Sac State President Wood announces formation of new artificial intelligence institute and its ‘czar’ as University moves to take lead in AI education

Posted on December 14, 2023 by Daniel Wilson

Originally published Dec. 14, 2023, by Sacramento State University Communications

President Luke Wood announced today that Sacramento State intends to become a leader in advancing the use and ethical application of artificial intelligence (AI). He said to attain that goal, the University is launching the National Institution on Artificial Intelligence in Society (NIAIS).

Wood said that Dr. Alexander “Sasha” Sidorkin will serve as the University’s AI “czar” as chief artificial intelligence officer. Sidorkin will lead NIAIS in its mission at the University and reaching out to schools, colleges, and universities across the nation.

Ramp-up work for Sacramento State’s enhanced focus on AI already has begun, and the University is conducting a cluster-hiring of computer scientists in the areas of AI and quantum computing.

“Sacramento State is the one and only public university in the capital of the state with the fifth-largest economy in the world, and we are acting like it,” Wood said.

The NIAIS will be the first of its kind in the California State University system and one of the first organized efforts among colleges and universities nationwide to advance the technology’s ethical, equitable, and accessible uses in education.

“Artificial intelligence technology will transform every part of our society, so it’s paramount that we’re considering its implications,” Wood said. “Every futuristic movie – like ‘The Terminator’ and ‘The Matrix’ – focuses on what happens when AI goes bad. The only way to ensure the fast-developing technology is properly harnessed for good is to be hands-on in the building of new policy, curriculum, and ethically incorporating AI into the classroom.

“Where other universities are shying away, we are embracing the future so that we can have better control of our destiny.”

Sidorkin will lead the University’s integration of AI into the teaching and learning, advising, business practices, and support services for students. The institute will use the power of AI to train Sacramento State students on how to use generative AI and the ethical application of these tools.

The NIAIS will encourage reimagining coursework utilizing AI to boost the success of underserved students and establish programs to share resources, ethical guidelines, and research on AI with other educators in K-12 and higher education.

The University is focused on graduating students who can advance the development of AI, and is completing the hiring of seven new faculty members in the Department of Computer Science with a focus on faculty who have expertise in AI and quantum computing.

“We have a strong team of educators, and our focus on teaching equips us well to explore AI’s role in enhancing student achievement and equity,” Sidorkin said, adding that Wood’s goal is to boost Sac State’s standing as an innovative institution that adapts to change and meets state needs.

“If we don’t teach our students to use AI for good, society will train the masses to use it for bad. We must be proactive and intentional about using AI to solve humanity’s problems, not to exacerbate them,” said Wood. “Our alumni have asked for us to lean in on AI, and that’s what we are doing.”

Sidorkin’s interest in chatbots began shortly after their public release in late 2022. Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT can use data input to create new content. Sidorkin uses the technology for everything from completing daily tasks to editing his writing. Next year, he will share his knowledge in a new book, Embracing Chatbots in Higher Education: The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Teaching, Administration, and Scholarship.

“I am thankful for the chance to contribute to the University in this role, and we are committed to involving all University divisions in integrating new technology for our students’ advantage,” Sidorkin said. “I anticipate collaborating with various allies both within and outside the campus.”

Ahead of the AI institute’s launch, Sidorkin is researching how to effectively implement AI into coursework.

“Artificial intelligence is a new technology, and of course, when we think about using it in higher education teaching, we don’t have enough of a research base,” Sidorkin said. “The only way it could be built is by some sort of collective effort. We’re working to think through possible problems and find the best solutions.”

For Sidorkin’s “Writing Assignment with AI” (WAWA) project, about 15 faculty members from various departments are developing assignments using AI and will assign them to students in the spring.

Students will learn to use chatbots by inputting and refining various prompts and assessing the output via written response. WAWA faculty will then assess the work to determine if students’ written essays show the same command of the subject matter.

That scrutiny is necessary because chatbots can produce essays that are indistinguishable from student work, making traditional essays no longer viable, Sidorkin said.

Chia-Jung Chung, a Teaching Credentials professor and WAWA project participant, recently assigned a similar exercise to 223 of her teacher candidates, many of whom had never used chatbots.

“They found the outcome (the chatbot’s output) was much better than they expected,” Chung said.

Several others are exploring AI at Sacramento State, each recently offering workshops on using the technology. The Center for Teaching and Learning and Communication Studies Professor Diego Bonilla are among them.

Bonilla, who recently led a faculty learning course in partnership with the Center on Race, Immigration and Social Justice, said it is relatively simple to address the more obvious issues with AI – its effect on the workforce, its implications on education, and issues like plagiarism – but that some concerns are not being widely discussed.

“There are many invisible parts that nobody is addressing, and they are just as damaging, but they’re invisible,” he said. “For example, the biases that AI brings are very real.”

Because AI is pulling from existing information and content, it can easily exacerbate racism, ethical matters, and more, he said.

“It contains all the biases against women, biases against minorities, all sorts of biases that have existed throughout history – all of that is being spilled out again.”

President Biden recently signed an executive order meant to address AI concerns such as privacy, security, and other key issues. Meanwhile, challenges and opportunities around AI are global, and the emphasis should be on finding solutions algorithmically by continuing innovation, said Computer Science Professor Haiquan “Victor” Chen.

“AI is undoubtedly changing and going to change every aspect of our society, including education, so we should bravely face, study, and solve the problems, rather than shying away from them,” he said. “You can’t solve a problem without fully understanding where the problem comes from, which is partly why we are updating our curriculum extensively to make sure our graduates are career-ready in the era of AI.”

Ultimately, Sidorkin said, acceptance of all technology must start somewhere.

“I think we have an ethical obligation to teach students how to use the tool,” Sidorkin said. “That makes them more competitive in the workplace.”

Wood said the NIAIS will position the University as an AI education leader while preparing students to make an impact beyond the classroom.

“Our students and faculty should be on the cutting edge of technology that is having a tremendous impact and will continue to affect their lives,” Wood said. “Our commitment to this initiative will help ensure that and will ensure that some of the country’s best minds will be part of us fulfilling that commitment.”

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Homecoming Week is packed with festivities leading up to the big game

Posted on October 25, 2023 by Daniel Wilson

Originally published Oct. 25, 2023, by Sacramento State University Communications

Every fall, the Sacramento State campus community comes together to celebrate Homecoming.

The weeklong celebration includes activities for students, staff, faculty, alumni, and the community, culminating in one of the most anticipated Hornet football games of the year.

Homecoming Week, which ends Saturday, Oct. 28, with the Hornets playing Idaho State, is an opportunity for the Hornet Family to join and celebrate the University, said Jennifer Barber, assistant vice president for Alumni Relations and the Sac State Alumni Association.

“It’s an easily accessible way for people to come back to the University, in the case of alums, or to engage with the University for the first time as a community member,” Barber said. “The goal with Homecoming is really just to amplify all the campus has to offer while eliminating barriers or fear of participation.”

• See photographs from Sac State’s 2022 Homecoming

The Hornets, No. 7 in FCS national rankings, look to rebound against Idaho State after losing a Big Sky Conference game to No. 2-ranked Montana State on Oct. 21. The Hornets, who are now 5-2 overall and 2-2 in the Big Sky, last played Idaho State in 2021, defeating the Bengals 23-21. Last year, the Hornets defeated Idaho 31-28 in the Homecoming game.

“The football team having the success that we’ve experienced over the last four years has made a significant impact on all of our home games, especially Homecoming, and to see so many alumni return to campus has just been phenomenal,” Athletic Director Mark Orr said.

“Saturday’s game is going to be a terrific game. Idaho State is 3-1 in the conference. They’re a formidable opponent. I look forward to seeing everyone there.”

The game begins at 6 p.m. and will be preceded 3-6 p.m. by the Homecoming Festival and followed by a post-game fireworks display. The festival features games, various booths, and more, including the popular Golf Cart Parade and Hornet Walk before the game. Carts, which are decorated by various campus departments and programs, also will loop the track surrounding the football field at halftime. Winner of the grand prize for best-decorated cart will be announced following that display.

The festival and game are part of what makes Homecoming welcoming for the community, Barber said.

“It serves as such a good entry point to the University,” Barber said. “You can come with family, you can come with friends, you can come alone, and it’s still going to be fun and engaging. And we’ve kind of expanded that into community members to come back to campus and celebrate that day, celebrate everything that makes the Hornet community, the Hornet community.”

Sacramento State President Luke Wood, who will be participating in his first Sac State Homecoming, encouraged the community to attend.

“I look forward to cheering on our Hornets at Saturday’s Homecoming game, and hope everyone joins us as we pack Hornet Stadium and show our Hornet Pride,” he said.

Some of Homecoming Week’s other festivities include:

  • Homecoming Food Drive – Monetary and select food donations are being accepted to benefit the ASI Food Pantry, 8 a.m. -5 p.m. through Friday, Oct. 27, at the Harper Alumni Center. Donations will also be accepted during the Homecoming Festival.
  • Olivia O’Brien concert – The singer-songwriter will perform 7:30-9:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, in the University Union Ballroom. Tickets are $23 for students or $30 for the public.
  • Launch and reception for the University Union Gallery’s “The Seen Iranian Woman.”
  • Student events, including Future Hornet Day and a Halloween-themed dance marathon.
  • Other sports games, including women’s basketball and men’s soccer.
  • Tailgating has become part of Sac State football tradition. Approved locations and guidelines for tailgating are on the Athletics website.

Information about how to purchase tickets and for additional details about all the Homecoming Week events can be found online.

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Sacramento State’s annual Distinguished Alumni Awards honor seven outstanding members of the campus community

Posted on October 20, 2023 by Daniel Wilson

Originally published Oct. 20, 2023, by Sacramento State University Communications

Once a year, Sacramento State honors alumni and others who highlight and represent the University’s values by making outstanding campus, community, and societal contributions.

The Sac State Alumni Association has recognized the accomplishments of such contributing individuals since 1972 with the Distinguished Alumni Awards.

This year, the Alumni Association selected seven people to receive awards, including five Distinguished Service Awards, which recognize professional achievements and community service. Additionally, a Rising Star Award goes to an up-and-coming recent graduate, and the Honorary Alumnus Award recognizes an individual who is not a Sac State alum but has made significant contributions to the University.

An awards ceremony, which included a reception and dinner, in honor of this year’s recipients was held Thursday, Oct. 19, at the Harper Alumni Center.

Click each name to read more about the award recipients.

Distinguished Service Awards

Robin Carter ’77, MSW ’82 (Social Work)

Retired dean of the College of Health and Human Services, Sacramento State

Robin Carter found her life’s calling at Sacramento State, where she earned two degrees, became a professor of Social Work, and held various administrative positions. A member of the board of directors for the Sacramento Regional Family Justice Center, she strongly believes in community service, something her parents emphasized when she was growing up.

Viridiana Diaz ’02, Ed.D. ’12 (Communication Studies/Educational Leadership)

Former associate vice president of Strategic Support Programs, Sacramento State

Viridiana Diaz, who earned four degrees at Sac State and rose to serve as its associate vice president of Strategic Support Programs, is modeling the University’s culture as vice president of Student Affairs at CSU San Marcos.

Daniel P. Hahn ’95 (Business/Marketing)

Sacramento State Criminal Justice lecturer and retired police chief

Daniel Hahn, who earned a Marketing degree from Sac State, is a retired member of local law enforcement. Hahn broke racial barriers, serving as the first Black police chief in Roseville and Sacramento. He continues to teach Criminal Justice courses at Sac State.

Scott Robertson ’93 (Business/Marketing)

Senior vice president of Tri Counties Bank

Scott Robertson is the senior vice president of Tri Counties Bank, where he started as a teller during his final year at Sac State. Robertson, who holds a Business Administration degree from Sac State, led efforts to bring free financial health information and workshops to campus.

Margaret Washington ’68 (History)

Retired professor of history and bestselling author

Margaret Washington, who earned a bachelor’s degree from Sac State and served in administrative roles and taught at the University, is a historian, professor, lecturer, and advocate. She has dedicated her career to educating people on the experiences of Black Americans, women, and others and has made significant impacts on the Sac State campus community.

Rising Star Award

Elizabeth Gabler ’19 (Physics)

Neutron radiographer at McClellan Nuclear Research Center

Physics alumna Elizabeth Gabler has been named one of the world’s top young scientists. She works on NASA’s Artemis mission while still finding time to volunteer at the Sac State Planetarium and her hometown observatory.

Honorary Alumnus Award

Bob Olsen

Chair of the PRIDE Industries board of directors and retired co-founder of construction company Deacon

Bob Olsen, who holds two bachelor’s degrees from Oregon State University, may not have graduated from Sacramento State, but his contributions to the University’s Construction Management program and the local business community make him a part of the Hornet Family.

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For more information about the Distinguished Alumni Awards, visit the Sacramento State Alumni Association web page.

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Margaret Washington, retired professor of history and bestselling author, receives Distinguished Service Award

Posted on October 19, 2023 by Daniel Wilson

Originally published Oct. 19, 2023, by Sacramento State University Communications

Margaret Washington always knew what she would do with her life.

“I’m a teacher. That’s just what I’ve always wanted to do,” she said. “I had two younger brothers, and I used to bribe them to sit and let me teach them. And even when I was an undergraduate at Sac State, I would, once a week, teach Black history down at the Oak Park Library.”

Washington has spent much of her life and career researching and educating others about the experiences of Black people in America, as well as women’s history, race and emancipation in Latin America and the Caribbean, and other topics.

For her contributions to Sac State and to society, Washington has received a Distinguished Service Award from the Sacramento State Alumni Association. She and six other Distinguished Alumni Awards recipients will be honored at an Oct. 19 reception and dinner.

Washington’s long career in academia began in her hometown of Sacramento, when she earned her bachelor’s degree in History from Sac State in 1968. She received a master’s from New York University and Ph.D. from UC Davis.

In the ’70s, she held administrative roles at Sac State and American River College and taught at Sac State and UC Davis. She taught at several colleges and universities before landing at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, in 1988, where she taught through her retirement in 2021 and is now the Marie Underhill Noll Professor of American History Emeritus.

In 1995, along with her former father-in-law George Creel, a former Sac State professor, Washington established Sac State’s James B. Creel Humanitarian Award, in honor of her 18-year-old son who died of brain cancer in 1994. The scholarship helps those who “demonstrate humanitarian values, independent thought, ethical behavior, and who plan to enter public service.”  

Washington is the author of multiple publications, including the bestselling and award-winning book Sojourner Truth’s America, and has appeared on CNN, the History Channel and PBS.

At Sac State, Washington was a dedicated activist and leader. She was a part of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), a student-led civil rights advocacy group, and also helped form the University’s Black Student Union, which led the drive to establish Sac State’s Educational Opportunity Program.

In 1967, Washington met Martin Luther King Jr. when the civil rights leader spoke at Sac State.

“It was unbelievable. I got to shake his hand. I didn’t even want to wash my hands,” she said. “But the saddest thing was, the next year, he died. And I led the protests down to the Capitol” the day after King’s May 4, 1968, assassination.

“The Black Student Union stayed up all night organizing that protest,” in solidarity with students from local high schools and UC Davis.

Washington, who lives in New York and frequently visits Sacramento, said she appreciates that Sac State has added so many services and supports a diverse group of students, especially those from underrepresented communities.

“It’s quite different, but I think it’s different for the better, and I sort of feel like I had something to do with that because it’s more of an open environment now,” she said. “It was pretty rigid in the ’60s.”

Washington said she was surprised when she found out she was a Distinguished Service Award recipient but that she’s grateful for the support Sac State has provided her throughout her career.

“I just want to say that I feel very honored, and I owe a lot to Sac State,” she said. “I feel like I lucked out with Sac State, both in terms of getting my degree and in terms of them doing whatever they could to further my career.”

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Bob Olsen, who helped make Sac State’s Construction Management program successful, named Honorary Alumnus

Posted on October 19, 2023 by Daniel Wilson

Originally published Oct. 19, 2023, by Sacramento State University Communications

Bob Olsen did not attend Sacramento State, but he is part of the Hornet Family.

In the early 2000s, Olsen and other industry pioneers were instrumental in growing the University’s Construction Management (CM) department. Olsen co-founded and is a former president of the Sacramento Construction Management Education Foundations (SCMEF), a nonprofit that raises funds, provides scholarships, and supports CM.

“Sac State’s Construction Management program was floundering, and we were having trouble as a community of contractors with getting engineers at a college,” he said. “So, a few of us got together and … started brainstorming about what we could do.”

Today, CM is thriving with 100% job placement and high rankings in national competitions. Olsen helped Sac State’s program succeed, mentoring students and serving on its accreditation committee.

For his commitment and service to Sac State and the surrounding communities, Olsen is the recipient of this year’s Honorary Alumnus Award. He and six others will be honored on Oct. 19 at the Distinguished Alumni Awards reception and dinner.

The original 10 founding members of SCMEF were awarded the Sac State President’s Medal for Distinguished Service in 2014 by then-President Alexander Gonzalez.

Now retired from his construction business, Olsen is board chair for Pride Industries, “the leading nonprofit employer of people with disabilities in the country.” Founded in Auburn in 1966, the organization provides jobs in manufacturing, facilities management, and related fields.

“I joined the board in 1992. I’ve been the chairman for the last 15 years,” Olsen said. “It just is the greatest thing that I think I’ve ever done, to be able to help that community get involved, and have the parents have a place for their children to survive and interact with people.”

Olsen’s roots on the West Coast and in Sacramento are clear. In 1971, Olsen, who grew up in Oregon, graduated with bachelor’s degrees in construction engineering management and in business administration from Oregon State University, where he played rugby.

Finding job opportunities to be rare, he moved to Sacramento and joined a friend at Continental Heller Corporation, where he worked for nine years.

Olsen subsequently helped found two construction companies in the early 1980s, J.R. Roberts Corporation and S.D. Deacon. The two companies later merged to form Deacon, a top construction firm in the region whose projects include Sutter Health Park.

Olsen said he is “not a big award guy” but allows that being recognized for his work at Sac State and in the community is an honor.

“It’s something I just wasn’t thinking about. You know, you just go through your life, do what you think is best,” Olsen said. “Some of these (awards) come up, and it’s been great being involved in Sac State, but it’s also been great to be in the community and do what I could for them.”

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Sac State building faculty and staff housing near campus to aid recruitment, new employees’ transition

Posted on October 4, 2023 by Daniel Wilson

Originally published Oct. 4, 2023, by Sacramento State University Communications

New Sacramento State faculty and staff will soon be able to live closer to campus. A lot closer.

Nine Ten Place – currently under construction across the Guy West Bridge at 910 University Ave. – is a new apartment building exclusively for incoming faculty and staff that will assist them as they transition to the Sacramento region and give them time to find more permanent housing.

Scheduled to open in summer 2024, the development marks the first time Sac State will dedicate housing for faculty and staff.

The University hopes that commitment – and the proximity to campus – will help it recruit a more diverse pool of highly qualified job candidates.

“What we want to provide is a personalized experience for faculty and a platform where our faculty are fully immersed to our campus,” said Carlos Nevarez, interim provost and vice president of Academic Affairs. “We’re taking the initiative to appropriate campus housing for faculty, staff, and their families. This housing project is trend-setting in that we are setting precedence to incentivize prospective faculty to join our campus community.”

Constructing faculty and staff housing has been a University goal for several years. University Enterprises, Inc. (UEI), Sac State’s business auxiliary, purchased the 1.06-acre project site for $1.925 million in 2018 following discussions about the need for such housing among then-UEI Executive Director Jim Reinhart, then-President Robert S. Nelsen, and UEI’s Board of Directors.

“This has been a long time coming in terms of the fact that the discussions were held back in 2017,” said UEI Director of Retail and Marketing Services Angela Rader, who added that the pandemic and other factors delayed the start of construction. “It is nice to see this really come to fruition.”

A key aspect of the project is providing affordability in a difficult housing market. UEI and a third-party company will manage the property and offer rents at about 10% below market rate.

“I’m excited about better supporting our incoming faculty and staff that may feel overwhelmed in moving to this region, particularly at a time when we continue to see rising living costs,” said Tania Nunez, a project manager for Sac State’s Facilities Management, which has collaborated with UEI on various aspects of the project.

The three-story building will feature 16 one- and 14 two-bedroom units, each equipped with washer and dryer and in-unit major appliances. Building amenities will include bike racks and vehicle parking, a mailroom, and, for an extra fee, additional storage. Leases can last six months to a year, with the option of leasing for an additional year if needed.

“The goal is to be able to cycle different faculty and staff through the apartments so that we can help them with that housing once they secure employment at Sac State,” said Patrice Griffith, director of Real Estate Services for UEI.

The $17 million project is funded by state revenue bonds through the CSU Chancellor’s Office and UEI reserve funds.

A number of factors, including competition from the private sector and other educational institutions, make recruiting diverse and highly qualified faculty and staff challenging, Nevarez said. The Nine Ten Place project will remove one barrier that has traditionally kept some candidates from being able to accept jobs at Sac State.

“It happens more often than you would like it to happen,” Nevarez said. “We’ve got to be very savvy and strategic, and innovative with how to enhance a hiring package to have a chance, but it’s difficult to do. This housing project will definitely serve as an incentive to attract (people to) these hard-to-fill disciplines.”

UEI Executive Director John Melikian said that in addition to helping new faculty and staff transition to living and working in the region, University officials hope the project’s location will also boost recruitment.

“Having the housing near campus further aids in the attractiveness of working for Sacramento State,” he said. “Housing can be a difficult market to penetrate, especially if you’re from out of state. This would be a means to help bridge that gap.”

It’s not just employees who will enjoy the perks of living close to campus, Melikian added. Students and others will benefit from having faculty and staff close by and more engaged with University life.

“We believe that this will be a fine project that offers residents a unique opportunity to walk or bike back and forth to work, which enhances the employment and living conditions overall,” he said. “We believe this has a full-circle benefit to not only the University but to the local community.”

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Electrical and Electronic Engineering classes focus on active learning to address equity gaps

Posted on September 19, 2023 by Daniel Wilson

Originally published Sept. 19, 2023, by Sacramento State University Communications

Sacramento State’s Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) department is taking a new approach to some of its key courses as it aims to reduce equity gaps, increase enrollment and improve graduation rates.

Supported by a $595,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), Project-ACE (Active-learning-based engineering Curriculum transformation for excellence in Equity) reimagines six EEE classes with a focus on engagement.

Beginning this semester, classes such as Introduction to Engineering, Introductory Circuit Analysis, and Network Analysis, which the department says are part of the critical path because they build upon one another as part of the major, will move away from a more traditional lecture format and implement project-based learning with real-world applications and undergraduate research experiences.

The three-year initiative of the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) implements a hands-on approach to learning meant to lower drop rates, particularly among underrepresented groups, whose fail rates are higher, and attract more students to the program.

“Receiving this grant from the National Science Foundation has been very important for us because it focuses on how students learn,” said Mahyar Zarghami, EEE department chair. “I hope that projects like Project-ACE would increase the satisfaction rate of our students and make them more interested in the major.”

Though this type of learning is used in senior project courses, department research suggests that earlier exposure to the types of work students will do in the field will help students stick with and better succeed in the major, said project lead Praveen Meduri, EEE associate professor.

“It all comes down to using authentic practices that professionals use in the real field,” Meduri said. “We want to bring them into the classroom. There is something about students taking ownership of their learning and being able to build projects. It really has been shown to improve students’ self-efficacy.”

There is also extensive evidence that active-learning experiences help equalize education, Meduri said.

“It has been demonstrated with a preponderance of evidence that active learning can narrow the equity gaps,” he said. “Excellence is accessible to all colors; it’s not a function of race or color. But when we look at reality, nationwide and at Sac State, students of color have significant academic barriers, so that has been the prime motivation for this project.”

Project-ACE is expected to benefit approximately 2,500 students over the next three years. As it progresses, Meduri and others in the department will analyze results and make adjustments where needed.

“This project will narrow equity gaps among historically minoritized students in some of our most critical EEE courses,” ECS Dean Kevan Shafizadeh said. “This kind of focus on active learning to help our students graduate in a timely manner with practical, hands-on experience with equity in mind is who we are and what we do at Sac State.”

Along with Meduri, others involved in securing the grant and implementing Project-ACE include EEE Professors Mohammed Eltayeb and Milica Markovic, EEE and Physics Lecturer Sergio Aguilar Rudametkin, and Cathy Ishikawa, Biological Sciences lecturer.

The group also had support from Offices of Research, Innovation and Economic Development (ORIED) Senior Researcher Jill Shannon and Mariappan “Jawa” Jawaharlal, ORIED associate vice president and former ECS associate dean for Faculty Affairs.

“Graduation itself is an important milestone, but the real success comes with their learning experiences,” Jawaharlal said. “I also see a bigger impact of this kind of proposal, not just on our students, but on the campus.

“I’m hoping there will be more proposals along these lines from other colleges as well, which will transform our education, not just providing a lecture, but involving students in engaging, hands-on, authentic learning experiences.”

Another aspect of Project-ACE is training faculty, and developing 15 undergraduate and graduate learning and research assistants, who will obtain leadership, mentoring and various other skills.

For the EEE department, Zarghami said, being able to revamp courses and address student needs in this way is a significant step toward making its majors more approachable and helping its students succeed. He said he hopes getting a grant to support the project will motivate others to innovate as well.

“Our educational research is very important because we take pride in ourselves as being good educators,” Zarghami said. “I think this type of grant would be something that could be a model for the rest of our department members.”

The department has plans to work with the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics to integrate similar active-learning strategies into math courses required for an EEE degree, Meduri said, as it continues to work toward making its majors more approachable to more students.

“These equity gaps are appalling. They have no place in higher education,” Meduri said. “These are not unique to Sac State. It’s an equity crisis. We are only doing a small part in terms of taking a step in the right direction, and that’s been the motivation for us.”

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Using pandemic-related funds, Sacramento State adds and improves outdoor seating and event spaces

Posted on August 30, 2023 by Daniel Wilson

Originally published Aug. 30, 2023, by Sacramento State University Communications

Studying, gathering and enjoying outdoor events at Sacramento State is a lot easier with the recent completion of several campuswide projects.

Utilizing about $5 million in pandemic-related funding, the University installed new pergolas, renovated a popular outdoor event venue, and reimagined a large section of grass as an art-inspired gathering space with plenty of seating.

The money also supported several smaller improvements, including a shade covering above a stepped seating area at the Ernest E. Tschannen Science Complex, several new seating options on campus, and enclosing the Dining Commons patio to encourage outdoor dining.

The funding came from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act aid package Congress passed in 2020.

The pandemic limited and, in many cases, eliminated the ability to congregate indoors. Facilities project manager Tania Nunez said the upgrades will give the campus more options in a future crisis because “you can transition a little more easily if we’ve got some outdoor spaces.”

A major renovation to the Union stage at Serna Plaza near the Hornet Bookstore was completed just in time for the start of fall classes. The project had long been desired but was not a high funding priority, said Bill Olmsted, executive director of Union WELL, Inc., which also helped fund the renovation.

“We’ve always used that as an outdoor performance space, primarily,” Olmsted said. “But it has never been ideal for watching an event because it was all grass, and the slope of the grass was actually pretty steep. There was also no shade.”

Tiered seating and artificial turf replaced the grass slope, and an orange metal beam provides shade. The venue includes lighting and hand railings, several electrical outlets, two sets of stairs, and a ramp that can access the stage and the area in front of it.

A patch of grass on the top level can accommodate more spectators. The University also repaired an existing covering that can fold out from the stage to create added shade.

The stage, which was added to the Union in 1998, has traditionally been used for concerts, outdoor movies, guest speakers, and other events put on by UNIQUE Programs, but other members of the campus community also can reserve the space.

The renovations will also make the space more amenable for relaxing, studying, and gathering, Olmsted said.

The upgraded venue debuted with an Aug. 24 concert featuring the band Tribe Devine. On Sept. 30, the second annual WEUSI Music Festival will use the venue, and several other events are scheduled.

“We have a completely different kind of venue now,” Olmsted said. “I’m excited for what we are going to be able to offer to the students.”

Another HEERF project replaced a large patch of grass that had minimal protection from the elements. Near the University Library, between Capistrano Hall and Studio Theatre, the area features semi-adjustable seating as well as disc-shaped shade coverings that borrow colors from the mural on the back of the nearby Saigon Bay Express eatery.

Though no specific plans are in place, Nunez said she believes the space will be more efficient for students and campus groups.

“Hopefully, (it will) make that space more exciting and usable,” Nunez said. “We didn’t really see people use it very much when it was a big grassy lawn.”

Sac State’s eight new pergolas, built during spring 2023, join several smaller pre-existing pergolas and feature two different seating and table surface arrangements. In key areas of campus near popular paths and walkways, both layouts can seat about a dozen people and are accessible to individuals with disabilities.

“One of the cool things I don’t think many students know about (the pergolas) is that there’s actually electrical outlets,” Nunez said. “We engaged with the architect to help design them, and we were trying to pay homage to all the (existing) pergolas.”

The new structures feature a green metal and natural wood aesthetic, and foliage eventually will grow over them to provide shade.

“I think they’re super pretty,” Nunez said. “When I take people around campus, outside folks, either from the Chancellor’s Office or other campuses, they’re like, ‘Oh, those are so cool.’ ”

Felicia Johnson, Sac State’s new associate vice president for Facilities Management, said she can appreciate the value in improving these outdoor spaces.

“Although I was not at Sacramento State at the height of the pandemic, in retrospect, I can see how the campus prioritized the use of HEERF funding so that it benefitted students,” Johnson said. “The outdoor seating projects are only one example of how Sacramento State pivoted from grappling with a pandemic to focusing on future-oriented solutions that can be enjoyed and utilized for years to come.”

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New year at Sac State kicks off as more than 1,300 first-year students move into residence halls

Posted on August 24, 2023 by Daniel Wilson

Originally published Aug. 24, 2023, by Sacramento State University Communications

Ruby Nunez and her mom, Mary Hill, drove from the Bay Area to Sacramento State on Aug. 23, their car packed with Nunez’s belongings.

When they arrived, they headed to Jenkins Hall in the University’s North Village student housing complex to the room where Nunez will live during her first year as a Hornet. It’s the same room in which Sac State’s new president, Luke Wood, lived as a student.

It’s the first semester in new worlds for both.

“I’m super excited to start school,” Nunez said. “I’m majoring in Health Science, and I want to pursue a career in anesthesiology. I’m super excited to start exploring campus and getting to know people.”

Nunez is one of 1,378 first-year and transfer students who moved into one of the seven residence halls collectively known as North Village during Move-In Day on Aug. 23 in preparation for the Fall 2023 semester, which starts Aug. 28.

Another 751 upper division students will check into the residence halls on Aug. 25, along with just over 1,000 students who will move into the Hornet Commons student apartment complex on the south side of the campus.

Only Nunez and her roommate Georgina Webster, however, can say that the room they’ll be sharing was at one time occupied by President Wood and his twin brother Joshua when they were Sac State students.

Wood stopped by as Nunez was decorating her new space.

“I was very happy to meet her,” he said. “I’m looking forward to meeting her roommate. I want them to know that they’re in a special room. I know what that space meant for me, and I hope it means something similar for them.”

Nunez appreciated the significance of the room.

“I found out it was the president’s room because we were actually on the way here, like 45 minutes away, and then I get a call and they were like, ‘Oh, it’s the president’s room,’ ” Nunez said. “It’s kind of odd that I picked the exact room, but yeah, it’s pretty cool. I’m happy.”

Wood also shared some words of comfort for Nunez, Webster, and all of the students beginning their college journey.

“You’re starting somewhere new, there’s lots of emotion,” Wood said. “It’s a big life transition. I’m just hoping that for the students who are here, that they know that they’re in a place that cares about them and that cares about their success.”

For Nunez’s mom Mary Hill, the day was as tough as it was exciting.

“I’m an emotional wreck,” she said, fighting back tears. “I’m proud of her. She could do it, and I’m glad she’s doing it.”

Elsewhere, incoming students and their family members loaded large green bins with blankets, pillows, area rugs, school supplies, electronic devices, food, and other essential belongings and wheeled them to their residence hall.

As the Sac State drumline band and cheerleaders performed, volunteers from the campus community helped people move in.

In Riverside Hall’s parking lot, Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach Lo Leath managed a group of athletes as they ran from car to car loading bins.

“They’re helping people move into their rooms but also letting them see their faces, introducing themselves to each other,” Leath said. “A lot of freshmen are a little nervous, so if they get some people that can talk to them and kind of ease their nerves, it all works out.”

Samuel Jones, Student Housing executive director, praised the housing staff and volunteers for all their hard work.

“Move-In Day is always festive for the students, and it’s festive to the parents and the guests,” he said. “They really get to come in and experience what it’s like for their students to be here.”

Yolanda and Anthony Peterson drove to Sacramento from San Diego on Tuesday to help their son Anthony J. Peterson Jr. move in. Peterson Jr. said he chose Sac State because he wants to play baseball at a Division I school and join the Kinesiology program.

“I’m excited about moving in,” he said. “(I’m) a little sad to be leaving my family but I’m stoked to be on my own and take charge of my life.”

First-year student Marina Espinoza and her parents said although the day was emotional and overwhelming at times, they were impressed with Sac State’s process.

“I’m very excited to dorm and be in a new environment, and I’m lucky that I’m not too far from home,” said Marina, who is from Pacifica, as she helped her parents unpack her things from their vehicle. “I’m definitely overwhelmed, but the school is very organized with everything, so I feel a little bit better.”

Lily Garcia, her husband, and their daughter, first-year student Mariana Garcia, are from Los Angeles, and said the handmade “Finding Nemo”-themed Draper Hall doorway decorations brought them comfort.

“Being our only daughter, it’s hard for us to let go because this is the step towards being an adult,” Lily Garcia said. “We see the way everybody (at Sac State) cares, how they’re prompt to attend to the necessities … makes me feel happy because they’re not coming to a soulless place.”

University Communications senior writer Jennifer K. Morita contributed to this story.

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Sacramento State installs more than 2,500 solar panels as part of efforts to reach carbon neutrality by 2040

Posted on August 9, 2023 by Daniel Wilson

Originally published Aug. 9, 2023, by Sacramento State University Communications

Sacramento State is becoming a little more sun-powered.

Solar panel arrays are being installed and soon will line the tops of Parking Structure 3 (PS 3) and Parking Structure 5 (PS 5).

The installation is the latest addition to Sac State’s renewable energy infrastructure, and part of a broader University effort to achieve full carbon neutrality by 2040, five years ahead of California’s 2045 deadline.

“(We) recognize and applaud the University’s efforts to expand its embrace of renewable energy sources,” said Maram Finnell, senior manager of marketing for SitelogIQ, the Sacramento-based energy company installing the panels. “By embracing renewable energy solutions like solar power, the University demonstrates its commitment to cost-effective and eco-friendly energy practices to reduce its carbon footprint.”

The installation adds 1,000 solar panels to the upper level of PS 3,  near The WELL, and 1,886 panels to the top of PS 5, next to the Welcome Center. Combined, they will generate nearly 2 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of renewable energy per year, which will then be added to the University’s grid for distribution across campus.

The new panels are in addition to 3,979 in Lot 10, south of Hornet Stadium, which were installed in 2021 and generate 2.25 million kWh for the campus annually.

Sac State Director of Energy and Sustainability Ryan Todd estimates that when the new installation is completed renewable energy will make up about 20% of Sac State’s total energy use during much of the year and up to 30% over the summer, when solar energy is at its highest production.

“It dramatically reduces our greenhouse gas emissions immediately,” he said.

Construction is expected to wrap up by the start of the fall semester, with additional wiring work continuing into the academic year.

University officials scheduled the installation during the summer to minimize its impact on parking, said Jeff Dierking, director of University Transportation and Parking Services (UTAPS).

“The effect of the project on parking should be much less during the summer build period because we don’t have the demand at that time,” he said.

The $6.8 million panel-array project comes at minimal upfront cost to Sacramento State.

The University has a 30-year power purchase agreement, meaning it has agreed to pay for the renewable energy generated by the panels at a fixed rate for the next three decades in exchange for installation and maintenance of the panels, Todd said.

“To have a fixed rate on a portion of our energy use for 30 years is huge,” he said. “It helps with forecasting; we know exactly how much we’re going to spend on that portion of our energy.”

The project also reduces the amount of power Sac State pulls from the electrical grid, leaving more energy available for local homes and businesses.

“That is a huge benefit because now (SMUD) doesn’t have to allocate that to us, which reduces the likelihood of blackouts in the local area because we’re such a heavy energy user,” Todd said.

There are several reasons the two structures were chosen for the panel arrays, Todd said. For one, when PS 5 was built, it was designed to be solar ready.

“We knew we would add solar to that structure later on, so some of the infrastructure was already there,” he said.

Parking lot installation is also preferable to installation atop campus buildings, he said, which causes extra work and hassle when roof repairs are needed.

“When we replaced the roof of the library a few years back, the solar array had to be uninstalled and then reinstalled in order to allow the new roof to be installed,” he said.

A less significant, but perhaps a more directly noticeable, benefit? Added shade on the upper levels of the two parking structures, Dierking said.

Solar panels are just one part of Sac State’s efforts to reach full carbon neutrality.

This summer, the University will finish a project to replace 5,000 inefficient incandescent bulbs in the Library with a third fewer LED bulbs, saving an estimated $100,000. The campus will do similar lighting retrofits  in Riverside Hall, Solano Hall, Capistrano Hall, Sacramento Hall, Lassen Hall, and others.

These projects are funded through a $7 million allocation from the Chancellor’s Office and are expected to save 4.6 million kWh and more than $400,000 annually.

The University has also recently installed hundreds of composting bins around campus.

To learn more about Sac State’s sustainability efforts, visit the Sustainability office website.

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