In rather exciting news, two CSUN MPH students, Miriam Sanchez and Ryan Skaggs, were just accepted into Clinton Global Initiative-University (CGI U). The prestigious honor, announced recently, is in recognition of the tremendous work of Sanchez and Skaggs on public health and COVID-19.

Your smartphone is getting smarter. Your car is driving itself. And your watch tells you when to breathe.

That, as strange as it might sound, is the world we live in.

Just look around you. Almost every day, there’s a better or more convenient version of the latest gadget, device or software.

And that’s only on the commercial end. The medical and rehabilitative tech is equally impressive — and arguably far more important. Because for those with disabilities, assistive technologies mean more than convenience. They mean freedom.

So what is an assistive technology (AT), and who designs it?

The term might be new to you, but you’re undoubtedly aware of many: hearing aids, prosthetics, speech-recognition software (Hey, Siri), even the touch screen you use each day on your cell phone. They’re all assistive technologies.

AT, in its most basic form, is anything that helps a person achieve enhanced performance, improved function or accelerated access to information. A car lets you travel faster than walking; a computer lets you process data at an inhuman speed; and a search engine lets you easily find information.

As the pandemic enters a new, more manageable phase, many in health care are asking, “What’s next?” The answer, for a growing number, is the operating room (OR).

With much of the nation now vaccinated, the public is increasingly seeking long-delayed surgical treatments – for everything from cancer to hip replacements to cosmetics.

On its homepage, the California State University Chancellor’s Office recently praised two cutting-edge CSUN programs: the M.S. in Assistive Technology Engineering and the M.S. in Assistive Technology Studies and Human Services. The two degrees, the CSU says, are a part of the university’s larger culture of accessibility. “California State University, Northridge has a long history of providing services to people with disabilities and championing accessibility for its students,” the CSU site reports. “In 1983 the university created the Center on Disabilities (COD), [and it also] hosts ‘the longest-running and largest annual university-sponsored conference on technology and people with disabilities.’” One of the fastest growing fields, assistive technology is at the forefront of new medical and commercial devices – from smart phones to prosthetics to virtual reality. Some projections forecast the market will hit $31 billion by 2024 and see an annual job growth of 7.4 percent.

In a year of many changes, CSUN’s Master of Science in Taxation remained exceptional. The award-winning master’s degree, say several leading organizations, is among the country’s finest and exemplifies the highest standards in instruction, curriculum and student achievement.

This year’s awards, seen below, validate the hard work and tenacity of the program’s faculty and students. Ranked first on com’s 2020 list of “The Top 25 Online Master’s in Taxation Programs” Among Best Value School’s top 20 list of “Best Online Master’s in Taxation Degrees” and “10 Best Affordable Online Master’s in Taxation Degrees” Among Grad School Hub’s “15 Best Online Master’s Degrees in Taxation 2020” Ranked third on Great Business School’s “10 Most Affordable Master’s in Taxation Degrees for 2020” Ranked sixth on Master’s Program Guide’s 2020 list of “10 Best Master’s Programs in Taxation” and fifth in its ranking of “Best Online Master’s Programs in Taxation” Equally exciting are the student outcomes. Within six months of graduation, the class of 2019 earned an average salary of $92,000, and 71% of students received a raise or a promotion upon graduating.

The degree is more important than ever. Last July, the Internal Revenue Service reported a record 152.8 million individual income tax returns for 2020. Through this program, CSUN is doing its part. With each graduate, we add to the nation’s deep well of talent – and this year, the rankings show, is no different.

Congratulations to the students, faculty and staff of this tremendous program, and here’s to another year of exceptional results.

Learn how to use data analytics and artificial intelligence to improve manufacturing systems! CSUN's new Certificate of Advanced Professional Development in Smart Manufacturing gives you the skills needed for this vital field.  Smart manufacturing uses computers, robotics, 3D printing and digitization to revolutionize manufacturing and assembly lines.  Students will learn about human-machine teaming and smart/digital supply chains.