About our College

The College of Education, Kinesiology & Social Work offers both initial and advanced credential and certificate programs that are approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC), Master of Arts programs, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership.

Mission Statement:
Preparing Leaders in Learning

The California State University, Stanislaus College of Education Kinesiology and Social Work (COEKSW) reaffirms the commitment to our mission of developing “diverse leaders who meet the needs of a multicultural and multilingual society.” In pursuit of this mission, we understand diversity is an indispensable component of academic excellence. We denounce language and behaviors that limit access or discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, socioeconomic background, religion, politics, and disability. We denounce policies, practices, and teaching strategies anchored in white supremacy, macro/micro-aggressions, violence, and hatred directed towards historically marginalized groups. 

Our goal is to create an increasingly inclusive culture among and between students, faculty, staff and our community that is critical and willing to confront racist systems, structures, curricular choices, and pedagogies. We encourage and embrace the diverse ideas, cultures, and languages of ALL members of our college and insist that these differences be equally valued and not demeaned or retaliated against. We will include these diverse perspectives in decision making at all levels of our college. We understand that we ALL must adopt anti-racist and anti-discriminatory practices in order to hold ourselves and our stakeholders accountable for rooting out inequities as they are revealed. We will fulfill our mission through activism, advocacy and the collective power that lies in the diversity in our college as we fight for humanity and antiracism. 

Vision Statement:
Enhancing Life-long Learning

The preparation programs in the College of Education, Kinesiology & Social Work strive to instill professional habits that result in life-long learning. We endeavor to prepare educators who impact positively and optimally on the academic achievement and well-being of all of their P-14 pupils. To this end, we model a culture of educational accessibility and respect for diversity, we foster a climate of intellectual engagement and rigor, and we model systematic use of assessment and reflection to inform decision-making. We strive to ensure that College of Education, Kinesiology & Social Work students, faculty, and staff reflect the diversity of our local communities, possess the competence and confidence to provide leadership in their professional roles, and actively pursue personal and professional life-long learning.

Strategic Plan College of Education, Kinesiology, & Social Work

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Vision

Our vision is to create an inclusive, equitable, and supportive academic community where every member thrives. We foster continuous improvement, respect, and collaboration, empowering faculty, staff, and students to achieve their greatest potential. We prioritize culturally responsive teaching, career development, technological skills, and social innovation. We envision a diverse community committed to social justice and excellence.

Mission

We are dedicated to providing effective and timely training, fostering respectful communication, and ensuring consistent student support. Our commitment to anti-racism, social justice, and career competencies is reflected in our diverse curriculum, faculty development initiatives, and community engagement. By integrating technological advancement and social innovation, we strive to align our efforts with the needs of our Latinx communities, and other groups who have been historically marginalized, creating a campus that is a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) in practice. Through continuous evaluation and accountability, we aim to uphold the highest standards of excellence and integrity. Together, we will build a vibrant community that serves as a model for higher education, reflecting our dedication to the holistic development and success of all members.

Culturally Sustaining Practices, Diversity, Anti-Racism, Inclusion, and Equity

Area of attention. The college community expressed interest in improving the sense of inclusion, respect, and collaboration among faculty, staff, and students. Attitudes towards diversity, equity and inclusion need to be more than statements and become everyday practices that foster a sense of belonging and interrupt isolation and fragmentation among departments and programs in the college.

Summary. Our vision is to create an inclusive, equitable, and supportive academic community where every member thrives through continuous improvement, respect, and collaboration, empowering faculty, staff, and students to achieve their potential. To achieve this, we engage all community members in fostering a culturally sustaining, anti-racist environment by ensuring consistent student support and recruiting diverse faculty. We will continue supporting and expanding the initiatives of the Commission on Social Justice and Racial Equity (SJRE). We embrace a commitment to promote the holistic development and success of all members.

Co-Facilitators of Working Group

• Dr. Virginia Montero Hernandez
• Dr. Suzanne Whitehead

Working Group Members

• Dr. Arya Alami
• Dr. May Ying Ly
• Shellie Machado
• Dr. Shannon Panfilio-Padden
• Dr. Daniel Soodjinda

College Climate

Actionable Strategies:

1. Support and expand the initiatives of the Commission on Social Justice and Racial Equity (SJRE).
2. Support SJRE with implementing a college climate survey to gather opinions on our college’s culture.
3. Organize college conversations focused on anti-racism and social justice.

Engagement and Representation

Actionable Strategies:

1. Actively recruit faculty, staff, and students of color.
2. Offer mini-grants to develop research and creative activities that promote an inclusive college climate.
3. Host a speaker series around issues related to inclusivity, social justice, and equity.
4. Organize events that celebrate diversity and promote inclusive dialogue.

Accessible Student Services Resources

Actionable Strategies:

1. Raise awareness about the Disability Resource Services (DRS) and centralize its services.
2. Ensure faculty and staff are informed about DRS resources and accommodations.
3. Raise awareness about Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).

Accountability and Continuous Improvement

Actionable Strategies:

1. Analyze and discuss the SJRE annual survey and develop goals for anti-racist practices.
2. Include anti-racism and equity criteria in faculty and staff evaluations.

Focus on Partnerships that Promote Equity and Inclusion

Actionable Strategies:

1. Develop college-wide policies that promote equity and inclusion.
2. Establish support groups and resource centers for underrepresented community members.

What will success look like?

1. Greater understanding of what it means to be a Hispanic Serving Institution.
2. Increased participation from faculty, students, and staff on the college climate survey.
3. Increased engagement in college conversations on anti-racism and social justice per academic year.
4. Increased presence of faculty of color.
5. Increased implementation of inclusive practices.

Effective and Innovative Teaching Practices

Area of attention. Student disengagement and low enrollment require developing innovative teaching practices that motivate students to engage in learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom. Instructional techniques should promote experiential learning, culturally sustaining practices, and relevant content that helps students be career ready.

Summary. Effective teaching practices integrate culturally relevant resources, consideration of student life, and culturally responsive practices. We will promote transformational learning environments that allow students to engage in high impact practices and collaborate with the community to develop marketable job skills and social abilities, empowering and revitalizing their communities. Teaching should incorporate students' cultural and linguistic backgrounds, preparing them to work with culturally diverse, underserved, and minoritized communities.

Development of Clear and Updated Resources

Actionable Strategies:

1. Ensure manuals from various departments are up-to-date and accessible.
2. Design and post informational posters around the college.
3. Develop flexible course schedules and modalities.
4. Update departmental handbooks.

Culturally Responsive and Sustainable Teaching & Inclusive Curriculum

Actionable Strategies:

1. Develop curricula that integrate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) components.
2. Provide professional development on culturally sustainable, inclusive, humanizing, and anti-racist teaching methods.
3. Integrate students' cultural and linguistic backgrounds and funds of knowledge into teaching practices.
4. Develop courses that prepare students to work with communities who have been historically marginalized.
5. Increase the expertise of faculty who can teach online in an inclusive and active way.

What will success look like?

1. Higher integration of culturally sustaining practices in the syllabus and classroom practices.
2. Effective communication and relationships between students and teachers.
3. Increased attention to student voices and perspectives.
4. Increased participation of faculty in professional development.
5. Increased academic engagement and performance for all student groups.

Research Culture and Practices

Area of attention. Faculty scholarly productivity and student engagement in research projects need administrative support and effective funding, including support in the grant-writing process and staff capacity to manage grants. Dissemination and celebration of research accomplishments among students and faculty are needed.

Summary. Enhancing the research culture involves supporting faculty with robust infrastructure and grant support, utilizing undergraduate and graduate students as research assistants, and fostering a community that encourages sharing research projects and ideas.

Equitable Support for Faculty Research

Actionable Strategies:

1. Implement policies for equitable distribution of research support.
2. Promote inter-departmental research collaborations.
3. Secure fundraising opportunities for research initiatives.

Enhancing Grant Support

Actionable Strategies:

1. Hire dedicated grant writers and support staff.
2. Provide training on effective grant management.
3. Establish a centralized office for grant support.

Student Involvement and Collaboration in Research

Actionable Strategies:

1. Sustain and increase undergraduate and graduate student participation in research projects.
2. Create opportunities for students to present research reports in collaboration with faculty.

What will success look like?

1. Greater faculty involvement in research projects.
2. Higher participation in multidisciplinary grant submissions.
3. Increased success in grant applications.
4. Higher administrative support to manage grants.
5. Increased student participation in research projects and publications.
6. Increased productivity through faculty publications and conference presentations.

Mental Health and Sense of Community

Area of attention. The detrimental effects of COVID-19 on mental health and wellbeing are palpable. Members of our community advocate for strategies to regain a sense of community and solidarity. Reduction of stress and burnout is urgent.

Summary. We are committed to cultivating wellness, community, and support across all groups through structured wellness activities, a supportive environment, recognition, and addressing stress and burnout to create a balanced educational environment.

Wellness and Self-Care Initiatives

Actionable Strategies:

1. Schedule meaningful breaks between classes and meetings.
2. Encourage short walks or relaxation exercises during breaks.
3. Collaborate with FDC or CAPS to develop a calendar of wellness activities (e.g., yoga, meditation, cooking, stress management workshops).
4. Provide access to virtual and on-campus wellness resources.
5. Incorporate self-care modules into courses.
6. Organize guest lectures and workshops on self-care practices.

Community and Belonging

Actionable Strategies:

1. Implement an appreciation program for peer recognition.
2. Celebrate achievements in newsletters, on social media, and during events.
3. Host regular social events to build connections.
4. Create online forums for virtual social interaction.
5. Establish designated areas or times for open and respectful dialogue.
6. Train facilitators for effective and sensitive discussion management.
7. Increase awareness of counseling services through marketing campaigns.
8. Provide flexible appointment scheduling and confidential support options.

Reducing Stress and Avoiding Burnout

Actionable Strategies:

1. Conduct regular reviews of workloads.
2. Provide flexible work and study options.
3. Encourage use of mental health resources through ongoing communication.
4. Develop peer support programs.
5. Lead by example: administrators and faculty demonstrate self-care practices.
6. Provide self-care resources (e.g., mindfulness apps, access to fitness facilities).

What will success look like?

1. Increased participation in college-organized social events each semester.
2. Stronger sense of belonging reported in the annual SJRE survey.
3. Increased student utilization of counseling services and other campus resources to manage stress and avoid burnout.
4. Implementation of an appreciation/award program for staff, faculty, and students.
5. Increased psychological wellbeing for faculty, staff, and students.
6. Higher participation in self-care initiatives among faculty, staff, and students.

Professional Development and Training for Administration, Faculty, and Staff

Area of attention. Faculty and staff expressed the need for effective training and early socialization of new members. Effective design and promotion of professional development will reduce overlap of functions and duties.

Summary. We aim to enhance career development and job competencies among faculty, staff, and leadership by providing comprehensive, timely training and robust evaluation strategies, strengthening collaboration and alignment with the college mission, especially in anti-racism and social justice.

Effective and Timely Training

Actionable Strategies:

1. Develop comprehensive training programs for new hires and existing employees.
2. Create detailed orientation procedures.
3. Advocate for continuous professional development opportunities.
4. Strengthen ties with the Faculty Development Center for professional development.

Evaluation and Accountability

Actionable Strategies:

1. Implement effective evaluation strategies for administration, faculty, and staff performance.
2. Enforce clear evaluation procedures during probation periods.
3. Provide training for supervisors on conducting fair evaluations.

What will success look like?

1. Effective socialization and training into new organizational roles and positions.
2. Updated training materials to facilitate effective training annually.
3. Increased use and discussion of formal evaluations during probation.
4. Reduced turnover rates through better alignment of capabilities with job expectations.

Community Partnerships and Collaboration

Area of improvement. The college needs to secure effective communication and partnerships with key community members to provide feedback for curriculum, and service-learning/internship opportunities for students to develop up-to-date work skills.

Summary. Emphasize developing effective community connections and partnerships that advance the college mission. Work collaboratively with agencies interested in sending prospective students and receiving our students; use feedback to update curricula and programs. Build capacity and empower community members, particularly those historically marginalized.

Active recruitment and retention

Actionable Strategies:

1. Develop targeted student outreach and recruitment initiatives aligned with HSI designation.
2. Host outreach events (virtual and in-person) with a focus on underrepresented minorities; create bilingual marketing materials highlighting commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Effective Communication and Coordination

Actionable Strategies:

1. Launch campaigns to raise awareness of Public Health programs.
2. Develop a college newsletter.
3. Establish formal agreements with community organizations for internships/field placements.
4. Create a database of vetted internship or field placement opportunities.
5. Host workshops and seminars to prepare students for internships.

Partnerships and Alumni Engagement

Actionable Strategies:

1. Sustain and grow the college’s Alumni Engagement Committee.
2. Organize events featuring successful alumni.
3. Highlight Latinx alumni and community members in events and materials.
4. Partner with corporations and community organizations for internships/field placements and job placements.

What will success look like?

1. Increased enrollment for all student groups.
2. Increased outreach events with a significant focus on Latinx communities annually.
3. Dissemination of a college newsletter each semester to promote a sense of community and inclusivity.
4. Increased community partnerships and internship opportunities.
5. Higher student satisfaction in internships or field placements.
6. Positive feedback from community partners on student performance and engagement.
7. Increased alumni engagement and participation in college events.