Fresno State started the last decade in survival mode during the Great Recession, but the University’s strategic moves since then — in technology and physical improvements — have positioned it to achieve new heights in 2020 and the years to come, President Castro said at the Spring Faculty Staff Assembly on Thursday, Jan. 16.

On the horizon is construction of the Resnick Student Union. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held on Feb. 20, President Castro announced at the assembly, and the campus community is invited.

Also to come this semester is the introduction of virtual technology to enhance chemistry laboratory experiences and continued planning for enhanced community partnerships to offer a new engineering degree on the Reedley College campus and a joint doctoral degree in engineering with University of California, Merced, possibly in downtown Fresno.

“With our mentorship and support, we have the privilege to see our students develop into the next generation of leaders for our Valley and beyond,” said President Castro, the first Valley native to serve as president of Fresno State and a first-generation college student himself. “This is what keeps me energized to lead our University and, I hope, it energizes you as well to do your very best each day.”

He briefly reflected on his own struggles navigating college life and making ends meet financially when he left his hometown of Hanford for UC Berkeley.

“My lived experiences as a first-generation college student have helped me to be a more compassionate and effective president. I am accessible to our students, and I expect that you will be as well … I do this because I know that the support we provide might just be the difference between a student thriving here or dropping out.”

Here are some highlights from President Castro’s Spring Assembly speech.

Research, sponsored projects and fundraising on the upswing
Research funding at Fresno State increased 22% last fiscal year totaling about $45 million with 393 awards from public and private entities like the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Science Foundation.

One of the grants awarded last year went to Drs. Florence Cassel Sharma and Dave Goorahoo who are collaborating with Colorado State University to assess the accuracy of using unmanned aerial systems and satellites to determine a crop’s actual water use and soil water deficit.

Philanthropy is also on the rise. More than 11,500 donors, including many faculty and staff and first-time donors, gave to the University in 2018-19, a 16% increase from the year before, totaling $27.6 million.

President Castro shared three inspiring stories of giving, including one about Peter Robertson, director of Alumni Connections and a three-time alum, who has given more than 900 gifts to over 100 different areas on campus. Robertson started the Bulldog Pride Scholarship Endowment Fund in 2005 and has raised more than $583,000 to support student scholarships.

Sense of community
President Castro reminded all in attendance that “we all play a part in inspiring support for our University.” He recognized three employees who demonstrate an extraordinary level of commitment to Fresno State.

• Dr. Helda Pinzón-Perez, Doctor of Nursing Practice Director, who led the re-affirmation of accreditation for the joint DNP program. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses related to community health, health promotion and nursing and is active in campus events. Pinzón-Perez brought her sons and husband to the assembly.

• Chinda Dor in Traffic Operations, who models the University’s Principles of Community. He recently prepared an entire holiday meal for his colleagues in the Police and Parking departments to enjoy each other’s company and his homemade eggrolls.

• Dr. Sarah Lam, assistant vice president of International Affairs, who developed a passion for international affairs from her own experience as an international student at Fresno State, where she earned her master’s degree and Ed.D. in educational leadership.

  “If you follow her on Twitter, you will see all these pictures of events all over the world. She opens up the whole world to you,” President Castro said.

Looking ahead
The K-12 and higher education systems in the Central Valley are poised to evolve, which will require the University to think and act in new ways while staying consistent with its message to boldly educate and empower students for success, President Castro said.

That includes campus innovation. Professor Joy Goto and the chemistry department will pilot the Labster program this semester. The virtual-reality platform provides laboratory simulations and bridges the gap between theory and practice.

President Castro invited all to the President’s Lecture Series at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, with guest speaker Margaret Brennan, senior foreign affairs correspondent for CBS News and moderator of “Face the Nation.”

Fresno State’s best days lie ahead, President Castro said. He called for all to embrace the true meaning of spring, which symbolizes “a season of growth.” What additional steps can the University take to embrace the season, he asked.

Ideas and suggestions can be submitted anytime to the President’s Feedback page here or can be done at the upcoming President’s Forum for Faculty and Staff on April 15.