Dr. Keith Clement, professor of criminology, was appointed chair of the Workforce Development and Education Subcommittee of the California Cybersecurity Task Force under the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.

During his two-year, renewable term that started April 13, the subcommittee will focus on aligning and strengthening cybersecurity education pathways and expanding the talent and workforce training pipeline through partnerships across K-12 education, higher education, industry, vocational and training programs and industry certification providers

He planned and hosted the Northern California AI-Cybersecurity Workforce Development and Education Partnership Summit at the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services in Sacramento on April 30.

Dr. Luis Fernando Macías, associate professor in the Department of Chicano and Latin American Studies, was selected to participate in the inaugural MSI Humanities Leadership Academy organized by the Rutgers Center for Minority Serving Institutions. The program will bring together 19 prominent department chairs and academic leaders for a leadership and mentoring program that will equip them with critical skills and executive experience. The academy will be held from Aug. 4 to 7 and is funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Macías currently serves as interim chair for the Department of Anthropology, and held the same title with the Department of Chicano and Latin American Studies during the 2024-25 academic year. His research and classes focus on Latinx Studies, immigrant education, multiculturalism, race and undocumented studies.

Dr. Estevan Parra-Guerrero, director of the TRIO Upward Bound Program, was elected chapter president-elect for the Western Association of Educational Opportunity Personnel [WESTOP] Central California Chapter. Beginning July 1, he will serve as president-elect before assuming his presidency on July 1, 2027, representing more than 20 institutions and organizations throughout the Central Valley and the Central Coast. Parra-Guerrero will continue to help advance advocacy for TRIO and GEAR UP programs, support efforts to protect critical funding, strengthen collaboration among equity professionals, and promote student success and mentorship for first-generation college students throughout the chapter region.