Fireside Charla with SDSU President Adela de la Torre

Gilad Halpern is a journalist, broadcaster and media historian. He is the News and Current Affairs Editor at TLV1 Radio, and host of The Tel Aviv Review, a podcast dedicated to all things intellectual (and Israeli). He is an Idit Fellow at the University of Haifa, researching the history of the Jewish press in Mandatory Palestine. Previously, he was Managing Editor for Ynetnews and Assignments Editor for Haaretz English Edition. His work appeared on the BBC, Al Jazeera, Al Monitor, Time Out magazine, the Jewish Quarterly and the Jewish Chronicle. Gilad will be teaching HUM 410 Studies in Popular Culture and HUM 580 Media and Conflict. 

Today’s conversation focuses on SDSU’s unique connection to one of the most talked-about border regions in the world and our commitment to convene critical conversations to re-imagine the region through the upcoming RE:BORDER Binational and Bilingual Conference, which takes place virtually November 12 and 13.  I am proud to say that this is the premier annual collaborative event that explores key binational issues and innovative solutions. It brings together academic researchers, business leaders, policymakers, diplomats, educators, and students across the region. This year's theme is “Our Border on the Move: Reimagining Mobility and Migration in the Transborder Region.”  Hosted by San Diego State University and El Colegio de la Frontera Norte—in partnership with Mexico’s Secretary of Education and dozens of leaders and organizations in the US and Mexico.

I am excited to welcome the dean and two top researchers from SDSU Imperial Valley. We will also get an up-close look at the considerable community impact that our faculty and students have in the rural region of Imperial County, two hours east of San Diego.   

For this episode of Fireside Charla, we interview with Alumni Justin Stewart and JR Tolver. Dr. Tarbox also joins us to talk about how SDSU Career Services is helping out students and alumni with careers. Enjoy!

In this episode I welcome three of SDSU’s top engineering researchers via zoom since we all remain in quarantine, as of this taping, due to the Coronavirus homestay restrictions. We may not have the crisp KPBS studio sound we're used to, but I'm always thrilled to talk about the innovative research taking place at SDSU. And the impact the research is having beyond SDSU. Today is no different. Did you know that one of every 19 engineers in the country comes from the CSU system? That the national average of women and engineering graduate programs is 26%, but at SDSU that average is about 30%. That the LatinX population in 2016-17 was 3.4%, and we are currently at 19%. We grew from, from 9.3% in this period. The national average of Native Americans is .11% and we're at .3%. So we have a lot to be proud of, of the success of diversity and growth in the College of Engineering. Joining me today is Dean of College of Engineering Dr. Eugene Olevsky, Professor Sweta Sarcar, and Professor Sam Cassini.

For this Bonus Episode of Fireside Charla, we share an encore presentation of Former astronaut and Johnson Space Center Director Ellen Ochoa inspired an audience during President’s Lecture series, sharing her life’s journey, from physics classes at San Diego State University to four Space Shuttle trips into orbit. Enjoy!

In this episode, we will learn about the importance of bilingualism and biliteracy development, an area of teaching and research in which SDSU is a national leader. More specifically, we will explore why bilingualism and biliteracy offer today’s students and graduates a competitive advantage, given today’s culturally and linguistically diverse global society. Also, we will learn what SDSU is doing to meet the high demand for bilingual teachers.   About Jose Sebedra: Jose Sebedra is a 4th-grade student at Bostonia Language Academy in El Cajon.  At a very early age with the help of his first-grade teacher, Jose discovered his love for public speaking.  Jose has been very passionate about speaking and sharing on different topics that currently affect our community and making our world a better place. About Cristina Alfaro Dr. Cristina Alfaro has been appointed Interim Associate Vice President for Global Affairs by SDSU Provost and Senior Vice President Dr. Hector Ochoa. Links: https://newscenter.sdsu.edu/education/dle/bilingual_credential.aspx http://www.isc.sdsu.edu/student_affairs/isc/ https://newscenter.sdsu.edu/oip/ https://education.sdsu.edu/departments/dle  https://education.sdsu.edu/ceber  http://www.cal.org/  

In this episode, we will hear from three of SDSU’s cancer researchers: Dr. Christal Sohl, Dr. Elva Arredondo, and Dr. Wayne Beach, who address research from three different angles. They are a part of SDSU’s Cancer CORE, which is a large cross-disciplinary cancer research group that brings together many researchers across many colleges. We will hear that the research they’re doing helps us understand this destructive disease, some types of preventative measures, and the importance of clear communication. About Christal Sohl: Christal Sohl is an assistant professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry at San Diego State University. In her lab, she is interested in probing mechanistic questions at the intersection of biochemistry and human disease. About Elva Arredondo: Elva Arredondo is a professor in the School of Public Health at San Diego State University. She has 18 years of research in examing determinants of Latino health, with a focus on physical activity and cancer research. About Wayne Beach: Wayne Beach is a professor in the School of Communication at San Diego State University, director of the Center for Communication, Health, and the Public Good, and a faculty member on the SDSU/UCSD joint doctoral program in public health. His research draws attention to the importance of everyday communication between patients, their families, and their doctors.  Links:  The Sohl Lab - MINDSET Tammy Blackburn Story A Journey through Breast Cancer Documentary Cancer Core

About two in every hundred people worldwide have autism spectrum disorder. Due to an up picking of education and research, diagnoses have increased by fifteen percent in just two years! More resources are dedicated to investigating autism and its foreign ways to improve the lives of people with this disorder.  In this episode, you will hear from two researchers who study Autism from two different perspectives: Inna Fishman, a psychology professor who studies Autism at the neural biological perspective, and Jessica Suhrheinrich, an education professor who studies how we can create effective and supportive learning environments for children with Autism. Links:  The SDSU Center for Autism Brain Development Imaging Laboratories California Autism Professional Training and Information Network Access Transcripts and More at SDSU.edu/FiresideCharla  

San Diego State University has the only standalone Astronomy department in the California State University system. We also operate a research observatory on Mount Laguna, which is a short drive east of San Diego. And we are the only campus to offer bachelor's and master's degrees in astronomy under the guidance of renowned researchers. In this episode, you will hear from two of our own world-renowned Astronomy researchers: Dr. Jerome Orosz and Dr. William Welsh, who have recently made international news in the world of Astronomy. They will talk about their amazing discovery, but also why these space discoveries should matter to the rest of us, their collaboration with NASA, and how our Astronomy programs are impacting students and their future as scientists.

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Natalie Mladenov, Dr. Trent Biggs, and Dr. Matthew Verbyla—three of our leading water researchers from the Blue Gold Group, one of SDSU’s centers of excellence focused exclusively on water research. Our conversation touches on one of San Diego State University’s key areas of distinction, which is our connection to the California-Baja California transborder region, the most talked-about border region in the world today.  We talk about RE:BORDER—the inaugural binational conference kicking off this November, which will explore every year key transborder issues and innovative solutions. RE:BORDER will bring U.S. and Mexican researchers, practitioners, students, public policy experts, and community stakeholders to explore how San Diego State University and its regional partners can contribute to innovative solutions for water-related challenges in the transborder region.  This year's theme is The Water We Share.  // IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS... The challenges our region faces related to the water we share... How we can create a regional platform to become the area that transforms how we use and look at water…  How can we garner support to create broader and sustainable solutions… Why Re:Border and how you can join us…    LINKS: Register to Attend RE:BORDER Learn more about RE:BORDER https://bluegold.sdsu.edu/       

In this bonus episode, I chat with Devin Whatley, SDSU journalism student and staff writer for The Daily Aztec and respond to his questions about... Why Fireside Charla... Lessons learned from producing a podcast... A day in my life as president... Our strategic planning process... Our envisioned Mission Valley campus... What is it like to raise to the role of president from humble beginnings... Links Referenced: Devin's Daily Aztec article  Fireside Charla Website and Transcripts Strategic Planning at SDSU SDSU Mission Valley  If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe, rate, and share it with others.  Devin Whatley is a sophomore majoring in journalism. He was born and raised in Southeast San Diego. He is a staff writer for The Daily Aztec and writes for Arts & Culture as well as sports. His favorite hobbies are listening to podcasts/music, reading, and writing. He also enjoys attending many SDSU sporting events, especially basketball and football. His future career goals are to pursue a career in journalism as a writer for a national newspaper or news network.  Dr. Adela de la Torre joined San Diego State University in June 2018, as the first woman and Latina president. She brings 30 years of service and leadership roles within institutions of higher education and shares these experiences with open arms. She has two daughters who are both married, a grandson, a husband, and three dogs! Adela discusses the challenges she faced in college, her mentors, her heart-led leadership style, and her vision to help all types of students at SDSU feel confident in their goals.

Vice President of Research Stephen Welter and Associate Vice President for innovation, Stanley Malloy, join this Charla to talk about where SDSU has been on the research front and where we are going. 

Excited to share a special message delivered live at this year's All-University Convocation—a yearly event when faculty and staff gather to kick off a new academic year with a unified vision.  Enjoy!

I’m excited to introduce a very special charla focused on the topic of Shared Governance at SDSU. I was thrilled to provide this platform to host a conversation amongst some of our campus Shared Governance advocates while I was at our SDSU Georgia campus. If you don’t know what Shared Governance is you are about to find out. Shared Governance is ultimately about trust, a value central to my leadership and our university. I am a Shared Governance advocate and my hope is that you will be one too. Enjoy the charla!  -Adela de la Torre

We bring you this episode directly from Tbilisi Georgia where President de la Torre discusses how SDSU students and faculty are making an impact across the globe through SDSU Georgia, where we recently graduated our first cohort of 52 of STEM leaders, 40% of which are women.

By popular demand—and to commemorate Dr. de la Torre’s first anniversary as President of SDSU—we bring you an encore presentation of her heartfelt inaugural speech, where she talks about legacy, vision, leadership, family, and even failure—and the lessons we can apply together as we move into a new chapter of SDSU’s impressive 122-year legacy.  In the words of President de la Torre, "This is our time!"

In this episode, President de la Torre chats with Dr. Luke Wood, Associate Vice President for Faculty Diversity and Inclusion and Distinguished Professor of Education at San Diego State University, and two of our phenomenal student leaders, Ayesha Kosaka and Michael Wiafe. They discuss their individual perspectives on Compassionate Leadership from their respective leadership roles at SDSU and beyond. 

In this fun episode, inspired by her recent trip to Asia, SDSU student Ethan Garcia chats with the president about fun aspects of the trip and more serious topics like why international relationships are good for SDSU’s stature as a leading global institution, a key pillar in the president’s vision.

President de la Torre chats with James Frazee, Senior Academic Technology Officer and Director of Instructional Technology Services at San Diego State University, and two of our most innovative educators, Dr. Katie Hughes and Dr. Harsimran Baweja, who share how they are transforming instruction and why we need to reinvent the classroom to educate the students that will become the leaders of the future.

President de la Torre chats with NASA Deputy Director for Engineering & Science, Jordan Evans, a proud Aztec. Jordan leads engineers and scientists in exploring the universe at work, and also inspires students by mentoring through the Aztec Mentor Program here at SDSU. He talks about his notable participation in many space missions, including the Curiosity Mission which determined that Mars is indeed a habitable planet, and connects how he has learned more from failure than from the success throughout his journey.

President de la Torre and Campus Historian and Professor of Anthropology Seth Mallios discuss the stories behind presidential inaugurations at SDSU, why they matter, and why we won’t want to miss the historic investiture of the first female president in the university’s 121-year history. Seth expands on the symbolic importance of this ceremony and celebration that brings the SDSU and larger community together.

Just in time for Women History Month, SDSU Alum Perette Godwin chats with President Adela de la Torre about her trajectory to becoming the first female president of San Diego State University. Eavesdrop as de la Torre shares about the hurdles she's overcome to get here, the mentors who inspired her to press on, and what she hopes her vision for SDSU and this Fireside Charla podcast will accomplish as the university embarks on its next chapter of distinction. In this episode, you will Learn about President de la Torre’s background, family, and values Get insight on her journey to the presidency and as a Latina economist Discover the hurdles she faced studying economics, a male-dominated field Gain an appreciation for her vision for SDSU and her passion to help students be prepared to lead in any career by their experiences at SDSU Learn about the innovative projects and concepts that SDSU fosters Visit SDSU.edu/FiresideCharla to download transcripts, reference links, and more...   About Dr. Adela de la Torre Dr. Adela de la Torre joined San Diego State University in June 2018, as the first woman and Latina president. She brings 30 years of service and leadership roles within institutions of higher education and shares these experiences with open arms. She has two daughters who are both married, a grandson, a husband, and three dogs! Adela discusses the challenges she faced in college, her mentors, her heart-led leadership style, and her vision to help all types of students at SDSU feel confident in their goals.   About Dr. Perette Godwin Perette Godwin is a former president of the SDSU Alumni Board and currently serves as a senior public information officer with the City of San Diego. Using her journalism background to keep our city informed, she also impacts the community through her work with nonprofit organizations and volunteer involvement with groups such as Girl Scouts and Art Walk. Perette received her B.A. in Broadcast News Journalism, minor in English in 1986.