The Palm Desert Campus chapter is one of only four Gerald R. Ford Presidential Fellows Program chapters in the U.S.
Led by CSUSB’s Office of Pre-College Programs, the four-week dual enrollment program provided 189 high school students the opportunity to earn college credit while experiencing college life. During the program, students received academic support, mentorship, and college and career preparation.
CSUSB delegations from the San Bernardino and Palm Desert campuses joined 26 universities and colleges representing five continents for a week of experiential learning, cultural exchange and global policy simulation. CSUSB was honored with a Distinguished Delegation Award at the closing ceremony.
The Palm Desert Campus team will join the team from the university’s San Bernardino campus at the NMUN conference in Banff, Alberta, Canada, marking a milestone in the university’s effort to expand global learning opportunities across both campuses.
Michelle Lorimer and Michael Karp (history), Mike Stull (entrepreneurship), Enrique Murillo Jr. (education), Kevin Grisham (global studies) and Brian Levin (criminal justice, emeritus) were mentioned in recent news coverage.
Students will become fellows through a rigorous, multi-stage selection process designed to identify individuals who exemplify the values of civic responsibility, ethical leadership and public service.
The students, representing the Republic of Guinea-Bissau and the Republic of Vanuatu, brought home a Distinguished Delegation Award, making it 33 years the program has been honored with either an Outstanding Delegation or Distinguished Delegation award, the top recognitions bestowed by the National Model United Nations Conference.
As the Palm Desert Campus continues to expand its programs and services to meet the needs of the local community and beyond, the addition of these accomplished faculty members underscores the university’s dedication to providing high-quality education and fostering an inclusive learning environment.
“I’m overwhelmed and humbled,” said Manijeh Badiee, professor of psychology. “This is the one award that means so much to me. I love teaching. I love our students. They’re why I do what I do.”