Announcing the new CHHS Champions
The College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) is working hard to give our faculty and students the training and resources they need to excel at the highest levels of teaching and learning. To help them succeed, CHHS has chosen two new college-level champions who have experience and expertise in Student Engagement and Connection, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access (DEIA). The CHHS champions will work with the faculty and students to promote standards, set expectations, and provide support for quality teaching and learning.
CHHS Champion for Student Engagement and Connection: Dr. Cheryl Rock, Associate Professor of Food Science
Dr. Cheryl Rock is currently an Associate Professor of Food Science at the California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences since 2014. She received her bachelor's degree (B. Sc.) in Food Science and Technology from the Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical (A & M) University. In 2007, she continued with her Master's degree (M. Sc.) at the same university. In 2012, she obtained her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) from the University of Florida (UF). Her research experiences and interests include Ethnomedicine and Food Metaphysics using Bagua Systems. Additionally, she is the Author of 4 books: (1) Frankenfood: Fact or Science Fiction- Principles of Critical Thinking (2) Scientific Writing: Tools and Techniques, (3) The Bagua Plate: An Integrative and Practical Approach to Health and Wellness and (4), Rumbullion: A Historic, Cultural and Scientific Aspect of Barbados Rum.
Dr. Rock's expertise in "Student Engagement and Connection" and extensive knowledge of campus resources will allow her to help maximize opportunities for students while also creating innovative experiences and events to bring people together within CHHS.
Among her achievements, Dr. Rock facilitated student engagement through connecting her students with other student chapters regionally with local universities as well as local industry partners. This was accomplished through competitions such as the college bowl, in her capacity as faculty advisor of the CSULB Food Science Club National and Regional Chapter where she mentored over 300 students cumulatively. Dr. Rock has also led 50 CSULB students cumulatively in her study abroad course “Distilling and Brewing Technology in Barbados.”
Moreover, for the past 7 years, in collaboration with the international Education Committee (IEC) and Africa Subcommittee at CSULB, she assisted in planning the Annual African Extravaganza in the fall and African Distinguished Speaker series for approximately 100-150 students who attended each semester and developed general education curriculum using the Kolb Experiential Learning Model where students acquire knowledge through personal experiences from group activities. Dr. Rock also connected with students as the Faculty-in-Residence (FIR) where she lived with them at Parkside Residential Hall, providing a supportive and intellectual community for the residents through programming, study sessions, and social events like the Hollywood Hike. She also engaged students in research through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) which serves first and second year students at CSULB to enhance professional development for the job market or graduate studies. Dr. Rock also mentored first-time freshman entering CSULB in Fall 2019 and Spring 2020 as a Gen Excel faculty in which she assisted first generation students’ transition from high school to college by offering support and referrals to campus resources to support student success, and to increase retention.
Email: Cheryl.Rock@csulb.edu
CHHS Champion for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access: Jason Plummer
Dr. Jason Plummer is currently an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work. Dr. Plummer’s research focuses on political social work and sociopolitical youth development, with an emphasis on how race, election laws, and policing shape the political behavior/civic engagement of youth. He received his B.A. in psychology from Baruch College, CUNY, and both his master’s in social work and urban planning are from the University of Michigan. He holds a PhD in Social Welfare from the University of California, Los Angeles. He is a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Urban Social Work and author of Families in the Urban Environment: Understanding resiliency (Cognella, 2018)
The purpose of this CHHS Champion will be to advance diversity, equity, inclusion and access within CHHS. This Champion will help assist departments with creating annual goals and providing support developing workshops and trainings, as well as provide outreach and relationship building with community stakeholders, including schools and community centers.
“I am a Black male who is first generation American and the first person in my family to graduate college,” Dr. Plummer said. “This experience has fostered in me a commitment to promoting equitable development, social justice, and diversity. My interpretation of diversity, equity, and inclusion centers on collaborative problem-solving and engaging in activities that eliminate racial and ethnic disproportionalities. To that end, my commitment to diversity is more than just respecting and celebrating diversity. I believe in supporting the self-determination of students and incorporating their perspectives in decisions that affect their learning.”
Previously, as a lecturer at the California State University, Los Angeles, Dr. Plummer mentored students of color and participated in Cal State LA’s Men of Color Student Success Network. He mentored various students, helping them persist to finish their degree, complete competitive graduate school and scholarship applications, and by encouraging them to see greatness in themselves.
Since joining the School of Social Work faculty in August 2022, Dr. Plummer has been an active member of the department’s DEIA committee. In that role, he has organized and facilitated workshops for faculty on incorporating anti-racist and critical pedagogies into their instruction.
Email: Jason.Plummer@csulb.edu
