The Eisner Foundation and CSU, Northridge Launch Inaugural Eisner Lecture
May 4, 2010
NORTHRIDGE - The Eisner Foundation and the Michael D. Eisner College of Education at California State University, Northridge partnered today to launch the inaugural Eisner Lecture and Eisner Education Colloquium at CSUN. The lecture and colloquium, which were funded by a grant from The Eisner Foundation, provided an opportunity for CSUN’s Michael D. Eisner College of Education to bring together members of the K-12 and higher education communities to discuss best practices and share ideas on education reform.
“The Inaugural Eisner Education Lecture and Colloquium showcased California State University, Northridge’s commitment to excellence and to building alliances with the community by bringing together partners from local schools, businesses, government, and social agencies—all sharing a vision of improving educational opportunities and outcomes for members of the greater Los Angeles area,” said Michael E. Spagna, dean of the Eisner College of Education.
Michael D. Eisner welcomed attendees to the event. “At our foundation, we are more than pleased to see this college of education exploring ways in which dedication, knowledge and skills can be transformed into authentic education reform, and inviting other educators to share their experiences and agendas for reform,” said Mr. Eisner.
The day began with the Eisner Education Colloquium and culminated with the Eisner Education Lecture by U.S. Department of Education Under Secretary Martha J. Kanter. The early parts of the day featured four sessions exploring partnerships between Cal State Northridge and K-12 schools: the Department of Secondary Education and Northridge Academy High School, the Oviatt Library and the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), the Department of Special Education and the CHIME Institute, which operates an elementary public charter school and a public middle charter school, and the Department of Elementary Education and LAUSD. Later, Dean Spagna moderated a panel about college readiness featuring superintendents of Ventura, Burbank, and Los Angeles Unified school districts.
The day culminated with the Eisner Education Lecture by Martha J. Kanter at 5 p.m. in the Campus Theater. Kanter was nominated by President Obama on April 29, 2009, to be the Under Secretary of Education and was confirmed by the Senate on June 19, 2009. In this position, she reports to Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and oversees policies, programs and activities related to postsecondary education, vocational and adult education and federal student aid.She is the first community college leader to serve in the under secretary position. From 2003 to 2009, Kanter served as chancellor of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District, one of the largest community college districts in the nation, serving more than 45,000 students with a total budget of approximately $400 million.
All events were open and free to the public.
