Admitted Success

June 4, 2013 by University of La Verne

La Verne ranks #1 in Transfer Students

According to recently released data, the University of La Verne ranks first among all private four-year colleges and universities in California in the number of transfer students admitted from California Community Colleges.

The report, published on the California Community Colleges Transfer Counselor website, places La Verne first on a list of California’s top 25 private four-year institutions admitting students transferring from the state’s community colleges in 2009-10, the most recently published data. La Verne’s 2,315 admitted transfers was more than double that of No. 2 National University (1,146), and easily exceeded the combined total of No. 3 Chapman (947), No. 4 USC (627) and No. 5 Art Center College of Design (504).

Compiled from the 107 California Community Colleges that contributed data (five schools did not report), the findings show La Verne accepted transfers from 73 different community colleges. Mt. San Antonio College led the way with 326 of its students being admitted to La Verne – a figure which, on its own, would rank 12th highest. Citrus (263), Chaffey (233), Pasadena City and Bakersfield (123 each) rounded out the top five schools with transfers admitted to La Verne.

A review of the report’s top 25 schools shows that in 8 of the 16 instances where 100 or more transfer students from a single community college were admitted to a four-year private institution, La Verne was the admitting school.

According to Steve Lesniak, Dean of the university’s Regional Campus Administration, several factors have contributed to La Verne’s success in attracting students from the state’s community colleges.

“As part of our effort to provide quality education to all who seek it, we have developed distinct, separate programs to meet the needs of both traditional-age students and working adults. We have 11 campuses throughout Southern and Central California to make our programs accessible,” said Lesniak. “And probably most importantly, we have friends telling friends about their experience at La Verne. These all are part of what we refer to as ‘The La Verne Advantage.’”

The university has long been recognized for putting resources in place to enhance the transition process for incoming transfer students. It has a series of agreements in place with community colleges statewide that provide qualified students clarified guidelines and procedures as well as making them aware of established benefits and services.

The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) has consistently rated La Verne among the nation’s best schools at successfully integrating transfer students into the campus community. One NSSE survey led to La Verne being singled out in a USA Today article for providing a transfer-friendly environment where students are “encouraged to draw on life experience when analyzing issues that professionals and organizations face.”

La Verne Student Films Accepted for San Bernardino Valley College Film Festival

June 4, 2013 by University of La Verne

Tanya Velazquez, Ashley Rozatti, Melanie Rodriguez worked on films entered in the festival at San Bernardino Valley College.

All 10 University of La Verne student-produced films entered into the San Bernardino Valley College Film Festival were accepted for the May 3 and May 4, 2013 screening.

One University of La Verne Film, “Homestead Museum”, won first place for best news story in the festival.

The second annual SBV College film Festival featured films made by student filmmakers ranging from high school through graduate school.

In addition to screening of the selected films, the festival featured workshops on lighting, casting, budgeting, scheduling and editing.

The University of La Verne films selected for the SBVC festival were:

Making a Difference: Hal Hargrave, (documentary) Spencer Bruno, Marilyn Mejia, Emily Morrow, and Mike Laponis, advisor.

Homestead Museum, (documentary)Tanya Velazquez, Melanie Rodriguez, Ashley Rozatti, and Don Pollock, advisor.

Marshall Canyon Equestrian Center, (documentary)Tanya Velazquez, Melanie Rodriguez, Ashley Rozatti, and Don Pollock, advisor.

Jeff vs. Food, (documentary) Jeff Clarke, Halel Duberry, Raven Freret, Jessica Gerhart, and Don Pollock, advisor.

Sinfully Sweet Apple Company, (Documentary) Claudia Gonzalez, Ozzy Mora, Kassandra Gil, and Don Pollock, advisor

Read a Book, (Public Service Announcement) Raquel Lucero, Serena Ghazzawi, Matthew Martin Hall, and Don Pollock, advisor.

Cyberbullying, (Public Service Announcement) Dania Nasri, Gary Golden, Jacqueline Melendrez, and Don Pollock, advisor.

House of the Dead, (Experimental) Alex Clague, Chris Mitzel, Spencer Bruno, and Jake Huberman, advisor.

The Fountain, (Experimental) John Comunale, Natalie Kubes, Elizabeth Ortiz, Delanie Pacheco, and Jake Huberman, advisor.

Beatlemania, (Experimental) Ariel Devore, Ashley Rozatti, Jeff Clarke, and Jake Huberman, advisor.

Mother and Son Team Up to Publish Children’s Book

June 3, 2013 by University of La Verne

Marcia Collum wrote the children's book "Max & Leo" and her son Matthew Del Castillo did the illustrations.

Many have dreamt about putting their ideas down on paper and writing the next great children’s book, but few have followed through and made their dream a reality. For years, Marcia Collum knew that she wanted to write a children’s book that was as fun and magical as “Peter Rabbit” or “Green Eggs and Ham,” and that could transport children to another world just with their imagination, but she was busy with her family and her career and she put her dream to the side. That was until 2010 when she decided that she was going to go for it — no matter what it took.

Collum, an administrative assistant at the University of La Verne, began to write and knew instantly who would illustrate her new book.

Matthew Del Castillo, Collum’s 27-year-old son, starting drawing when he was a toddler and he never stopped. Armed with art supplies and paper, he was able to bring his countless characters to life. Collum, whose eyes light up and whose face beams with pride when she talks about her son’s talent, knew that he would bring the characters in her book, “Max & Leo,” to life.

“As much as I loved picture books and as much as he loved to draw,” Collum said, “I knew I had an illustrator right there.”

Max and Leo came to life as two small green alien children who live at a local planetarium. It was an ideal partnership and before she knew it, the book was complete, illustrations and all. Collum’s dream was now a paperback book that children could hold in their hands and read while they imagined Max and Leo playing and exploring at the planetarium.

“I thought it would be nice to help my mom’s dream of making a children’s book come to life,” Matthew Del Castillo said.

Once the book was complete, Collum, who credits faculty and staff of the College of Education & Organizational Leadership with supporting her dream, worked diligently to get it published. After several attempts at finding a publisher, and many letters encouraging her, but politely turning down the book, she finally decided to self-publish. Her book is now available on Amazon.com and has sold more than 40 copies in just a couple of months.

“It’s not something I did to get rich,” Collum said. “I hope that it sparks children’s imaginations the way books did when I was a kid, while also showing them the value of friendship. I also hope they like Max and Leo.”

Collum and Del Castillo have plans for more books and more adventures for Max and Leo and hope to publish again in the future.

“It’s exciting and a bit surreal,” Del Castillo said. “I’m just happy that this idea actually became something real, something that people could hold in their hands and read again and again.”

World Renowned Leadership Scholar to Speak at La Verne

June 3, 2013 by University of La Verne

Leading expert on leadership and the study of organizations, Dr. Terrence Deal is the featured speaker at the second “Challenges of Making Public Administration and Complexity Theory Work” conference (COMPACT II) June 5-8, 2013.

The University of La Verne Alumnus, professor, author and speaker will present on Leadership and Complex Systems Friday, June 7 and will assess the role of leadership in governing metropolitan systems facing the complex issues that have become apparent as populations have grown.

Deal, who has written more than 20 books and more than 100 book chapters, has taught extensively on organization, leadership, change and culture at La Verne, Harvard University, Stanford University and Vanderbilt University.

La Verne is the second institution to host the COMPACT conference, which was first held at Erasmus University in the Netherlands in 2011.

Scholars from around the globe will convene to discuss and learn about the challenges facing metropolitan systems around the world in managing and maintaining adequate supplies of water, air quality, housing, health, functional transportation and education.

“The central focus of COMPACT conferences is on the application of complexity thinking in public policy and administration,” Meek said.

Additional speakers include La Verne Provost Dr. Greg Dewey, Professor of Law Dr. Kevin Marshall, Professor of Public Administration Dr. Jack Meek, Associate Professor of Public Administration Dr. Marcia Godwin, City of La Verne Mayor Don Kendrick, City of Claremont Councilman Larry Schroeder and a variety of experts in the field of complexity from around the world.

Quality Finishes

May 30, 2013 by University of La Verne

Leopards Conclude Successful Seasons at National Track, Golf Championships

Competing against the nation’s best, University of La Verne student-athletes turned in strong performances as the Leopards track and golf teams closed out the spring 2013 season at their respective championship events.

Seniors Lenore Moreno and Paul Turner along with junior Chancise Watkins earned All-America honors at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Turner leaped 48 feet, 8 ¼ inches (14.84 meters) in the men’s triple jump for sixth place overall to earn All-America honors for the sixth time in his collegiate career. As a Leopard, Turner recorded four All-America performances in the triple jump along with two in the long jump. Teammate Watkins sped to a time of 21.79 in the men’s 200 meter dash final to claim seventh place. The performance was the second All-America effort in as many years for Watkins, who captured sixth place in the 400 meters at last year’s outdoor championship meet.

Moreno represented La Verne’s SCIAC Champion women’s track & field team with an eighth place finish in the women’s 10,000 meter run in a time of 36:08.59.  The effort was the second All-America performance for Moreno during the 2012-13 academic year, having placed 17th at the NCAA III Women’s Cross Country Championships in November to become La Verne’s first-ever All-America in that sport.

The men’s golf team enjoyed a solid conclusion to its season with an eighth place team finish at the NCAA III Golf Championships in Destin, Florida. The Leopards completed the tournament with a team total of 1,202 during the four-day event. In addition, three La Verne golfers finished in the Top 40 among individual competitors.

Senior Derek Zachman led the way, placing 20th overall with a four-day total of 296. Junior Keven Holliday carded a tournament total of 298, tying him for 22nd overall, and sophomore Kelby Scharmann placed 36th overall at 302.  The eighth place effort was La Verne’s best finish since a fifth-place performance at the 2010 championship tournament. The Leopards have played in the Division III Championship nine times in the past 11 years, finishing second in 2007 and again in 2009.

La Verne earned an automatic berth to this year’s national tournament by winning the 2013 SCIAC Championship, the program’s seventh consecutive conference crown.

Putting Theory to Practice Secures Grant Money for New Freshmen La Verne Experience

May 29, 2013 by University of La Verne

The University of La Verne has been awarded a $10,000 grant by the Bringing Theory to Practice project (BTtoP), in partnership with the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), for its new Freshman La Verne Experience (FLEX).

Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences Dr. Jonathan Reed and Associate Dean Dr. Felicia Beardsley have spearheaded the application process for the BTtoP project in order to secure the funding for the FLEX program.

The FLEX program, which launched in the fall semester of 2012, introduced freshmen to classes that integrated various forms of community engagement into their classes. Faculty were responsible for designing classes that allowed students to work with community entities to put what they were learning to practice in real-world situations.

“What we know is that community engaged learning is one of the best practices for successful students,” University Chaplain Zandra Wagoner said. “Students learn really well through community engagement practices because it makes it so practical and tangible. It also builds very meaningful relationships not only with the community agency, but the students they’re working with.”

Associate Professor of Movement and Sports Science Dr. Brian Clocksin partnered with Associate Professor of Physics Dr. Vanessa Preisler to provide students an opportunity to work with elementary school students and apply what they learned in physics and movement and sports science.

“Students within our FLEX class were able to see what it’s like working with kids, coaching and teaching,” Clocksin said. “Seeing how they were going to work in the field and tie physics to sports and physiology was a key piece.”

La Verne students in Clocksin’s class were able to teach physical education activities and infuse what the elementary school students were learning with physics.

“This Bringing Theory to Practice grant provides national recognition of the faculty’s work on implementing a program enhancing our academic quality,” Reed said. “The grant will support faculty leaders living out the values of the university, particularly community engagement rooted in the faculty-student relationship.”

Fast & Serious

May 29, 2013 by University of La Verne

Get a Jump Start on Fall. Enroll in Summer Classes.

This summer’s biggest blockbuster is not in the theaters; it’s in the classroom. Students can accelerate the pace of their education and fast track entry into a chosen career by enrolling in Summer Session 2013 at the University of La Verne.

This outstanding opportunity is not limited to those already enrolled at La Verne. Whether you are a graduating high school senior hoping to get a jump on your college coursework or are already attending another local college or university and interested in quality instruction at a convenient location, taking summer classes on the University of La Verne’s main campus is right for you.

“La Verne summer classes are a wonderful way for students to get ahead or reduce their course load during the academic year,” said Dr. Homa Shabahang, Vice-Provost for Enrollment Management.

There are two different course schedules from which to choose. The 10-week courses start on Monday, June 10, and the 8-week courses begin on Monday, June 24. A variety of subjects are offered, including both prerequisites and electives. All classes cost $550 per unit* and are taught by dedicated, expert faculty recognized for excellence in their fields.

For a complete list of available classes and to learn more about the advantages of enrolling in Summer Session 2013, go to http://laverne.edu/summer/ for all the details.

Currently enrolled La Verne students can register through existing MyLaVerne accounts. All others need only to click here and complete the application to create a MyLaVerne account. Once you receive your user name and password, you can login and register for the course of your choice.

No matter if you are still deciding on a major or well on the way to earning your college degree, Summer Session 2013 at the University of La Verne is offering what you need to succeed.

* Financial aid is not available for Summer Session courses.

Anthropology Conference Features Research from La Verne Professors and Students

May 21, 2013 by University of La Verne

Several papers, posters and presentations from the University of La Verne were featured at the 2013 Southwestern Anthropological Association Meetings in San Jose, California, held in April.

Presenters from La Verne included Adjunct Professors Gerlaine Kiamco, Kara Lemma, Fatima Suarez, Senior Anthropology Major Patrick Gadut and Alumna Daisy Serrano.

“The meeting was incredibly important to me because I think professors in this day and age struggle with negotiating how and when to use technology in the classroom,” Lemma said. “In this session, we had the opportunity to explore the pros and cons of using technology within the context of work and play.”

Professor of Anthropology Dr. Kim Martin was also in attendance as the association’s secretary and executive board member.

“I think La Verne had a great presence at the conference and it was wonderful to have our department chair, Kim Martin, there to facilitate and support our efforts,” Lemma said.

Papers submitted included “Using Visual Anthropology to Enhance Community Policing,” by Gadut, “Narcorridos and Tolerance for Deviance, by Serrano, ‘Alternative Pedagogies: An Exploration of ‘Edutainment’ in situated learning environments’, by Kiamco and Lemma and “Del Tal Padre, Tal Hija, (Like Father, like Daughter): Fathering Chicana Feminisms, by Suarez.

First La Verne Student to Intern with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service

May 21, 2013 by University of La Verne

University of La Verne Sophomore Kyle Porter is set to intern with the Navel Criminal Investigative Service.

A lifetime of fascination with law enforcement has led one University of La Verne student to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

“I was really honored that I was accepted,” Sophomore Criminology and French Major Kyle Porter said.

Porter, who will begin his internship in June 2013, will be the first student from La Verne to intern with NCIS.

With a very clear sense of right and wrong, Porter always knew that he wanted to be involved in law enforcement and served as a Police Explorer while at Claremont High School in Claremont, Calif.

While watching an episode of the popular television show “NCIS,” Porter thought he would look up the real agency and find out if an internship opportunity was available. After discovering there was such an opportunity, he applied and was later accepted into the program, which will allow him to experience the life of a member of law enforcement at the federal level.

Though he has no specific assignment yet, Porter knows he will gain experience in administrative, domestic violence and investigative areas of NCIS.

“I’m looking forward to helping them and working alongside them and seeing how the federal level differs from the local level,” Porter said.

La Verne Biology Professor Chosen to Speak at National Conference

May 17, 2013 by University of La Verne

Professor of Biology Stacey Darling-Novak has been selected to present about the University of La Verne's work with the USDA-HIS program.

University of La Verne Professor of Biology Dr. Stacey Darling-Novak will present at the 2013 North American Colleges & Teachers of Agriculture, NACTA, conference to be held June 25-29, 2013 in Blacksburg Virginia.

Darling-Novak originally submitted an abstract about service learning with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Hispanic-Serving Institution National Program grant La Verne has receive for a poster presentation, but was asked to speak about the topic instead.

“This is a well-known conference in the agricultural sciences, currently in its 59th year,” Darling-Novak said. “Its focus is on teaching students in agriculture-related disciplines, and plant biology falls into this domain. With the USDA grant we have begun offering a new option within the Environmental Biology concentration called Agricultural Biology.”

In line with La Verne’s mission of service and working with the community, Darling-Novak wants others to understand that it is possible to integrate service learning into science programs. Students in the sciences who participate in service learning are able to share their knowledge and passion with the community. 

The USDA-HIS funded program has given La Verne students the opportunity to develop laboratory lessons and activities to share with local high school students, including underrepresented groups of students. Senior Roshan Gamage, Junior Lila Luna and Senior Avneet Nijjar have all benefited from the USDA program.

In a paper they wrote about the USDA-HIS program, the students said “These experiences coupled with student research grants funded by the USDA, allowed for undergraduates to confidently conduct research projects.” 

Participating La Verne students are also provided with an opportunity to develop leadership, organizational and research skills.

Much of the outreach done through this program is to predominantly Hispanic schools, which resulted in a 40 percent Hispanic student enrollment rate in the 2012 summer camp hosted by La Verne students.

The conference in June will allow Darling-Novak the opportunity to share what La Verne students and faculty are doing in an effort to further develop the biology department and build lasting relationships with the community. She will also be joined by Luna and Gamage who are preparing to present a poster at the conference.

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