Thanks to the San Francisco Foundation and attendees for 'Moving the Needle' with CSUEB

• January 14, 2011 4:00pm

On Jan. 12 CSUEB and The San Francisco Foundation hosted a forum on "Moving the Needle: Emerging Trends in Math and Science Education," bringing more than 50 representatives from regional foundations, corporations, and school districts together at CSUEB’s Oakland Center.

Dr. Sandra Hernández, president and CEO of the San Francisco Foundation, and CSUEB President Mohammad Qayoumi gave opening remarks, and Dean Carolyn Nelson of the College of Education and Allied Studies served as moderator for two panels, each followed by an audience discussion and reaction.

In the first round table, the group addressed Using Math, Science, and P-20 Continuum Program Models to Drive Education Equity, Social Mobility, and Civic Engagement. Panelists included

• Emily Brizendine, Executive Director, Cal State East Bay Concord Campus; Director, Gateways Cradle to Career Education and Workforce Partnership
• Julie Glass, Professor of Mathematics, Cal State East Bay; Project Manager, Gateways Cradle to Career Education and Workforce Partnership
• Wendell Greer, Associate Superintendent, West Contra Costa County Unified School District
• Penny Hudis, Director for Program and Curriculum Development, ConnectEd, California Center for College and Career
• Emily Shanks, Commercial Banking Marketing Executive and East Bay Market President, Bank of America; Trustee, Cal State East Bay Educational Foundation
• Vincent Stewart, Senior Program Officer, The James Irvine Foundation

The second discussion, on Using Math and Science Programs to Drive Regional Economic Vitality and Human and Intellectual Capital Development, began with a focus on STEM in the health care industry. The participants were

• Carolyn Fong, Chair, Nursing Department, Cal State East Bay
• Susan Harvey, Program Director, S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, Stephen Bechtel Fund
• James Houpis, Provost, Cal State East Bay
• Michael Leung, Dean, College of Science, Cal State East Bay
• Trina Ostrander, Community Relations & Charitable Giving Manager, Bayer HealthCare LLC
• Brian Steel, Vice President of Corporate Development, PG&E

Reinventing education in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) is one of the key goals of the University of Possibilities campaign, and the presidents opening remarks emphasized that students will need critical STEM skills to compete in the global workplace of the future.

Hernández noted after the event, "I listened intently to President Qayoumi's remarks about igniting a student’s intrinsic passion for learning math and science, and was pleasantly surprised by his comment that we should no longer accept as the status quo instructors who stand at a podium and lecture. CSUEB, under President Qayoumi's visionary leadership clearly intends to change the paradigm for institutes of higher education, and they will need and should get support from the entire community to succeed in this transformation."

Thanks to the San Francisco Foundation for their support, and to all who attended for a great conversation!