News Briefs

RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON - (L-R): Sisu and Raya. © 2021 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

STAN STATE PROFESSOR HELPS CREATE ‘RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON’

A boat trip on the Mekong River in his native Laos turned into a journey of a lifetime for Stanislaus State Associate Professor of Cultural Anthropology Steve Arounsack.

Steve Arounsack

It was there he bonded with fellow members of the artistic team that would create Walt Disney Animation Studios’ newest full-length animated film, “Raya and the Last Dragon,” their first film inspired by Southeast Asian cultures.

“I served as the visual anthropologist, responsible for the holistic and comprehensive review of all the visuals and cultural themes in the movie,” Arounsack said.

Being part of a project that celebrates his homeland is naturally meaningful for Arounsack, who grew up in the Central Valley and graduated from Stan State.

“My daughters and the kids from that region of the world now have a hero that looks like them, and that’s incredibly powerful,” he said.

The experience deepens his commitment to having his students better understand themselves through visual storytelling, a tool he has long used. They come to feel safe sharing their stories in the classroom, then then expand their search for cultural understanding in their communities.

“When we genuinely connect with other cultures, we create a stronger overall community,” Arounsack said.

2020 BUSINESS FORECAST

The San Joaquin Valley’s economic recovery began during the second half of 2020, but the pace slowed in the third quarter due to rising COVID-19 infections. That was one of several key findings included in the 2020 San Joaquin Valley Business Forecast by Gökçe Soydemir, the Foster Farmsendowed professor of business economics at Stanislaus State.

The Business Forecast, presented annually with mid-year updates, provides businesses with detailed information about regional trends relative to those of the state and the nation. Among the report’s highlights:

Employment declines in the region were less than statewide declines due to the San Joaquin Valley’s predominant farm-related economy that employs a significant number of essential workers.

Home values increased due to the Federal Reserve’s relief effort interventions, a stark contrast to falling home values during the previous recession.

Impacts of the CARES Act and the Federal Reserve’s intervention on banking and capital markets were reflected in bank activity as total deposits grew 16.1 percent in 2020 roughly twice the long-term benchmark rate. Community banks extended fewer loans than they did in the past.

The entire update and past reports can be found on the San Joaquin Valley Business Forecast website at www.csustan.edu/sjvbf. On April 6, the State of California announced its intention to eliminate the four-tier color-coded tracking system and fully reopen the state’s economy on June 15. This is contingent on the state continuing to meet vaccination goals and on hospitalizations remaining low.

FALL 2021 SEMESTER UPDATE

On April 6, the State of California announced its intention to eliminate the four-tier color-coded tracking system and fully reopen the state’s economy on June 15. This is contingent on the state continuing to meet vaccination goals and on hospitalizations remaining low.

Given this intention, Stan State is planning for an in-person fall 2021 semester, keeping the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff as our priority and guide. Our fall campus plans envision the fall 2021 as a transition semester offering a hybrid of in-person and online courses and support, maximizing capacity within available spaces and classrooms. We continue to solidify our course schedules and general campus repopulation plans, providing options across modalities that continue to best meet the needs of our students.

While we plan to have a much greater campus presence this fall, we do not expect to be fully repopulated. We are planning to return faculty and staff to campus gradually beginning July 1, 2021, in preparation for the fall semester.

Regular updates regarding the number of classes and students that will be allowed on campus, updated on-campus health and safety protocols, available study spaces, and much more are provided via email and text notifications, social media posts from official University accounts, and the official Fall 2021 Information and Resource page on the Stan State website at www.csustan.edu/covid-19/fall-2021-planning.

To increase our efforts of fully repopulating the Stan State campus and returning campus operations to full capacity, the University highly encourages everyone to continue social distancing when necessary, practicing proper hygiene such as washing your hands and disinfecting surfaces, wearing facial coverings, and to get vaccinated when it becomes available, although it is not required.

The past year has been incredibly difficult for everyone, but with vaccinations becoming increasingly available we are more optimistic and hopeful that we will gradually repopulate our campus in a safe and meaningful manner.

Warriors take care, be safe and stay healthy.

STORIES OF LEADERSHIP IN TIMES OF CRISIS

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, organizers took a unique approach to the annual “Champions of the American Dream” event, hosted last fall by Stan State and the College of Business Administration in partnership with the Porges Family Foundation.

Rather than recognize a single individual, they asked three previous honorees to participate in a panel discussion on the timely topic, “Leadership in Times of Crisis.”

Nearly 300 people participated in the riveting livestreamed event that featured American Chevrolet President David Halvorson, El Concilio President and CEO Jose R. Rodriguez and PMZ Real Estate CEO Michael Zagaris. Each shared their own

stories of crises and the lessons they learned while leading through challenging times.

All three told stories of being at the helm of their organizations during economic distress. They shared how they felt responsible for their employees, where they found inspiration and guidance, and how their struggles made them wiser, stronger and ultimately more successful.

As Halvorson put it: “Your development, your appreciation, your strength, your understanding, it all comes from the struggle and never comes from when things are great.”

A recording of the livestreamed event is available for on-demand viewing at www.csustan.edu/champions.

Learn more about the Porges Foundation’s latest partnership with Stan State, the Warrior Entrepreneurship Initiative, at bit.ly/PorgesGift.

PROJECT REBOUND THRIVING AT STAN STATE

In its first year at Stan State, Project Rebound — which provides services and support to formerly or currently incarcerated individuals who are or hope to be students at the University — experienced great success.

Run by Danica Bravo, Project Rebound has had three students graduate, is currently serving 15 enrolled students and has four new students enrolled for the fall. Those numbers helped it earn a $113,000 grant from the CSU Consortium of Project Rebound.

“The goal, as far as the Project Rebound norm, is two to four enrolled students a year,” Bravo said.

The commitment to Project Rebound is personal for Bravo, whose older brother died in prison.

“My brother didn’t have the help he needed,” Bravo said. “There weren’t resources to help him when he went to prison. He spent half his life there. He’d get out, and in a few months or a year he’d be back in. He never had a parole or probation officer or anyone from a community program sit down with him and tell him, ‘this is what you need to do.’”

AGREEMENT SIGNED WITH VICTORIA UNIVERSITY OF WELLINGTON

Stanislaus State and Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand have implemented a five-year agreement to engage in joint research, explore educational opportunities for faculty and students and share best practices.

“Working closely together, this memorandum reinforces our campus’s dedication to providing transformative experiences for our students,” said Stan State President Ellen Junn after signing the agreement. “By establishing partnerships with like-minded universities, we are continuing our mission to expand our students’ intellectual, creative and social horizons.”

Through the agreement, Stan State students can study abroad at the New Zealand university, which has an enrollment of 3,700 international students from more than 110 countries. Students at both institutions can also access a wide variety of general education and major courses as the campuses share similar programs.

The agreement greatly benefits students because research suggests the experience of studying abroad opens students’ minds, gives them a sense of confidence and enhances their employment opportunities.

Founded in 1897, Victoria University is one of New Zealand’s oldest and most prestigious higher education institutions. It is the only university to twice top the country’s main measure of research excellence. Forty-seven Stan State students were sworn in as AmeriCorps Civic Action Fellows during a recent pledge ceremony, making them the University’s first cohort to participate in this first-in-thenation pilot program that helps students pay for college through public service.

INAUGURAL COHORT SWORN IN AS AMERICORPS CIVIC ACTION FELLOWS

Forty-seven Stan State students were sworn in as AmeriCorps Civic Action Fellows during a recent pledge ceremony, making them the University’s first ohort to participate in this first-in-the nation pilot program that helps students pay for college through public service.

Some of the students will serve as peer mentors in Stanislaus County high schools to assist students with college and career readiness. Others will work with college freshman who are transitioning to the university environment, particularly in STEM majors.

Stan State is one of eight public and private colleges in California chosen to participate in the program. The goal is to improve educational attainment and promote a collegegoing culture in the Central Valley, especially among lowincome males of color.

During the half-hour ceremony, U.S. Rep. Josh Harder (CA-10) commended the group for making a difference in its community.

“It’s really important that we are helping folks in the community. This is just what good citizenship looks like,” the congressman said in his address. “This is what makes you good Americans. You’re giving back to the community after people have invested in you.”

Andrew Maginley

NEW MUSIC SERIES ELEVATES EQUALITY WARRIOR ATHLETICS

Marcus Shelby

Stan State’s Department of Music launched a concert series last fall that discussed issues of equity, equality and social justice. The series, “Black Musicians Matter,” invited international lutenist Andrew Maginley and bassist and composer Marcus Shelby to perform and present to Stan State students and campus community members.

Every year, Department Chair David Chapman invites a world-class musician to Stan State to perform and present. Last year’s reckoning over systemic racism, injustice and incidents of violence inspired Chapman to do more to elevate discussions of equality. So he recruited Maginley — his long-time friend, a fellow music teacher and Fulbright Scholar — to perform virtually last October. Shelby performed in February and gave a presentation titled, “MLK and the Blues.” Chapman hopes the music series will continue and become an annual event.

“Music is a literary instrument, and it can be used as a powerful delivery tool to discuss racism and social justice,” Chapman said. The COVID-19 pandemic may have sidelined sports, but Warrior Athletics and Stan State’s student-athletes still managed to score some big wins.

The COVID-19 pandemic may have sidelined sports, but Warrior Athletics and Stan State’s student-athletes still managed to score some big wins.

SUCCESSFUL SCHOLARS: Student-athletes finished the fall 2020 semester with an overall department GPA of 3.275, making it Athletics’ highest GPA on record and besting the previous Spring 2020 GPA of 3.215. Ninetyeight student-athletes earned a GPA of 3.5 or higher, placing them on the Dean’s List; 30 earned straight A’s.

PHENOMENAL FUNDRAISING: Stan State’s first-ever virtual Warrior Way Auction was a rousing success and raised more than $23,000 for the Warrior Athletics Scholarship — surpassing the initial $20,000 goal. The Warrior Crab Feed, Athletics’ signature fundraiser, was canceled in 2020 and again this spring due to COVID-19. But event planners pivoted and successfully organized a silent auction.

“Our Warrior vision is to provide a championship experience to our student-athletes,” said Director of Athletics Terry Donovan. “We aim to win in the classroom, win in the community, and win in competition.”

RETURN TO PARTICIPATION: Following guidance from county health officials and approval from University administration, student-athletes were approved to resume outdoor strength training and conditioning March 22. Participation is strictly voluntary.

MAKING THE GRADE

Titus

Stanislaus State added the following honors to its growing list:

Nursing Schools Almanac ranked the School of Nursing No. 25 on its 75 Best Nursing Schools in California list and No. 52 of the 100 Best Nursing Schools in the West in its “2020 Nursing School Rankings” report.

Hispanic Outlook on Education Magazine ranked Stan State No. 50 in the nation for the number of bachelor’s degrees awarded to Hispanics and No. 84 for total enrollment of Hispanics at four-year universities in its annual “Top 100 Colleges and Universities for Hispanics ” issue.

The campus was featured in The Princeton Review’s 2021 “Guide to Green Colleges,” as one of the most environmentally-responsible colleges in the United States and Canada.

College Consensus ranked the Master of Business Administration program No. 24 in the state.