Every member of the university community plays an essential role in sustaining a safe, caring, and respectful environment. Guided by CSUSB’s core values, the Culture of Thriving articulates a shared set of ideals that reflect how we engage with one another as colleagues, educators, and community members.
Developed through broad campus input, these ideals represent our collective commitment to navigating challenges and moments of adversity with kindness, professionalism, accountability, and mutual respect. Together, they provide a foundation for a university culture where individuals feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed.
Our Commitment to a Culture of Thriving
We aspire to a Culture of Thriving by:
1. Centering student success
Upholding student success as a shared priority by nurturing intellectual curiosity, innovation, and critical thinking; taking responsibility for our decisions and actions; and making transparent, values-based decisions with students at the forefront.
2. Supporting the well-being and success of colleagues
Creating an environment where colleagues can flourish by treating one another with respect regardless of role or status; ensuring diverse voices are heard and considered; communicating constructively and professionally; and engaging with empathy, compassion, and collegiality.
3. Strengthening our role as an engaged community partner
Actively collaborating with our broader community to advance a more equitable, informed, and compassionate society—guided by responsible stewardship of institutional resources and a strong commitment, as an anchor institution, to meaningful and lasting impact locally and beyond.
Bringing These Ideals to Life
A Culture of Thriving is sustained through everyday actions, including:
- Practicing small acts of kindness that create a ripple effect of positivity and care
- Treating others with respect, especially when perspectives differ
- Thinking before speaking and communicating with intention, care, and professionalism
- Assuming good intent and recognizing that others are doing their best
- Encouraging one another and offering support during times of need
Together, these actions help foster a campus environment rooted in dignity, belonging, and shared responsibility.
Culture of Thriving Committee
The Culture of Thriving initiative is tied to the university’s core values, strategic plan, and the HERI climate survey results. The leadership team is a diverse, cross-divisional group. Their work reflects a shared commitment to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and thriving campus community.
Committee Members
- Taylor Adams
Supervising Electrician, Facilities - Mark Agars
Professor of Psychology; Director, Institute for Child Development and Family Relations - Alisha Beal
Executive Director, Employee and Labor Relations, Human Resources Division - Kelly Campbell
Vice Provost for Academic Affairs; Senior Diversity Officer - Dorothy Chen
Nutritional Science and Dietetics Program Coordinator, Department of Health Science and Human Ecology - Jacqueline Coyle Shapiro
Professor of Management, Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration - Lisa Gordon
Administrative Support Coordinator II, Departments of Marketing & Accounting and Finance - Christina Hassija
Dean, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences - Kalie King
Associate Director, Compliance and Strategic Initiatives - Blaise Morita
Project Coordinator, Information Technology Services - Bradford Owen
Associate Vice President for Faculty Development - Robin Phillips
Vice President for Human Resources; Senior Diversity Officer - John Reitzel
Chair, Educational Policy and Resources Committee, School of Criminology & Criminal Justice - Jennifer Sorenson
Chief Administrative Officer, Finance, Technology & Operations - Ted Young
Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs and Development
Current Projects
- Merging Staff & faculty events / recognitions / ceremonies
- Roundtables & Workshops on important topics
- University garden expansion
- Thrive Chats / Social Gatherings / Community Building
- Monthly ‘Thrive Shoutout’
- Ideals & Meeting Greeting