Ronald S. Rochon Appointed President of Cal State Fullerton

The California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees has appointed Ronald S. Rochon to serve as president of California State University, Fullerton. Rochon currently serves as president of the University of Southern Indiana.

“I am honored to join the Titan community and excited to work alongside the university’s talented faculty and staff to further support the success of its dynamic and diverse student body,” said Rochon. “I look forward to collaborating on strategies that will continue to strengthen Cal State Fullerton’s position as an intellectual and cultural catalyst in Southern California and advance its key role in workforce and economic development for the region.”

Rochon succeeds Interim President Sylvia A. Alva, who has served in the role since August 2023.

“Dr. Rochon is an innovative and student-centered leader who fosters a culture of collaboration and cultivates a community of care at the institutions he has served,” said Wenda Fong, chair of the CSU Board of Trustees. “With a career-long commitment to student success and data-driven decision making, Rochon is an exemplary fit to lead the university and set an ambitious trajectory for CSUF’s future.”

With over 30 years in higher education, Rochon’s academic and professional career has focused on advocating for educational excellence, access and equity. Under his presidency, the University of Southern Indiana (USI) experienced increased growth in the Indiana Commission for Higher Education’s performance funding metrics of overall degree completion, at-risk degree completion, STEM degree completion, student persistence and on-time graduation. He has intentionally guided the university to be a catalyst for change, creating a talented, educated citizenry that meets the leadership, entrepreneurial and workforce needs of today’s society. In 2021, Rochon implemented the university’s third strategic plan, “Accelerating Impact: 2021-2025,” with four overarching goals: improving student success; fostering impactful engagement; elevating visibility and reputation; and strengthening financial viability. This effort led to Rochon securing continued and significant state funding for USI, including the largest single capital appropriation for the university as of 2024.

Prior to his role as president, Rochon served as the university’s provost from 2010 to 2018, overseeing the revamping of USI’s University Core Curriculum and working with faculty to secure the approval of the university’s second doctoral program in educational leadership. In both his USI leadership roles Rochon has engaged in direct fundraising and solicitation of public funds and private gifts to advance institutional priorities.

Rochon came to USI from Buffalo State College in Buffalo, New York, where he served as the inaugural dean of the School of Education and associate vice president for Teacher Education and professor. He was director and co-founder of the Research Center for Cultural Diversity and Community Renewal at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, as well as interim director of the School of Education and associate dean of the university’s health and physical education college. His professional teaching career has included work at Texas A&M University, Washington State University and University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Rochon’s leadership has fostered service and academic advancement among a multitude of international communities. Through this work, he has maintained a forum for communication and learning that has increased international awareness, acceptance and understanding of cultures from all corners of the globe.

Nationally, Rochon serves as the chair of the Board of Directors for the American Association for State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and chair of the Board of Directors for the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), and has served as board chair for the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE).

In 2021, Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb appointed Rochon as commissioner of the Midwestern Higher Education Compact, and in 2020 he was appointed to the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet. He recently was named to Indiana Business Journal Media’s “Indiana 250” list for the third consecutive year. This recognition includes the state’s most influential leaders across many industries, such as education, healthcare and manufacturing. An active civic leader, Rochon serves on the boards of WNIN Public Broadcasting, Deaconess Health Systems and the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership, among others.

A first-generation college graduate, Rochon earned a bachelor’s degree at Tuskegee University and master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His doctoral work was in educational policy studies, with an emphasis on educational history and policy analysis.

Rochon will assume the university presidency on July 22.

American Counseling Association CEO Shawn Boynes Testifies on Need for Improved Mental Health Care for Black Men and Boys

American Counseling Association (ACA) CEO Shawn Boynes, FASAE, CAE, testified at a congressional hearing about the role counselors can play in providing support for Black men and boys and dismantling stigma around mental health concerns amidst increasing rates of suicide and mental illness in this community.

Boynes — along with leaders of the American Psychological Association, National Association of Social Workers, National Alliance on Mental Illness and American Public Health Association — spoke to the Caucus on the Commission on the Social Status of Black Men & Boys, chaired by Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.). The hearing, “Mayday: Suicide and the Mental Health of Black Men and Boys,” also featured testimonies from former NFL linebacker Marcus Smith, who discussed his personal struggles with mental health, and Grammy-nominated recording artist Raheem Devaughn, who shared his experience as a caregiver for a relative diagnosed with a mental illness.

Suicide rates among Black men are on an alarming rise, but their access to mental health care remains limited. Boynes discussed ACA’s work to increase awareness of mental health among Black men and urged the representatives to support legislation that increases funding for mental health training programs, provides incentives for mental health professionals to work in underserved areas, and expands loan forgiveness programs for individuals pursuing mental health careers.

“Counselors and other mental health providers are stretched thin because the demand for their services has far outpaced their availability to provide care, so we need legislative and community-based solutions to impactfully tackle the problem,” Boynes said in his written testimony.

“Black men make up only 15% of the mental health counselor workforce, a number that needs to increase so people are able to work with a therapist who they can relate to culturally,” he added. “We must address lagging pay, student loan forgiveness and other avenues to open up the pipeline of Black men trained to provide the necessary care for their communities and peers.”

The Commission, created by an act of Congress in 2020, is a nonpartisan federal agency that leads a national discussion on the issues facing Black men and boys. It includes lawmakers, government executives, activists and other stakeholders who will issue policy recommendations to Congress, the White House and federal agencies. The Caucus, which Wilson founded, will explore legislation aimed at implementing those recommendations.

THE TONY AWARDS & CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY PRESENT THE 2024 EXCELLENCE IN THEATRE EDUCATION AWARD TO CJAY PHILIP

CJay Philip, founder and creative director of Dance & Bmore theatre programs in Baltimore, Md., has been selected as the 2024 winner of the Excellence in Theatre Education Award. The award, co-founded by the American Theatre Wing, The Broadway League and Carnegie Mellon University, will be presented at the 77th Annual Tony Awards in New York City on Sunday, June 16.

Dance & Bmore's mission is to create meaningful human connections through movement, music and theatre in communities—with people at every age and stage of life—to enhance their social and emotional well-being. The performing arts program was established by Philip in 2010.

Dance & Bmore partners with organizations serving a diverse range of youth to ensure that young adults, regardless of their background or circumstances, have equal access to the transformative opportunities that theatre education provides. Enrollment in all Dance & Bmore programs is free. Youth are often paid honorariums or even salary for their community work through Dance & Bmore. For over a decade, Dance & Bmore's multigenerational ensembles have performed on stages throughout Baltimore, along with senior centers, adult day cares and low-income housing for elders.

"CJay actively works to remove barriers and create an inclusive environment in all Dance & Bmore's theatre programs," said Dance & Bmore's Director of Operations, Lauren Erazo, who submitted Philip's recommendation for the award.

Philip's programs develop both onstage and backstage proficiency for students in grades K-12. Past experience as a Broadway performer, dance captain, and assistant stage manager convinced her of the importance of youth learning multiple aspects of theatre-making.

A panel of theatre experts from the American Theatre Wing, The Broadway League and Carnegie Mellon University selected Philip from a nationwide call for entries.

"We are thrilled to honor CJay Philip with the Excellence in Theatre Education Award. Her unwavering dedication to providing her students with a safe space to foster their knowledge of theatre and build their confidence, while actively creating inclusive and accessible roles and programs, has instilled a passion and respect for the performing arts in the generations to come," said Jason Laks, interim president of The Broadway League and Heather Hitchens, president and CEO of the American Theatre Wing.

The Excellence in Theatre Education Award recognizes a K-12 theatre educator in the U.S. who has demonstrated exemplary impact on the lives of students and who embodies the highest standards of the profession. Philip will receive $10,000 for Dance & Bmore's theatre program and tickets to The Tony Awards and Gala. Philip's students will also receive a visiting Master Class taught by CMU Drama professors.

"Theatre is made in many ways, by many people," Philip said. "That's why we focus on helping young people learn about the many different aspects of working in the theatre. Exposure to the theatre and theatre arts improves everyone's quality of life."

Carnegie Mellon President Farnam Jahanian echoed that sentiment.

"CJay's dedication to nurturing future generations of performers, creators and art enthusiasts is extraordinary," says Jahanian. "Carnegie Mellon University is grateful to help elevate her story for the world to enjoy and thrilled to celebrate CJay and her enduring contributions as an arts educator, advocate and performer."

Philip knows well the path of performing and working in the theatre. A native of Albany, N.Y., she knew from an early age that the arts were an integral part of her world. At age 2, she accompanied her mother to her older sister's dance class. Her sister showed little interest, but Philip began dancing with the others who were performing the routine. Philip was accepted into the class on the spot.

When Philip reached junior high school, her mother, Nell Stokes, saw Philip's potential to go further. Stokes could not afford the tuition, but she lobbied for her daughter's admission to the Empire Institute for Performing Arts in Albany. Philip was granted a full scholarship, attending Albany High School during the week and going every Saturday for four years to Empire Institute. After studying vocal performance in college, she decided to pursue a Broadway career.

In the first nine years as a working actor, Philip was unemployed only three weeks. She took notes on every director and choreographer she watched, referring to them as her 'mentors.' She joined Broadway casts and touring troupes for "Hairspray," "Big: The Musical," "Street Corner Symphony," "Legally Blonde," "Dreamgirls" and more.

Philip and her husband, Winston, a music producer and social services organization chief operating officer, relocated to Baltimore in 2009 after years of helping to produce the African American Heritage Festival there. She founded Dance & Bmore the following year.

The 77th Annual Tony Awards, hosted by Ariana DeBose, will air live from the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City on Sunday, June 16, 2024 (8:00-11:00 PM, LIVE ET/5:00-8:00 PM, LIVE PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S. (live and on-demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on-demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the special airs).*

The Tony Awards are produced in collaboration with Tony Award Productions, a joint venture of the Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing, and White Cherry Entertainment. Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss are showrunners and executive producers for White Cherry Entertainment, and Weiss will serve as director. Jack Sussman is also an executive producer.

Exonerated Central Park 5 member wants Trump to be afforded opportunity not afforded to him

New Yourk City Councilman, Yusef Salaam, one of five Black and Latino teenagers wrongfully convicted of a 1989 rape in Central Park, spoke MSNBC's the Rev. Al Sharpton to discuss Donald Trump's role in the Central Park Five case and the irony of the former president's recent felony conviction.

President Biden Proclamation on Black Music Month 2024

During Black Music Month, we celebrate the Black artists and creatives whose work has so often been a tidal wave of change — not only by defining the American songbook and culture but also by capturing our greatest hopes for the future and pushing us to march forward together.

Our Nation has only recognized Black Music Month for 45 years, but its legacy stretches back to our country’s earliest days.  Black music began when enslaved people, who were cruelly prohibited from communicating in their native languages, found ways to express themselves through music.  Set to the sound of African rhythms, they captured the inhumanity, tragedy, and toll that America’s original sin took on their lives while also telling the stories of their hopes and dreams, faith and spirituality, and love and purpose.  Ever since, Black performers have carried on that tradition of using art to break down barriers, create sacred spaces for expression, and give voice to the promise of America for all Americans.  They have created and shaped some of our most beloved genres of music — like folk, blues, jazz, hip-hop, country, rock and roll, gospel, spirituals, and R&B.  Black music has set the beat of the Civil Rights Movement; expressed the inherent dignity and captured the pride and power of Black communities; and held a mirror to the good, the bad, and the truth of our Nation.

Black music is a staple of American art and a powerhouse of our culture — that is why we must continue to open doors for the next generation of Black artists.  Since I came into office, I have had the honor of bestowing some of our Nation’s highest awards to some of our most important Black performers and producers like Gladys Knight, Berry Gordy, Tania León, Queen Latifah, Dionne Warwick, and more — uplifting their talent and inspiring others to follow their example.  After making Juneteenth a National Holiday, I also hosted the first Juneteenth concert on the South Lawn — where the voices of Jennifer Hudson, Audra McDonald, Ledisi, and other incredible performers reminded us all of the beauty of Black music and Black culture that is American music and American culture.  Last year, Vice President Kamala Harris hosted the first-ever hip-hop house party at the Vice President’s Residence.  At the same time, I have helped secure over $100 million to keep concert halls, theaters, and other venues afloat during the pandemic.  In my Budget, I ask for a total of over $400 million for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities — that includes funding for arts programs in underserved communities.

Black music embodies the best of American art — inspiring us, challenging us, and bringing us together.  This month, may we show gratitude to all the Black artists, whose work speaks to the soul of who we are, shows us the way forward together, and reminds us to lift every voice.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2024 as Black Music Month.  I call upon public officials, educators, and all the people of the United States to observe this month by honoring Black musicians and raising awareness and appreciation of Black music.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-eighth.

                              JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.