February 25, 2022

Stanislaus State stepped into a smashingly good spring semester with several noteworthy accomplishments, from its inclusion in a statewide public service program to a faculty member earning two stellar recognitions, here’s a recap of the most recent highlights and accolades: 

  • Sustainability Coordinator Wendy Olmstead  has joined leaders from higher education, business, nonprofits and government agencies across the globe as a member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) Advisory Council. Olmstead will serve a two-year term. In her role, she will provide advice and guidance on higher-level strategy, as well as specific programs and services including the technical development of AASHE's sustainability reporting tool, STARS, feedback related to the development and implementation of AASHE's strategic plan.  Olmstead will also participate on one of the organization's technical committees on academics, engagement, operations and planning and administration.   
  • Stanislaus State earned more accolades for its academic programs, this time from University HQ and Applied Behavior Analysis Programs Guide. University HQ included Stan State in three of its 2022 rankings:  best master’s degree Colleges in California (No. 29), best MBA colleges in California (No. 32) and best bachelor's degrees in California (No. 36). Applied Behavior Analysis Programs Guide recognized the University for its Master of Science in Psychology program.  
  • Steve Arounsack is having a banner year. In January, the professor of cultural anthropology was honored as a 2022 Wang Family Excellence Award Recipient by the California State University. Then, on Feb. 8, Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” received an Academy Award nomination for best animated feature film. Arounsack served as the film’s lead cultural advisor and principal visual anthropologist. 
  • Stan State student June Sidlauskas was front and center in Orlando, Florida, during the Student Veterans of America national convention and was a finalist for the 2022 Student Veteran of the Year award. Sidlauskas, who transferred to Stan State from San Joaquin Delta College, was named Delta’s Student of the Year.  
  • Director of Academic Technology Jase Teoh is one of 12 applicants selected for the first cohort of the Next Leaders Fellowship (NLF), a one-year program aimed at increasing the number of Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) in senior roles in higher education information and technology. 
  • Stan State was among 45 colleges and universities in California selected to participate in #CaliforniansForAll College Corps, a historic program that will help create a debt-free pathway for low-income students — including AB 540 eligible Dreamers — who commit to public service.  The University will receive $1.74 million for two cohort years, which will fund fellowships through its College Service Fellows program.