Joshua James Smith has been appointed interim manager of Organizational Excellence. Smith brings extensive experience to this interim role. He is a certified professional coach and has a strong background leading talent and professional development programs and initiatives within higher education, most recently at the University of Southern California. Since joining Fresno State in November 2019, he has served as the Human Resources consultant for employees and managers within six colleges/divisions across the University.

Smith earned his Bachelor of Arts in Radio, Television, Film from Biola University and earned his Master of Arts in psychology, clinical emphasis from Pepperdine University. He is looking forward to collaborating with the Organizational Excellence team as well as fellow campus colleagues to continue to move forward with a broad portfolio of professional development offerings. A search to fill the permanent position will be launched later this semester. Smith can be reached at joshuas@csufresno.edu.

Venita Blackburn, English faculty, published the story “Trial of Ghosts” in McSweeney’s queer fiction issue. Interviewed by Shasta Grant in the SmokeLong Quaterly, where they served as fall guest editor.

Ronald Dzerigian, Division of Research and Graduate Studies staff, published the poem “Smoke & Branch” in the Swamp Ape Review.

Dr. Nupur Hajela, assistant professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, presented on telehealth in physiotherapy at the Europe Region World Physiotherapy 2020 Congress; as well as to faculty at the University of New Mexico, who are beginning their own pro-bono telehealth clinic.

Dr. Melanie Hernandez, English faculty, presented a lecture on “How Mexicans Became Brown: The Flipside of U.S. Whiteness Studies” for the Provost's Awards Lecture Series.

Dr. Rohan Jadhav, assistant professor in the Department of Public Health, had the article he co-wrote, "Evaluation of Surgeon's Exposure to Formaldehyde, PM 2.5, and Volatile Organic Compounds," published in the Journal of Public Health Issues and Practices. The article explores the risk of exposure to chemicals that originate from the use of electrocautery during surgery.

Randa Jarrar, English faculty, will reprise her role as Hosna in the third season of Ramy Youssef’s television show “Ramy” on Hulu.

Dr. Hannah Ko, assistant professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, was selected by the California chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association as a centennial scholar, where she will be trained to lead the next generation and perform a capstone project on telehealth physical therapy services to children in rural areas of the Central Valley, who have limited access to physical therapy.

Dr. Alison Mandaville, English faculty, published the poem “Happy Hour on Summerlake” in the Playa Summerlake 2019 anthology.

Dr. Carolina Quintana, assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology, had the article she co-wrote, "Vestibular and Ocular/Oculomotor Assessment Strategies and Outcomes Following Sports‑Related Concussion: A Scoping Review," published in the latest issue of Sports Medicine — a leading publication that bridges the gap between science and practice in the promotion of exercise and health.

Charles L. Radke, Division of Research and Graduate Studies staff, published the essay “The Disappearance of Daughter X” in the journal Montana Mouthful.

Dr. Jennifer Roos, assistant professor with the Department of Physical Therapy, was selected to serve as chair of the San Joaquin Valley District of the California Physical Therapy Association and as vice president of Governance for the Academy of Aquatic Physical Therapy, respectively.

Brynn Saito, English faculty, published the poems “How to Prepare the Mind for Lightning,” “Afterlife,” “Reincarnation,” and “Shadow and Release” in the anthology “The World I Leave You: Asian American Poets on Faith and Spirit,” edited by Leah Silvieus and Lee Herrick, published by Orison Books.

Mai Der Vang, English faculty, had her poem “Allied with the Bees,” which was previously published in the journal The Scores, nominated for a Pushcart Prize.

Dr. Soua Xiong, assistant professor in the Department of Counselor Education and Rehabilitation, was named a 2021 Emerging Scholar in Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. Visit The Kremen School News blog to read more.