November 2019
Dean's Message
I am truly honored and excited to serve as the new dean at the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus. My new role at the PDC began in early July, and since then, I have learned so much about the campus, the extraordinary students and the generous local communities.
 
The Coachella Valley is a place where people are linked by different groups of human networks in which we are all inter-connected and provide support for one another. Since arriving on campus, I could not be more impressed with the support I have received from PDC friends, as well as local cities and organizations. The Valley is a place where people really care about education. The PDC is a unique public university campus that was envisioned and built with the financial support of local residents, cities and philanthropic organizations. I enjoy sharing the story with people in the Cal State system to give them a sense of how committed and generous the people of the Coachella Valley really are. Then there are the PDC students who work so hard and deserve both an unforgettable college experience and a meaningful degree.
 
This year, we welcomed our first group of students in the new hospitality management program – a program I know will grow quickly. I am proud to say that this program is the first academic program at CSUSB that is offered exclusively at the PDC. We have an opportunity to provide a unique experience for our students through mentorships, experiential learning, job shadowing and much more.
 
We also began to offer the entrepreneurship program where students will learn the skills needed to thrive in the current and future technology-networked economy. Thanks to the support of the city of Palm Desert, the Palm Desert iHub is currently under construction and is scheduled to open next year. We will also see the CSUSB cyber security program come to the PDC next year as well.
 
To me, PDC exists because of the people and the communities in the Coachella Valley. My goals are to grow the campus by enhancing our academic programs, elevating students’ experiences and expanding our resources and service capacity while we continue to engage with our local communities and contribute to the future prosperity of the Coachella Valley and beyond.
 
Here's to a great year!
‌
Jake Zhu, Ph.D.
Dean, CSUSB Palm Desert Campus
Campus Highlights
New associate dean
Anissa Rogers has been named the new associate dean of the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus. She began her new position on Aug. 28.
2019-2020 Rogers Scholars
15 undergraduate students from the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus were celebrated at the 25 th annual Rogers Scholarship Dinner held at the Miramonte Indian Wells Resort & Spa on Oct. 1.
2019-2020 University Legacy Scholars
Five first-year students attending the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus this fall will each receive a University Legacy Scholarship that will cover their full tuition and fees, net of financial aid, for four years, leading to a baccalaureate degree.
SunLine Transit Agency expands Haul Pass program to PDC students
Thanks to a new partnership, PDC students can now ride SunLine Transit Agency buses for free!
PDC nursing program receives grant to help the homeless
A nearly $63,000 grant to strengthen street medicine efforts for the homeless and unsheltered people in the Coachella Valley was awarded to the PDC nursing program.
Dean Zhu featured in Palm Springs Life
PDC dean Dr. Jake Zhu was featured in the annual Palm Springs Life Vision campaign.
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!
Special Events
Convocation 2019
CSUSB Palm Desert Campus celebrated Convocation on Sept. 19 to welcome students, faculty, staff and community members to the 2019-20 academic year.
Festival Hispano
PDC held a Festival Hispano event on Oct. 10 to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, which recognizes the contributions, heritage and culture of Hispanics and Latino Americans.
Fall Fest 2019
Students had a great time welcoming fall (and cooler temperatures) at this year's Fall Fest event on Oct. 4.
PDC dean honored
CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales and the Dr. Carreon Foundation Board of Directors held a special reception on Oct. 14 to welcome Dr. Jake Zhu as the new dean of the Palm Desert Campus. The Foundation awards financial scholarships each year to deserving local students - many of whom attend the PDC.
HACU Conference 2019
The PDC dean traveled with staff and students to Chicago to attend the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) annual conference. Students attended sessions where they learned about networking and leadership, while the sessions for staff focused on best practices for supporting students.
Golf Cart Parade
PDC was proud to be a part of the annual Palm Desert Golf Cart Parade on Oct. 27. Our students worked hard to decorate the golf cart and it was a beautiful day for a drive down El Paseo.
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.