Employee of the Month - November 2021
Mary Anne Rose, Director, Graduate Studies
College of Education
Awarded Wednesday, November 17th, 2021 via Zoom Virtual celebration. Mary Anne was joined by President Jane Close Conoley, College of Education (CED) Dean Shireen Pavri, CED Associate Dean Laura Portnoi, numerous CED and campus colleagues, friends, and family members.
Mary Anne Rose, Director of Graduate Studies in the College of Education (CED), has served the Long Beach State community for twenty-one years. Mary Anne leads the Graduate Studies Office in supporting CED graduate students throughout their experiences at CSULB. In addition, she serves as advisor for the CED Graduate Student Association.
Mary Anne has dedicated her career on this campus to improving students’ academic, professional and social experiences, and outcomes. She actively engages in extensive service in the college, university, and professional associations.
Laura Portnoi, CED Associate Dean for Faculty Development, Research and Graduate Studies, praised Mary Anne’s exceptional work at CSULB, saying “She is a dynamic leader with a positive outlook that motivates staff, while also providing them with guidance and professional development opportunities to effectively contribute to team goals. Mary Anne’s ‘one step ahead’ approach exemplifies her commitment and expertise in ensuring that the office is always forward-thinking, anticipating problems that may arise or supports that may be needed. She works collaboratively with program faculty, department chairs, and Enrollment Services to establish or improve processes and troubleshoot on behalf of students. Faculty and department chairs regularly commend Mary Anne for her organizational expertise, deep understanding of university policy/procedure, and student-centered approach.”
Mary Anne’s “student-centered approach” is exemplified through her involvement in many service roles at the college and university level. Dr. Babette Benken, Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics, has served on multiple committees with Mary Anne, including: the Provost’s Task Force on Graduate Student Success, the Graduate Student Success Initiative, the Academic Senate, and the Graduate Studies Advisory Committee. “While serving on all of these committees, Ms. Rose always volunteered to dive into the tasks at hand and often served in leadership roles…Through all of our collaborations, I find Ms. Rose to be incredibly professional, participatory, dedicated, passionate, and knowledgeable, driven by a commitment to the University and our students’ success,” said Dr, Benken.
Jody Cormack, Vice Provost & Dean of Graduate Studies, commended Mary Anne’s contributions in two recent projects that improved the student experience within CED: “We instituted a new exception request system, and although the College often has complex requests for their students, Ms. Rose provides all information needed in order to support her students. I never need to ask for additional information, which is unusual. She is an effective communicator and collaborator, seeking to improve graduate studies procedures and policies for the betterment of the campus community. Ms. Rose assumed a leadership role in moving twelve College of Education master’s programs to a full Cal State Apply submission process (integrated university and program applications), involving considerable organization to prepare splash pages for each program and support the transition to online applications for faculty. She collaborated with University Admissions for piloting and improving the implementation…I am honored to have the opportunity to work with her.”
Mary Anne is a proud staff member and double alumna of CSULB. In her spare time, she enjoys “Pilates and beach volleyball as well being an auntie to my niece Lily and nephew William.”