As we continue to monitor and meet established safety guidelines in response to COVID-19, our offices are still open and operating in a virtual format. You can reach us via email and we will respond as quickly as possible. Please visit CSUSB’s dedicated COVID-19/Coronavirus information webpage for all things COVID-related at CSUSB. Thank you and stay safe!
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Support the Class of 2021! Watch the CSUSB virtual spring commencement ceremonies taking place on Saturday, May 22, 2021 by visiting the CSUSB commencement website at the assigned ceremony times. From there, you will see a tab designated for each college. Each ceremony will premiere at the times indicated below:
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences - 8:00 a.m.
College of Natural Sciences - 10:00 a.m.
College of Arts & Letters + College of Education - Noon
College of Business and Public Administration - 2:00 p.m.
Also, be sure to check out The Desert Sun this Sunday, May 23, for a full-page listing of the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus Class of 2021!
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One of the most exciting times of the year at the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus is our spring commencement ceremony. It’s the time we all celebrate the achievements of our students, the excellent work of our faculty and staff, and the wonderful support from our friends and community organizations.
Until this year, our spring commencement ceremony would take place in late June of each year, but now that we have successfully transitioned from quarters to semesters, the month of May will now mark a new beginning to celebrate our graduates for years to come.
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Traditionally at this time, graduates are busy preparing for the big day. They would rent or purchase their caps and gowns from the university bookstore, and some would come to campus all dressed up with family and friends to take photos with different campus backgrounds to remember their unforgettable years at PDC. They would also get their commencement tickets and invite family and friends to the ceremony and have huge celebrations.
This year, the celebration of graduation will be different as the COVID-19 pandemic still lingers. Commencement will be held virtually, however, there is still good news for PDC students when it comes to celebrating their special day.
The university will be holding a large virtual commencement ceremony on May 22, 2021 for graduates from both the San Bernardino Campus and the Palm Desert Campus, and the ceremony will be for all students who graduated in 2020 and those who will graduate in 2021. Additionally, PDC staff members Regina Garrison, Avi Rodriguez and Francisco Alfaro are planning a Virtual Celebration and Watch Party for PDC graduates, specifically. Many graduates will also be able to participate in additional special ceremonies for veterans, students with disabilities, LGBTQ+ students, and ceremonies for students of various ethnicities.
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The celebration of graduation also involves the selection of a PDC Outstanding Undergraduate Student of the Year. For 2021, the recipient of this prestigious award is Sofia Torres-Crespo, who lives in Palm Springs and will receive two bachelor of arts degrees – a degree in psychology, with a concentration in industrial and organizational psychology, and a degree in business administration, with a concentration in management. Graduating Magna Cum Laude and with honors, Sofia was a Mary Stuart Rogers Foundation Scholar, was on the Dean’s List of Distinguished Students, interned with the CSUSB Institute for Child Development and Family Relations and the Annenberg Foundation at Sunnylands Center & Gardens, and continues to do research through the Psychology Department Honors program. She was recently accepted into CSUSB’s master of science in industrial and organizational psychology program, and is looking forward to a career in Human Resources. |
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The celebration of graduation is not only for the achievements of our students, but it is also a time to celebrate the great work done by our staff and faculty during the year. There have been so many great accomplishments this year, including our IT team stepping up when the pandemic hit to acquire additional laptops, desktops and hot spots for those in need, and installing WiFi Access Points on the east side of campus so anyone from CSUSB could sit in the safety of their vehicle and access the Internet; our orientation team transitioning from a traditional event to a virtual one, utilizing their creativity and the latest technology; and members of our faculty who not only provide excellent teaching in the classroom both in-person and virtually, but also volunteer their time in the community.
Community members contribute so much to the Palm Desert Campus throughout the year. I would especially like to thank the members of the PDC Advancement Board for their commitment and passion. This past year, they were instrumental in moving the campus forward by working on various committees to help elevate the student experience, coordinate virtual events and raise funds for various campus initiatives.
We are so glad that we are able to add hundreds of students each year to our list of more than 4,000 alumni. Last year we reached a record high number of graduates, and we are still going strong this year, despite the many challenges the pandemic created, thanks to the support of our San Bernardino Campus, our PDC staff and faculty, the PDC Advancement Board and our generous community.
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At CSUSB, We Define the Future!
Jake Zhu, Ph.D.
Dean, CSUSB Palm Desert Campus
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CSUSB Palm Desert Campus awards three full-ride scholarships |
Three new University Legacy Scholars will begin their higher education journey at the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus this fall on a full-ride scholarship! |
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New full-time faculty hired at PDC |
The CSUSB Palm Desert Campus reached a major milestone this year!
PDC continues to thrive and grow, and for the first time, we were able to hire eight new full-time, tenure-track faculty members who will call PDC home.
Faculty members play an important role in enhancing academics and elevating the student experience, and we are very happy to welcome these eight new full-time faculty members to PDC!
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The CSUSB Career Center hosted the Palm Desert Campus Spring Virtual Career Fair on April 15th, where 17 employers participated, both local and national. Students and alumni attended more than 35 group sessions and 15 student 1:1 sessions. With two weeks of preparation workshops for both students and employers leading up to the fair, our students are well prepared for an extensive calendar of events to come. |
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Connecting PDC students with Coachella Valley alumni |
Did you graduate from a high school in the Coachella Valley and an accredited university? Do you work in the Coachella Valley and want to inspire current CSUSB Palm Desert students? If so, please consider joining the University Alumni of the Coachella Valley - a brand- new program at PDC! |
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Virtual tours provide insights you simply can’t get through word-of-mouth exchanges, view books, or websites. Choose from our multiple virtual visit options that best suit your needs. Your visit will be narrated live by current CSUSB Palm Desert Campus student tour guides via Zoom.
We encourage counselors, teachers, prospective students and families to sign up for a virtual campus tour today!
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Have a question or concern and don’t know where to start? Start with the Ombuds!
The Ombuds serves as a designated neutral person for both the Palm Desert and San Bernardino campuses to provide confidential, informal, independent and neutral assistance to students, staff, faculty and community members through dispute resolution, problem-solving methods, which may include conflict coaching, informal mediation, facilitation and shuttle diplomacy.
The Ombuds functions as a resource to other campus services, helps address university related problems or concerns effectively, and provides a safe space to express concerns.
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In Conversation: The Voices of OLLI |
If you enjoyed radio, you're going to love OLLI podcasts! Listen to a series of fun conversations between OLLI instructors, members, and staff (each about 20 minutes long) and be sure to check back often as OLLI will be adding more podcasts regularly. A special thanks to OLLI instructor and member, Lou Gorfain, for producing the series!
While you're at it, be a part of OLLI at the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus, which offers all the fun of learning, without the homework, tests, or grades. Plus, you may even make some new friends who share your interests!
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Three new programs at PDC |
Cybersecurity, Entrepreneurship and Hospitality Management are now being offered at PDC! |
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