A Message from DEAN HENDERSON

As we enter into the 2011-12 academic year, we again face challenges related to the budget for the University and College. At the same time, the core strengths of the College remain an outstanding faculty and staff who are dedicated to the success of our students. We have hired six new members of our faculty through a very careful hiring process, including a joint appointment in Sociology and Latin American Studies. Our program in Asian and Asian American studies is being revitalized through the hard work of a new director and a group of faculty representing four different colleges that formed an advisory board. For the third year in a row, the faculty member chosen as the President’s Distinguished Professor came from the College of Natural and Social Sciences. We will also begin the year with a new Strategic Plan, developed by the College Steering Committee and adopted by a vote of the faculty. That plan focuses on supporting students, increasing external funding, earning recognition for our community engagement, and developing inter/cross/multidisciplinary programs. The Vision Statement describes an exciting future for the College, including national recognition for the success of our nontraditional student body, local recognition as the most effective higher educational partner for our communities, and being an academic destination of choice for students. While the budget challenges are significant, I’m confident that our College will continue to be a leader in student engagement and success, faculty innovation in instruction and research, and staff dedication to student success. The College of Natural and Social Science enrolls the highest number of students of any college at CSULA, and we’re dedicated to providing each one with the best educational experience possible. We invite you to join us in this exciting adventure that results in students achieving their educational goals.