A New Paradigm for Evironmental Leadership

The “Inland Empire” region – comprising Riverside and San Bernardino counties – is the fastest- growing area in California and its rapid pace of growth shows no signs of slowing anytime soon. Since 2000, Riverside County has had the fastest- growing population in the state, increasing by approximately 42% to an estimated 2,268,783. San Bernardino County has also grown by approximately 19% since 2000, with an estimated current population of 2,035,210. Together this area is the 12th most populous metropolitan area in the United States

One of the greatest challenges we face is balancing economic growth with environmental protection and quality of life. Decision makers, land managers, municipalities and agencies need to respond to emerging issues with creative solutions that are based on best-available science and research and long-term sustainability. They must incorporate economic, environmental and community perspectives—and integrate different value systems.

The Environmental Leadership Institute (ELI) at California State University San Marcos at Temecula provides a forum for unbiased education, research and policy review – an opportunity to provide innovative and transparent solutions to environmental challenges.  Founded in service, CSUSM continues to be a leader in analyzing and resolving complex community problems and assisting local, regional and international partners.

The ELI is located at the Temecula Higher Education Center (THE Center), a California State University San Marcos at Temecula (CSUSM-T) office within the Temecula Valley Entrepreneurs Exchange (TVE2)., which is an incubator for learning, research and collaboration. The ELI is situated in the heart of the Temecula business park among some of the largest and most innovative companies in the region. In this ideal setting with CSUSM-T, and the City’s Business Incubator and Resource Center, the ELI now provides a living laboratory for students to observe best practices in research, education, planning, policy and analysis as well as partnership cooperation.  It also provides a neutral setting that is conducive to joint problem solving.  At the heart of the Institute is the understanding that there is no single solution to the environmental challenges we face; research and education provide the foundations for balanced and equitable decision making.

The Institute is helping us shape a new paradigm for environmental leadership by providing expert community resources and services for environmental planning, analysis, assessment and policy.  For more information about the Environmental Leadership Institute please visit, http://www.csusm.edu/temecula/certificateprograms/ELI/index.html.

Suzanne Lingold, M.Ed. is the Associate Dean for Extended Learning at Cal State San Marcos at Temecula. She may be reached at (951) 676-9254 or Temecula@csusm.edu. 

Where Success Begins

Student success is our highest priority at California State University San Marcos. We believe that pursuing your goals at CSUSM at Temecula is the first step in advancing your career forward. Whether you’re calling for information about Environmental Leadership or our new Wedding Planning Certificate, or submitting your online application to the Criminology and Justice Studies program or Accelerated Nursing degree, you’ll find your path to success right here in Temecula. 

Our Student Services team stands ready to answer all of your questions about our degree and certificate options available at the CSUSM at Temecula campus and online. We are now accepting applications for the Fall 2016 degree programs. Convenient, on-campus information sessions are held monthly to provide details on various programs offered at CSUSM at Temecula. Our upcoming sessions are listed below:

• BS Business Administration, Temecula Higher Education Center, 43200 Business Park Dr., at 3 pm on April 5 and May 10.
  
• BA Criminology and Justice Studies, CSUSM at Temecula, 43890 Margarita Rd., at 3 pm on April 6 and May 11.
  
• BS Kinesiology, CSUSM at Temecula, 43890 Margarita Rd., at 3 pm on April 4 and May 9.
  
• BS Nursing, Accelerated program, CSUSM at Temecula, 43890 Margarita Rd., at 2 pm on April 6 and May 11.
  
• Professional Certificate in Wedding Planning, CSUSM at Temecula, 43890 Margarita Rd., at 6 pm on March 29 and April 12. 

Call us today at (951) 676-9254 to begin your success at CSUSM at Temecula. 

Endless Opportunities

It is February 2016 and we are well into our spring term at California State University San Marcos at Temecula. We are also entering our seventh year in Temecula offering degree completion and professional certificate programs.

We’ve come a long way since opening in January 2009. While 54 prospective nursing students awaited, we celebrated our grand opening at the Paul Goldring Garrett Institute for Higher Learning in downtown Temecula. In September 2010 we relocated to the former Joan Sparkman Elementary School on Margarita Road and in September 2014 we opened a second facility in Temecula in partnership with Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC) on the 2nd floor of the former Temecula City Hall building.

Now, 332 graduates later, we are contemplating where the next seven years will take us. We continue to see growth for CSUSM at Temecula, MSJC and the entire Southwest Riverside County region. The population projections in the area over the next several years are explosive and we see endless possibilities and opportunities for both students and educational institutions.

I recently found myself in conversation with Brenda Anguiano, one of our soon-to-be graduates in the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program. Brenda is the owner of Charley’s Grilled Sub at the Temecula Promenade mall. Her story made an impression.

A first generation immigrant from Guatemala, Brenda came to California several  years ago because she realized she would have opportunities here that she could never have at home. But, she could not have imagined in her wildest dreams that she would soon finish a Bachelor’s degree, or own and operate a successful business.

Brenda is the first in her family to attend and graduate from college. So in May her family will come to the U.S. to watch with pride as she takes her place on stage to receive the Bachelor’s degree from President Karen Haynes.

Emotions ran high as she shared this story with me. As a single mom who lives and works in Temecula, CSUSM at Temecula gave her the opportunity to earn a degree while running both a business and a family. It’s a lesson that is resonating through the generations of her family as her own children, nieces and nephews look on.

An interested and committed CSUSM professor of Brenda’s has inspired her to consider applying to a PhD program in strategic management and to open another franchise…..endless opportunities and possibilities continue emerging from CSUSM at Temecula.

  

Suzanne Lingold, M.Ed. is the Associate Dean for Extended Learning at Cal State San Marcos at Temecula. She may be reached at (951) 676-9254 or Temecula@csusm.edu.