Sharon Brown-Welty, dean of the Cal State San Bernardino Palm Desert Campus, will receive the Helene Galen Excellence in Education Award from the Women Leaders Forum of the Coachella Valley at its Feb. 3 “Women Who Rule” luncheon.

The valley-wide celebration pays tribute to women achieving the highest level of success and those making a difference in the community.

“Each one of the honorees chosen has exemplified a dedication to our community and serving others,” said event chair Mahasti Islami. “We are honored to recognize them as women who rule.”

All proceeds from the luncheon, and a matching donation from Pathways to Success, a division of the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership, will go directly toward college scholarships for the best and brightest members enrolled in WLF’s Young Women Leaders Mentoring Program.

Brown-Welty is a leader, visionary and an experienced education expert. Appointed in July 2014 as dean of the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus, Brown-Welty brought with her the personal mission to educate the young scholars of the Coachella Valley about the value of earning a college degree, maintaining access to higher education, and a vision for academic programs that directly benefit the region’s economic development.

With bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and an educational doctorate in higher education administration and policy studies from the University of Pittsburgh, Brown-Welty has served in a number of positions at Fresno State and at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Brown-Welty exemplifies excellence in the field of education as an accomplished writer, editor, reviewer and presenter of educational leadership. She extends her passion to community service as well – she actively volunteers on several local committees and is a strong leader in the World Affairs Council. Brown-Welty is married to John D. Welty, president emeritus, Fresno State, and together they have five children and six grandchildren.

Located in beautiful Palm Desert, the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees, a doctorate in educational leadership, and teacher credentials and certificates. With more than 1,400 students, it is the Coachella Valley’s four-year public university and plays a vital role in educating and training the region’s growing population.

For more information about the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus, contact Mike Singer in the campus’s Office of Public Affairs at msinger@csusb.edu or (760) 341-2883, ext. 78107 or visit the campus website.