Amongst the recipients included in this year’s recognition awards from the 23-university-member California State Student Association (CSSA) is California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) President F. King Alexander. Heading one of the state’s largest universities, with an enrollment of almost 35,000 students, in a time where budget cuts, administration troubles, and faculty negotiations have altered the higher education landscape within the state and nationally, Alexander has proven to be a steadfast pillar of reason, standing up equally for both students and economic logic. He was recognized as President of the Year amongst a pool of 10.
CSSA Executive Director Miles Nevin told the Post, “President Alexander is an immensely popular university president — but popularity is not what informed CSSA’s decision to recognize him this year. The recognition comes from removing big banks from profiting off student loan defaults, to protecting the Pell grant program, to working with CSSA to effectively communicate with our congress people and Department of Education leaders.”
Each year, through CSSA, student leaders annually recognize a variety of CSU stakeholders who demonstrate high levels of support for student participation in policy development, student advocacy, and the overall mission of CSSA. The annual award recognitions include a student advocate(s), a legislator, a trustee, and a university president. The 2011-12 honorees are as follows:
Legislator of the Year
- Shirley Ringo, State Representative of the Idaho Legislature
Bob Linscheid Trustee of the Year
- Jillian Ruddell (Student Trustee), CSU Chico
Robert C. Maxson President of the Year
- Dr. F. King Alexander, CSU Long Beach
Administrator of the Year
- Ed Mills, CSU Sacramento
Student Advocates of the Year
- Krista Parker, San Diego State University
- Joe Banez, CSU Chico
Faculty Excellence in Advising
- Dr. Phil Bailey, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Faculty Innovation in Academic Technology
- Captain Scott Powell, Cal Maritime Academy