Laura Robles: Keeping an Eye on the Future of Vision Research Laura J. Robles, dean of Graduate Studies and Research and professor of biology, was appointed chair of the Diversity Issues Committee for the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) in May.

Nancy Erbe: International Research Shows Effectiveness of Ombudsman Profession Nancy Erbe, associate professor of negotiation, conflict resolution and peace building led a panel discussion at the second annual conference of the International Ombudsman Association (IOA) in St. Louis, Mo., in April, in continuation of research she has done over the last several years that explores approaches to conflict resolution in diverse parts of the world.

Photo above: During his 35-year teaching career, Abel Amaya has taught and developed Chicana/o studies curriculum at several universities, including USC, Pitzer and Pomona College, and Colorado State University. Since his retirement from USC in 1999, Amaya continues to teach part-time at Pitzer College, Pomona
College, CSU Fullerton and CSU Dominguez Hills.

Throughout his career, Amaya made it a priority to integrate barrio students into university life. He founded the first Latino Parent Association in 1979 at USC, and in 1984, founded and directed the Mexican Exchange Program between USC and the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. On the Dominguez Hills campus, Amaya helped to establish with the first Dolores Huerta Chicana/o
Latina/o Graduation Celebration in 2005, a bilingual celebration for graduates to share their academic success and accomplishments with their family and friends.

Photo by Joanie Harmon-Whetmore