CSUEB Celebrates Grand Reopening of Oakland Center
From left: Kate White, director of CSUEB’s Oakland Center and Continuing Education; Debbie Chaw, vice president for Administration and Finance and CFO; CSUEB President Leroy M. Morishita; Carolyn Nelson, interim provost and VP of Academic Affairs; and Brian Cook, associate vice president of University Extension, at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
- February 22, 2016 12:00am
After nearly five months of renovation, Cal State East Bay’s Oakland Center celebrated its grand reopening Feb. 12 with a reception hosted by President Leroy M. Morishita. Approximately 125 guests were in attendance, including Debbie Chaw, vice president for Administration and Finance and Chief Financial Officer; Carolyn Nelson, interim provost and vice president of Academic Affairs; deans from Cal State East Bay; and representatives from local Oakland businesses and nonprofits.
“I am so proud of what we were able to accomplish in a relatively short amount of time,” said Kate White, director of CSUEB’s Oakland Center and Continuing Education. “Since we opened, it has been gratifying to see students using the space as it was designed — to study, collaborate and socialize. I have heard nothing but positive feedback from students and faculty; they really love the new space!”
The celebration included a speech from President Morishita, followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony and a tour of the newly remodeled and expanded facility. Updates to the renovated center include three additional spaces along the 11th Street side of the building, with a student-centric lounge and study areas, and an overall increase in square footage by 40 percent. In addition, all existing classrooms have fresh carpet, paint and furniture.
“The event was a wonderful celebration of the success CSUEB has seen in Oakland, as evidenced by our need to expand our facility,” said White. “Guests commented throughout the night (on) what a complete change the Center has undergone and how bright and open the space looks. Cal State East Bay has been committed to Oakland since 2000, and now with the expansion we will be able to serve even more students for many years to come.”
CSUEB’s Oakland Center serves the community as a conference center and corporate training facility. It is also home to degree programs such as the full-time one-year MBA, part-time Master of Social Work, and many continuing education certificate programs, including Paralegal Studies, Project Management, Nonprofit Management, Human Resource Management and a recently launched Social Media Marketing program.