December 2019
Dean's Message
Season’s Greetings!
 
Thanksgiving brings opportunities for us to reflect, to be thankful and to hope. For me, the spirit of the holiday is also about our work, collegiality, gratitude and celebration.
 
I am grateful that I have the opportunity to get to know the Coachella Valley and its people, and to become part of this wonderful community.
 
I am grateful to the community for its generosity. All 9 of our local cities came together to build this campus. Without their support, our Palm Desert Campus wouldn’t exist today.
 
I am grateful that the Palm Desert Campus has received continuous support from so many individuals, local businesses, non-profit organizations and volunteers. So many reach out on a daily basis asking how they can help support our campus and our students.
 
I am grateful to the members of our PDC Advancement Board and our Cal State University Associates Board, who constantly remind me of the needs of the Valley, actively fundraise for various programs and scholarships and enthusiastically market our programs to the community. Their support is key to preparing our students to be job and career ready.
 
I am grateful for the daily work that all PDC staff and faculty are doing in supporting our students, performing college operations, managing programs and teaching classes. It is important to share that I truly believe that the work they are doing will have profound impacts on students, families and our community.
 
In the new year, I am looking forward to many exciting things, including the opening of our new iHub in early 2020 and the continued growth of our campus, including enrollment, student services and community outreach.

I hope you will enjoy good times with your family and loved ones. I wish each one of you a joyful holiday season!

Sincerely,  
‌
Jake Zhu, Ph.D.
Dean, CSUSB Palm Desert Campus
Betty Barker
‌
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Betty Barker.

Betty served as the capital campaign co-chair, along with Dick Oliphant, and was instrumental in raising the funds to build our beautiful campus.

She will be greatly missed.
Campus Highlights
New programs at PDC
Hospitality Management, Entrepreneurship and Cybersecurity programs are now offered at PDC!
CVHS Hospitality Academy visit
We welcomed a group of students from the Hospitality Academy at Coachella Valley High School to learn more about our new hospitality management program set to begin in fall 2020.

We hope many of them will choose to attend PDC next fall!
PAWS Radio
We congratulate PAWS Radio station manager and PDC faculty member, Lacey Kendall, for being selected to deliver the Commencement Address to the graduates of Concorde Career College on November 21. More than 1,300 guests attended the ceremony at the Riverside Municipal Auditorium.
Thanksgiving BBQ
We celebrated Thanksgiving a little early at our Thanksgiving BBQ on Nov. 26. Students enjoyed food, music and games. Non-perishable food was also collected for those in need.
PDC students attend economic summit
A group of 15 students from PDC spent a few hours off campus on Nov. 19 at the Annual Greater Palm Springs Economic Summit where they learned important information about our region's economy.
First-Generation event
A special event for first-generation students, faculty, staff, administrators and allies was held on Nov. 21. Speakers shared their experiences and inspiring stories.

CSUSB wants first-generation students to know that they are not alone and we are here to support their journey at CSUSB.
Seventh annual art exhibition benefits student scholarships
The paintings of artist and Cal State San Bernardino alumna Jean Vezzalini are currently on exhibit in the lobby of our Indian Wells Theater through May 2020, and all proceeds from the exhibition will benefit student scholarships.
PAWS (Pet Away Worries & Stress)
Each quarter during finals week you'll find therapy dogs from Animal Samaritans on campus helping students relieve stress and anxiety. This week's event was well attended!
Even if you're not looking to earn a degree, there's something for everyone at PDC!
Register for OLLI courses
At OLLI, you'll find a wide variety of stimulating courses to keep you engaged intellectually, challenge your thinking and build your knowledge.
Join the Cal State University Associates
Attend monthly entertaining and informative presentations in our Indian Wells Theater - each with a reception. Plus, the majority of membership dues benefit student scholarships!
California Desert Chorale presents "Let There Be Peace"
The California Desert Chorale is an ensemble comprised of talented professional and amateur singers who bring a wealth of musical education and varied choral experience to the group. Their holiday show features works that reflect on the “Let There Be Peace” theme.