Cal State San Bernardino played a leading role in national discussions on higher education leadership and resilience at the Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences (CCAS) 60th Annual Meeting in St. Louis.

Sastry Pantula, dean of the College of Natural Sciences, organized and moderated the panel “A Year of Constant Change – Survive/Thrive,” which focused on how academic leaders can adapt and succeed amid shifting challenges in higher education. The panel featured Christina Hassija, dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, along with deans from Portland State University, Eastern Washington University, and San Diego State University.

Sastry Pantula
Sastry Pantula, dean of the College of Natural Sciences, organized and moderated the panel, “A Year of Constant Change – Survive/Thrive,” at the Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences 60th Annual Meeting.

Carol Hood and Guillermo Escalante, associate deans in the College of Natural Sciences, also participated in the meeting. Hood led a panel on work-life balance for associate deans, addressing strategies to support effective and sustainable leadership.

In addition, Pantula nominated the American Statistical Association (ASA) for the CCAS Arts & Sciences Advocacy Award, which the organization received during the meeting. ASA’s executive director gave a presentation that highlighted the value of the federal statistical system, the importance of trust in data, distinctions among related disciplines, and the need for excellence in teaching introductory statistics.

CCAS is a national organization that supports deans and academic leaders through professional development, collaboration and advocacy for liberal learning. The meeting, held Nov. 5-8, centered on the theme “Resilience, Perseverance, and Community,” bringing together academic leaders from across the country to share best practices and strengthen liberal arts and sciences education.