February 10, 2020

In this issue…

• Current News
• Family Updates
• Personnel Updates

Current News

CBU Online now offers tuition assistance for military personnel

The Division of Online and Professional Studies (CBU Online) at California Baptist University is now offering tuition assistance for active duty, reserve and National Guard military personnel.

CBU recently signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense to offer the Standardized Tuition Assistance (TA) program. The program provides financial assistance for voluntary off-duty education programs. Participation in this program opens up a significant new market for CBU’s online degree, and course offerings.

“I’m proud of our student veteran and military friendly efforts at CBU and I am thrilled that we can now open up TA benefits to serve a whole new population of those serving our country,” said Jay Villasenor, director of Veterans Resource Center at CBU.

“Online courses offer servicemen and women flexibility and convenience to complete their college education, regardless of where they may be stationed, live, or in some cases even if they are currently deployed overseas,” Villasenor continued. “The ability to offer TA is a testament to the university’s strong commitment to our nation’s veterans and active military personnel.”

Pamela Daly, vice president for CBU Online, said the addition of the Standardized Tuition Assistance program for military personnel will benefit troops looking to choose an affordable, accessible and reputable online degree program.

“As a G.I. Bill, tuition assistance and Yellow Ribbon Program university, our goal at CBU is to significantly reduce the tuition rate and open the door to our accelerated, fully online degree programs for the entire U.S. military population. With the addition of the new tuition assistance program, I am happy to say that goal is being met,” Daly said. “Additionally, CBU is a repeat highly ranked recipient of the U.S. News and World Report annual ranking for the ‘Best Online Programs for Veterans.’ Service members can rest assure that they will earn a quality degree at CBU.”

CBU Online currently serves approximately 4,700 students. CBU Online offers over 40 fully online bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs.

For more information about CBU Online, visit cbuonline.edu/students/militarystudents or contact admissions at 877-236-1617.

 

School of Business event highlights how Christian higher education professionals integrate faith into their careers

The Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business at California Baptist University hosted its first Faith and Enterprise event of the spring semester on Feb. 4. The event, titled “The Business of Higher Education,” featured Christian professionals who work in higher education.

The panelists included Chris Hofschroer, assistant dean of students at CBU; Angela Park North, director of organizational strategy and vice president of administration and finance at California State University, Fullerton; and Dr. LaSharnda Beckwith, chief academic officer at California Southern University (Irvine, California).

Hofschroer talked about the importance of mentorship.

“My mentor asked, ‘Why not higher education? In those four years, students make the most crucial decisions. You could have such a substantial impact in two, three or four years of people’s lives,’” Hofschroer said.

Beckwith said her faith compels her to show love with actions within her work environment.

“We may not be able at Cal Southern to talk to you about Jesus, but I represent Jesus in how I approach your situations. I care about the people, I care about students and I care to see you succeed. So, that’s what I want students to understand about my job,” Beckwith said.

North stressed the importance of seeking feedback in life.

“If you’re involved in clubs, teams or any type of position, even if you don’t have the title, ask another peer or a mentor, ‘Hey, how was that?’ With their feedback, it may not initially feel good, but you’re going to get better because of it,” North said. “You’re going to grow in your leadership and I guarantee your decisions will be more effective and create positive change.”

Hailee Vitello-Olivas, an accounting junior, said she enjoyed learning how she could integrate her faith in her career.

“I learned a lot from the lectures. Now I have an idea on how to transfer my faith in my future career and not be afraid to portray who I am in the workforce,” Vitello-Olivas said.

Naylea Munguia, a business finance senior, said she enjoyed how the lecture spoke about lifelong learning.

“I really enjoyed how as people we need to keep learning and that you can learn something from everyone that you come into contact with,” said Munguia “I got a lot of value seeing real life professionals from different universities share their perspective.”

 

Ministry and Job Fair offers students options for summer

Summer is months away. However, students at California Baptist University are already planning for their summer break as they sought employment opportunities at the Summer Ministry and Job Fair on Feb. 5.

More than 30 camps, conference centers and ministry groups participated in the event, which offered students internships and summer ministry jobs. The Career Center at CBU hosted the event.

“Camps and businesses need candidates who are well rounded and have a desire to grow and lead,” said Lisa Singer, associate director of employer relations in the Career Center. “For students, this is a perfect opportunity to work on soft skills such as collaboration, communication and leadership. Summer jobs are definitely resume builders and allow students to gain great experience.”

Sasha Thompson, lead program at Palomar Christian Conference Center, said CBU students have the opportunity to work as counselors, staff, in the kitchen or maintenance at the camp.

“The students get to do life with the kids, and we can teach and grow them to become leaders,” Thompson said. “This event helps us because we’re always looking for new staff. I get to be the face for Palomar and get to see the students and know them a little bit.”

Chloe Jones, a worship arts and ministry freshman, appreciated having the event on campus.

“I never would have known about any of these places,” Jones said. “I’ve worked with kids a lot over the years and I’ve really enjoyed it [and now] I could still do this and get paid for it.”

Mark Wise, a nursing sophomore, stopped at several booths. He said the opportunities were intriguing.

“I learned about different opportunities I had no idea about. I didn’t even know there were this many camps,” Wise said. “I like being outdoors and active. I don’t like sitting still and having a job that’s indoors.”

 

CBU Adams Street entrance receives beautification award

The new entrance for California Baptist University located at Adams Street and Lancer Lane received the Mayor’s Award during the City of Riverside Mayor’s State of the City address on Jan. 30. The award is part of the Keep Riverside Clean and Beautiful (KRCB) program.

Mayor Rusty Bailey and Donna Little, chair of KRCB, presented the awards. Mark Howe, CBU vice president for finance and administration, accepted the award on behalf of the university.

KRCB is a community program sponsored by the City of Riverside and the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce. Its mission is to foster a sense of community pride by creating partnerships that work toward the beautification of the city.

The summer of 2019 marked the opening of the new main entrance to CBU at Adams Street and Lancer Lane. Features include a new monument arch, signature campus fencing, expanded roadway and hardscape with outdoor seating areas. These elements combine to welcome visitors and guide them past award-winning facilities including the Recreation Center, Events Center and the Dennis and Carol Troesh Engineering Building into the academic core of the CBU campus.

The East Parking Structure also opened in the summer in Lancer Plaza at the corner of Adams Street and Diana Avenue. The massive five-level structure features more than 1,450 car stalls for the CBU community, two elevator towers and more than 50 security cameras.

 

College of Behavioral and Social Sciences is honored

The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences at California Baptist University was honored with a prestigious award from the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire honored the college as its 2019 Partner of the Year on Jan. 28.

In the past five years, the college has collaborated with the organization in a variety of ways.  For instance, CBU students have served as mentors in the program; CBU Master of Social Work students serve as interns for Big Brothers Big Sisters; and faculty members at CBU have provided staff training on various issues. Additionally, the Center for the Study of Human Behavior at CBU is helping the organization identify positive outcomes from its mentoring program. The partnership has also provided children and their families in the program opportunities to visit CBU for a campus tour.

“The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences has come around us to support our mission,” said Jennifer O’Farrell, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Inland Empire. “The faculty and students are fantastic.”

Dr. Jacqueline Gustafson, dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, has been on the nonprofit’s regional board for five years.

“Our partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters and CBU demonstrates a commitment to working across sectors for the common good,” Gustafson said. “Together, we can be the difference, one culture, one community and one person at a time.”

Michael Houlihan, a social work graduate student who interns with Big Brothers Big Sisters, said his experience has been beneficial to his professional development. Houlihan said he has learned skills such as interpersonal communication, documentation and case management.

Dr. Nathan Iverson, assistant professor of psychology, has been a big brother for three years.

“It has been a tremendously rewarding experience to get to know a young man in our neighborhood. His life has been far from easy, and it has been an honor to be a friend with him through this season,” Iverson said. “I know no other organization that such a small commitment can have such a large impact.”

 

CBU students celebrate the Lunar New Year

California Baptist students were immersed in Asian culture as they celebrated the Lunar New Year on Jan. 28.

Students watched various Chinese festive activities, tasted culture foods and drinks and learned to write their name in Chinese characters.

The Lunar New Year began Jan. 25 and celebrations continue through Feb. 8.

Monica Velasco, an environmental science senior, said she enjoyed watching the student performances and trying new foods.

“We have a lot of Chinese students who are part of the CBU International Center and this is one day that we can celebrate them and their culture,” Velasco said.

Lindsay Hanlin, an early childhood studies senior, said she enjoyed being with friends and joining others in the CBU community for the event.

“Every culture should be represented and feel at home here at CBU and I am grateful that we are able to acknowledge Asian culture for this holiday,” Hanlin said.

 

Lecturer encourages CBU students to live as leaders

“Actions speak louder than words and people are going to follow what you do,” Jim Shields told a California Baptist University audience on Jan. 27. Shields spoke as part of the College of Health Science Distinguished Lecture Series.

Shields is a certified wilderness emergency medical technician and has written books on surviving in the wilderness. He also has been featured on the History channel show “Alone,” as one of 10 survivalists to compete in Patagonia, South America.

Shields said his love of the outdoors has blessed him with many opportunities.

“Everything you ever wanted is just outside of your comfort zone,” Shields said. “Leadership is not something that is bigger than us, it is something that is within us and every day we have a chance to make a difference.”

Shields challenged students to use their passion to make differences in people’s lives. He said that a good metaphor for life is a pizza.

“Every slice is 10 years of your life. Don’t waste your pizza slices. It is not about being the best in the world, but the best for the world,” Shields said.

 

Family Updates

Two graduate students in the Department of Kinesiology have received full financial scholarships to begin their Ph.D. degrees in the fall of 2020: Brian Shariffi will pursue exercise physiology at the University of Missouri, and Katherine Dillon will pursue kinesiology at Texas Tech University.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Dennis K. Bideshi, professor of biology, co-authored a paper that was published in the journal Folia Microbiologica (January 2020). The title was New bacteriocin-like substances produced by Streptomyces species with activity against pathogens.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Tim Sisemore, professor of psychology, and Dr. Robert Pate, associate professor of psychology, gave a presentation at the National Council of Schools & Programs of Professional Psychology midwinter conference in San Diego on Jan. 22. It was titled Amplifying Diversity Through Inclusion of Religious and Spiritual Competencies in Graduate Psychology Training Curriculum.

 

 

 

Dr. Bruce Prins, professor of biology, received a Lifetime Commitment to Mission and Learning Award at the Christian Pre-Professional Advisor’s Workshop at Loma Linda University on Jan. 23. Dr. Bonjun Koo, professor of environmental science, and Dr. Nathanael Heyman, associate professor of biology, also attended the event.

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Daniel Prather, professor of aviation science, taught two courses at the Helicopter Association International Heli Expo Convention in Anaheim on Jan. 26-27. They were titled Effective Leadership in Business Aviation and Safety Management Systems for Business Aviation.

 

 

 

 

Frank Mihelich, associate professor of theatre, was invited to be a member of Artists in Christian Testimony International. The organization seeks to mobilize and equip artistic and innovative ministries and missionaries for Christian work around the world.

 

 

 

The Online and Professional Studies’ programs in Master of Public Health and Bachelor of Science in Public Health received full accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health on Dec. 16. The accreditation approval extends through Dec. 31, 2024.

 

 

Dr. Denise L. McLurkin, associate professor of education, delivered the keynote address at the Riverside Unified School District’s Equity Symposium on Jan. 25. The title of her presentation was Everyday Acts That Can Make Significant Differences in the Lives of Our Students.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Fred Pontius, professor of civil engineering and construction management, served as guest editor for a special issue of the journal Water on Emerging Contaminants in Water: Detection, Treatment and Regulation (January 2020).

 

 

 

 

Andrew Cress, director of special projects in the Office of Educational Effectiveness, published a review of Jesus the Priest in the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society (December 2019).

 

 

 

The Career Center hosted an Employer Partner Appreciation Luncheon on Jan. 23. The luncheon was held to update the employers on Career Center growth, upcoming events and new opportunities for employer involvement with CBU students. CBU alumni and a current student also shared success stories of working with their employers and the Career Center.

 

 

Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, CBU president, attended the opening of the exhibit about architect Henry L. A. Jekel at the Riverside Art Museum on Feb. 1. The James Complex at CBU was designed by Jekel. CBU had previously provided financial support for a book about him, Henry L.A. Jekel: Architect of Eastern Skyscrapers and the California Style, 1889-1950, by Dr. Vince Moses and Cate Whitmore.

 

 

 

 

Kayla Baker, adjunct professor of English, had a book published. Agency in The Hunger Games (January 2020) is a scholarly analysis of Suzanne Collins’ popular trilogy.

 

 

 

Upcoming Chapel Services, 9 and 10:45 a.m.:
Feb 11: Brian Zunigha, CBU director of discipleship
Feb 18: Dr. Lee Strobel, author and president of the Center for Evangelism & Applied Apologetics at Colorado Christian University

 

Kathy Jenkins, student accounts advisor, and her husband, Bob, welcomed their first grandchild on Jan. 22. Madeline Jo Zajac weighed 8 pounds, 6 ounces and measured 20.75 inches. Her parents are Kevin and Katy Zajac (nee Robinson ‘12)

 

 

 

 

Margaret Marquez, account clerk II for Facilities and Planning Services, and her husband, Howard Sawyer, welcomed a son on Jan. 18. Landen Atticus Sawyer weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces and measured 20.5 inches. He joins sister Madison, 18.

 

 

 

 

Personnel Updates