A History of Service

For over five decades, CSUDH has provided transformative education and resources to Southern California’s underserved communities. Starting with just a single course in 1973, CSUDH’s health care offerings have grown in size, scope, and impact with each new year. As they prepare to celebrate 50 years of service to the health science field, the College of Health, Human Services and Nursing continues to play a major role in preparing health care professionals.

Important Dates in CSUDH Health Science:

1973: First health science course offered
CSUDH rolled out its first health science course, Medical Technology. The course provided students with the clinical training needed for eligibility for a Medical Technologist license.
1975: Allied Health founded
This new department focused on the Allied Health major, which was introduced as an optional Health Science major.
1978: First CSUDH pre-med programs established
CSUDH introduced a variety of pre-professional programs, including offerings in medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, pharmacy, optometry, and podiatry.
1979: Expansion of majors
The Human Services major was established, as were three new health science options: Health Care Management, Clinical Health, and Community Health.
1981: Statewide nursing program started
CSUDH began to offer a BS and MS in nursing, along with undergraduate and graduate-level certification programs.
1995: CSUDH School of Health established
2004: College of Health and Human Services formed
This new college brought together four academic units under one umbrella: Health Sciences, Human Development, Kinesiology and Recreation, and Nursing.
2009-2011: College of Professional Studies created
Health science courses briefly moved into the short-lived College of Professional Studies, which combined the College of Education with the College of Health and Human Services.
2013: College of Health, Human Services and Nursing established
The College of Education was replaced with the College of Nursing to establish CHHSN.

Going Far Together

CSUDH Launches New Strategic Plan

The university’s new strategic plan was launched in March 2022. The wide-ranging plan positions CSUDH as a socially just, equitable, and inclusive model urban university, and will serve as a blueprint for the university over the next eight years. The title, “Going Far Together,” reflects how collectivism supports a learning environment in which everyone can thrive—an overarching theme woven throughout the document.

That sense of collective effort established the foundation of the strategic planning process itself, said Dean of Students Matt Smith, who, along with Dean of Undergraduate Studies Kim Costino, co-chaired the Strategic Planning Steering Committee that created the new plan.

“We were adamant about wanting this to be a collaborative process, and taking the time we needed to incorporate the voices of students, staff, faculty, our community members, alumni, local businesses, and educational institutions. We were really proud to include them,” said Smith in thanking the many campus partners, consultants, and volunteers whose input shaped the plan.

The March 3 kickoff event was nearly two years in the making. Despite some pandemic-induced delays, the process moved ahead in earnest Spring 2021 through a series of virtual focus group meetings with the campus community and external stakeholders. Attendees shared their views on what defines CSUDH, the university’s strengths and potential opportunities, and what CSUDH will need to achieve its promise.

“What came through very loudly and clearly from the beginning is the campus’ commitment to its history rooted in social justice and equity,” said Costino as she and Smith presented the strategic plan’s key themes, which are grounded in diversity, community, excellence, and sustainability.

The five strategic themes are:

Thriving Students
Thriving Educators
Equitable Access
Culture of Care
Pillar of the Community

Each strategic theme includes a commitment statement, one or more goals, and a list of key activities to help achieve the themes’ goals.

“Collectively, the [key themes], along with the strategic commitments they support, are designed to reveal how we will intentionally work together to fulfill our vision of becoming a model urban metropolitan university,” Costino and Smith noted in their co-chairs statement in the plan.

President Thomas A. Parham praised Going Far Together for how it “articulates and reveals who we are at the core of our being.”

“You should see yourself reflected in these pillars,” he added. “This plan is unique to Dominguez Hills and represents the heart of what our campus aspires to be. The work is just beginning.”

Strategic Plan Website