Dr. Kim Flachmann celebrates 50 years at CSUB

Dr. Flachmann receives grant from CSU Student Success Network for new program

By California State University, Bakersfield

June 3^rd, 2022

Ever since first coming to California State University, Bakersfield, Writing Program Coordinator Dr. Kim Flachmann has been working to help students with their writing.

Dr. Flachmann was first hired as a part-time faculty member at CSUB in 1972, back when the university was just a state college. As part of her position, she taught and tutored students as well as developed the university’s remedial English program.

“I was very proud of that program,” she said. “That’s how I found my niche at CSUB. I knew I had found my place.”

In 1977, Dr. Flachmann accepted a new position running English Support Services in the Tutoring Center. In 1980, she was hired full-time in the English Department and served in that position until she was hired in 1986 as the coordinator of the Writing Program, which helps freshmen through graduate students develop their writing skills.

In May, Dr. Flachmann received an award from the university recognizing her 50 years of service.

“When I was told I was at 50 years this year, I was surprised. It feels very weird,” she said. “It’s been so wonderful to watch the university grow.”

One of the developments she’s been most proud of is the creation of the expository reading and writing course, sponsored by the CSU Chancellor’s Office. Since 2007, this English course has been taught to high school seniors and helps prepare them for college work.

“That bridge from high school English to college is so important,” Dr. Flachmann said. “We can help more students when we know exactly where they are when we start with them at the university. With programs like this, we’re getting better and better students every year.”

Many students still grapple with writing when they come to CSUB, however. Dr. Flachmann said one of the biggest challenges over the course of her career has been to help them reach their full potential in a way that is both sensitive and effective.

“I love the students,” she said. “Part of why I love them so much is because I tutored them for a long time, so I know how they think. I see the world often through the students’ point of view, because I heard it for years here. That makes a whole lot of difference.”

Dr. Debra Jackson, associate vice president for academic affairs and dean of academic programs, said Dr. Flachmann has been a foundational faculty member at CSUB.

“Dr. Flachmann’s commitment to literacy is unparalleled,” she said. “She tirelessly works to improve learning outcomes not only for students at CSUB, but for K-12 learners throughout the region. We are so very lucky to count her among our faculty.”

Dr. Flachmann received a service award for 50 years at CSUB.

‘Most students can write — they’re just afraid’

While she may now have 50 years under her belt at CSUB, Dr. Flachmann doesn’t intend to rest on her laurels.

“I’m not slowing down. I’m committed to the activities I already have going on,” she said.

One of these is a two-year pilot program that will launch in the fall in which student tutors will be placed in non-English courses at CSUB with high failure rates to help students complete their writing assignments, in the hopes that it will lead more students to pass their classes.

Dr. Flachmann recently received a $20,000 Equity in Action grant from the CSU Student Success Network to fund the program. The grant is awarded to campuses to fund projects that aim to close student equity gaps and improve learning outcomes.

“I’m so excited. My gut said we need this grant on this campus,” she said. “We have an extremely active faculty written communication learning community in general education who want to discuss their writing assignments.”

Dr. Flachmann came up with the idea for the program after attending a statewide meeting during which faculty from several campuses expressed concern about a growing number of students dropping their classes after being assigned writing projects.

“I think students fall into two categories when they’re in college: They either feel ‘yes, I can write,’ or they feel they don’t know how to write and they run for the hills at the first assignment,” she said. “Most students can write — they’re just afraid. It’s like a form of paralysis.”

For each semester of the pilot, Dr. Flachmann will work with faculty from two classes that have a high level of students with Ds, Fs or withdrawals. A student tutor will be dedicated to each course to work with students on their writing projects from the time they are assigned until they are due.

“Tutors hired by this grant will help students with their writing assignments before they can start to react emotionally,” she said. “I will work with the faculty. They will run their assignments by me. I will make sure they have all the resources they need for students and help them revise their assignments. It’s about making assignments as accessible to the students as possible.”

There is a lot riding on this pilot program. CSUB is the first CSU campus to implement such a program, according to Dr. Flachmann. If it’s successful in reducing the rate of withdrawals and failed grades, she hopes the university will receive more funding to keep the program going.

“I’m already thinking of ways to disseminate this to other campuses, to partner with campuses who want to try this,” she said.

A successful pilot wouldn’t be possible without the support of faculty who are willing to try something new, Dr. Flachmann said.

“Our campus always has faculty who are interested in integrating writing into their courses,” she said. “They’re inspiring to work with because they care about literacy. I don’t have to go knock on their doors – they just come willingly, and that’s not typical of all CSUs. That’s our faculty.”

While having seen and accomplished much during her years at CSUB, Dr. Flachmann said she’s excited to see how the campus evolves over the coming years.

“It’s such a good environment here. We’ve got great students and faculty who care about writing,” she said. “I truly love Bakersfield and I’ve loved my time at CSUB. This is where I was born to be.”