CSUN Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Mary Beth Walker. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

A packed University Student Union (USU) Grand Salon, filled with students, faculty, staff and administrators, greeted new CSUN Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Mary Beth Walker on Oct. 2 as she introduced the first in a series of campus conversations centered on student success.

The session, titled “Matadors Rising — We Can Do This!,” included reports from each CSUN vice president on how all areas of the university are working to support student success. Walker provided an update on progress to date on improvements to graduation rates, student retention and a shrinking equity gap between underserved and better-served students. She also highlighted the path ahead to meet the goals outlined in the CSU-wide Graduation Initiative 2025 (GI2025, known at CSUN as “Matadors Rising”).

Photo by David J. Hawkins.

Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students William Watkins led a panel discussion where participants shared their observations of several effective initiatives that drive student success. Associated Students President Diana Vicente, USU Board of Directors Chair Tyrone Carter and EOP student and mentor Kimberly Silverio-Bautista related their experiences as students and leaders. Psychology professor Stefanie Drew, USU Executive Director Debra Hammond and EOP Director Shiva Parsa discussed their motivation and commitment to student success.

Attendees learned more about the resources and student success initiatives available across campus during a resource fair that took place before and after the discussions.

Upcoming events in the Provost’s Student Success Series include “Student Success Workshops: Practical Strategies for Supporting Student Success,” from 2 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 31 in the USU Northridge Center, followed by a reception and resource fair from 4 to 5 p.m.; and “Inclusive Excellence,” from 2 to 4 p.m. on Nov. 18 in the Plaza Del Sol Performance Hall, followed by a reception and resource fair from 4 to 5 p.m.

Matadors Rising, Office of the Provost, Student Success