Welcome to Academics
Nine top graduating seniors were named Undergraduate Deans Medalists for the Class of 2011 at California State University, Fresno. The medalists are chosen as the outstanding students in each of the university’s eight schools and colleges of academic discipline and the Division of Student Affairs. The dean of each college/school selects an undergraduate medalist and a graduate medalist based on academic excellence, community involvement and other achievements. 
The goals of the African American Edge Initiative Pilot Program are to provide formal, sustainable support from the University, and specifically African American faculty and staff, to give African American students an edge; namely, the opportunity to see that they can succeed by working hard, while never giving up their identities. Goals also include establishing a long-term, self-sustaining mentorship program on campus. Mentors will be African American faculty and staff on campus who will provide both care and guidance to African American students at Fresno State. 
Fresno State launched its own campus' Red Balloon discussion on Oct. 19 as the "Red Balloon Launch: Reaching for New Heights, Strengthening Student Success by Promoting Engaged Learning." Task forces were formed in four areas: institutional organization and infrastructure; curruculum, course and instructional redesign; faculty workload; and enrollment management. 
Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the Title V - Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) program provides grants to expand educational opportunities for, and improve the attainment of, Hispanic students. The HSI program Title V grants also enable HSIs to expand and enhance their academic offerings, program quality, and institutional stability. The Title V – HSI grant in the amount of $3.18 million was awarded to California State University, Fresno to serve Hispanic Students through September 30, 2015. 
Provost William R. Covino named Dr. Anne Petrovich, Associate Professor of Social Work Education, the recipient of the top teaching honor at California State University, Fresno. The Provost’s Awards also honored Dr. David Schecter, Political Science Department, Faculty Service Award; Dr. Susan Tracz, Educational Research and Administration Department, Graduate Teaching and Mentoring Award; Dr. Mamta Rawat, Biology Department, Research, Scholarship and Creative Activities Award; and Dr. Brent Auernheimer, Computer Science Department /TILT, Technology in Education Award. Promising New Faculty honorees were Dr. Melissa Golden, Chemistry; Dr. J. Daniel Herring, Theatre Arts; Dr. Thomas Loewenheim, Music; Dr. Ulrike Müller, Biology; and Dr. Melanie Ram, Political Science. 
Nine top graduate students were named Deans’ Graduate Medalists for the Class of 2011 at California State University, Fresno, chosen as the outstanding student in each of the university’s eight schools and colleges and the Division of Student Affairs. Each dean selects a graduate medalist based on academic excellence, community involvement and other achievements. 
We Have Much to Celebrate!
From our beginnings in 1911 as Fresno State Normal School, we have grown to eight Schools and Colleges serving more than 22,000 students. Today's students enjoy state-of-the-art facilities, an energizing campus atmosphere, and dedicated faculty who keep us at the cutting edge of new knowledge.
We look toward a future that offers our undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to conduct path-breaking research alongside their professors, and to add
to the more than one million hours of community service that the university community contributes annually.
The Provost’s Awards Lecture Series
This series is intended to honor and showcase each year's recipients of the Provost's Award for Excellence in Teaching, Technology in Education, Graduate Teaching and Mentoring, Faculty Service, and Research, Scholarship, and Creative Accomplishment.
The 2011-12 series schedule is posted at this link.