CSUF Garners Federal Funds

Congress Bolsters Research, Teaching

August 25, 2009

Federal funding of more than $660,000 has begun flowing to the university for a trio of teaching and research projects supported by Congressionally directed grants made possible by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2009.

The grants and the projects are:

• $238,0000 to help launch the Catalyst Center for the Advancement of Research in Teaching and Learning Mathematics and Science Education, which is opening this fall under the direction of Victoria B. Costa, director of science education and professor of secondary education. Faculty members from the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and the College of Education are collaborating on this effort to enhance the ranks of math and science teachers.

• $238,000 to develop a bachelor’s degree program, minor and international business sequence in Vietnamese language and culture. Plans call for the university’s current curriculum of intermediate-level Vietnamese language courses to be expanded into a major in Vietnamese language and culture, along with a minor and international business concentration in Vietnamese within the bachelor’s degree in international business. The curriculum is targeted to prepare a new generation of Vietnamese Americans and others to take advantage of the business and professional opportunities stemming from trade between the United States and Vietnam. In addition, the degree program would serve Little Saigon and other Vietnamese American communities with a need for K-12 teachers, as well as medical, law enforcement and other professionals fluent in Vietnamese language and culture. Graduates of the program also would be prepared to begin advanced training for international relations and diplomacy.

• $190,000 to help the Center for the Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles and Obesity Prevention continue programs that serve low-income children in Santa Ana and south Fullerton, where obesity rates and risks for diabetes are among the highest in the nation. The programs involve research, and the resulting study outcomes are providing new information on factors contributing to obesity, as well as new strategies for promoting healthy lifestyles and weight management in children. The center partners with various community agencies, St. Jude Medical Center and the Orange County Department of Education in promoting breastfeeding, exercise and good nutrition.

Advocating on behalf of these efforts were Congressman Ed Royce (R-Orange), who helped secure the grants for the math/science and Vietnamese language and culture initiatives, while Loretta Sanchez (D-Garden Grove) pursued the funds for obesity prevention.

Prior to passage of the omnibus bill this spring, Congress approved a defense spending bill that incorporated $1.6 million for furthering CSUF research on Prader-Willi Syndrome. — funding that also was sponsored by Royce.

Related Story:
Battling Obesity
http://calstate.fullerton.edu/news/Inside/spotlight/2009/battling-obesity/