College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts Impact Report FY23-24

College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts

Fiscal Year 2023-2024

Dear Donor,

As I refect upon my frst year at SDSU, I’m immensely grateful for the collaboration that has defned my time here.

In the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts (PSFA), we recognize the power of teamwork. Together, we can accomplish exponentially more than we can alone. My deepest gratitude goes to our generous donors whose contributions have propelled us forward. Your belief in our mission has enabled us to continue fostering creativity, innovation, and excellence, and to instill skills necessary for student success.

PSFA is the most diverse college at SDSU. While wide-ranging, we are uniquely positioned for interdisciplinary collaborative eforts that cultivate adaptability, empathy, and innovation, invaluable assets in today’s interconnected world. PSFA donors exemplify this spirit of collaboration. Your philanthropy has enhanced educational experiences, facilitated groundbreaking research, and opened doors of opportunity for our students and faculty. Together, we are making an indelible impact.

With deepest gratitude,

Janis L. McKay, D.M.A. Dean College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts

Changing Lives through Philanthropic Support

John L. and Shawn A. Endowed Scholarship for Excellence in Journalism

The John L. Baldwin and Shawn A. Baldwin Scholarship for Journalism Excellence will provide vital support for students in the School of Journalism and Media Studies and was inspired by the donor's classes in communications and marketing as well as experiences as a staf writer and summer editor for the Daily Aztec.

VISTA (Valuing Incarcerated Scholars through Academia ) Program

SDSU will use its experience bringing higher education to prisons to help train other educators to do the same, drawing from a newly announced $1 million award from the Mellon Foundation that will also introduce degree oferings in the humanities at the all-male Centinela State Prison in Imperial County, near the City of Imperial.

The grant supports SDSU's VISTA (Valuing Incarcerated Scholars though Academia) program, which currently awards a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Interdisciplinary Studies to those who have completed a two-year associate degree for transfer program while incarcerated. The program will expand to journalism in August, and the Mellon grant will aid the expansion to an additional degree in the humanities.

Maggi McKerrow Endowed Scholarship for Theatre.

The Maggi McKerrow Endowed Scholarship for Theatre was created by the professor emerita to assist young performing artists in paying their way through school.

Living the Aztec Experience

Sheba Candor, Class of 2024

Class Level: Undergraduate Student

College: Professional Studies and Fine Arts

Major: Public Administration

Attending SDSU as a transfer student, Sheba Candor admitted that, at frst, she was overwhelmed with imposter syndrome. However, support from advisors and faculty like Professor David Jancsics helped her realize that “we are all on our own unique journey and our experiences are as diverse as our student body.” Now she has graduated with Summa Cum Laude honors.

She recalled a memory with Professor Jancsics that allowed her to recognize her potential and shake doubts about transferring to SDSU. “What Dr. Jancsics said to me that day, was ‘I see your potential, and I am confdent of what you are capable of.’ I felt inspired and supported, and I felt like we, as students of government, were in very good hands,” she said.

After graduating from SDSU, Candor plans to pursue SDSU’s School of Public Afairs MPA-JD Dual Degree Program, allowing her to earn a Juris Doctorate (JD) from USD School of Law and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the School of Public Afairs.

“I hope to pursue a career in public interest work, employment law, or maybe criminal law. I have more recently thought about looking towards eventually becoming a judge in San Diego,” Candor said.

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We are all on our own unique journey, and our experiences are as diverse as those of our student body.

Celebrating Shared Success

Statistics of Interest

4,537 undergraduate students and 435 academic staf

On average, the college places 700 students in professional internships each year and is the only college at SDSU to ofer an international minor

130 scholarship opportunities with a value of more than $800,000

The L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality and Tourism Management can boast a 100 percent placement rate for its graduates

Nearly 65% of all K-12 music teachers in San Diego County were educated in the School of Music and Dance

The School of Communication ofers the only degree in health communication in the state

The School of Theatre, Television, and Film is the only school in the U.S. to ofer an MFA in Musical Theatre

Recent Highlights

The School of Communication workshops at the Las Colinas Women’s Detention & Reentry Center just celebrated seven successful years. Over a fve-week program, communication graduate students teach students who are incarcerated skills to feel more confdent, develop healthy confict and relational skills, improve professional communication abilities, engage in critical thinking, and increase their awareness of communication in their lived experiences.

Alumni, students, and faculty of the School of Journalism and Media Studies came together on November 2023 to attend a panel on Artifcial Intelligence.

At the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, the next generation of meeting planners is using artifcial intelligence and technology to build and present their hotel tech stacks for marketing, registration CRM, payment, project management, and events.

The interdisciplinary research team at the Project for Sanitation Justice in the School of Public Afairs continues to gather data from the lived experiences of people often excluded from conversations about health & safety, to drive action toward more just and equitable decisionmaking around public restrooms in San Diego County.

Each summer, our Army, Navy, and Air Force ROTC Cadets are encouraged to apply to participate in “Project Global Ofcer,” a fully-funded opportunity to study overseas, learn strategic languages, and immerse themselves in a diferent culture.

Ofer nearly 130 scholarship opportunities with a value of more than $800,000

Helping to Build a Brighter Future

Achievements:

Megan Welsh Carroll, Ph.D.

Title: Associate Professor, School of Public Afairs

College: Professional Studies and Fine Arts

Dr. Welsh Carroll is the lead academic investigator of the Project for Sanitation Justice, in collaboration with community partner Think Dignity, and co-leads the Homelessness Survival Strategies lab.

She led the launch of the Project for Sanitation Justice (PSJ) and secured the very frst Rapid Response grant awarded by SDSU ($25K) to support this work.

She has assembled a large interdisciplinary team of over 20 SDSU faculty and students in city planning, criminal justice, public administration, public health, and social work. Drs. Madi Swayne, Jennifer Felner, and Jerel Calzo are the faculty co-leads for PSJ. Their goals are to use data to shed light on inequalities in public restroom access in San Diego County and to inform more just and equitable decision-making around basic sanitation in our community.

"We seem to be trapped in a criminalization mindset around these problems,” said Megan Welsh, associate professor in SDSU’s School of Public Afairs. “So that means when we have put in public facilities, particularly in downtown, immediately they become a focal point for criminal complaints.”

Restroom experts say there are lots of ways to get around the issues of crime and security often associated with public restrooms, looking to other cities that have fgured this issue out.

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Congratulations, Dr. Welsh Carroll, on securing the very frst Rapid Response grant awarded by SDSU!

Performing Arts District (PAD)

On November 1, 2023, San Diego State University (SDSU) proudly unveiled its highly anticipated Performing Arts District, celebrating artistic innovation and creative training.

The event marked a historic moment for the university, bringing together donors, faculty, and community guests to witness the grand opening of this transformative hub for the arts.

College of Professional Studies of Fine Arts Dean Janis McKay set the tone for the day. "The opening of this beautiful, new Performing Arts District marks a substantial leap into the future for SDSU's ongoing dedication to nurturing artistic innovation and exploration."

Dean McKay emphasized SDSU’s role as a dominant force in regional training and innovation, uniting diverse felds and providing cutting-edge facilities for students and the community.

Acknowledging the support from the community, President de la Torre invited several key fgures to join in the ribbon-cutting ceremony including Doug Diamond, Jay Jefcoat, Alice Diamond, Joyce Gattas, Adela de la Torre, Evelyn Lamden, Julia Brown, Marilyn Brown, and Janis McKay.

Kevin Delgado, director of the School of Music and Dance, declared the event a "momentous occasion" and “a realization of years of dedication and collaboration.” The President then invited everyone to explore the new spaces during a self-guided tour and extended an invitation to the inaugural season of performances scheduled at the Performing Arts District.

Niyi Coker, director of the School of Theatre, Television and Film concluded the event by announcing the upcoming lineup of performances scheduled, including the SDSU Jazz Ensembles, Tijuana's Dance Company Lux Boreal, Mr. Burns, A Post Electric Play, and the World Music Concert Series.

The new SDSU Performing Arts District symbolizes SDSU's commitment to the arts and its integral role as a catalyst for growth and innovation in the region.

Later in the season, The Main Stage debuted In a Sunshine State, a production of SDSU’s New Musical world premiere from April 26 – May 2, 2024. A pre-show reception was held in the Performing Arts District's Julia R. Brown Family Lobby in the Prebys Stage featuring the

President de la Torre cuts ribbon for PAD with donors

Featured Areas

playwrights. In a Sunshine State was based on the book by T.C. Lind, with lyrics by Phoebe Kreutz, and music by Derek Gregor. The production was directed and choreographed by Stephen Brotebeck and music directed by Robert Mefe. Both Brotebeck and Mefe are SDSU School of Theatre, Television, and Film faculty members.

One of the loge boxes in the Main Stage is named for James Silberrad Brown

Left to right: DeAnn Cary, Elise Moersch, Joyce Gattas, and Maggie McKerrow

Endowments

Providing Resources for Today’s Students and Tomorrow’s Aztecs

New Endowments

Anna Marie Fobes Endowed Scholarship

George and Judy Sunga Endowed Scholarship

Joanne Graham Mera Endowed Memorial Scholarship

John J. and Katherine F. Martin MFA in Musical Theatre Endowed

Scholarship

John L. Baldwin & Shawn A. Baldwin Endowed Scholarship for Excellence in Journalism

John L. Baldwin & Shawn A. Baldwin Scholarship for Excellence in Opinion Journalism

Keith Baim Excellence in Guitar Composition Endowment

Major John A. Coveney Leadership Endowed Award

Marilyn E. Newhoff and William G. Tong Endowed Scholarship in Music & Dance

Michael and Anne-Charlotte “A.C.” Harvey Scholarship Endowment

Michele Schlecht MFA Musical Theatre Endowed Scholarship

Nancy D.W. Moure Scholarship in Art History Endowment

San Diego Marriott Business Council Endowed Scholarship

The Winona Richards and Floyd Grant Music Educator Endowed Scholarship

Endowments (Active)

Accenture Outstanding Student in Educational Technology Endowed Scholarship

Ages of Drama - Live! Endowment

Alana Nicastro Endowed Scholarship in Communication

Allison Rossett Endowed Scholarship in Musical Theatre

Ann Marie Haney Endowment for Music

Anthony and John Long Endowment

Arline M. Fisch MFA in Jewelry and Metalsmithing Endowed Scholarship

Art Council Endowed Scholarship

Art Council Endowment

Arthur & Mildred Wimer Endowed Scholarship

Bartell Family Visiting Lectureship Endowment

Bellinghiere Endowed Scholarship

Ben and Nikki Clay Endowed Scholarship

Bessie S. Purdy Endowment

Betsy McCullough and James Hare Scholarship Endowment

Blessing Combat Leadership Panel Endowment

Blu Cava Endowed Scholarship

Bob Wilson Public Affairs Endowment

Bolles Family Musical Theater Endowed Scholarship

Brinker Executive in Residence Endowment

Brita C. Davis and Richard R. Davis Musical Theatre Endowed Scholarship

Brown Family Hotel Executive-in-Residence Program Endowment

California Restaurant Association Endowed Fund

Cameron Brown Average-Student Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Carleton-Hunt Endowed Internship

Carol Vassiliadis Endowed Scholarship in Musical Theatre

Carole Robasciotti Endowed Scholarship

Cathy Clark Excellence in Journalism Endowed Scholarship

CCMS Diana Nadel Endowment

Center Lectureship Endowment

Chad Shelton Memorial Endowed Scholarship for Theatre Design and Technology

Christine Springston Endowment

Chuck and Robin Luby Endowment for Musical Theatre

Clarence and Catherine Stephenson Musical Theatre Endowed Scholarship

Clayton Brace Awards Endowment

Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Distinguished Lectureship in HTM Endowment

Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Volunteer and Mentor Endowment

The San Diego County Weaver’s Guild Endowed Scholarship

Dale and Betty Worm Endowment

Dan Silberman Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Darlene and Donald Shiley Endowment for Student Excellence in Musical Theatre

Darryl Groover Memorial Endowed Scholarship

DeAnn Cary School of Music and Dance Endowed Scholarship

Deanna’s Dream 431 Endowed Scholarship for Music and Dance

Dean’s Art Endowment

Dean’s Endowment

Deborah M. Dexter Endowed Scholarship in Musical Theatre

Debra A. Greenfield Endowed Scholarship for Public Affairs

Debra A. Greenfield School of Public Affairs Endowed Internship Scholarship

Denis Sanders Memorial Endowment

Denise Madruga Endowed Scholarship in Theatre

Diane L. Borden Endowed Graduate Fellowship

Don Powell Interface Program Endowment

Donald B. Leiffer Endowment

Dr. Ed Reed Endowed Scholarship

Dr. & Mrs. Stanley M. Thien, Glae, & Erin Thien Endowed Scholarship in Journalism

Dr. Jack McGrory School of Public Affairs Excellence Endowment

Dr. Jaroslav J. S. Mracek Memorial Award Endowment

Dr. Sanford I. Berman Institute for Effective Communication & General

Semantics Foundation Endowment

Drama Circle Endowment

Ed Davis From Cancer to College Scholarship Endowment

Edith Savage Endowment

Edith Vogl Garrett Endowed Scholarship

Ellamarie Woolly Endowment

Elliott Family Endowment

Elsie Hiland Fox Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Elynor F. McPeak Endowed Scholarship for Aztec Forensics Excellence

Eugene and Barbara Bowman Endowed Scholarship

Everett G. Jackson Memorial Endowment

F. Ellsworth Endowed Scholarship

Forensics Endowment

Frank Mannen Scholarship Endowment

Frank McCarty Endowed Scholarship in Music Composition

Frank Richard Brazda Endowed Scholarship

Friends of Journalism I Endowment

Friends of Journalism II Endowment

Giavanna Kersulis Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Glen M. Broom Center for Professional Development in Public Relations

Endowment

Glosser Family Foundation Endowed Scholarship

Gordon J. Lusk Endowment

Gracia Mae Ogden Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Greg Block Scholarship Endowment

Gregory J. Smith Master of Public Administration Endowed Scholarship

Harold Keen Endowment

Hayes Anderson Student Excellence Endowment

Helen Pratt Kurz Endowment

Henry Edward McAdams and Gail Johnson McAdams Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Henry Stanton Endowment

Hilda and Colonel Robert L. Dodge Endowed Scholarship for Air Force

ROTC

Hospitality & Tourism Management Internship Bureau Endowment

Hospitality and Tourism Management Endowment

Hunton D. Sellman Endowment

Institute of Innovative Governance Endowment

Irvin and Ruth Belenzon Endowed Scholarship

Isabel Kraft Endowment

J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation Student Center for Professional Development Endowment

Jack Gard Music Education Endowed Scholarship

Jack White Excellence in Journalism Scholarship Endowment

James Chris Nichols Memorial Endowment

Jan Lowenbach Endowed Scholarship

Johanna Fox Endowment

John Fowler Memorial Endowed Scholarship

John J. Cleary Endowed Scholarship for Study Abroad in Public Affairs

John J. Rogers Endowed Scholarship in Sculpture

John Paul Stone Memorial Endowment

Joseph W. Johnson Endowed Scholarship

Journalism & Media Studies Learning Support Endowment

Judith and Jack White Musical Theatre Endowed Scholarship

Julia R. Brown Musical Theatre Endowed Scholarship

Julia Stewart Endowed Scholarship

Kathy Drucquer Duff Experiential Endowment

Ken Perry Endowed Scholarship

Kevin M. Simmons Endowed Scholarship

L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality and Tourism Management Endowment

Lall Family Endowment

Larry Thomas Endowment

Lieber/Flower Endowment

Lipin Family Endowed Fund for Excellence in Music

M. Lorin Kemp Memorial Endowment

M.H. Golden Endowed Scholarship

Mack Owen Endowed Scholarship

Mangan/Christensen Endowed Scholarship for Musical Theatre

Marco G. Walshok Graduate Endowed Scholarship in Public Affairs

Marion Ross Endowed Scholarship

Mary Ellen Trainor Zemeckis Student Enrichment Program in Theatre, Television, Film, and Journalism Endowment

MFA Musical Theatre Endowed Professorship

Minority Journalism Endowment

Musical Theatre Endowed Scholarship

Nella Feldman Gross Endowment

Patti O. Fox Endowed Scholarship for Art Students

Patti Roscoe Hospitality and Tourism Management Endowed Internship

Scholarship

Paul Clarke Stauffer Endowment

Paul Gaske Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Forensics

Paul J. Strand Endowed Scholarship

Paul Lingren Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Paulette Wilson Endowment for Musical Theatre

Percie Belle Senn Endowed Scholarship

Pitt and Virginia Warner Endowment for Jazz Studies

Powell/SCE Design Endowed Chair

Prebys Creative & Performing Arts Endowed Scholarship

Public Relations Graduate Research Endowment

Ralph Seewald, Jr. Endowment for the School of Journalism & Media

Studies

Randy Bernstein Forensics Endowment

Reggie Smith Endowment

Reint Reinders Endowment

Robert Benjamin Endowed Scholarship

Robert D. Wallace History of Art Endowed Scholarship

Robert Shields Memorial Endowment

Ronald and Susan Heller Musical Theatre Scholarship Endowment

Roscoe-Tiffany MFA Musical Theatre Endowed Scholarship

Ruocco Lecture and Colloquia Endowment

Ruth Anna, Louis F., Dorothy Cable Endowed Scholarship

School of Communication Endowment

Scott Allison Endowment

Scott Guhin Endowed Scholarship

SDSU MFA Musical Theatre Alumni Scholarship Endowment

SDSU San Diego Symphony Music Education Endowed Scholarship

Special Internships in the Arts Endowed Scholarship

Srinivasan Praba Memorial Scholarship Endowment

Sybil E. Jones Endowment

Sycuan Institute on Tribal Gaming Endowment

The Kilkenny Family Endowed Scholarship

The McCabe Family Endowed Scholarship

Theatre Endowment

Thomas P. Newton Endowed Scholarship

Tom and Donna Bergelis Golich Endowed Scholarship in Communication

Tom P. Gable, Jr. Endowed Internship Scholarship in Public Relations

US Bank Endowed Scholarship

Val Ryser Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Van Deerlin Endowed Chair

Visual Performing Arts Endowed Scholarship

Wendy Maruyama Endowment for the Furniture Design and Woodworking Program

William Sample & Fern Sample Stanford Memorial Endowment

William Snavely Study Abroad Endowed Scholarship

Willis, Cusack, Robertson, Brown Endowed Scholarship for Dance and Music

Windgate Charitable Foundation Graduate Scholarship

Thank you for your generous support.