and various agencies it represents throughout the Inland Empire region.
The six students represent a variety of programs at CBU including the master’s in public and business administration and the sociology and environment science majors.
The students selected were Tammi Philips (Banning’s city manager office), Bobby Frisch (Hemet’s city manager office), Nelly Telleria (Lake Elsinore’s city manager office), Eduardo Sida (Perris’ city manager office), Megan Elder (Riverside Museum cultural affairs) and Melissa Varela (Western Municipal Water District public information office).
Frisch said his first task will be incorporating infographics and other communication designs into the state of the mayor’s address.
“I’m going into this opportunity thinking how beneficial this could be for me professionally, by learning how to work next to high-ranking government officials,” Frisch said.
The fellowship is in its inaugural year, and CBU was one of two universities selected to recommend students to help fill open positions. Each student will work for a nine-month period, 32-40 hours a week, at a rate of $15-$17 per hour.
Students were selected to various positions based on a combination of factors including their resume, work experience, skill set and performance during an interview.
Laura Acosta, associate director for CBU’s Career Center, said this opportunity allows students unique access to top city and agency officials.
“These fellowships will not only allow students an inside look into specific government and agency roles, but it will also allow them to develop professional connections,” Acosta said.
Students get opportunity to practice health care overseas
Students from California Baptist University work with autistic children in China as part of the Global Health Engagement Program.
Two teams from the College of Health Science at California Baptist University spent three weeks serving communities in China and the Philippines in various healthcare roles.
The trips were part of the Global Health Engagement (GHE) program, which provides students an opportunity to serve in a global healthcare setting while gaining course credit.
“The purpose is to teach the students how their personal and spiritual gifts line up so that they can live their purpose in the world and in the kingdom of God,” said Erik Salley, assistant professor of exercise science and coordinator of GHE.
A team of 12, including nine students, went to the Philippines (June 3 – 24). The team broke up into three groups and each rotated among various health centers, including the Philippine Heart Center, a remote health clinic and a community-based rehab clinic for children with disabilities. The students observed medical professionals and helped staff with physical therapy, speech and language pathology, occupational therapy and athletic training.
Another team of two faculty and five students went to China (May 26 – June 15). This team worked with children with autism and trained teachers, parents and college students how to respond to their specific needs. The team also attended to children who were cancer survivors.
“God opened up so many opportunities for the students to work with children with autism, to use the skills and abilities I don’t even think they knew they had,” said Maggie Appenzeller, visiting professor of communication disorder and a member of the China team. “[The team taught] the kids to play again and to have joy (in the process).”
Family Updates
From left: Elizabeth Olson and Dr. Ronald L. Ellis
Elizabeth Olson, program advisor/clinical coordinator for the School of Education, is CBU’s Employee of the Month for July. The nomination form included the following statements: Elizabeth treats each student that she meets like they are unique and important. She approaches each conversation with enthusiasm. Liz is creative and innovative in bringing new initiatives that benefit the School of Education. She set a goal of increasing outreach and marketing for the credential program.
Dr. Erin Smith
Dr. Erin Smith, assistant professor of psychology, led a workshop on July 5 titled Lessons learned from a year with the science and religion club at the Bridging the Two Cultures of Science and the Humanities project in Oxford, England. The seminar, hosted by Scholarship on Christianity in Oxford and funded by the Templeton Religion Trust, is aimed at developing interdisciplinary skills in science and religion.
Ethan Jack Schneider
Dr. Tom Schneider, assistant professor of English for Online and Professional Studies, and his wife, Rita, welcomed Ethan Jack Schneider on June 27. He weighed 8 pounds 1 ounce and measured 20.5 inches.
Personnel Updates
