Dr. Kathleen Madden retires as NSME dean

Dr. Todd McBride to take over as interim dean

By California State University, Bakersfield

February 16^th, 2021

After more than five years at California State University, Bakersfield, Dr. Kathleen Madden has retired from her position as dean of the School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering. Dr. Todd McBride, previously the school’s associate dean, has taken over as interim dean.

Though Dr. Madden has already returned to her home state of Colorado, the impact of her time at the school will be felt for years to come. During Dr. Madden’s time in the role, the school saw continued growth in enrollment, programs, grants and more, establishing CSUB as a community leader in all things science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

“The faculty, staff, and administration of NSME have a commitment to — and a track record of — meeting the STEM and healthcare educational needs of our students and local community,” Dr Madden said. “It has been a privilege and a pleasure to be part of the NSME team for the past five and half years.”

Dr. Madden’s time at the university started in 2015, when she joined NSME as its associate dean and a professor of mathematics. The next year, she was named interim dean and, in 2017, named permanent dean of the school, a role she held until the end of the 2020 fall term. Prior to joining CSUB, Dr. Madden was the associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts and chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey.

“At the time I took the job at CSUB, I was interested in getting into administration, and I was looking for opportunities primarily in the west so that I could be closer to my family,” Dr. Madden said. “Having lived in California for parts of my life, I was well aware of the mission of the CSUs – namely providing wide access to a quality education – and this mission appealed to me.”

During Dr. Madden’s time as dean, the School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering continued to flourish. A $6 million Department of Education Title V Pathways grant led to the construction of a new student advising and success center and many initiatives to support first-year students embarking on their higher education journeys. Teaching labs, faculty research labs, and other spaces in NSME’s buildings were renovated, and 31 new tenure-track faculty were hired.

The school’s expansion of its engineering programs predates Dr. Madden but continued to thrive while she served as dean. Three engineering programs earned accreditation from the Accreditation Board for Engineering & Technology. A new Energy and Engineering Innovation Building, which would provide more space for the growing program, has been added to the CSU Chancellor’s Office master planning list.

“The engineering programs were moving full steam ahead with all kinds of great momentum when I arrived, and I was lucky to be a part of the formation and growth of those programs,” Dr. Madden said.

By her side in the Dean’s Office was Dr. Todd McBride, who is now serving as interim dean of NSME.

“Working with Dean Madden was indeed a pleasure,” Dr. McBride said. “She led by example and was a tireless advocate for the faculty, staff and students of NSME. Her leadership style was one of collaboration and inclusion, while remaining firmly in charge and able to make the tough decisions necessary to lead the school.

Photo of Dean Madden mingling at an event.

Even in her retirement, Dr. Madden will still be part of the CSUB family. She will be helping out this term with the new Department of Education Pathways Adelante grant, which will support students interested in health-related careers and create a new public health degree. After that gets up and running, she will work part-time in the Faculty Early Retirement Program on grant activity assessment and reporting.

“A love of both mathematics and teaching is what led me to a career in higher education, and I am looking forward to returning to both, at least on a part-time basis,” she said.

After years of working together, Dr. Madden knows Dr. McBride is more than up for the task of leading the School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering.

“He will do great!” Dr. Madden said of her successor. “We have been a real team, working closely together for the past five years, and he is in a position to hit the ground running.”

Dr. Kathleen Madden retires as NSME dean

Joining Dr. McBride in the Dean’s Office is Dr. Karlo Lopez, who will take on the role of interim associate dean. He previously served as the chair of NSME’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

“During my time at CSUB, I have worked with several Deans, and I have learned important lessons from each of them,” Dr. McBride said. “As Associate Dean, I was very fortunate that Dean Madden cultivated a team effort and allowed me to be involved in much of the decision making.”

Dr. McBride noted several infrastructure improvement projects and active grants that were initiated prior to Dr. Madden’s retirement. One major priority for the spring term is finalizing the proposed public health degree, which will start in the fall.

“I will be working hard to keep the momentum going and bring these projects to completion,” Dr. McBride said.

Dr. Lopez said he appreciated the opportunity to join the Dean’s Office team and looks forward to continuing to serve students, ensure faculty voices are heard, and help move the school forward.

“As an alumnus of the school and having served as a faculty member and chair of the department where I was once a student, I am deeply committed to the success of the school, the faculty, and our students,” Dr. Lopez said. “While I did not start out with aspirations to be in the administration, I am humbled and heartened by the opportunity to serve as interim associate dean and by the trust the faculty and interim dean McBride have placed in me.”

The process of selecting a permanent replacement for Dr. Madden is underway, with the role possibly being filled as early as the fall.

Photo of Dean Madden with nursing faculty and students.

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Footnotes

Story by Kelly Ardis, communications specialist, School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering (NSME); Photos provided by NSME

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FootNotes

Story by Kelly Ardis, communications specialist, School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering (NSME); Photos provided by NSME