PAST EVENTS
Process Improvement & Lean Operations Team (PILOT): Year-End Campuswide Improvement Showcase
What happens when a campus comes together to rethink how work gets done?
Real impact. Meaningful change. A better experience for our students, faculty, and staff.
This year, through PILOT, teams across campus have stepped forward to challenge the status quo, streamline processes, and turn everyday frustrations into measurable improvements.
You should have joined us for this engaging, high-energy event!
From takeoff to landing, this aviation-themed experience highlighted how continuous improvement was taking flight across our campus.
Why You Should Have Joined Us:
- We Connected & Collaborated: Stepped away from our day-to-day, enjoyed a complimentary lunch, and built meaningful connections with colleagues across campus.
- We Celebrated our Colleagues: Cheered on teams who have led improvement efforts, recognized their impact, and became part of a culture that values innovation and shared success.
- We Saw Real Impact: Experienced how everyday challenges are being transformed into measurable results by saving time, improving service, and strengthening operations.
- We Learned & Applied: Gained simple, practical ideas we can use immediately to make our own work more efficient and effective.
- We Got Inspired & Got Involved: Discovered what’s possible, saw what we may have been missing, and learned how we can be part of the growing continuous improvement movement at CSUSB.
Data doesn’t have to be intimidating. Great improvement work starts with great data, and it’s the heartbeat of every successful Lean Six Sigma project. In this session, we learned how to collect it, measure it, and make it meaningful. We discovered how the right data transforms assumptions into facts, reveals hidden bottlenecks, strengthens compliance, and drives smarter decision-making. We left with practical tools, simple techniques, and real confidence to measure what matters.
Those who joined us for this interactive and engaging session explored the Root Cause Analysis process within the process improvement framework. This session demonstrated the use of tools such as the Ishikawa diagram, the 5 Whys, and other collaborative processes to help you identify the root cause of the problems within processes.
Those who joined us explored process mapping during a process improvement event. This important step in the process improvement toolkit helps us visualize work and create a shared understanding about all the steps in processes. We explored how to create both swimlane diagrams and value stream maps while showcasing a set of tools you can use to be successful in your own process improvement journey.
Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification Cohort #2 (CEGE)
Friday, February 20th 2026
CGI-203
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Lean Six Sigma consists of the most powerful process improvement methodologies, and its primary focus is to remove wasteful steps and inefficiencies to provide a better and faster response to client needs. The tools are easy to understand, team-oriented, and have been proven to dramatically improve quality and operations.
Students have:
• Learned the language and core concepts of Lean Six Sigma and process improvement.
• Built a working knowledge of key tools and how to apply them in a higher education setting.
• Identified “non-value-added” activities and waste in everyday processes.
• Measured and analyzed process data to uncover improvement opportunities.
• Understood the importance of integrating the Voice of the Customer into any initiative.
Topics Covered: DMAIC, VOC, 8 Wastes, 5S, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), Gemba, Ishikawa (Fishbone Diagram), Kaizen, Control Plan, 5 Whys, Change Management
Unlock the secret to solving the right problems! This was a fast-paced, interactive workshop that changed the way we saw everyday challenges! In this high-energy session, we learned how to turn confusing, frustrating, or messy process issues into crystal-clear MUST problem statements that drive real results. We broke it down together with engaging activities, peer collaboration, and practical examples. Whether you were new to continuous improvement or a seasoned pro, you would have walked away with a simple, powerful tool you can use immediately to improve your work across campus.
Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification Cohort #1 (CEGE)
Thursday, November 20th 2025
CGI-203
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Lean Six Sigma consists of the most powerful process improvement methodologies, and its primary focus is to remove wasteful steps and inefficiencies to provide a better and faster response to client needs. The tools are easy to understand, team-oriented, and have been proven to dramatically improve quality and operations.
Students have:
• Learned the language and core concepts of Lean Six Sigma and process improvement.
• Built a working knowledge of key tools and how to apply them in a higher education setting.
• Identified “non-value-added” activities and waste in everyday processes.
• Measured and analyzed process data to uncover improvement opportunities.
• Understood the importance of integrating the Voice of the Customer into any initiative.
Topics Covered: DMAIC, VOC, 8 Wastes, 5S, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), Gemba, Ishikawa (Fishbone Diagram), Kaizen, Control Plan, 5 Whys, Change Management
The excitement continues! After our incredible kickoff event, it was time to turn inspiration into action. This was our first PILOT workshop, where we uncovered the core principles of Lean Six Sigma (LSS), the method behind smarter, faster, and better ways of working. We also learned how to assess current processes to spot real opportunities for improvement. We walked away energized, equipped, and ready to ignite positive change in our area!
Process Improvement & Lean Operations Team (PILOT): Continuous Improvement Kickoff
This event was the official launch of CSUSB’s continuous improvement journey. Those who participated helped establish a foundation for a culture that empowers people, improves processes, and promotes excellence on campus.
Featuring Keynote Speaker: Dr. Ron Glickman
CIO, Trader Joe’s | Adjunct Professor, Cal State LA | Author of Lead for a Change
Dr. Ron Glickman is a seasoned business executive with a proven track record for developing high potential talent and motivating culturally diverse teams to deliver breakthrough results. Throughout his 30+ year career, a dual focus on “performing while transforming” has been the cornerstone of his change leadership philosophy and the basis for his award-winning book Lead for a Change: Proven Strategies to Clarify Expectations, Foster Growth, and Achieve Breakthroughs. Ron is currently the CIO at Trader Joe’s Company. He is also an Adjunct Professor at Cal State LA, where he teaches in the colleges of Business and Economics and Professional and Global Education.
Who Should Have Joined Us:
- Faculty: Explored how industry leaders drive transformation and cultivate high-performing teams. Took away lessons that connect directly to teaching, research, and mentoring future leaders.
- Staff: Learned strategies for thriving in times of change, built cross-campus collaboration, and improved the way we serve students and each other every day.
Why You Should Have Joined Us:
- We Connected & Collaborated: Learned together, shared a delicious complimentary lunch, and strengthened our campus connections.
- We Shaped the Future: Played a critical role in launching CSUSB’s continuous improvement campaign and helped us reach new heights.
- We Learned & Grew: Explored our first continuous improvement lesson, “Voice of the Customer,” and how it connects directly to student experience and campus operations.