Dr. Lisa Bursch

Dr. Lisa Bursch, professor of nursing, received $143,000 from the Song-Brown Healthcare Workforce Training Program, part of the California Department of Health Care Access and Information. The grant supports students admitted into the family nurse practitioner program.

Dr. Charles Sands

Dr. Charles Sands, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs: Financial Leadership and Strategic Driven Budgeting. CCCU Multi-Academic Conference in San Diego on Feb. 28.

Angela Meluski

Angela Meluski, vice president for Marketing and Communication: Crisis and Christian Higher Ed: Are we Prepared for the Unexpected? and plenary Reputation Management & Reviewing Survey Results. CCCU Multi-Academic Conference in San Diego on Feb. 26-28.

Paul Eldridge, vice president for University Advancement, Kim Cunningham, senior director of development, and Kelli Johnson, associate director of research and portfolio management: Major Gift Officer Metrics: Turning Metrics Into MGO Success. CCCU Multi-Academic Conference in San Diego on Feb. 27.

Dr. Jong-Wha Bai

Dr. Jong-Wha Bai, professor of civil engineering and construction management: Shaking Up Learning: Engaging Engineering Education and Outreach with a Shake Table. KSEA (Korean American Scientists and Engineers Association) South-Western Regional Conference in Long Beach on Feb. 24.

Dr. Ed Garrett

Dr. Ed Garrett, professor of sport and performance psychology: Impacting the Body by Empowering the Mind. Health Professions Conference held at University of California, Riverside, on March 14.

Dr. Joshua Knabb

Dr. Joshua Knabb, professor of psychology: Big God, Small Self: Worship and Awe in Psychotherapy with Christian Clients and workshop Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: An Introduction and Faith-Based Applications for Working with Christian Clients. Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS) annual convention in Atlanta on March 21-23.

Christopher Kern

Christopher Kern, associate professor of photography: Where Does Photography Curricula Go From Here? New Realities in Programming and From Screen to Print: Paper Makes the Difference with Hahnemuehle. Society for Photographic Education's National Conference in St. Louis on March 21-23.

Dr. Jodi Dickert, professor of athletic training, and Dr. Lisa Friesen, assistant professor of allied health professions: Developing a Clinical Philosophy with Integration of Whole Person Care. Friesen: Developing Empathy, Emotional Intelligence, and Exemplary Leadership in Athletic Trainers. CATA (California Athletic Trainers Association) Annual Symposium in Anaheim on March 2-3.

Dr. Veola Vazquez

Dr. Veola Vazquez, professor of psychology, and PsyD students Abisael Catalan, Catrita Duhon, Erin Fulbright and Amber Griffin: Race-Based Stress and Resilience: The Role of Spirituality Among Black Christians. Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS) annual conference in Atlanta on March 21.

Dr. Nicole MacDonald

Dr. Nicole MacDonald, professor of athletic training, received the CATA (California Athletic Trainers Association) Athletic Training Educator of the Year award at the CATA Annual Symposium in Anaheim on March 2.

Dr. Ronald L. Ellis and Cameron Delt Makey

Cameron Delt Makey, foodservice equipment technician – Facilities and Planning Services, was named employee of the month for March. His nomination included the following statements: “Cameron has the best attitude. His response time is impeccable. He is friendly and polite. We can always count on the work orders to be completed efficiently and in a timely manner. Cameron is knowledgeable and thorough to go through each piece of equipment to determine what the issue is, then goes about making the repair.”

Kristine Lippire art exhibit

Kristine Lippire, professor of visual art, has more than 60 works on display at the Fabrika Projekt Arthouse Hall in the Center for Creative Industries in Moscow, Russia. The solo exhibition, made over the last four years, consists of weavings, costume designs, gouache paintings, collages and textile designs. Imagery for the works were derived by research done during an artist residency Lippire completed in Moscow in 2019 studying the work of Russian Constructivist artist Varvara Stepanova. Lippire’s exhibition, on display until April 18, is part of a year’s long celebration of the artist, born 130 years ago. 

AAF Professional Best in Show award

Christopher Kern, associate professor of photography, and Michael Berger, professor of graphic design, won Professional Best in Show at the 2024 American Advertising Federation's Addy Awards Gala on March 8.

Christine Lee Smith

Christine Lee Smith, lecturer of photography, had work included in the show New Realities during the National Conference for the Society of Photographic Education in St. Louis. The work, displayed March 4-27, featured photos from more than 50 artists from around the world. 

Dr. Ronald L. Ellis and Kelli Johnson

Kelli Johnson, associate director of research and portfolio management for University Advancement, was named employee of the month for April. Her nomination included the following statements: “Kelli fosters a positive and collaborative work environment. Her interpersonal skills and team spirit contribute to a harmonious workplace. She builds strong relationships with both co-workers and supervisors, creating a supportive atmosphere that enhances overall team productivity. Kelli's routine performance consistently surpasses expectations and reflects a commitment to excellence. Her work output is of high quality, and she maintains a strong work ethic day in and day out. This level of consistency is a testament to her dedication to her responsibilities.”

Dr. Joshua Knabb

Dr. Joshua Knabb, professor of psychology, conducted a two-day training for Army chaplains at the Fort Liberty Army Base in Fayetteville, N.C., on Feb. 28-29. The mental health training focused on a faith-based version of acceptance and commitment therapy.

Sara Munoz, Amelia Brenes and Jakob Baker

Jakob Baker, assistant director of Financial Aid, and Amelia Brenes and Sara Munoz, student representatives, joined AICCU (Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities) Day in the Capitol in Sacramento on Feb. 27. Advocating for students and additional Cal Grant funding, they met with Sen. Kelly Seyarto and a staff member of Sen. Richard Roth’s office.

National Athletic Training Month

The CBU Master of Science in Athletic Training program hosted a National Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame event, featuring four NATA Hall of Fame members, on March 1. CBU MSAT and kinesiology students attended along with students and faculty from Fresno State and California State University, Fullerton.

Associated Schools of Construction

More than 20 CBU students in architecture, civil engineering and construction management competed at the 2024 Associated Schools of Construction student competition in Reno, Nevada, on Feb. 7-10. Students impressed many and demonstrated the ability to perform under pressure. Cole Bradley placed third in the Alternates Competition, which required students to deliver an expeditious solution to a construction management problem in a 12-hour single day workflow.

Nico Carrillo photo

Nico Carrillo, Josiah Grant, and Crystal Lewis were selected to appear in the 2024 Communication Arts Photography annual. Additionally, Carillo, Grant, Lewis, Jenna Beekhuis, Hannah Boone, Cheyenne Brown, Austin Elliott, Kia Harlan, Emma Osborn, Eileen Solorzano, Elizabeth Wahl and Kayla Yogi were selected for the Communication Arts Photography Competition shortlist. The competition entries are judged by an international jury of distinguished creative directors and photographers. Of 2,210 submissions, 588 entries were short-listed, from which 122 winners were chosen. On the shortlist, 43 works of students were selected, 25 taken by CBU students.

Sofiyah Joy Lowell

Jessie Lowell, associate professor of psychology, and her husband, Jonathan, welcomed a daughter on Feb. 23. Sofiyah Joy Lowell weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces and measured 20 inches long. She joins Eliyanah, 6, and Zachariah, 3. 

Antonella Iverson Rios

Dr. Nathan Iverson, associate professor of psychology, and his wife, Cecilia Rios, welcomed a daughter on March 6. Antonella Iverson Rios weighed 7 pounds, 12 ounces and measured 19 inches.

About The CBU Family

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