California State University, Northridge is known for its economic impact on the region — the university generates nearly $1.9 billion in economic impact and nearly 12,000 jobs each year. Two of its programs have been specifically recognized this year for their focus on developing economic prosperity in their communities.

The University Economic Development Association (UEDA) chose the CSUN Summer Accelerator and CSUN’s Marilyn Magaram Center for Food Science, Nutrition and Dietetics Peer Mentorship Program to Promote Diversity within the Nutrition and Dietetics Profession as finalists in the association’s Innovation and Talent category.

The UEDA Awards are designed to validate, promote and encourage the adoption of innovative programs by other institutions and communities. Award categories include innovation, talent and place, as well as the intersections of these three categories. Judges based their choices on replicability, scalability, sustainability, impact and originality.

“These days it is critically important for higher education institutions to be more prepared for disruptions in their regional economies and respond in line with their regional economic development goals,” said Tim Hindes, UEDA executive director, in a press release. “These finalists are the very top programs from across North America, generating impactful and sustainable results in the regions in which they are engaged.”

Established in 1976, UEDA represents higher education, private sector and community economic development stakeholders, working to expand economic opportunity in communities by leveraging research, community resources, campus planning, talent development and technology commercialization.

College of Health and Human Development, CSUN, Food Science, Marilyn Magaram Center for Food Science Nutrition and Dietetics, peer mentorship, UEDA awards