Francisco Escobedo to Lead SDSU’s Efforts to Transform Urban Schools

Photo courtesy Chula Vista Elementary School District.

By Michael Klitzing

Three decades have passed, but Francisco Escobedo remembers that afternoon like it was yesterday. He remembers slapping steel handcuffs on the wrists of a boy, no more than 16 years old. Most of all, he remembers the look in his eyes. 

It was at the height of the crack cocaine epidemic of the 1980s, and the kid was clearly high — but there was something else. Something more haunting. 

“It was almost hollow,” Escobedo recalls. “Devoid of hope.” 

CFD’s Cassandra Libang Named a Quest for the Best Winner

By SDSU News Team

Child and family development senior Cassandra Libang has been named one of 10 recipients of San Diego State University’s Quest for the Best Vice Presidential Student Service Award. The Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity honor recognizes outstanding student leaders at SDSU in four key areas: academic excellence, student service and activities, community service and leadership development. 

Student winners were asked to nominate a faculty or staff member who made a significant and positive impact on their personal growth and development during their time at SDSU. Libang selected Hsing-chen Tung, lecturer in the Department of Child and Family Development. 

As Districts Return In-Person, it’s Back to School for Many Credential Students

From left: Credential students Jake Palacio, Valerie Salgado and Tasha Irianto.

By Michael Klitzing

Tasha Irianto says it’s the little moments she’s missed the most. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the San Diego State University teaching credential student went months without seeing her second graders outside of a Zoom window. 

“I feel like everything online is so structured,” said Irianto, who is completing her student teaching at San Diego’s Oak Park Elementary. “We don't get any of that natural classroom interaction where the kids are telling me about their weekend while putting their backpacks on.” 

For Irianto and hundreds of SDSU’s future educators, those small yet meaningful connections are coming back.

Dr. Charles Degeneffe Elected New Chair of ARPE Department

By Michael Klitzing

For the first time in nearly 13 years, San Diego State University’s Department of Administration, Rehabilitation and Postsecondary Education (ARPE) is about to be under new management. 

Dr. Charles Degeneffe, professor of rehabilitation counseling, has been elected the new chair of ARPE. As of July 1, 2021, he will succeed the retiring Dr. Caren Sax, who has served as chair since 2008. 

New Center Focuses on Early Childhood Development, Education, Mental Health

By Michael Klitzing

A new center to improve well-being in early childhood and create a coordinated network of care is being created at San Diego State University’s Department of Child and Family Development (CFD). 

The Center for Excellence in Early Development (CEED) will work to bring together school districts, pediatricians, care providers, policymakers and scholars with a focus on early childhood. The center will also facilitate research and contribute to the preparation of the early childhood workforce. 

JDP Students Shine at 2021 SDSU Student Research Symposium

From left: Reka Barton, Nora Leyva and Amir Zargar.

By Michael Klitzing

Three students in San Diego State University’s Joint Doctoral Program in Education with Claremont Graduate University were honored for their research excellence at the 2021 SDSU Student Research Symposium (SRS). 

Nora Leyva, Reka Barton and Amir Zargar were all recipients of the College of Education Dean’s Award at the annual public forum where SDSU students present their research, scholarship and creative activities. SRS took place virtually on March 19 and 20. 

7 Things You Didn’t Know About Amy Rascop

You might know Amy Rascop as the hard-working executive assistant to Dean Y. Barry Chung. But did you know you’re likely to find her rollerskating, hiking in the wilderness or cruising on the back of a Harley? Find out more in this edition of 7 Things You Didn’t Know About Faculty and Staff. 

School Back in Session, Dr. Tonika Green Offers Advice to Parents on CBS 8, NBC 7

With in-person instruction resuming in San Diego schools, Dr. Tonika Green, professor in counseling and school psychology, joined CBS News 8 over the weekend to talk about what parents need to know about preparing their kids to return to the classroom.

Faculty Focus: A Powerful Voice Against Anti-Asian Racism

By Michael Klitzing

Dr. Nellie Tran was already writing her congressional testimony on anti-Asian discrimination and violence when news broke about the killing of eight people — six of them Asian American women — in a series of mass shootings in Georgia. The Mar. 16 incident put a horrific spotlight on the surge of racism and violence targeting Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Two days later, Tran — associate professor in counseling and school psychology at San Diego State University and vice president of the Asian American Psychological Association (AAPA) — and Anne Saw from DePaul University submitted the AAPA’s written testimony to the House Judiciary Committee’s hearing on Discrimination and Violence Against Asian Americans. The document provided both historical context for anti-Asian racism as well as recommendations for federal action. 

COE Stories: Faculty Members Share Personal Reflections on Cesar Chavez

 Dr. Lupe Holguin Buell and Sheila Solórzano

In honor of Cesar Chavez Day on March 31, two San Diego State University College of Education faculty members and alumnae share their personal memories of Chavez and the movement he led. Dr. Lupe Holguin Buell ('85, ’02) is single-subject coordinator and Sheila Solórzano ('77, '78) is bilingual credential program supervisor in the Department of Dual Language and English Learner Education.

U.S. News & World Report Ranks SDSU College of Education No. 55 in Nation

By Michael Klitzing

San Diego State University continues to rank among the nation’s best graduate colleges of education, according to the latest rankings released today by U.S. News & World Report.

The College of Education (COE) ranked No. 55 in the publication’s 2022 edition of Best Graduate Education Schools. SDSU also ranked No. 42 in the nation among public institutions and No. 8 in the state of California. 

Invisibles No More! Dismantling Anti-AAPI Hate and Racism in Education

A statement from Y. Barry Chung, Dean; Cristian Aquino-Sterling, Associate Dean for Diversity & International Affairs, College of Education: 

Unspeakable acts of violence towards Asian, Asian-American, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities have dangerously escalated across the U.S. in the wake of COVID-19. This is another deadly pandemic — one that has continued to dehumanize AAPI individuals, families, and communities. 

Ed.D. Student, Award-Winning Principal Jackson-Hubbard Transforms Lives

By Michael Klitzing

In a role many associate with punishment and discipline, Bell Middle School principal Precious Jackson-Hubbard is making a difference in one San Diego community by offering students something else entirely: love.

It’s a love that comes from a place of profound understanding.

“I look at these young people and I see myself, my little brothers, my little cousins — I see a lot of little Preciouses,” said Jackson-Hubbard, a student in San Diego State University’s Ed.D. in Educational Leadership program whose personal and professional journey was inspired by mentorship she received as a teenager from an SDSU faculty member.

DLE COIL Program Connects Future Teachers in the U.S. and Mexico

Photo illustration by Manny Uribe

By Michael Klitzing

At a time when COVID-19 restrictions have ground non-essential border traffic to a halt, San Diego State University is using an innovative virtual approach to continue offering its bilingual teacher credential candidates an immersive global experience. 

For the past decade, SDSU’s Department of Dual Language and English Learner Education (DLE) has operated a trans-border study abroad course that puts future bilingual educators into classrooms in the Mexican border cities of Tijuana and Tecate. A requirement for all DLE candidates, the program offers a deep dive into Mexico’s education system and the realities facing its migrant communities. 

Chung Elected to Executive Committee for Association of Education Deans

By Michael Klitzing

Y. Barry Chung, Dean of the San Diego State University College of Education, has been elected to the executive committee of one of North America’s top associations of education deans. 

The Council of Academic Deans from Research Education Institutions (CADREI) is an assembly of 150 education deans from universities classified as very high research activity (R1) and high research activity (R2). SDSU is the only California State University and one of only four public institutions in the state to be represented.