Strengthening Cal Poly Pomona’s commitment to advancing more students to graduation, Provost Marten denBoer has announced that industrial and manufacturing engineering Professor Dr. Victor Okhuysen as the Graduation Initiative Steering Committee co-chair and faculty coordinator.

“There is no question we need to do a better job in getting more of our students, especially our underrepresented communities, to the finish line,” said Okhuysen. “I am excited about the opportunity to work within our academic community and make a difference for our students.”

Okhuysen has been a member of the faculty of the College of Engineering since 1998. He had previously served as a guest researcher for Rolls Royce plc (public limited company), working on dimensional analysis due to the conversion of slurry systems, and on testing the new formulation.

“Victor’s decision to help lead the graduation initiative should serve the university well in the coming years,” said denBoer. “His experience on campus, including the relationships he has developed across the colleges and divisions, will only accelerate the work that needs to be done.”

The graduation initiative involves all 23 CSU campuses and is expected to raise six-year graduation rates by eight percent by 2016, as well as cut in half the existing gap in degree attainment by CSU’s underrepresented students. Cal Poly Pomona developed a steering committee focused on identifying the variables that impact graduation rates on campus, with particular emphasis on factors affecting under-represented communities. The team, which includes faculty chosen by the Academic Senate, retention leaders from Student Affairs, curriculum leaders from Academic Affairs, and other campus professionals, ultimately focused on advising, curriculum, and engagement.