Venita Blackburn, English faculty, announced the signing of a new two-book deal with MCD Books, an imprint of Farrar, Strauss and Giroux. The first, a story collection entitled “How to Wrestle a Girl,” is forthcoming fall 2021. Also, in collaboration with the Henry Madden Library, received a “Lift Every Voice: Why African American Poetry Matters” grant with librarian Ginny Barnes, to produce public events at the library exploring the African American experience through poetry in 2021.

Steven Church, English faculty, published the essay “Understanding the Fox” for the Yonsei Memory Project, and performed an excerpt of the piece on the Valley Public Radio segment Valley Writers Respond: Essays on Living in the Time of Covid-19.

Donna DeRoo, assistant director for the Central California Center for Health and Human Services, received a two-year $300,000 grant from the Blue Shield of California Foundation for the project titled, “Advancing prevention policy innovation and adoption: The San Joaquin Valley Public Health Consortium.”

Mai Der Vang, English faculty, published the poem “That All, Everyone, Each in Being” for the Academy of American Poets. Interviewed by Tricia Park for the Is It Recess Yet? podcast, on the theme “I have to be twice as good to be given access, to be heard.”

Samina Najmi, English faculty, published the essay “Of Umbrellas and Arrivals” as part of a series of 20 literary addresses commissioned by the Smithsonian Institute Asian Pacific American Center on the state and future of AAPI literature. Also published the essay “Distance Learning” for the Yonsei Memory Project, and performed an excerpt of the piece on the Valley Public Radio segment Valley Writers Respond: Essays on Living in the Time of Covid-19.

Emogene Nelson, budget and resources manager for the College of Health and Human Services, presented on "Intentional Growth: Systematic Strategies for Progress" at the May 23 ReBirth, ReStore, ReBuild Summit. Utilizing her experience as a licensed John Maxwell leadership coach, speaker and trainer, Emogene discussed how to grow as a business and individual through proven principles.

Tanya Nichols, English lecturer, performed the William Saroyan story “The Pomegranate Trees” for the Valley Public Radio program “The Time of Our Life.”

Mary Paul, English lecturer, joined by Dr. Trang Phan, faculty in the Kremen School of Education and Human Development, began and expanded a partnership with educators at Vietnam’s National Academy of Education Management. Volunteering with the academy’s Center of Excellence for Leadership and Management (CLEM), they are presenting online workshops for educators learning more about online pedagogy and teaching online.

Brynn Saito, English faculty, with co-author Dave Lehl, published the essay with photos “Acts of Grace: Memory Journeys through the San Joaquin Valley” for the magazine BOOM California. Also published the poem “I Believe I Would Praise You” as part of the Brandon Shimoda essay “The Afterlife: How We Take Turns Saying How We Are” for the Futurefeed blog, an extension of Futurepoem. And, performed the William Saroyan story “The Journey to Hanford” for the Valley Public Radio program “The Time of Our Life.”

Reva Sias, English faculty, published the article “African American Women and the Rhetoric of ‘Dignified Agitation” in Peitho journal, from the Coalition of Feminist Scholars in the History of Rhetoric & Composition (CFSHRC).

Lejla Tricic, English lecturer, in collaboration with Fresno State’s Division of Continuing & Global Education, announced she will teach the course, “Teaching Online: From Surviving to Thinking” as part of the Courses for Causes program, which offers free online courses to essential workers in the community. Also, will facilitate this summer’s faculty support program for virtual delivery of instruction for Fresno State’s Center for Faculty Excellence.

Lisa Weston, English faculty, published the article “Honeyed Words and Waxen Tablets: The Materiality of Anglo-Saxon Literacy” in the journal Medievalia, from the Institute of Medieval Studies. Also presented two black-and-white photographs, “Taking Flight” and “Vineyard Shadows,” as part of the online exhibit “Multiverse: Creating Beyond Our Scope,” for this year’s Fresno State faculty and staff art show.

The Department of Kinesiology has been authorized by the CSU to offer a Master of Science degree program in Athletic Training. The department previously offered a competitive bachelor's degree program and is now following guidelines recommended by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education to implement a two-year graduate program. The first cohort will begin in fall 2020.