SSU Home Page Refreshed

The SSU website home page received a face lift Jan. 23 when a new design with new photos was put online. The new home page does not represent a total redesign of the previous look. It is merely a refresh, according to Sandy Destiny in University Affairs, who put together the new page with Barbara Moore in Information Technology. The navigation and content on the page remain the same as does the remainder of the site's design. The page loads much faster than the previous page and meets CSU requirements for accessibility, Moore notes. A total redesign of the SSU website is slated for Destiny and Moore. The plan will be unveiled with the start of fall semester classes.

North Bay Economic Outlook Conference Focuses on Financial Industry's Future

The future of the North Bay's financial industry is the topic of the 2009 North Bay Economic Outlook Conference sponsored by Sonoma State University's School of Business and Economics from 7:30 a.m. to noon on Feb. 6 at the Sheraton Hotel in Petaluma.

The program includes a discussion of North Bay economic trends by Robert Eyler, Economics Department Chair and Director of the Center for Regional Economic Analysis, and Brian Sobel, President, Sobel Communications. Noreen Evans, California State Assemblymember, will deliver the keynote address.

Panel speakers include: Kimberly Kaselionis, President & CEO, Circle Bank; Peter O'Brien, Leasing & Investments Agent, Orion Partners; Vic Motto, CEO, Global Wine Partners (US), LLC; Brian Kelly, President & CEO, Charter Oak Bank and Brian Pretti, CFA, Senior Vice President, Mechanics Bank.

For additional information or to register for the conference, go to www.sonoma.edu/sbe or phone x4-2220. To receive the official conference registration brochure, send a mailing address to Shalyn Eyler, shalyn.eyer@sonoma.edu.

Business & Economics Mentoring Program Launched

The Center for Advising and Placement (CAP) within the School of Business and Economics (SBE) is launching a Mentor Program for its students this spring. Designed to provide opportunities for students to explore professions, organizations, and industries in the world of work, the Program facilitates the career search process; the development of meaningful interactions with business professionals; and the understanding of how classroom learning applies to the real world.

Eighteen business and economics students were selected as mentees in a competitive process. They have been carefully matched with mentors from the following organizations: Golden Pacific Systems, GCX Corporation, SSU Athletic Department, Kaiser-Permanente, Adecco, Exchange Bank, State Farm Insurance, Redwood Credit Union, Orion, Sonoma County Vintners, Kendall-Jackson, Wells Fargo, Indigenous Designs, Dry Creek Rancheria, Agilent, Trinchero Family Estates, and Moss Adams.

A Kick-Off breakfast at SSU on January 30 will provide time for students to meet their mentors, discuss individual goals, and plan their semester schedule of shared activities.