Happy New Year!

A new year brings new opportunities, and this year, I’m very excited to share some information about a new program being offered at PDC – one in which I know will bring many new research and career opportunities, as well as an enhanced college experience for our students.



PDC students can now obtain a bachelor of science degree in kinesiology with a concentration in exercise science.

Leading the effort at PDC is Dr. Sarah Dunn, who joined the kinesiology department as a tenure-track associate professor for PDC in 2020. Dr. Dunn is interested in how lifestyle interventions, incorporating healthy nutritional choices and physical activity prevent disease, in addition to diversifying her teaching practices to incorporate more active learning in the classroom. She is creating opportunities for peer learning and embedding research opportunities in her classroom using an evidenced based approach known as the CURE; course based undergraduate research experience.

Dr. Dunn was recently selected for a faculty fellow position in the Office of Student Research (OSR), for the Palm Desert Campus, where she will ensure that students at the Palm Desert Campus have access to research opportunities and work to promote student research and dissemination of the information, both on the campus and in the community. She will also coordinate with OSR to offer events, activities and workshops, promote OSR grant opportunities, advocate for students and faculty when it comes to funding decisions, and work to develop community partnerships to include in student research opportunities.

Dr. Dunn serves as the Chair of the Palm Desert Campus Faculty Scholarly Research and Creative Activities Committee and is already collaborating with faculty colleagues on campus to promote student engagement in research activities as well.

Alejandra Ramirez, a PDC kinesiology student, recently accepted her offer to be an Office of Student Research Coyote Research Ambassador for the Palm Desert Campus this academic year. Alejandra works closely with Dr. Dunn to not only bring OSR related events and activities to PDC in order to enhance the student learning experience, but also talks to students about the importance of this high impact practice during their undergraduate academic career. Alejandra can speak firsthand to her peer students about the benefits of engaging in research as an undergraduate student and the opportunities that have come from her involvement.

Under Dr. Dunn’s leadership, she and five students from the kinesiology program at PDC attended and presented research posters at the 2022 Southwest American College of Sports Medicine Conference in Costa Mesa this past October, and had their work published in the International Journal of Exercise Science. Participation in conferences promotes student success and engages students in high-impact practices by presenting their research findings from their course-based undergraduate research experiences.

Kinesiology students at PDC are also active in their student club – Kinesiology Student Association (KSA) - which unites students who have a common interest in the field of kinesiology; giving them the opportunity to create new friendships and network. KSA serves the community by volunteering and educating local students and residents, participates in health, wellness, and charity related activities in the community, creates social opportunities for all of its members, supplies students with information on education and careers after graduating from CSUSB, and improves members’ overall understanding of kinesiology.

You can learn more about the kinesiology program at CSUSB by visiting the department website.

The students at PDC benefit greatly from having such exceptional faculty on campus and are provided with so many opportunities to engage.

I am looking forward to a great year ahead!

Jake Zhu, Ph.D.

Dean, CSUSB Palm Desert Campus