Recent Entries in Spotlight

luke.pngIntrigued by the environment at a young age, Sonoma State Director of Field Stations & Nature Preserves Claudia Luke always knew that her place was outdoors. "When I was in 5th grade, I went home and I asked my mom what do you call somebody who studies animals," Luke reminisced. "So at a very young age, I knew I wanted to learn about the natural world."

markfabionar.jpegComing from a family of educators, Mark Fabionar finds the subject of cultural diversity to be "an interesting and compelling way to serve communities and serve universities," he says.

sullivansmall.pngBringing with her a passion for community service, Genevieve Sullivan finds her new role as the Community Service Coordinator of Join Us Making Progress (JUMP) to be a perfect fit.

reeder.jpgAssociate Professor Jeffery Reeder will soon be using his Spanish language expertise in a whole new way. Reeder has been appointed the Chief Reader Designate by the College Board to oversee the scoring of the Spanish Language Advanced Placement (AP) examination.

"I have been involved with the Spanish Language AP program for 18 years, including serving for six years as a member and then as chair of the committee that creates the exam itself," Reeder said. "It's a great honor to be chosen to lead a wonderful group of over a thousand talented and dedicated university faculty and high school teachers."

merlin_hanauer.jpgMerlin Hanauer, assistant professor of economics, has earned the prestigious Cozzarelli Prize for an article that demonstrated how protected regions -- areas that have been closed off to protect the environment -- have affected both poverty and deforestation in Costa Rica and Thailand.

cominksy.jpgSonoma State University professor and chair of physics and astronomy Dr. Lynn Cominsky has been selected as the September 2012 Committee on the Status of Women in Physics (CSWP) Woman Physicist of the Month.

carlos.jpegCarlos Pena dedicates his time to a community that needs it.

Over the past year Pena has spent his time working with local businesses and charitable organizations to improve Cotati and surrounding communities.

dinno.jpgThe North Bay Business Journal recently published the following article about SSU's Christopher Dinno who was among the Facilites Managers Recognition Award winners for 2012. Below is the interview he gave the publication.

troycullison.jpgTroy Cullison, a U.S. Navy veteran, brought a sophisticated group of skills to the SSU Liberal Studies Napa Valley Program having specialized in Instructional Technology in the U. S. Navy. But he also made a contribution in a special way for fellow students.

e.jpgEXCEL for Youth is a unique academic enrichment program at SSU that offers students entering 4-9th grades accelerated classes in science, math, technology, visual art, drama, and writing. It is celebrating its 30th year and has served over 19,000 students since 1982.

punyadroz.jpgHaving suffered through some of the brutal conflicts in Cambodia, Punya Droz of Mendocino has many scars. Yet she works tirelessly to bring a sense of independence to Cambodian youth, especially the blind and deaf.


Growing up in Cambodia, Droz survived a difficult and abusive childhood, and overcame numerous obstacles to reach her goal of completing college.

She joined hundreds of fellow seniors on SSU's main campus last week as a graduate with distinction from the Liberal Studies Ukiah B.A. program. She'll continue her education at Dominican University in pursuit of a teaching credential starting fall of 2012.


A mother herself, Droz currently designs, translates and writes educational materials to ensure that blind and deaf children in Cambodia get the help they need to not only get an education, but to operate independently in their communities.


She works with numerous groups in both the San Francisco Bay Area and in Cambodia in an effort to generate educational materials, guides, and resources for parents and teachers of students with special needs.


Droz recently completed a Special Studies project, for which she traveled to Cambodia. to continue her work with blind and deaf Cambodian children and their parents.


She created a compelling video showcasing her efforts in the Cambodian communities where her work is making a difference in many people's lives.

Sandra Feldman, Liberal Studies Ukiah program coordinator says she rarely sees such an accomplished and distinguished student who contributes tirelessly to help others.

"Punya stands out because she is selfless in contributing effort, time, and scholarship to help those in need, " says Feldman. " She works steadily with a quiet power giving a helping hand, using her gifts to contribute to making the world a better place. In her quest to better prepare and enable teachers and parents to work with blind and deaf Cambodian children, she is the ideal example for our future teachers of California. "

conoley.jpgWhat do The New Yorker, The Paris Review, Harpers and Sonoma State's literary magazine Volt all have in common? All were named a part of the Every Writer's Resource Top 50 Literary Magazines in the country. Sitting at number 37 is Volt, the start-up, independent magazine begun by poet Gillian Conoley that eventually became a nation-wide magazine based out of SSU.

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Arts and Lectures

  • Renowned poet Alice Notley at SSU, Nov. 29
  • Weill Hall provides backdrop for chamber music concerts
  • A Night Filled with Poetry by Writers at Sonoma