National University’s
Alumni Magazine
Better Living By Degrees
Integrative health across the curricula
2008 California
Teachers of the Year
Three of them are National University alumni
Chancellor Lee:
The Man Behind the System
His vision is unfolding at a record pace
June
2008
Editor-in-Chief
Elisa Parker
Editor
Hoyt Smith
Art Director
Keith Kanzel
Designer
John Fretz
Printing Manager
Phil Carabet
Photographer
Mark Dastrup
Copy Editors
Ken David
David Neville
Sarah Weekly
Writer
Hoyt Smith
Vision Magazine
National University’s Alumni Magazine
Issue No. 10
Published by National University
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La Jolla, CA 92037-1013
www.nu.edu
With story ideas, please call the Alumni Relations Department at (858) 642-8111.
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VISION MAGAZINE
Today, as the flagship
of the larger National
University System,
a collection of
interconnected
institutions serving
a broad range of
learners, National
University continues
to open doors.
A Message from
President Gibson
From its inception
in 1971, National
University has offered
a unique approach to
higher education.
Through its one-course-per-month
format, accessible degree programs, and
accelerated pace, National University has
opened doors for more than 110,000 of
your fellow alumni, all of whom shared
your commitment to lifelong learning.
Today, as the flagship of the larger
National University System, a collection of
interconnected institutions serving a broad
range of learners, National University
continues to open doors.
For Lewis Chappelear, Gregory McFall,
and Tammy Reina – three alumni who
were named 2008 California Teachers of
the Year – National University provided a
portal to a rewarding career in one of our
society’s most noble professions, teaching.
National University’s commitment to
access can also be found in its expanding
emphasis on health and wellness. In this
issue of Vision you will read about a new
master’s degree in the School of Health
and Human Services. You’ll also learn
about the University’s partnership with
Dr. Mimi Guarneri and Rauni Prittinen
King, co-founders of the Scripps Center
for Integrative Medicine, who are leading
a shift in the healthcare professions from
treating injuries and diseases to focusing
more on treating the individual.
The following pages also contain
features on Chancellor Jerry C. Lee’s
vision for the National University System,
and how affiliates such as WestMed
College provide vital gateways to the
programs and offerings at National
University.
Now in its 37th year of existence,
National University remains committed to
the mission that has been at the foundation
of its success; providing pathways to
quality educational opportunities to
lifelong learners like you. Our door will
always be open to you, your fellow
alumni, and anyone who shares your
passion for the pursuit of knowledge.
Come on in!
Dana L. Gibson
President, National University
VISION
4
News Briefs
A new facility, a bigger endowment,
a business black belt, and more.
National University’s Alumni Magazine
Contents
12
June
2008
Board
of Trustees
Mr. Gerald Czarnecki, Chair
Chairman & CEO, Deltennium Corporation
Ms. Jacqueline Townsend Konstanturos, Vice Chair
Executive Vice President, JHG-Townsend
Mr. Thomas Topuzes, Secretary
President and CEO, Thomas Topuzes & Associates, LLC
Ms. Stacy Allison
Professional Speaker, Author
4
News Briefs
Mr. Felipe Becerra
Director of Operations/Client Development, Creditor
lustus et Remedium, LLP
News including a new facility, a bigger endowment, and a business black belt
8
Faculty Update
Meet the new provost, a new dean, award-winning faculty, and more
10
Mind, Body, and Spirit
Integrative Health fits an integrated approach to lifelong learning
12
California
Teachers of
the Year
Mr. John Bucher
President, John Bucher Real Estate Company
Mr. Richard Chisholm
Managing Director, Banc of America Securities
Three alumni are among
the state’s top teachers
for 2008.
Ms. Jeanne Connelly
President, Connelly Consulting
Better Living By Degrees
Chancellor Lee
Optimal health comes with knowledge; knowledge comes with education
14
National University’s visionary
leader sees strength in numbers
and power in diversity.
New Integrative Health Programs
Five new programs that will impact health and wellness for people of every age
16
Partnering with Pioneers
Teaming with the co-founders of the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine
18
Investing in Integrative Health
Contributing to the NUSCIH Endowment supports the sharing of vital information
20
Better Living
by Degrees
28
Optimal health comes
with knowledge; knowledge
comes with education.
30
26
Dr. Dana L. Gibson (Ex Officio)
President, National University
Ms. Kate Grace
President, Kate Grace Physical Therapy
Physical Therapist, Orthopedic Physician Assistant
Ms. Cheryl Kendrick
Community, National Volunteer
Dr. Donald Kripke
Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry, School
of Medicine, University of California San Diego
Three alumni are among the state’s top teachers for 2008
The College of Letters and Sciences
Ms. Jean Leonard
Educational Consultant, JM Leonard & Associates
Chancellor Lee: The Man Behind the System
Mind Body Spirit
Integrative Health fits an integrated
approach to lifelong learning.
16
Mr. Herbert Meistrich
President & CEO, TaylorMade Performance Labs;
President & CEO, BumperMedic
Ms. Diana Nyad
Former World Champion Athlete, Sports Journalist
Offering education and training for high-demand careers
Mr. Carlos Rodriguez
Public Affairs and Communications Consultant,
Rodriguez & Company
Regional Report
Dr. Alexander R. Shikhman
Institute for Specialized Medicine
System Profile: WestMed College
Partnering
with Pioneers
Impressive alumni, programs, and events across California and Nevada
37
Mr. Robert Freelen
Vice President for External Affairs, Retired,
Dickinson College
Dr. Jerry C. Lee (Ex Officio)
Chancellor, National University System
President Emeritus, National University
National University’s visionary leader sees strength in numbers and power in diversity
34
30
California Teachers of the Year
Socrates’ notion of the civic-minded scholar defines the ideal COLS graduate
32
The 2007 Commencement
Best wishes to all our newest alumni
VISION MAGAZINE
National University
10
Teaming with the co-founders
of the Scripps Center for
Integrative Medicine.
Mr. Jay Stone
Vice President, Van Scoyoc Associates, Inc.
Ms. Judith Sweet
Senior Vice President for Championships and Education
Services, Retired, National Collegiate Athletic Association
Mr. Michael Wilkes
CEO, Architects Delawie Wilkes Rodrigues Barker
Alumnus Leads Lean Six
Sigma Series
News briefs
4
VISION MAGAZINE
A New Kearny Mesa Facility
National University has completed a new
two-story academic facility in San Diego
County. The facility, located off of Aero
Drive in Kearny Mesa, is the new home for
the School of Media and Communication,
the School of Engineering and Technology,
and the School of Health and Human
Services. The 39,070 square-foot building
features state-of-the-art classrooms and
laboratories, as well as a computer lab, a
46-seat presentation room, a student
lounge, and administrative and faculty
offices. The interior projects a warm,
comfortable, and modern atmosphere
that will make students feel welcome.
Conveniently located just minutes from
three major freeway corridors, the new
facility is just the first component of a
major development project which also
includes a 117,154 square-foot parking
structure, a mixed-use building, and a new
facility for the National University System’s
National Polytechnic College of Science.
Endowment Increases by
More than 20 Percent
Reflecting its sound fiscal status and
well-managed assets, National University’s
growing endowment continues to rank
among the top 200 largest college and
university endowments in the nation. This
impressive standing comes courtesy of the
National Association of College and
University Business Officers’ (NACUBO)
2007 survey of the nation’s leading 785
college and university endowments. The
ranking is based upon assets of $341,231
million in Fiscal Year 2007, which
qualified National’s endowment as the
188th largest in the United States. By the
way, that is an increase in value of 20.5
percent from the $283,277 million recorded
by NACUBO in Fiscal Year 2006. Since
Fiscal Year 2002, National University’s
endowment assets have more than doubled,
from $162,560 to $341,231 million.
National University alumnus Norm
Frigon leads a cadre of impressive
instructors offering the Enterprise
Excellence Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Series
through the National University Division
of Extended Learning. Frigon, a vice
president with VSE Corporation, is an
LSS Senior Master Black Belt and
internationally recognized author, lecturer,
and consultant in the development of
quality and reliability programs in
government and industry. He has
personally trained more than 2,000 LSS
Green Belts, over 250 Black Belts, and 20
Master Black Belts. LSS is a business
improvement methodology which
combines a dual focus upon quality and
speed, and which consistently leads to
greater efficiency and large cost savings
for organizations in business, industry, and
government. National University’s LSS
instructors are experienced in
manufacturing, service, and government
sectors, and have delivered LSS programs
at the highest levels of both sectors,
including White House staff. They are
capable of deploying worldwide on short
notice and offering onsite instruction
within 30 days of finalizing an agreement.
5
WestMed College
provides career
training for
licensed vocational
nurses, paramedics,
emergency medical
technicians, and
nursing assistants.
WASC
2nd Annual Peak
Performance Awards Planned
National University
Academy of Health Sciences
Will Address Underserved
Students
The National University System will
open the National University Academy
of Health Sciences in San Diego in
September 2008. It will be a charter
school, offering a K-12 program that
focuses on rigorous university preparatory
and practical career technical programs
for students who want to pursue health
careers. The programs will be targeted
toward underserved populations and
students not currently served by the
traditional public school system, including
those who are disengaged or in danger of
dropping out. The Academy will enroll
approximately 670 students, starting with
about 112 ninth graders, and will add a
grade each year until it reaches capacity.
The student body will reflect the ethnic
and racial demography of San Diego
County. Academy programs will feature a
unique combination of independent study
with a resource center and online support.
6
VISION MAGAZINE
National University System
Invitational Returns
Student Concierge
Services Expand
Virtual High School Receives
Nod from WASC, CITA,
College Board, and NCAA
Student Concierge Services, which was
initially available five days a week when it
opened March 2007, has expanded to
seven days a week. Now, students can get
answers and assistance for all aspects of
their education any time, day or night.
Answers are provided the same day or
within 24 hours on topics such as
admissions, financial aid, credentials, and
graduation. The Student Advocates of
Student Concierge Services play many
roles. They can serve as liaisons for
students interfacing with any aspect of the
University, as representatives for students
as they navigate the University’s processes
and programs, and as a central source of
quality assurance.
National University System affiliate
National University Virtual High School
(NUVHS) is now officially accredited by
the Western Association of Schools and
Colleges (WASC), as well as the
Commission on International and TransRegional Accreditation (CITA). WASC
granted NUVHS the maximum
accreditation term of six years. More good
news is that NUVHS has had all of its
Advanced Placement Program® (AP®)
courses approved by the College Board.
NUVHS has also been informed by the
National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA) that its core courses and
graduation have been approved by the
NCAA for college-bound student athletes.
Last August more than 100 participants
played in the inaugural National University
System Invitational Golf Tournament at
the La Quinta Resort & Club’s Dunes
Course, raising more than $100,000 for the
new National University System Center for
Integrative Health and the National
University endowment. The 2008 National
University System Invitational will be held
in San Diego at the Morgan Run Resort &
Club on Monday, July 14. The tournament
tees off at 1 p.m. Alumni golf enthusiasts are
invited to play with trustees, administrators,
faculty, and staff. The $250 entry fee
includes golf, a gift bag, a boxed lunch, a
post-round reception, and an awards
dinner. Once again, proceeds will benefit
the National University endowment and
the Center for Integrative Health. To
register, contact Alumni Relations at
alumni@nu.edu.
The 2nd Annual Peak Performance
Awards is scheduled for Wednesday,
November 19, at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey
Pines. Last November, six San Diegobased institutions were honored when the
National University School of Business
and Management (SOBM) hosted the
inaugural Peak Performance Awards in
conjunction with the National University
Center for Organizational Excellence and
the San Diego Daily Transcript. Judges
reviewed 30 finalists selected by SOBM
faculty from a field of more than 130
nominees before selecting Aegis Electronic
Group, Inc., ARINC, The San Diego
Family Justice Center, Northrop Grumman
Corporation, Palomar Pomerado Health,
RBF Consulting, and Scripps Health. This
fall, judges will evaluate a new slate of
nominees based upon sustainability; a
clear, demonstrable vision; mission,
purpose and/or values; commitment to
customers; commitment to employees;
and top-line profitability. For more
information, contact George Agrimis
at gagrimis@nu.edu.
7
Faculty Updates
Thomas M. Green, Ph.D.
Debra Bean, Ph.D.
Thomas M. Green Named Provost
Debra Bean Chosen As Associate Provost
Thomas M. Green, Ph.D., was
promoted last July from senior vice
president for academic affairs to provost.
Dr. Green has served in various positions
for National University since 1996,
including dean of the School of Business
and Management (SOBM) from 2004 to
2006, and as associate professor within
SOBM’s department of organizational
management and administration. He has
also served as chief of research and
statistics and research analyst for the crime
prevention division of the Department of
the Attorney General in Honolulu, Hawaii,
from 1992 to 1996. Dr. Green earned a
bachelor’s in sociology from Whitman
College, a master’s in education from
Portland State University, and a master’s
and a Ph.D. in sociology from the
University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Debra Bean, who has been dean of
the School of Media and Communication
(SOMC) since July 2005, was named
associate provost in May. As associate
provost, Bean will oversee several
important initiatives, including
preparations for the Western Association
of Schools and Colleges accreditation
visit in 2009. As dean of SOMC, Bean
developed numerous degree programs and
guided key initiatives such as San Diego 6,
a multimedia program developed to
promote health, exercise, and nutrition to
kids. Bean holds a Bachelor of Arts in
Anthropology and a Bachelor of Fine Arts
in Studio Art from the University of
Colorado, Boulder, and a Master of Fine
Arts from The School of the Art Institute
of Chicago. John Banks has been named
interim dean of SOMC, pending the
outcome of a nationwide search for a
new dean.
8
VISION MAGAZINE
Carl K. Beyer, Ph.D.
Carl K. Beyer Appointed Dean of the
School of Education
Carl Kalani Beyer, Ph.D., was
appointed dean of the School of Education
in March after serving as the school’s
interim dean since May 2007. As dean,
Dr. Beyer will continue to provide
curricular and organizational leadership.
He joined National University in February
2006 as co-chair of the Teacher Education
Department and was promoted to associate
dean in August. Prior to that, he was chair
of the Teacher Education Department at
Concordia University at Chicago, and
spent 35 years teaching in Illinois. Dr.
Beyer holds an Illinois Master Teacher
Certificate, a National Board for
Professional Teaching Certificate, a Master
of Arts in U.S. History from Northern
Illinois University, a Master of Arts in
Education and Master of Science in
Management and Organization Behavior
from Benedictine University, and a
Doctorate in Curriculum Design from
the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Michael Lacourse, Ph.D.
Michael Lacourse Named Dean of School
of Health and Human Services
Michael Lacourse, Ph.D., who has been
serving as dean of the School of Health
and Human Services since last August, is
working on several exciting new initiatives
for the school. Dr. Lacourse joined
National University from California State
University, Long Beach (CSULB), where
he served as associate dean of the College
of Health and Human Services since 2005.
Previously he served as professor and chair
of the CSULB Department of Kinesiology
from 2000 to 2005. Dr. Lacourse has also
held positions at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
and Indiana University, as well as serving
a six-year term as chief of the Neuromotor
Rehabilitation Research Laboratory at the
Long Beach Veterans Affairs Medical
Center. An author of over 40 peerreviewed published articles and abstracts,
he holds a bachelor’s degree from
Springfield College, and a master’s and a
Ph.D. from Indiana University, with a
double major in human performance and
education inquiry methodology.
Kenneth Fawson, Ed.D.
Kenneth Fawson Named Associate Dean
of the School of Education
Kenneth Fawson, Ed.D., has been
named associate dean of the School of
Education (SOE) and began serving in that
post April 1. Dr. Fawson will assist the
dean of SOE with several important
initiatives, including enrollment and
program growth. He previously served as
interim associate dean for SOE, providing
leadership on key projects and assisting
with administrative duties. Dr. Fawson
joined National University in February
2007 as an associate faculty member. His
career in education includes positions as
associate provost, provost, acting president
and vice president of instruction at
Evergreen Valley College in San Jose,
California, and assistant chancellor for
instructional services for the San Diego
Community College District. Dr. Fawson
holds numerous teaching certifications,
and earned his Doctorate in Education
degree in Organization and Leadership
with a concentration in education law from
the University of San Francisco.
Juan España, Ph.D.
Professor España Holds Class in China
Juan España, Ph.D., who is the lead
faculty for international business in the
School of Business and Management,
hosted a contingent of National University
students on an eight-day journey to China
in March as part of a guided study course.
The course, which counted as an elective
for the MBA, EMBA, Master of Arts in
Management, Master of Arts in Human
Resource Management, Master of Public
Administration, and Master of Science in
Organizational Leadership, included
lectures and seminars given by professors
from Beijing’s University of International
Business and Economics, Capital
University of Economics and Business,
and Shanghai University’s MBA and
Management Education Center. Professor
España’s students also visited Chinese and
multinational companies, as well as
cultural sites such as the Great Wall and
the Forbidden City.
9
MIND
BODY
SPIRIT
10
VISION MAGAZINE
As the National University
System evolves, the strengths
of each entity yield increasing
opportunies for beneficial
collaborations.
From its strong links to K-12 education through the School
of Education to its commitment to quality lifestyle for aging
baby boomers through the School of Health and Human
Services, National University is impacting the community at
every stage of life. That impact is magnified through synergies
with System affiliates such as Spectrum Pacific Learning
Company, National University Virtual High School, National
Polytechnic College of Science, and WestMed College.
In a sense, the National University System represents the
amazing physiology of the human body, in which distinctly
separate systems all work in unity to assure the wellness of the
individual as a whole. As modern medical research explores the
important connections between mind, body, and spirit,
Chancellor Lee and National University leadership are similarly
exploring the connections between educational entities and
shared values. Indeed, the notion of an integrated approach to
lifelong learning seems to have fostered a conceptual
appreciation for similar integration within the fields of health
and wellness.
The founding of the National University System Center for
Integrative Health (NUSCIH) in 2007 served to bond the
concepts of integrated learning and integrative health into a
powerful and unique new System entity that is infusing a new
vitality and sense of purpose into National University’s mission.
A powerful example of this integrated approach was
demonstrated last year, when NUSCIH’s precursor, the Institute
for Wellness and Peak Performance, utilized resources from the
School of Education and the School of Media and Communication
to create television programming and podcasts that promote
health, nutrition, and exercise to young students in their
formative years.
This year NUSCIH has expanded its goals, with plans to
develop a Graduate Certificate in Health Coaching, the
development of a K-3 health education curriculum, a series of
online continuing education courses for integrative practitioners,
a master’s degree in integrative health, and an educational
partnership with the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine
to advance and support knowledge of integrative health.
The following pages are dedicated to the rapid and dramatic
emergence of NUSCIH, its new programs and partnerships, and
the shaping of a compelling vision for the educational emphasis
on body, mind, and spirit which will integrate National
University and its alumni into that vision.
11
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
has been utilized by close to 50 percent of the U.S.
population, yet few regionally accredited institutions
have committed to education in this field.
Better Living by Degrees
Optimal health doesn’t come from a pill, a prescription, or a surgeon’s
scalpel; it is the sum of choices and habits made over a lifetime and
predicated upon the accumulated knowledge of what is best for one’s
body, mind, and spirit.
Knowledge comes with education,
and according to the White House
Commission on Complementary and
Alternative Medicine Policy, education
is “a fundamental healthcare service.”
The Commission’s report, released in
2002, specifically emphasized the
education and training of healthcare
practitioners in complementary and
alternative medicine (CAM).”
What exactly is CAM? According to
the National Center for Complementary
and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), it is
a group of diverse medical and healthcare
systems, practices, and products that are
not presently considered to be part of
conventional medicine. Over the past
30 years, public interest in and use of
CAM has risen steadily in the United
States, to the point where NCCAM
estimates it has been utilized by close
to half of the U.S. population.
NCCAM has developed a system to
classify CAM into five main groups:
alternative medical systems such as
homeopathy or naturopathy; mind-body
medicine such as meditation and hypnosis;
biologically based therapies, including
herbs and vitamins; manipulative and
body-based methods, including massage
and chiropractic; and energy therapies,
12
VISION MAGAZINE
which encompass the manipulation of
electromagnetic fields.
Integrative healthcare is a growing
approach to health and wellness that
combines evidence-based CAM treatments
and therapies with conventional medicine.
Although the usage of CAM and the
practice of integrative healthcare are
expanding, few regionally accredited
institutions have committed to the
education and training of healthcare
professionals in this field. In fact, there is a
significant gap between the growing use of
CAM and the knowledge many medical
professionals have of integrative medicine.
In response to the need for knowledge
of CAM and integrative health practices,
the National University System Center for
Integrative Health (NUSCIH) was
established in 2007. It is committed to
meeting the health and healthcare needs of
Americans in the 21st century by
improving the level of information about
the practice of integrative health and
wellness; by improving the quality of
health and wellness care in the United
States; and by improving individuals’
knowledge and education about integrative
health so that they may live longer,
healthier lives.
NUSCIH has seven overarching goals
this year, which involves the development
of several programs, the dissemination of
health education materials, and the
establishment of a partnership with the
Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine
(see related stories).
Additionally, NUSCIH will incorporate
the initiatives of its predecessor, the
Institute of Wellness and Peak
Performance, including San Diego 6 and
Healthy Reader (a series of health-oriented
television programs and podcasts targeted
toward elementary school students), as well
as publication of iThrive (a subscriptionbased electronic health and wellness
magazine published six times a year).
Step-by-step, degree-by-degree,
NUSCIH’s efforts to educate and inform a
broad and diverse spectrum of populations
and learners on CAM and integrative health
will comprise an innovative and muchneeded approach to health and healthcare
education, and contribute toward
addressing one of the key issues facing
communities throughout the United States
and the world.
13
Proposed course topics for the MS in Integrative
Health program include integrative and holistic
healthcare, mind-body and energy medicine,
NEW Integrative Health Programs
exercise, nutrition, and health.
As part of its goal for 2008, the National University System Center for
Integrative Health (NUSCIH) is introducing five new academic, extended
learning and certificate programs, including a Master of Science in
Integrative Health, a Graduate Certificate in Health Coaching, a
Graduate Certificate in Health Advocacy, the development of a K-3
health education curriculum, and online continuing education courses.
The Master of Science in Integrative
Health, being offered through the School
of Health and Human Services, is designed
for a wide variety of healthcare
practitioners, fitness professionals, and
lifestyle coaches. It offers an overview
of integrative health, providing the
philosophical and cultural foundations
necessary to adapt and flourish within
the rapidly changing and increasingly
inclusive world of health and wellness.
Proposed course topics for the program
include global whole medical systems;
integrative and holistic healthcare;
biologically based practices; mind-body
and energy medicine; manipulative and
body-based practices; exercise, nutrition,
and health; integrative health practice
management; and a practicum at the newly
formed National University Center for
Integrative Medicine. The proposed start of
the master’s in integrative health program
is fall 2008.
The graduate certificate in Health
Coaching will cater to health, wellness and
fitness centers, which often seek certified
health coaches to assist clients in
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VISION MAGAZINE
managing weight loss, reducing stress,
enhancing exercise programs, and generally
improving levels of health and wellness.
The eight-course program, which will
be offered in partnership with National
University’s Division of Extended
Learning, began enrolling students
this spring. Completion of courses
counts toward graduate and continuing
education credits.
The Graduate Certificate in Health
Advocacy is being developed in the
National University College of Letters and
Sciences under the leadership of Dr. Lorna
Zukas, and will include a team of faculty
experts from several University schools
and departments. It will be offered onsite
and online, with a targeted enrollment date
of September 2008.
The K-3 health education curriculum is
a team effort involving NUSCIH, the
School of Health and Human Services, the
San Diego County Office of Education’s
Department of Physical Education
Curriculum and Instruction, and members
of the San Diego Childhood Obesity
Action Plan coalition. Titled a “Call to
Action,” this plan is attracting national
attention as no other curriculum or
guidelines currently exist to help teachers
in developing appropriate physical
education programs for school children
who are already obese.
NUSCIH has created five self-paced
online continuing education courses
designed to appeal to integrative
practitioners. They cover Chinese
Medicine, Spirituality and Health,
Ayurvedic Medicine, Cultural Competence
in Healthcare, and Bodywork Healing
Therapies. Each course is accredited by the
American Nurses Credentialing Center’s
Commission on Accreditation, the
California Board of Registered Nursing,
and the California Board of Behavioral
Sciences. The courses, which began
enrolling students this spring, are offered
in partnership with National University’s
Division of Extended Learning and are
eligible for continuing education credit
in all states.
For more information about these
programs or NUSCIH, visit the Center’s
website at www.cih.nusystem.org.
15
Erminia “Mimi” Guarneri, M.D. and Rauni Prittinen King, RN, BSN,
HNC, CHTP/I, co-founders of the Scripps Center for Integrative
Medicine, have contributed to course content for the new Master
of Science in Integrative Health program.
Partnering with Pioneers:
Dr. Erminia Guarneri and Rauni Prittinen King
Erminia “Mimi” Guarneri, M.D. and Rauni Prittinen King, RN, BSN, HNC,
CHTP/I will be key partners in launching the School of Health and Human
Services’ new Master of Integrative Health degree and advancing the National
University System Center for Integrative Health. They are co-founders of the
Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine, which blends traditional medical care
with evidence-based complementary treatments and therapies.
One of the nation’s most widely
recognized holistic cardiologists, Dr.
Guarneri graduated number one in her
class from State University of New York
(SUNY) Medical Center. She served her
internship and residency at Cornell
Medical Center, where she was chief
medical resident, and served cardiology
fellowships at both New York University
Medical Center and at Scripps Clinic in La
Jolla. Board certified in cardiology and
internal medicine, she is the author of
numerous articles in professional journals
such as the Annals of Internal Medicine
and the Journal of Echocardiology, and a
recently published book, titled “The Heart
Speaks: A Cardiologist Reveals the Secret
Language of Healing.”
Graduating cum laude with a Bachelor
of Science in Nursing from Arizona State
University, King was the former nurse case
manager for Scripps physician Dr. Dean
Ornish’s Program for Reversing Heart
Disease before launching the Center for
Integrative Medicine. A Certified Healing
Touch practitioner and instructor who has
been coordinating Healing Touch
workshops at Scripps Hospitals since
1993, she has over 20 years of experience
in critical care nursing.
Dr. Guarneri and King have been
working collaboratively with Dr. Michael
16
VISION MAGAZINE
Lacourse, dean of the National University
School of Health and Human Services, on
the outline and content for courses in the
new Master of Integrative Health program
(see related story).
“I am honored to be working with
professionals of their stature and
experience,” said Dr. Lacourse. “They are
true pioneers in integrative health, who
lend an invaluable amount of knowledge
and credibility to our efforts.”
Dr. Guarneri is board certified in internal
medicine, cardiology, nuclear cardiology,
and holistic medicine. By treating patients,
she has seen firsthand the relationship
between mind and body. The health of one’s
heart, she notes as an example, is affected
by emotions. She has also studied the link
between depression and heart disease. To
promote optimal health, she believes a
physician must consider the patient’s mind,
body, and spirit.
King teaches Healing Touch, provides
holistic consultations, writes about holistic
health and integrative medicine, designs
programs, and gives presentations on
lifestyle changes and healing environments
in the United States, Canada, and Europe.
She is Holistic Nurse Certified, certified in
hypnotherapy, and is a member of the
American Holistic Nurses Association and
Healing Touch International.
Thanks to modern technology, Dr.
Guarneri says Western medicine can now
validate the efficacy of several alternative
treatments and therapies. With tools such
as magnetic resonance imaging, physicians
and researchers now understand what
happens to the brain during meditation or
acupuncture and are helping to erase
skepticism regarding modalities that other
cultures have been using for centuries.
Understanding alternative therapies is
one thing. Educating and enlightening
medical students, physicians, nurses,
healthcare practitioners, and health
insurance agents about these therapies
represents an additional challenge which
Dr. Guarneri and King believe is necessary
to accelerate acceptance of the mind-bodyspirit approach to health and wellness.
The Scripps Center for Integrative
Medicine is providing a clinical practicum
for National University students, and
assisting in advancing knowledge of
integrative medicine and alternative and
complementary approaches to health and
wellness, and enhancing current levels of
practice in integrative medicine for
patients.
“It is an ideal partnership,” added
Dr. Lacourse, “one which will produce
numerous dividends for patients and
practitioners alike.”
17
Foundational funding will support
scholarships for traditionally
underrepresented students wishing
to enroll in NUSCIH degree and
Investing in
Integrative Health
certificate programs.
A National University endowment has been established to support the
National University System Center for Integrative Health (NUSCIH),
empowering friends of National University who are dedicated to
gathering and disseminating information that can benefit the wellness
and performance of all members of society.
Supporting the National University NUSCIH
endowment is an endorsement for improving
health and healthcare for all Americans in
the 21st century.
18
VISION MAGAZINE
The initial funding goal for this
endowment is $1 million. The System has
provided a substantial amount of seed
money, and is seeking additional support
from outside sources. Additionally, the
Center will pursue revenue sources from
appropriate federal and industry sources to
advance its mission and objectives.
Foundational funding will support
scholarships for students wishing to enroll
in the Center’s degree and certificate
programs, and to support the Center’s
commitment to improving health and
health education in California and across
the nation by serving as a clearing house
for free information on issues that impact
the lives of all Americans.
The Center’s scholarship program will
emphasize the funding of students who
have been traditionally underrepresented in
the allied health professions, or limited
from entry into the field because of social
or economic disadvantages.
Support from National University
alumni will play a significant role in early
and successful implementation of the
initiatives mentioned above, as well as
long-term growth and impact upon
numerous communities. It will also help
to increase visibility and elevate the
prestige of the School of Health and
Human Services, the School of Education,
the School of Media and Communication,
and National University System entities
such as WestMed College or the Allied
Health Division of the National
Polytechnic College of Science, which are
currently partnering with NUSCIH or plan
to in the future.
Supporting the National University
NUSCIH endowment is an endorsement
of Chancellor Lee’s vision for innovative
approaches to education and improving
health and healthcare for all Americans in
the 21st century. The endowment offers
alumni and friends the opportunity to
partner with National University leadership
and professionals in integrative healthcare
to make a positive and profound impact
upon one of the most pressing issues in
America today.
For more information regarding the
endowment for the NUSCIH, contact
the development office at National
University at (858) 642-8095.
19
California
Teachers
of the Year
In an ongoing effort to reward
and recognize the men and
women who represent the best
attributes of their profession, each
year the Department of Education
selects five exemplary educators
as California Teachers of the Year.
This year, National University was
honored to learn that three of
those five teachers were alumni.
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VISION MAGAZINE
These alumni were Lewis Chappelear,
who teaches engineering design at James
Monroe High School in North Hills (Los
Angeles County); Gregory McFall, an eighth
grade teacher at Johnson Middle School in
Westminster (Orange County); and Tamara
Reina, who teaches English and U.S. history
at the East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility
in Otay Mesa (San Diego County).
California Teachers of the Year are chosen
from an impressive pool of County Teachers
of the Year, which represent the best-of-thebest at the school district level. The recipients
of this distinguished award must be fully
credentialed teachers in public or private
schools who teach at any level from prekindergarten through grade 12.
Each candidate submits a written
application, hosts a site visit to their school
and conducts a classroom interview with the
State Superintendent of Public Instruction or
his designee. The Department of Education
then convenes a selection committee
consisting of administrators, professional
organizations, and teachers – some of whom
are often former state Teachers of the Year.
The selection committee evaluates
several criteria, including professional
growth; commitment to their classrooms,
colleagues and community; personal
attributes such as leadership; and the
professional skills necessary to perform at
the highest level.
Since the California Teacher of the Year
program was initiated, a total of six National
University alumni have earned the
distinction. Past recipients include 1994
winner Sandra McBrayer (CRED, 1988);
2000 winner Jan Mongoven (MA,
Counseling Psychology, 1994); and 2007
winner Alan Sitomer (M.Ed., 2003).
Three alumni, including McBrayer and
Sitomer, have gone on to represent
California in the National Teacher of the
Year program, with McBrayer ultimately
earning the top honor in 1994.
As you will read in the following
profiles, the instruction Chappelear, McFall,
and Reina received at National University
played a pivotal role in their professional
success. They serve as ideal role models for
all graduates and credential completers from
National University’s School of Education,
and we are proud to recognize them.
21
220 students a day attend Lewis’ robotics courses. He
wishes every student could benefit from his program.
Lewis Chappelear
Building Robots
Fulfilling Dreams
LEWIS CHAPPELEAR
CRED, 2 0 0 1
For the underprivileged students he
teaches at Monroe High School, it was a
huge opportunity to gain experience with
an aerospace company, compete in a
national tournament, earn a college
scholarship, or transition to a high-paying
job. All of which is a dream-come-true
Lewis claims never would have happened
if it weren’t for National University.
Monroe High School serves the
communities of North Hills and Panorama
“Six years later, I have
students in internships
at local aerospace
companies. We have
presidents of companies
coming in and talking
to the kids, and some
of them are taking
online college-level
engineering classes.”
With his initiative and funding, Chappelear
converted a beat-up old classroom into
a state-of-the-art robotics lab.
22
VISION MAGAZINE
Not content as an engineer or a restaurateur,
Lewis Chappelear instead turned his focus to
a successful career as a teacher. The result was
one of the nation’s premier high school
robotics programs, and recognition as a
California Teacher of the Year for Chappelear.
City in the Los Angeles Unified School
District. More than 90 percent of the
students at Monroe are socio-economically
disadvantaged, estimates Chappelear. “It’s
a wonderful school,” he adds. “I love it and
couldn’t imagine working anywhere else.”
Having earned a bachelor’s degree in
biomedical engineering from Boston
University, and a master’s in mechanical
engineering from Columbia University,
Lewis could have worked wherever he
wanted. Indeed, for a while he was an
engineer in a very polished corporate
environment, but it didn’t suit him.
“I needed meaning in my life,” explains
Chappelear. “And engineering wasn’t at all
what I wanted.”
So he quit his job, moved to Toronto,
Canada, and opened a bistro. But once
again, he found life “unfulfilling.”
On New Year’s Eve 1999, Lewis moved
to Los Angeles to pursue more engineering
classes at UCLA. Searching for a part-time
job in the interim, he accepted a substitute
teacher position in the Los Angeles County
juvenile hall system before returning to
what seemed like his safest, most
dependable career track. When he first
arrived at juvenile hall and went through
three security checkpoints, Chappelear
almost turned around. But by the end of
the day, he says he knew that teaching was
his life’s calling.
Chappelear taught math on an
emergency credential while pursuing his
credential at National University. “I loved
the online classes at National University,”
he says. “The courses, as well as the
interactions with other students and my
instructors, were fantastic.”
As a fully credentialed math teacher at
Monroe High School, Chappelear asked if
he could teach an electronics class.
Coincidentally, at the time federal funds
were available through the Carl D. Perkins
Career and Technical Education Act to
fund just such a class.
With his initiative and funding, Lewis
converted a beat-up old classroom into a
state-of-the-art robotics lab.
“Six years later, I have students in
internships at local aerospace companies.
We have presidents of companies coming
in and talking to the kids, and some of
them are taking online college-level
engineering classes.”
Chappelear created the classroom that
he would have liked to have had in high
school. Currently, 220 students a day
attend his robotics courses, but Chappelear
wishes every student in the district could
benefit from his program. “How could any
kid go through school and not have an
opportunity like this,” he asks. “Tomorrow’s
workers have to be so much more skilled
and knowledgeable than my generation
ever had to be. Consequently, we have to
fundamentally change how we teach and
what schools look like.”
In April, Lewis took his brightest
students to a national robotics competition
in Atlanta, Georgia. He is working to
ensure that most of his students end up
going to college, or at least get hired in
high-skilled jobs with a promising future.
“If I hadn’t discovered National
University’s teacher credential program,
I would not be a teacher today and none
of this would be happening,” says
Chappelear. “National gave me the ability
to achieve my dreams and make a
difference in other people’s lives.”
23
Greg wants to make learning fun, and there is always
something exciting happening in his class.
Greg McFall
Creating a Class Where
Caring is Contagious
G R E G M C FA L L
CRED, 1 9 9 8
Upon that wall, filled with insightful
and famous quotes, is one particular
maxim: “People don’t care how much you
know until they know how much you
care.” For the eighth grade history teacher,
those words sum up the source of his
success.
“As teachers, it’s the little things we do
to show we care that inspire our students
to greatness,” says McFall. “It may be a
simple gesture, such as wearing a certain
hat to school to emphasize a history
lesson. It might require some extra effort
to express a key concept by playing a
game. It could be a minor out-of-pocket
expenditure to purchase some props for a
classroom skit.
“I always keep my focus on new ways
of learning,” adds McFall. “I want to make
learning fun, so there’s always something
exciting happening in my class.”
By going the extra mile and injecting
creativity and compassion into his
curricula, McFall has established a strong
rapport with his students. It is an important
ingredient for academic success, especially
“As teachers,” says McFall, “It’s the little
things we do to show we care that
inspire our students to greatness.”
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VISION MAGAZINE
How did a former Orange County insurance
salesman become a California Teacher of the
Year? In addition to hard work and a heartfelt
dedication to his students, the answer may very
well be on Greg McFall’s “Wall of Inspiration”
at Johnson Middle School in Westminster, CA.
at a Title I school such as Johnson, where
underprivileged students face an uphill
battle to achieve parity with students in
more affluent communities.
To give his kids a fair shake, McFall
realizes that he has to raise their level of
academic success not just in his class, but
in other classes and with other teachers as
well. His style of teaching has to be
contagious and spread to other subjects,
and when that happens, “That’s pay dirt,”
he says.
“We used to use that term in the
insurance business when we reached a
certain pinnacle,” explains McFall.
Surpassing sales quotas was rewarding and
profitable, but McFall had loftier goals in
mind when he enrolled at National
University.
A black belt in Kemo Karate, he had
already experienced the satisfaction of
teaching in a dojo. His wife, Kay, was a
longtime teacher, and she served as an
inspiration. Having also worked with
juvenile offenders at the beginning of his
career, the former criminology major at
Cal State Fullerton knew he could make a
difference with young people.
“I had a phenomenal experience at
National University,” says McFall. “The
instructors and many of my fellow
classmates were also teachers themselves,
and they knew what worked in class. My
education really prepared me well for the
challenges I would face.”
Those challenges come in and out of
the traditional classroom setting. It may be
the dyslexic girl who didn’t respond well
to traditional forms of assessment,
inspiring McFall to come up with a unique
and customized way to measure that
student’s learning. It may be the special
education student with an eating disorder,
who joined the surf club that McFall
founded at Johnson Middle School.
“The student was the last person to get
in the water,” explains McFall, a life-long
surfer. “He was also the last person to get
out of the water. We helped him to
overcome his fears and that confidence has
carried over to his schoolwork and
personal life. He’s doing better in his
classes, he’s lost weight, and every time I
see him now his shoulders perk up and he
gets really excited.”
McFall also teaches autistic students to
surf. A special education teacher at
Johnson read an article about the benefits
these students gained from riding waves,
and approached his colleague with the
idea. McFall responded by visiting their
class during his prep period with surf
videos and a few boards. He taught them
to paddle and stand up at school before
taking them to the beach.
Does he mind spending his extra time
and money shopping for surfboards and
wetsuits, or spending his free afternoons
keeping a close eye over several beginning
surfers?
“Not at all,” he says. “Sometimes
making an impact with kids requires you
to get out of the classroom.”
It is part of delivering that wholesale
change McFall seeks in his students, that
inner quality that transcends surfing, karate,
or history and spreads to every aspect
of life.
Or in McFall’s words, “Pay dirt.”
25
Some of Tammy’s students have never read a book
before attending her class.
Tammy Reina
Offering an Alternative Course
to Juvenile Offenders
TA M M Y R E I N A
CRED, 1 9 9 8
When Reina was a probation officer, a
teacher once told her, “You’ll never find
what you’re looking for here. You should
really think about education.” So she
enrolled at National University, working
by day and attending classes two evenings
a week while preparing for a new
profession. Today, she has been teaching
for more than a decade.
Inside the maximum security facility,
Reina’s class offers more than an education.
It is an oasis from prison life, offering a
brief respite from the criminal justice
system. Reina’s students spend the majority
of their time in a 60-square-foot cell, but
those daily moments with a compassionate,
quality teacher can be invaluable.
With Reina’s guidance,
her students are able to
utilize the power of
literature and journalism
to transform their lives.
Reina’s class offers more than an
education. It is an oasis from
prison life, offering a brief respite
from the criminal system.
26
VISION MAGAZINE
In many cases, California Teacher of the Year Tammy
Reina is the last, best hope students at San Diego
County’s East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility have to
overcome a crime-filled youth and choose a different
path in life. Many face enormous hurdles, but Reina
gives them something that has too often lacking in
their young lives: hope.
“When I watch their eyes begin to light
up with hope as opposed to the protective
indifference they so often bring with them
initially, I know that I must foster and
protect that hope,” Reina wrote in her
application for the California Teachers of
the Year Program, “because for these
students in the beginning stages, hope
is fragile.”
If properly cultivated, however,
even the smallest seeds can form the
foundations for a productive, crime-free
life beyond the walls of East Mesa. By
encouraging young inmates to compose
poetry and express their inner thoughts,
Reina has succeeded in getting them to
plan for a life that many never thought
they could have.
“This population frequently comes to us
lacking hope,” she explains. “Often, they
don’t see a future for themselves and they
may not know many people who have
succeeded academically. Frequently, they’ve
had few if any positive relationships with
teachers, so we often have to work to
overcome these issues before meaningful
academic learning can occur.”
Some of Reina’s students have never
read a book before attending her classes.
Many have had few opportunities to
transcend their troubled surroundings, let
alone imagine a different life. But with
Reina’s guidance, her students are able to
utilize the power of literature and
journalism to transform their lives.
In addition to running poetry workshops
and a monthly book club, Reina has
invited popular authors such as Luis
Rodriguez and Antwone Fisher to visit
class and interact with her students. She
also builds self-esteem by giving out
various awards. Consequently, the changes
within the students have been so dramatic
that their parents are often overwhelmed,
sometimes to the point of tears.
Day by day, this patient Teacher of the
Year continues to make small strides as her
pupils improve their reading, writing, and
critical thinking skills, and discover
important lessons about themselves
through literature and poetry. It isn’t
realistic to hope that all of her students
will turn their lives around and exit the
penal system. Indeed, Reina sends books
to former students who have been
transferred to other correctional facilities
to complete lengthy sentences. But she is
also there for those who are ready to leave
prison, helping them in every way possible
to make the necessary adjustments and
hopefully never return.
“My class can be a turning point in
their lives,” Reina says. Referring to one
particular student as an example, Reina
adds, “Edward was transferred to my unit
because he wasn’t doing well at another
facility. It became apparent to me very
quickly that he was very bright, and I
thought it would be a horrible shame if
he dropped out of school.”
After Edward was released from East
Mesa, Reina worked to get him into an
independent study program, and then a
community college. She kept encouraging
him through periods of poor attendance,
and finally her efforts paid off. Today
Edward has a GPA of 3.4 and is looking
to transfer to UCLA or Berkeley.
“There is always that one student who
will reward a good teacher,” Reina reflects.
“But there are always more students to
reach, and that remains my goal.”
27
When Socrates stated that “The unexamined life is not
worth living,” he became one of history’s first advocates
of lifelong learning and an education in the liberal arts.
The College of
Letters and Sciences
College of Letters and Sciences
graduates approach daily challenges
with an open and well-educated mind.
The College of Letters and Sciences
champions the philosophy of self-discovery
through a strong liberal arts education.
28
VISION MAGAZINE
Faculty cultivate and
administer the general
education curriculum
while sponsoring
innovative research
centers and institutes,
and offering numerous
graduate degree
programs as well.
The classical Greek philosopher’s
notion of a broadminded, self-assured
scholar who is able to undertake academic
research, communicate thoughts and ideas,
and choose one’s role as an active citizen
comprises the foundations of National
University’s College of Letters and
Sciences (COLS).
The COLS champions the philosophy of
self-discovery through a strong liberal arts
education. The College’s community of
teaching scholars and broadly-based
curricula form the University’s liberal arts
core, and serves to educate the majority of
its undergraduates. Faculty cultivate and
administer the general education
curriculum while sponsoring innovative
research centers and institutes, and by
offering numerous graduate degree
programs as well.
“Our graduates learn about themselves
and their relationship to their
communities,” says Dean Michael
McAnear. “When they graduate, they take
with them an understanding and
appreciation of the human condition and
the natural world from multiple
perspectives. They also possess the ability
to formally express their understanding.”
Compared to some of the other schools
at National University, the College of
Letters and Sciences is a relatively new
entity, yet it has deep roots at the
University. Three years ago, the University
reorganized its liberal arts curricula,
creating its first formal college along with
two new schools. The reorganization
reflected a commitment to expand
discipline-specific undergraduate and
graduate degrees in the liberal arts in
response to broad regional demands for
educated professionals.
Consequently, the former School of
Arts and Sciences became the College of
Letters and Sciences. McAnear welcomed
the new department with open arms,
stating that its programs fit well with the
mission of the College. Professional
Studies Department Chair Chandrika Kelso
envisioned a broader exchange of thought
and research among her faculty and
students, along with the opportunity to
share laboratory facilities and other
resources.
Last year the College also endeavored
to offer language and cultural education
programs in degree, certificate, and
seminar formats to meet the growing
demand for interpreters and translators
while serving the vital needs of the
government, the military, and global
commerce. The College is currently
offering courses in Arabic. Courses in
Chinese and Persian are being developed.
Whether students are studying to
become poets, policemen, psychologists,
sociologists, teachers, or translators,
McAnear is confident that they will leave
National University with the ability to
engage in the multiplicity of issues that are
shaping and defining our modern world,
and that they will pursue their professions
with purpose, passion, and a continuous
appetite for knowledge.
“Our graduates will be able to test
assumptions and weigh critically the
arguments from numerous perspectives,”
says McAnear. “They will be engaged and
informed citizens who approach daily
challenges with an open and well-educated
mind, and express themselves in a clear,
concise, and well-informed manner.”
29
In 2001, National University was the flagship institution
of the National University System. Since then, the System
has expanded from one into six affiliates; the remarkable
leadership of Chancellor Jerry C. Lee has expanded as well.
Dr. Lee sees the System as means for providing
opportunities to lifelong learners at every level.
Chancellor Lee
The Man Behind the System
Dr. Lee has inspired the men and women of
National University and the National
University System to continue to grow and
build upon their accomplishments.
30
VISION MAGAZINE
The shift from University President to
Chancellor of the National University
System marked an important step for Dr.
Lee, who is credited with building National
University into California’s second-largest
private, nonprofit university, and a leader in
several national benchmarks.
An avid football fan who has long
revered the role of the gridiron coach, Dr.
Lee brought a Lombardi-like quality to his
presidency of National University, instilling
confidence, competitiveness, and pride in
the faculty and staff, and ultimately turning
the University from an also-ran into a true
contender in the field of higher education.
Observing a trophy case full of National
University’s awards and accolades, it is
tempting to compare Dr. Lee to NFL
coaching legends Chuck Noll, Bill Walsh,
and Vince Lombardi. Having achieved the
highest levels of success within their
profession, all three coaches found ways to
inspire their teams to even greater
accomplishments. Similarly, Dr. Lee has
inspired the men and women of National
University and the affiliates of the National
University System to continue to build upon
their accomplishments as well.
Last year, after 18 years at the helm of
National University, Dr. Lee handed the
presidency to Dr. Dana Gibson in order to
focus exclusively upon the National
University System. Some who have never
met the genteel and soft-spoken Virginian
may wonder what continues to drive Dr. Lee.
Those who know him best, however, are
convinced that he continues to advance his
vision of the National University System
because of his lifelong dedication to
providing educational opportunities to
underserved populations. As he sees it, the
System will provide educational opportunities
to lifelong learners at every level.
As Chancellor, Dr. Lee also serves as
Chief Executive Officer of the System
Management Group, assuming the System’s
highest ranking position. By taking charge
of six related institutions and setting
priorities and agendas, he is bringing into
sharper focus a vision that was first
revealed seven years ago.
Shortly after Dr. Lee assumed his role of
Chancellor in 2001, the System acquired
the College of Oceaneering. A year later, the
System established Spectrum Pacific
Learning Company LLC (SPL). National
University Virtual High School (NUVHS)
was created in June 2003, and in early
2004 the System acquired the Advanced
College of Technology and merged it with
the College of Oceaneering to form National
Polytechnic College of Engineering and
Oceaneering. In July 2004, the California
Medical Institute (CMI) was created. Within
a year, it received provisional approval by
the Bureau for Private Postsecondary
Vocational Education and began scheduling
classes. In 2006, National University
International (NUI) was welcomed as a
System affiliate, providing online education
opportunities to students around the globe.
Last January the National University
System completed its acquisition of
WestMed College and merged it with CMI.
Not long after that, NUI launched foreign
language programs and the System joined
the National Association of SelfInstructional Language Programs. In May,
NUVHS announced its accreditation from
the Western Association of Schools and
Colleges (WASC) and the Commission on
International Trans-Regional Accreditation
(CITA).
The System continues to expand at
record pace. This past December, National
Polytechnic College of Engineering and
Oceaneering was reintroduced as National
Polytechnic College of Science. In January
2008 NUVHS was realigned under the
System’s newly launched Division of PreCollege Programs. The dramatic growth of
the National University System Center for
Integrative Health over the past year is
chronicled in other articles in this magazine.
Those familiar with National University
and the National University System
will agree that Dr. Lee has set the
foundations for what will likely become
a global leader in defining the direction
of education and lifelong learning in
the 21st Century. In doing so, he has
demonstrated an unmatched ability for
fostering teamwork and creating unity
among six independent affiliates. It
is a record of which any coach or CEO
would be proud.
31
WestMed College became an affiliate of the National
University System in 2007, opening a new pathway for
National University System
Profile
WestMed College
students interested in entry-level positions as paramedics and
licensed vocational nurses, two highly sought after careers.
WestMed accommodates working students
with convenient schedules.
“National University and the
“National
University
and the
affiliates
of the National
affiliates of
the National
University
System
share a
University
System
share
a
common mission
with
common mission
with
WestMed
College...”
WestMed College...”
U.S. Department of Labor statistics indicate
dramatic growth opportunity for careers in
the healthcare industry. WestMed College is
helping to meet that demand.
32
VISION MAGAZINE
According to the U.S. Department of
Labor, employment of licensed vocational
nurses is expected to grow 14 percent
between 2006 and 2016 (faster than the
average for all occupations) in response to
the long-term care needs of an increasing
elderly population and the increase in
demand for healthcare services.
Employment of paramedics is expected to
grow by 19 percent during that same
period.
“National University and the affiliates
of the National University System share a
common mission with WestMed College,”
said National University System
Chancellor Jerry C. Lee, adding that
WestMed offers a diverse student
population access to quality programs
designed to help them reach their
educational and career goals.
“WestMed shares the same values that
have served National University students
for 37 years now, while offering new
pathways to educational opportunity at
an entry level,” Dr. Lee added.
The San Jose-based affiliate is
accredited by the Commission of Career
Schools and Colleges of Technology, and
is approved by the Commission on
Accreditation of Allied Health Education
Programs, the Bureau for Private
Postsecondary and Vocational Education,
the California Board of Vocational Nursing
and Psychiatric Technicians, and the Board
of Registered Nursing for the State of
California Department of Consumer Affairs.
WestMed also has a branch in Merced,
California, which is approved to operate
by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary
and Vocational Education, and is approved
by the California Board of Vocational
Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians to
begin a vocational nursing program.
“Like National University, WestMed
accommodates working students with
convenient schedules,” said WestMed
College President Troy Roland, who had
also served as President of the California
Medical Institute, an affiliate of the
National University System that was
assimilated by WestMed after its
acquisition last year.
The National University System was
created to provide innovative new
educational opportunities, and to unify
institutions with a common purpose and
vision in order to pool resources and
strengthen one another. WestMed College
will augment the offerings at other System
affiliates, particularly National
University’s School of Health and Human
Services. Ideally, WestMed’s students will
progress beyond entry-level positions, and
build upon early academic success as they
pursue progressively advanced degrees and
meet vital demands for an increasingly
educated workforce within the healthcare
industry.
33
National University’s programs and
people at its 28 campuses are
impacting numerous communities
throughout California and Nevada.
Regional Report
Nursing Program Approved in Nevada
A new Associate of Science in Nursing
degree has been approved by the state
Board of Nursing and the Commission on
Postsecondary Education for National
University’s campus in Henderson,
Nevada. The program includes 14 general
education courses and 17 upper-division
courses, which are designed to prepare
students for the Registered Nurse licensure
exams in Nevada. There is a large demand
for nurses in that state to meet the needs of
its rapidly expanding healthcare
infrastructure.
34
VISION MAGAZINE
Alumni Named LA County Teacher of
the Year for 10 Consecutive Years
Reflecting the quality of the School
of Education’s programs in Los Angeles
County, there has been at least one
National University alumnus among Los
Angeles County Teachers of the Year for
each of the past 10 consecutive years. In
total, there have been 33 County Teachers
of the Year in Los Angeles since the 19981999 school year, including Alan Sitomer
and Lewis Chappelear, who were the 2007
and 2008 State Teachers of the Year,
respectively.
Professor Martineau Hosts Youngest
Surviving Member of Schindler’s List
Fresno faculty member Vicki
Martineau, in cooperation with the College
of Letters and Sciences, hosted Leon
Leyson, the youngest member of
Schindler’s List, as a speaker at the Clovis
Memorial Auditorium in May. Leyson was
13 years old when his father brought him
into Oscar Schindler’s enamelware factory.
After World War II, he spent three years in
a displaced persons camp near Frankfurt,
Germany. He came to the United States in
1949 and served in the U.S. Army during
the Korean War. Afterward, he attended
Los Angeles City College and Los Angeles
State College and became a teacher,
teaching industrial arts at Huntington Park
High School for 39 years. He is now
retired and serves as a member of the
Rodgers Center for Holocaust Education
Advisory Board at Chapman University.
35
THE
2007
COMMENCEMENT
Commencement is a time of
immense pride and overwhelming
exhilaration. It is a memorable
moment of recognition for scholarly
success, a pinnacle of personal
Alumna Named 2008 Sacramento
County Teacher of the Year
National University alumna Jeanette
Providence and Gayle Winney were among
17 educators chosen by area school
districts and honored by the Sacramento
County Office of Education as 2008
Teachers of the Year. Providence, an
English/language arts teacher at Grant
High School and the Grant Joint Union
High School District 2008 Teacher of the
Year, was named 2008 Sacramento County
Teacher of the Year.
36
VISION MAGAZINE
Stockton Alumnus Named VFW
California Teacher of the Year
National University alumnus Oscar Fry,
a history teacher at Stockton’s Linden
High School, was named the Veterans of
Foreign War California Teacher of the Year
for 2008. According to the Stockton
Record, Richard Fenn, Chairman of the
VFW committee that selects the recipient
of their annual California Teacher of the
Year award, the veterans sift through
dozens of statewide nominations every
year and choose the best candidate who
“teaches patriotism.” Fry stood out for
taking his students to an annual Veterans
Day ceremony to deliver thank you cards
and shake hands with those who have
served on behalf of the United States.
Professor White Joins Mental Health
Oversight Board in Redding
Gregory White, Ph.D., lead faculty in
Psychology for Redding, was appointed as
a higher education representative to a local
oversight board to oversee implementation
of the Mental Health Services Act
mandated by Proposition 63. Passed by
voters in 2004, the ballot measure requires
California to develop mental health service
programs including prevention, early
intervention, education, and training
programs. Dr. White is recognized as a
national expert on the subject of jealousy.
accomplishment to relish and
celebrate. Following are
a few images from the 2007
graduation ceremonies. Best wishes
from National University to all of
our newest alumni.
37
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