Graphic by Dani Ramirez
Written by Steven Mynott
Interim President Susan Andrzejewski’s Convocation Speech for the New Academic Year
Interim President Susan Andrzejewski kicked off the 2025-2026 academic year with a convocation speech in front of a packed house at Grand Salon. Interim President Andrzejewski’s speech highlighted CI’s recent achievements, as well as outlined her goals for CI going into this new academic year and beyond.
Raudel Bañuelos, CI Chumash Cultural Advisor, took the stage first to lead off the event. The aroma of sage smoke filled Grand Salon as he sang a traditional Chumash blessing. Following the blessing, Provost Jessica Lavariega Monforti took the stage to introduce Interim President Andrzejewski to a big round of applause from the audience.
Interim President Andrzejewski shared three goals that her office will prioritize for this academic year. The top priority is to stabilize enrollment. It has been no secret that CI’s enrollment has been down since the COVID-19 pandemic, but Interim President Andrzejewski plans to set CI on the course towards rebuilding its enrollment numbers. She was not at liberty to share further details, but Interim President Andrzejewski was excited to share, “For the first time in nine years, CSU Channel Islands is experiencing new growth in enrollment.” Interim President Andrzejewski projected optimism towards the future of CI’s student enrollment.
Interim President Andrzejewski’s second goal was to improve CI’s financial sustainability. She shared in the deep concern felt across campus after a year of budget cuts and layoffs during the last academic year. She aims to use her office to reverse the trend and put CI on a path towards greater financial sustainability.
Interim President Andrzejewski’s third goal is to prepare CI for the arrival and success of its next permanent president. At this point in her speech, Interim President Andrzejewski drew attention to the “Interim” portion of her title. She made it clear that in order for her job as Interim President to be successful, she needs to set whoever becomes the permanent president up for success.
At the conclusion of her speech, Interim President Andrzejewski awarded several members of the CI community for their past achievements. The President’s Award for Student Innovation went to Isis Young, a fourth-year health science major. The President’s Staff Award for Excellence went to Elsa Zendejas, the Registrar’s Office Customer Service Assistant. The President’s Teaching & Innovation Award went to Dr. HyeSun Lee, a psychology professor. Interim President Andrzejewski gave a special thanks and congratulated Dr. Ekin Pehlivan, marketing professor, for a second year as the President’s Faculty Fellow.
All four honorees shared their appreciation with The CI View. Young told The CI View, “Winning this award truly means so much to me. Being part of something this impactful has been an incredible experience, and I feel so grateful to do work that supports and uplifts Black students. I love being able to help create connections through community events and serve as a resource for others. This opportunity has been such a gift, and I’m deeply honored to be recognized in this way.” Young’s work with CI’s Black Cultural Center has not gone unnoticed.
Zendejas told The CI View, “Receiving this award is truly humbling and deeply appreciated. The leadership of the Registrar’s Office and all of Enrollment Management is thanked for this recognition and for creating an environment that fosters growth and dedication. To all my Student Assistants that nominated me I am truly grateful. Working with them, watching them grow and graduate is such a great reward.
“This award reflects the team’s work. The talent, hard work, dedication and collaborative spirit made this possible. A special thank you to Maria Elena Zendejas for believing in me and opening the doors to CI. To the Registrar’s Office, and student assistants for their support and insight — this milestone would not have been possible without any of them.
“This recognition is very meaningful and inspires continued striving for excellence. Thank you all.” The CI View wants to extend our congratulations to Zendejas for receiving this honor.
Lee told The CI View, “Winning the President’s Award for Teaching and Innovation is both an honor and a reminder of the collective effort behind this grant-supported project. This recognition reflects the dedication of faculty and staff who helped launch UNIV 490 Special Topic: Undergraduate Research, creating new opportunities for students to step into the role of researchers. I am grateful to work with colleagues who are passionate about advancing undergraduate research and empowering students to realize their potential.
“Since joining CI in 2016, I have experienced both joys and challenges. My promotion to full professor this fall is another milestone that reminds me how much I owe to the mentoring and friendship of colleagues in Psychology and across campus, as well as the encouragement of my family. Their belief in me, and their daily reminders of why this work matters, have been invaluable.
“To me, this award is not just recognition of past achievements but also inspiration for the future. It affirms the importance of creating opportunities for students to discover their potential as I move forward in the next chapter of my career at CI.” CI staff and students appreciate all of Lee’s hard work.
Pehlivan told The CI View, “Winning the President’s Award for Teaching and Innovation is both an honor and a reminder of the collective effort behind this grant-supported project. This recognition reflects the dedication of faculty and staff who helped launch UNIV 490 Special Topic: Undergraduate Research, creating new opportunities for students to step into the role of researchers. I am grateful to work with colleagues who are passionate about advancing undergraduate research and empowering students to realize their potential.
“Since joining CI in 2016, I have experienced both joys and challenges. My promotion to full professor this fall is another milestone that reminds me how much I owe to the mentoring and friendship of colleagues in Psychology and across campus, as well as the encouragement of my family. Their belief in me, and their daily reminders of why this work matters, have been invaluable.
“To me, this award is not just recognition of past achievements but also inspiration for the future. It affirms the importance of creating opportunities for students to discover their potential as I move forward in the next chapter of my career at CI.”
These awards marked the end of the convocation speech and beginning of a new academic year.
