Sac State faculty explore how to redesign online courses to boost student confidence and success

Posted on January 31, 2025 by Daniel Wilson

Originally published Jan. 31, 2025, by Sacramento State University Communications

A group of Sacramento State professors is researching how to close equity gaps and improve success rates in online STEM courses.

The team is redesigning several courses to see whether the changes improve students’ belief in their ability to succeed, as well as what impact those changes have on student performance.

In general, online and hybrid courses have a higher level of self-learning than in-person classes because they tend to be more self-paced, said project lead Praveen Meduri, an associate professor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE).

“When an online course is not well-designed, a student taking that course may feel like they’re completely on their own,” he said. “They just have those deadlines at the end of the semester, and then there’s no structure. And that structure is what we are trying to bring in.”

The three-year research study, dubbed Project-SOAR – short for “Investigating Students’ (S) Online self-efficacy (O), Academic performance (A) and course Redesign (R),” – began in September and is supported by a $344,000 grant from the National Science Foundation.

While its primary focus is on STEM courses, the team hopes to identify effective practices that can be implemented in any online course. Kevan Shafizadeh, dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science, said the data will be applicable universally because it is creating a greater understanding of how students approach these types of courses.

“Research has consistently shown the importance of self-efficacy in student success, and Project-SOAR offers a chance to deepen our understanding of how to foster this essential belief in students, especially in online settings,” he said. “This project is an example of how engineering education research can be used to address critical institutional priorities and advance knowledge in a way that benefits students, faculty and the wider University community.”

The course redesign utilizes a set of standards from Quality Matters (QM), a nonprofit online learning quality assurance program that reshapes classes in eight different areas, including experiences with mastering a subject, making sure work is rigorous and engaging and improving social interactions.

After students complete the redesigned courses, Meduri and a small group of multidisciplinary faculty look at surveys, questionnaires, quantitative and qualitative data and student feedback to compare course outcomes from before and after the changes.

Meduri said many STEM faculty are well-versed in technical and scientific knowledge, but those skills don’t always translate to an engaging and approachable online experience for students without an intentional effort to do so.

“This is contrary to the nation’s urgent need for a strong and diverse workforce, and that’s the reason why I think Project-SOAR addresses and fills an important knowledge gap about how to advance our understanding on quality online courses,” Meduri said. “When the faculty member spends a significant amount of time working for Quality Matters certification for their course, it is reasonable to expect that the student performance will be better.”

Meduri said much of that expectation comes from students’ perception of the courses.

“When a faculty member redesigns their course intentionally, students perceive this as a welcome thing, as a more approachable course,” Meduri said. “As a result, their self-belief in their ability to complete the course will be increased.”

Milica Markovic, EEE department chair, has high hopes that using QM will not only enhance academic performance but also boost STEM students’ confidence.

“The project’s focus on self-efficacy in QM-designed courses is both timely and transformative,” she said. “I’m excited about the broader impacts of this research, including faculty professional development.”

Excluding Meduri, Project-SOAR’s researchers are all women, which speaks to both the diversity of Sac State’s faculty and the need to close equity gaps in STEM, Meduri said. A significant number of the University’s researchers are women, he added.

“They have a way of inspiring other women to join STEM and pursue STEM,” he said.

Project-SOAR’s team includes Lynn Tashiro, Kelly McDonald, De-Laine Cyrenne, Lisa Romero, Mary McCarthy-Hintz and Michelle Dang.

The project also coincides with the University’s work to offer more online and hybrid courses. A recent $3 million U.S. Department of Education TECH4Equity grant, the fourth Sac State has received from the department’s Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions program since 2015, is supporting the redesign of 20 general education and 10 online engineering courses to improve pass rates and decrease equity gaps. Additionally, Meduri’s Project-ACE is reimagining several in-person EEE courses to increase engagement.

Project-SOAR is funded through the National Science Foundation’s Building Capacity in STEM Education Research program, which aims to broaden the pool of researchers who can advance knowledge regarding STEM learning and learning environments.

Updates on Project-SOAR are documented online, and Meduri said its results will be published in academic journals.

Meduri hopes improving student self-efficacy and making courses more engaging will remove barriers to student success by better aligning Sac State’s online STEM courses with those offered in-person.

“It is our primary responsibility as faculty members to ensure students get the bang for their buck when they are making significant sacrifices to come and invest in our degree,” he said. “It’s much easier to facilitate an in-person discussion and student engagement than it is in an online environment, and for that reason, our already high failure rates and equity gaps are that much more pronounced in an online setting, necessitating more research in this area.”

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Civil Engineering graduate Madison Damman succeeds by helping others thrive

Posted on December 16, 2024 by Daniel Wilson

Originally published Dec. 16, 2024, by Sacramento State University Communications

Madison Damman loves helping others.

From taking care of her grandmother, to teaching people how to swim, helping disabled individuals ride therapy horses, and conducting transportation infrastructure research for Caltrans, Damman has dedicated her time and energy to making sure those around her thrive.

She, too, is thriving. Damman was among the approximately 3,100 Sacramento State graduates eligible to walk the stage during Winter Commencement on Dec. 14. The 23-year-old first-generation college student earned a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering.

The ceremonies, held downtown at Golden 1 Center, were part of Sac State’s first Winter Commencement since 2017. The daylong event also included a “Graduation Rewind” celebration for 2020 and 2021 graduates whose ceremonies were canceled during the pandemic.

Damman’s natural inclination to help others revealed itself from an early age, when as a child she helped her father with household tasks. The work taught her to challenge herself and step outside of her comfort zone.

“It kind of triggered this thing in my brain where now I push myself and I’m able to do it,” she said. “I keep pushing myself. Pushing myself to prove that I can do it. Even coming here to Sac State and graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, I pushed myself and I wanted to see if I could do it. And I did it.”

Always a strong student, Damman took college classes while in high school and graduated early. She attended community college before transferring to Sacramento State.

“I’ve been interested in civil engineering for a very long time,” she said. “My high school really got me educated on the topic and inspired me to become a civil engineer.”

Damman’s time at Sac State helped her along that path, providing real-world experience. She was among several of Civil Engineering Professor Ghazan Khan’s students who worked with Caltrans on various projects. Damman researched safety improvements in construction zones and license plate reader technology that could help the company improve road conditions where semi-trucks frequent.

Her time working with Caltrans was yet another place where Damman’s desire to help others came to light.

“One thing that has consistently stood out for me about Madison is the number of her peers who have mentioned her to me multiple times as someone who has offered them support, help, advice and guidance throughout their academic journey,” Khan said. “Her passion and commitment not just to excel as a student, a future civil engineer, but as a leader amongst her peers and as a productive member of the community has been exemplary.”

Damman said a key to her success has been her involvement with clubs and organizations, which have helped her make friends, network and connect with women in a field that is typically male dominated. Among the groups she has been involved in are Women in Stem, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and the Concrete Canoe Club, where students design and build canoes using strategically chosen cement mixtures in hopes they will float.

Her academic and professional life aren’t the only places where her passion for helping others shines. She has given back to her community as a lifeguard for the city of Vacaville, where she lives with her parents, providing swimming lessons for children, adults and the elderly. She also spent time as an intern working on traffic studies for the city, writing manuals that will make it easier for future interns to understand the tasks. She also gives back to her family, caring for her grandmother in Clear Lake Oaks.

And her passion for horseback riding is no exception, either. In high school, she volunteered at a therapeutic riding academy, helping physically and mentally disabled children and adults ride horses for therapy.

Damman said she enjoys helping others because it brings her a lot of satisfaction and she strongly believes in treating others as you would want to be treated.

“I do absolutely find value in helping others,” she said. “Not only does it help them, but it helps me. It makes me feel like I’m a good person, and it really teaches you a lot of empathy.”

After graduation, Damman will join a Northern California civil engineering firm, working on land development projects to provide more housing for Californians.

Beyond that, she plans to obtain further licensing in civil engineering, follow a childhood dream of becoming a pilot and possibly return to Sac State for a master’s program.

Damman, who is proud to graduate debt free with the help of financial aid and scholarships, said her education wouldn’t have been possible without strong support from her family and the University.

“I am very grateful that I have support from my parents,” Damman said. “They have been immense help for me throughout this whole thing and I would not be able to get the education that I have now if I didn’t have that support from my parents and my grandparents.”

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Sacramento State announces guaranteed admission for former foster youth

Posted on November 21, 2024 by Daniel Wilson

Originally published Nov. 21, 2024, by Sacramento State University Communications

A new initiative will guarantee admission to Sacramento State for children and youth who have experienced foster care, beginning with the Fall 2025 semester.

The “Guardian Scholars Promise” provides automatic acceptance into Sacramento State and into the University’s Guardian Scholars Program (GSP) for applicants who meet CSU admissions requirements. GSP offers resources, assistance and a place of belonging and community for students who are former foster youth and wards of the court.

“This community of students has unique barriers and challenges, as opposed to students that have a family to rely on,” said GSP Director Linda Ram. “We are their support system. We are their community. So, whatever they need help for, we’re the ones that try to provide that assistance to better their college journey.”

GSP’s services include academic advising, priority on-campus housing, mental health and wellness support, and financial assistance such as fee waivers and scholarships.

President Luke Wood and Aniesha Mitchell, vice president of Student Affairs, announced the initiative during the Guardian Scholars Bridge conference for transfer and high school foster youth on Nov. 13.

“We are committed to supporting students and creating opportunities for success,” Mitchell said. “I am proud to reaffirm our commitment of guaranteed admission for foster youth, ensuring that if you have ever been in care, even one day, you are eligible and welcome here at Sac State.”

“We believe every young person deserves the opportunity to pursue higher education, and this promise reflects our dedication to providing that opportunity.”

Prospective students interested in the “Guardian Scholars Promise” can inquire about it immediately by reaching out to GSP. The Guardian Scholars Promise is also open to youth who have experienced homelessness, under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.

“We want to signal to foster youth everywhere that Sacramento State cares about you and your academic goals,” Wood said. “We have staff and faculty who are dedicated to treating you with the dignity and respect you deserve, you have a dedicated space on campus to build your own community, and you will have priority on-campus housing accommodations coming in.”

The initiative grew out of the Sacramento State First Star Academy, a program Ram started in 2020 that provides “a free, comprehensive four-year college readiness program for students currently experiencing foster care.”

Guardian Scholars, which launched in 2006 at Sac State and recently moved into a larger dedicated space on campus, is rapidly growing, said Ram. The program is No. 1 in Northern California for enrollment, with 195 students this fall. In comparison, the program served 151 students during the previous academic year.

“It’s hard enough for current and former foster youth to overcome the obstacles to pursue a higher education, let alone persist in college,” Ram said. “If you’re a foster youth and you’re thinking, ‘I know Sac State is going to accept me, and I’m going to have a support system there,’ that’s huge. To be able to come to a college campus and know you’re going to have resources and specialized support, that is a relief.”

About 4% of former and current foster youth earn a four-year degree, according to the National Foster Youth Institute. In California, that number is around 11%, Ram said.

Reign Rodriquez is a fourth-year Philosophy major and Guardian Scholars student who was in foster care between the ages of 12 and 14 and lived with two foster families before being placed with his grandmother. Rodriquez was later granted minor emancipation, which brought with it several challenges, including the lack of a support system.

“I’ve always been appreciative that I’ve come to Sac State because, in comparison to any support that I’ve had in the foster care system, I feel like I’ve had the most support here in Guardian Scholars,” Rodriquez said.

He said the Guardian Scholars Promise is a great opportunity for incoming students.

“If I knew I would have been guaranteed admission, it would have saved me a lot more stress,” Rodriquez said. “I think for these future students, that’s going to be very beneficial to them, because I think in the last stretch of high school, it’ll definitely be a relief and one less thing to worry about.”

For more information about Guardian Scholars or the Guardian Scholars Promise, email gsp@csus.edu.

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Sacramento State’s Art department celebrates opening of new Art Studio Lab with ribbon cutting

Posted on November 13, 2024 by Daniel Wilson

Originally published Nov. 13, 2024, by Sacramento State University Communications

Sacramento State’s new Art Studio Lab is officially open and will begin welcoming students for classes for the Spring 2025 semester.

A ribbon cutting on Tuesday, Nov. 12, welcomed members of the campus community and public to celebrate the milestone as Art department students and faculty prepare to move in.

“This creative space has been designed with purpose,” said Christina Bellon, interim dean of the College of Arts and Letters, during the ceremony. “Each square foot, from the studios to the communal workspaces to the indoor and outdoor installation areas, is thoughtfully planned to give students and faculty access to the resources they need to grow as artists and as professionals.”

The 20,377-square-foot, $18.5 million building, between the old Art Sculpture Lab (ASL) and the ASI Children’s Center, meets LEED Silver Standards and features large windows, a lobby gallery, a 3D technology lab, drawing and painting labs, a metal shop, graduate studios, an outdoor sculpture yard and more significant amenities.

During the ceremony, Art department Chair Rachel Clarke thanked many of the people associated with the project.

“The new ASL affirms the Sacramento State Art department’s reputation as the preeminent institution to study art in Northern California,” Clarke said. “The high level of instruction, along with the excellent new facilities, will give students all the tools they need to succeed … fulfilling the Art department’s mission to educate the next generation of artists, educators and scholars.”

The ASL replaces its predecessor, the old Art Sculpture Lab, which served as a California Department of Fish and Wildlife warehouse from 1951 until 1971, when Sac State acquired it and utilized it as an art education and creation space.

Sac State broke ground on the new ASL, which was designed by HGA and built by Otto Construction, on June 30, 2023. The University continues to offer potential donors opportunities to support the project, including naming the building and its rooms. Clarke said ongoing fundraising efforts, such as selling engraved bricks that are installed in key locations outside the building, have been successful.

“We are still looking for a building and studio naming donors because we would like to have a substantial endowment that we can use to support new initiatives, like the ASL sculpture garden and our 3D technology space,” Clarke said. “It will mean that we can continue to invest in and sustain the technology, machinery and equipment we use in our programs.”

The department originally planned to move students into the building this semester, but construction delays altered those plans. Over winter break, the department will move in more equipment and furniture, including $300,000 worth of items funded by the University, as they prepare for students to use the new space full-time in the spring.

“We are on target to start teaching there at the beginning of next semester,” Clarke said. “In the spring, there will be drawing and painting classes, sculpture classes, and all the shops – wood, metal, wood construction, wax and plaster – will be in full use. The kilns will be working, and the grads will be in their studios.”

The old Art Sculpture Lab will be used by the department for the foreseeable future. The Art department produced a book commemorating the old structure that will be made available to donors of $250 or more, in addition to an engraved brick. The book will also be available at a donation level of $75.

“This facility stands as a testament to what we can achieve together, and it will serve as a beacon of creativity and innovation for generations of Sacramento State students for years to come.” — Sac State President Luke Wood

The book was a collaboration with Photography Professor Eliza Gregory and her students. It includes photos from the last time the old ASL was fully operational along with photos submitted by alumni and emeritus faculty, as well as interviews with former students and faculty.

Sac State President Luke Wood suggested the new structure will have significant long-term impact.

“This facility stands as a testament to what we can achieve together, and it will serve as a beacon of creativity and innovation for generations of Sacramento State students for years to come,” he said. “We are here to celebrate our ongoing commitment to providing innovative, hands-on learning experiences for our students and providing the space for our faculty that they need to guide our students as we they grow the next generation of artists.”

Master of Fine Arts graduate student Sokthea Chan, who also earned a bachelor’s degree in Studio Art from Sac State in 2014, talked about the importance of collaborative art spaces.

“I hope for the future of the new ASL there will be opportunities for artists in all fields to be able to connect with each other, have a collaborative space and also share innovative ideas with one another, regardless of where we are in our academic journey,” Chan said.

Amari C. Moore, a bachelor of Fine Arts student studying Studio Art, expressed gratitude for all the opportunities afforded by the Art department and compared the old and new spaces.

“(The old ASL) has been a place of learning, refining our gifts and talents while building this strong sense of community and friendship,” Moore said. “It is my hope that this new space will continue to do just that on an even bigger level.”

To learn more about the new Art Studio Lab building, visit the Art department’s web page.

Jennifer K. Morita contributed to this report.

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ASL class supporting parents of Deaf children fosters learning, community

Posted on November 8, 2024 by Daniel Wilson

Originally published Nov. 8, 2024, by Sacramento State University Communications

In a typical classroom at Sacramento State, the words “poop,” “diaper,” “bathroom” and other potty language are seldom heard.

But this is not a typical classroom.

“Promoting Rich Accessible Language at Home: An ASL Class for Families of Deaf Children” is a course for parents of kids to age 5 that explores Deaf culture and teaches age-appropriate American Sign Language (ASL).

The curriculum is based on “ASL at Home,” a book written by Sac State ASL and Deaf Studies program coordinator Leah Geer and Razi Zarchy, a lecturer in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSAD).

“There are no similar curricula and there are no similar classes designed for families with Deaf and hard-of-hearing children that focus on daily routines,” Geer said.

The class provides parents of young children an opportunity to learn age-appropriate ways of communication in a supportive environment and benefits Sac State ASL and CSAD students preparing for careers working with Deaf populations.

Since its launch in 2021 as an online-only course, the class has served roughly 120 families. Geer and Zarchy teach four or five sections online each year.

This fall, the class is being taught in-person for the first time thanks to a Research Enhancement Support Grant (RESG). Geer and Zarchy are exploring ways to make the in-person section permanent.

“The in-person and online modalities reach different populations,” Zarchy said. “In our online classes, we have had many families who say that they feel isolated and don’t know any other parents or family members of Deaf or hard-of-hearing children in their area. The classes are a great opportunity for them to meet other people like themselves.”

The RESG provides select faculty with funding for research or other projects aimed at expanding their fields and promoting student success. Participating parents will also be surveyed about their experiences after completing the class, with the results used to help make these types of courses more effective.

“I definitely, really love this class. It’s been incredibly helpful. It’s a really great resource for the community because, you know, it’s offered to the Sacramento community, but you don’t have to be a Sacramento (State) student.” — Dharia McGrew, parent in the ASL for Parents of Deaf Children course

The class is specifically designed to serve the unique needs of parents who have small children at home who are learning to communicate in ASL. Participants learn and practice signs for potty language and phrases associated with bedtime, feeding, bathing and other activities.

“ASL at Home courses cover high-impact signs centered around daily routines common in young children’s lives,” Geer said. “The focus of these classes is infant- and child-directed language while the focus of Sac State courses is adult-to-adult communication.”

Geer said the types of phrases taught in Sac State’s ASL classes, such as “Hi my name is…” and “It takes me 15 minutes to get from home to work,” don’t work for small children who have very different needs and require significant repetition in their communication.

“They need to see sentences like ‘Your diaper is dirty,’ ‘Why don’t we go change you?’ ‘We should get you a clean diaper,’ ‘Your diaper is dirty and you’re uncomfortable,’ ‘Let’s change your diaper,’ ” Geer said. “Notice how many times I repeated the word ‘diaper’? That’s how young children learn.”

During a recent class, parents broke into small groups to work on signs and talk about the challenges they’re facing and how best to communicate in specific situations. Geer also shared information on how to find resources in the community.

One group worked with Zarchy on how to properly communicate with their child about going to the bathroom and avoiding an accident. Zarchy explained that context matters and demonstrated how to properly use the same sign in different ways, depending on the situation.

For parents, the class is a valuable resource.

“I definitely, really love this class. It’s been incredibly helpful,” said Dharia McGrew. “It’s a really great resource for the community because, you know, it’s offered to the Sacramento community, but you don’t have to be a Sacramento (State) student.”

Michael Enrico, another parent taking the course, said teaching children to communicate while they’re young is vital.

“Early childhood intervention is so important,” Enrico said. “It helps them learn and then also get integrated with the language. If we as parents can do that, we’re able to pass that on to our kids. That really just helps their intellectual growth in those early years.”

The ASL for Families class is a collaboration between the colleges of Education and Health and Human Services. The course is free, and parents who sign up do not need to be enrolled at Sac State.

Parents receive free childcare provided by Sac State ASL students during class, which is held weekly in the Maryjane Rees Speech and Language Clinic in Folsom Hall.

The course doesn’t just benefit parents. Sac State CSAD students who are considering becoming speech-language pathologists take the class and assist parents as part of their coursework.

“This is great practice for our graduate CSAD students to coach parents in a supportive environment,” Zarchy said, adding that ASL students also benefit greatly from caring for the children.

“Some of them are considering careers working with Deaf children, so this is giving them some experience with children to help make decisions about their future careers,” he said.

Along with offering an opportunity for parents to learn to communicate with their children and to teach their kids to reciprocate, Geer said the class also provides an environment of support.

“In addition to learning ASL, (the class teaches) specific techniques to encourage language development and types of cultural wealth learned from Deaf adults who are experts in navigating the hearing world as Deaf individuals,” she said. “Like child-directed language, this is not taught in other classes. This class is an opportunity to ensure, to the best of one’s ability, that their child has an accessible language-rich environment at home.”

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‘Good human’ Ron Brown has achieved a lifetime of accomplishments while helping others succeed

Posted on November 7, 2024 by Daniel Wilson

Originally published Nov. 7, 2024, by Sacramento State University Communications

Ron Brown can often be heard reminding his peers to “be a good human.”

It’s a mantra Brown, president and CEO of West Sacramento-based general contracting firm Brown Construction, embodies in everything he does.

Brown, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Construction Management (CM) from Sacramento State in 1986, is the recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award from the University’s Alumni Association. He and five others will be honored at the Distinguished Alumni Awards reception and dinner on Nov. 7.

Brown joined his father’s company in 1988 and bought it from him in 2002. Brown Construction, which was founded in 1964, now is one of the largest employers in Yolo County and among the largest firms in Sacramento. Notable Brown Construction projects include Modoc Hall and American River Courtyard student housing at Sac State, Aggie Stadium at UC Davis, Yolo Food Bank, The Barn in West Sacramento and the Yolo County Library.

“I kind of feel I’m accepting this award for all of us that have been part of it. I enjoy working with students. I enjoy seeing students succeed. It’s pretty cool. I’ve been able to work with a lot of students over the last number of years.” — Ron Brown

Brown originally wanted to pursue a career in architecture, but as the field moved toward computer technology in the ‘80s, he realized he was more into engineering and construction.

“I’ve been exposed to construction all my life, so of course that enabled me to be more excited about it,” Brown said. “I wanted to have more of a footprint in construction than just working on the job site, so that’s why I got into the CM program at Sac State.”

As someone who enjoys giving back, Brown serves or has served on several boards, such as WellSpace Health, Sacramento Regional Builders Exchange, the Sacramento Construction Management Education Foundation at Sac State, and the Sac State University Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Brown also supports several nonprofits, such as the Salvation Army, and Sac State’s Construction Management Student Association and Construction Management Education Foundation.

Brown contributes to Sac State CM students’ education by guest lecturing, offering workshops and internships, and mentoring and coaching students in the Associated Schools of Construction Management annual competition. Sac State’s team has earned more than 85 regional and national academic competition awards.

Brown’s contributions to Sac State’s CM department don’t end there. In 2012, Brown was among those who worked to shift CM from a program in Civil Engineering to an independent academic department, tripling its enrollment.

“I think it’s been very successful,” Brown said. “And now the CM department has a few hundred students, and so that’s been very rewarding to do, and I got to do it with a group of my peers.”

Brown, who continually works to bridge the gap between academia and industry, was recognized for his work with the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service in 2014.

Brown has given back to the region with Brown Construction’s Build It Forward program, which waives profits on projects that benefit the community, ensuring lower project costs and timely completion. Projects include the West Sac Civic Center, Sacramento Zoo exhibits and portions of Fairytale Town. The company has constructed nearly $54 million in projects under this program since it launched in the late ‘90s.

Brown said he doesn’t feel he deserves a Lifetime Achievement Award because many of his accomplishments came as part of a team.

“I feel a little bit of a poser getting an award for being a piece of something that a whole lot of other people have been involved with,” Brown said. “I kind of feel I’m accepting this award for all of us that have been part of it. I enjoy working with students. I enjoy seeing students succeed. It’s pretty cool. I’ve been able to work with a lot of students over the last number of years.”

For more information about the Distinguished Alumni Awards, visit the Alumni Association webpage.

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Sacramento State honors six exemplary members of the Hornet Family with its annual Distinguished Alumni Awards

Posted on October 7, 2024 by Daniel Wilson

Originally published Nov. 7, 2024, by Sacramento State University Communications

Each year, Sacramento State honors people who represent the University’s values by making outstanding contributions to the campus, community and society.

The Alumni Association has recognized the accomplishments of these individuals since 1972 with the Distinguished Alumni Awards.

The Alumni Association this year has selected six individuals to receive the awards. Three alumni have received Distinguished Service Awards, which recognize professional achievements and community service. A fourth alumnus has received the Rising Star Award, which goes to an up-and-coming recent graduate, while the Honorary Alumna Award recognizes an individual who is not a Sac State alum but has made significant contributions to the University.

This year, a Lifetime Achievement Award will honor a Sac State graduate who has set high standards of excellence in their personal and professional lives, and has accomplished exceptional contributions in their career, to the campus and in the community.

An awards ceremony honoring this year’s recipients is Nov. 7 at the Harper Alumni Center.

Click each name below to read more about the award recipients.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Ron Brown ’86 (Construction Management)

President/CEO, Brown Construction, Inc.

Ron Brown graduated from Sacramento State in 1986 with a bachelor’s degree in Construction Management and today is the owner, president and CEO of Brown Construction, a local contracting firm responsible for dozens of well-known buildings to the Sacramento area. He has also given back to Sac State and the region in many ways through his career. Brown’s peers all point out his use of the mantra “be a good human,” a phrase he often says to them when bidding farewell. It also is the embodiment of Brown himself.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

Vu D. Nguyen ’95 (Criminal Justice) – posthumous honoree

Detective, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office

Vu Nguyen earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice in 1995 from Sacramento State and graduated with honors. He went on to become the sheriff’s department’s top recruit. Nguyen died in the line of duty in 2007 but lives on through nonprofit groups the Vu Nguyen Memorial Scholarship Foundation, which provides scholarships to high school seniors who want to pursue careers in public service, and Breaking Clays for Vu, which raises money for families of fallen officers.

California State Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas ’03 (Government)

California State Assembly Speaker

California State Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, who graduated with a degree in Government from Sac State in 2003, was elected to the State Assembly in 2018 and represents the Pajaro and Salinas valleys of the Central Coast. Rivas has advocated for the improvement of affordable housing in California and led efforts to accelerate the construction of renewable energy.

Marco A. Rodriguez ’91 (Business/Finance)

Investment Advisor Representative, Principal Financial Group; Chairman of the Board, Mexican Cultural Center of Northern California

Marco Rodriguez, the son of farmworkers, immigrated to the U.S. when he was 19 years old and worked his way through school before graduating from Sacramento State with a bachelor’s degree in Business and Finance. Today, he is a senior financial advisor and branch manager for Principal Finance Group. Rodriguez gives back by using his business savvy and talent for generating money to help community nonprofits.

RISING STAR AWARD

Noel Mora ’18, MPPA ’21 (Government/Public Policy Administration)

Community Partnership Coordinator, Sacramento State; Trustee, Natomas Unified School District

Noel Mora, who earned two degrees from Sac State and continues to contribute to the University and the broader community, has served Sac State as president of Associated Students Inc. while a student and now as community partnership coordinator in the Community Engagement Center. Mora, who is also a Natomas Unified School District trustee, has dedicated his career to promoting civic engagement and helping underrepresented students succeed.

HONORARY ALUMNA AWARD

Elizabeth H. Shattuck

Co-Founder and Ex-President of Capital Public Radio Endowment; Faculty widow

Elizabeth Shattuck and her late husband, longtime History Professor Peter Shattuck, have over the years donated more than $2 million to help promote faculty excellence and support students who otherwise would not have the financial resources to attend college. In addition, in 2016, Shattuck established the Shattuck Endowment and Peter H. Shattuck Endowed Chair in Colonial History in memory of her husband. Beyond Sac State, Shattuck has also supported numerous local organizations.

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

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Donation will open new Mechanical Engineering opportunities and better prepare students for the workforce

Posted on October 4, 2024 by Daniel Wilson

Originally published Oct. 4, 2024, by Sacramento State University Communications

Sacramento State Mechanical Engineering students have a new way to experience hands-on learning.

A recent equipment donation by Bosch Rexroth, an international engineering firm that specializes in factory automation, industrial and mobile hydraulics, and electronics, will better prepare College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) graduates for career success.

The donation is of industrial computer training station kits that are a type of programmable logic controller (PLC) used in conjunction with Rexroth’s CtrlX computer software or other systems to program and control manufacturing processes such as assembly line conveyor belts, robotic arms and devices, or a variety of machinery requiring rugged and robust processors.

“For example, if it’s a thermostat, it will read the temperature from your thermocouple, figure out, yes, it’s too cold, no, it’s too hot, and then appropriately send out a correction command,” said Ray Tang, assistant professor of Mechanical Engineering. “Then that output would go to something else, turn on the heater or turn on the air conditioning, to maintain the temperature.”

Tang, who has worked to update the University’s robotics lab, said students are used to working with hobbyist equipment, such as Arduino and Raspberry Pi, which is similar to industrial equipment but less powerful.

“Our students should know what an industrial (computer) looks like and how to program them, so I told Rexroth if you can help me get some of these in the classroom, I will get the students ready for the market,” he said.

Tang said industry partners have emphasized the need for graduates to enter the job market with experience working on this type of machinery – how to troubleshoot as well as use it.

“We have to find ways to collaborate with industry and have them donate equipment like this to help us. Our departments typically have hands-on labs, and so it can’t be a hands-on lab without the equipment.” — Milica Markovic, Electrical Engineering department chair

The equipment donation aligns with the college’s efforts to offer students more ways to learn outside of a textbook, also benefiting potential employers by training graduates who better understand these technologies, reducing turnover and creating competitive job candidates.

“They just want us, for example, to start showing in our curriculum we are teaching what the industry standard is,” Tang said. “We’re using hardware that is now being purchased by everyone, and so our students will have this knowledge. It’s kind of a win-win for them.”

In addition to benefiting Mechanical Engineering students, the equipment will provide opportunities for the college to offer multidisciplinary classes, certificates, summer programs for K-12 and community college students, and, potentially, new degree programs, Mechanical Engineering department Chair Troy Topping said.

“They call it a training station, but it’s not just a training station,” Topping said. “It’s equipment that’s used in industry. It can be taught from high school to two-year degree, four-year degree, and master’s level (students). It’s useful in all levels.”

The equipment, which is electronic and utilizes computer software, can provide hands-on learning opportunities to Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Computer Science students, said Rohollah Moghadam, assistant professor of Electrical Engineering.

“The great thing about this equipment is that it’s up to date with cutting-edge technology,” Moghadam said.

Rising equipment cost and tighter state budgets have challenged ECS in recent years. One remedy to those constraints has been working with industry entities, which is why donations such as Bosch Rexroth’s are so important, said Electrical Engineering Chair Milica Markovic.

“We have to find ways to collaborate with industry and have them donate equipment like this to help us,” she said. “Our departments typically have hands-on labs, and so it can’t be a hands-on lab without the equipment.”

The partnership between Rexroth and Sac State came about when Mechanical Engineering student Andres Salazar, who is an intern at Rexroth’s Pleasanton office, was asked to help coordinate a collaboration.

“It’s a win-win in the sense that the University needs instrumentation in order to be able to be competitive, teaching what the industry needs, but the industry also needs people to be coming out of college ready to be a valuable asset to companies,” Salazar said.

The partnership makes sense on multiple levels, said Dave Hull, Bosch Rexroth regional vice president, as the company looks to create opportunities and engage students preparing to enter the workforce.

“This is an opportunity to help shape well-rounded graduates and ensure that companies can help cultivate a future talent pool that has experience on the latest technology on the market,” Hull said.

For ways to support the College of Engineering and Computer Science, please contact Thomas Whitcher.

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American Sign Language and Deaf Studies celebrates opening of new ASL Lab

Posted on October 1, 2024 by Daniel Wilson

Originally published Oct. 1, 2024, by Sacramento State University Communications

Students in Sacramento State’s Deaf Studies program now have a dedicated space to practice American Sign Language and collaborate with classmates.

The new ASL Lab offers space for students to hang out, network and build community. Its resources and services include tutoring in partnership with the University’s Peer and Academic Resource Center, an area for ASL Club meetings and other Deaf-centered events and study space.

The lab, located in Eureka Hall 301, officially celebrated its launch with an Open House on Deaf Awareness on Monday, Sept. 30. More than 100 members of the campus community, as well as a group of community college students, attended and learned about resources available to students and opportunities in the program.

Creating lab space for students to practice their signs and complete homework assignments, such as filming ASL videos, was a long-overdue and collaborative effort, said Associate Professor and Deaf Studies program Coordinator Leah Geer.

“This would mirror the resources that other language programs have in the World Languages program,” Geer said. “One way other ASL programs at other institutions and other language programs at Sac State supplement classroom time is with a language lab. In addition, students have long indicated the need for additional support.”

The lab will also support students entering two recently launched master’s of arts in teaching credential programs in Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education and single-subject ASL World Languages.

“It’s a space for building community where everyone has access to language,” Geer said. “In the halls of Eureka, walking around campus, Deaf students, faculty and staff are faced with barriers to communication, but these barriers are brought down in the lab.”

Nate Dutra, an assistant professor in Deaf Studies and ASL, was one of several faculty members who worked to advocate and create a plan to make the lab a reality. An external review of the program several years back revealed that students need more “time on task” when learning ASL. In other words, Dutra said, it’s vital for students to have a dedicated space to practice.

“Learning any language is hard, but learning ASL can be particularly challenging,” Dutra said. “The more we can do to increase the amount of time our ASL and Deaf Studies students are spending using their new language, the better off they’ll be.”

The lab is located within the College of Education’s computer lab in space that underwent renovations over the summer, including new paint and the addition of new furniture to make it more ASL-centered.

“Computer labs are not used as much as they were in the past, so this is a great reuse of the space,” said Méla T. Bennett, ASL Lab coordinator and adjunct professor. “We’ve always had the need to have Deaf space, a place where students can come and socialize and get support in and out of the classroom. And it’s amazing that we finally have a space like that here on campus.”

Ally Baker, an ASL Lab student assistant, said feedback from the students who have already been utilizing the lab has been positive.

“I just think it’s great that Deaf people and the Deaf Studies (program) finally have a space that they can call their own,” Baker said. “Deaf people deserve to have that space. It’s also great for hearing students to learn about Deaf culture and go into a Deaf space every day.”

During the Open House, which the Deaf Studies program hopes to make an annual event, visitors met with representatives from the undergraduate Deaf Studies program, credential programs in Deaf Education and ASL Club. Activities included mini-workshops and information sessions and a photo booth with silly hats and props.

“It’s ultimately the students who have shaped the space into what it is today. Their enthusiasm, sense of community and commitment to making the lab their own have been the key drivers behind its ongoing success.” — Nate Dutra, assistant professor in Deaf Studies and ASL

Those who attended the event echoed the importance of having a dedicated on-campus space for both Deaf Studies students and as Deaf individuals in general.

“I just think that submersion into the language and the culture is so very important,” said Andrea Adams, a Deaf Studies alum who is now a graduate student in Educational Leadership and staff member in Family and Consumer Sciences. “The fact that they’re offering a space where students can get that interaction, not only with their peers, but also with their Deaf faculty (is really important) because that’s really how you master the language.”

Merrissa Brambila, president of the ASL Club and double major in Deaf Studies and Music, said having a space where Deaf people can feel welcome and comfortable is vital.

“It’s great to be able to find a place where I, as a Deaf person, don’t feel lost,” Brambila said. “I like that I can come here and I know I’ll connect with people no matter what level of sign language skill they have.”

First-year Deaf Studies major Danica Spears, who is studying ASL because her mother is Deaf, said the lab has been a great resource.

“Every single day I’ve had a class in this building, I’ve been in the ASL Lab,” Spears said.

Dutra, the Deaf Studies and ASL professor, said the students who have already utilized the ASL Lab have helped it evolve far beyond what the faculty and administrators had imagined.

“It’s ultimately the students who have shaped the space into what it is today,” he said. “Their enthusiasm, sense of community and commitment to making the lab their own have been the key drivers behind its ongoing success.”

He added that increasing ASL fluency is a benefit to everyone in the Deaf community.

“When our students do well, the Sacramento Deaf community is better off,” he said. “We are training students who will go on to be interpreters, educators of the Deaf and ASL teachers.”

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Sacramento State announces plans to construct a new state-of-the-art football stadium

Posted on September 26, 2024 by Daniel Wilson

Originally published Sept. 26, 2024, by Sacramento State University Communications

Sacramento State announced today that the University will build a new state-of-the-art, multi-use sports and entertainment venue to replace Hornet Stadium and better position Hornet Athletics as a top program.

Sac State President Luke Wood, Athletics Director Mark Orr and Head Football Coach Andy Thompson made the announcement to a large group of media and members of the campus community assembled in the Welcome Center, where they spoke about the opportunities a new stadium will create for the University and beyond.

“The stadium is a commitment to our belief that Sacramento has a spirit and passion to turn this city into a college football town,” Wood said. “It will be a stadium worthy of Sacramento State’s academic and athletic prowess, and it will also honor our position as one of the top media markets in the country. We are excited about what the future will bring and can’t wait to open our new stadium.”

The new stadium’s conceptual design will be created by Missouri-based architecture firm Populous, which has worked on world-renowned facilities including Yankee Stadium, Citi Field, Oracle Park, Wimbledon and The Sphere in Las Vegas.

Sac State’s new stadium will be able to accommodate football, soccer and rugby, as well as professional and international competitions, club and other collegiate sports, NCAA championships, concerts and more.

“It’s about time we build a stadium worthy of this community and this campus, and I couldn’t be happier,” Orr said. “This is a tremendous step for this University. This stadium will have a profound effect on our community. I couldn’t be more excited about the future and impact it has on our athletic programs and our student-athletes.”

The new stadium will accommodate a minimum of 25,000 throughout its improved student and visitor seating, premium seating and boxes. The current stadium seats about 21,000 people. Improvements to restroom and concession facilities will also be made. The upgrades and increased capacity make the new facility a potential venue for future Commencement and Convocation ceremonies.

“When everybody’s pulling in the same direction, it’s magical. We are so fortunate that that’s taking place with this project.” — Mark Orr, Sac State Athletics director

A recently released feasibility study as well as the president’s listening sessions informed the decision to upgrade athletic facilities, which also includes now underway renovations to The WELL basketball gym.

“The things that we’re doing are meant to continue to improve our program,” Wood said. “No matter what our future holds, we would need to be moving forward with upgrades to athletic facilities anyhow.”

The new stadium’s construction is funded by money allocated for Athletics, including sponsorships and donor funds, Wood said, adding that none of the stadium’s funding will come from the University’s general fund nor will it have any impact on other campus programs or projects.

“As with all state institutions, we are under tough budgetary times,” Wood said. “Everyone across the state has had to tighten their belts, (but) unlike many (other) institutions, we’re not experiencing an enrollment decline. We’re in a good position, and this is a project that won’t be affecting the underlying budget for Sacramento State.”

Hornet Stadium was originally constructed in 1969, replacing what was then called Campus Stadium. The temporary facility accommodated just 6,000 spectators until it was upgraded in 1992 for the Sacramento Surge of the World League.

In addition to the highly successful Hornet Football program, which won Big Sky Conference championships in 2019, 2021 and 2022, the stadium has hosted many sporting and other events over the years, including Olympic track and field trials and championships, the Junior Olympics, the Sacramento Surge of the World League, and most recently, the Homeless World Cup.

Hornet Athletics includes 21 teams, 10 of which competed in conference championships last season, with seven bringing home championship trophies.

“I just appreciate (President Wood’s and Mark Orr’s) dedication to making things the very best for our student-athletes. and as coaches, that’s all we ask is to try to give our very best for our student-athletes,” Thompson said. “We’ve got a game this Saturday that we’re looking at, but today’s about this University moving forward and being able to offer the best facilities.”

Wood said renderings of the new stadium, which will begin construction at the end of the current season, will be released in the coming weeks along with other details.

Orr said the new stadium is a testament to what can be achieved when everyone works together, including campus and city leaders, students, faculty, staff and the entire Hornet Family.

“When everybody’s pulling in the same direction, it’s magical,” he said. “We are so fortunate that that’s taking place with this project.”

To learn more about the new stadium, including how to support the project, visit the Sac State website.

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