Abstract: What is the preconception of system in American higher education? What do we see when we invoke Deming's view of system? OK, where do we go from here?

Biography: Harry Hellenbrand is Provost Emeritus, CSU Northridge. He returned to teaching in 2015. He has written and presented widely on public higher education and its links to K-12.

Harold Hellenbrand was appointed Interim President of California State University, Northridge effective January 1, 2012. Appointed by the Chancellor of The California State University (CSU), Dr. Hellenbrand will serve in the interim role until the next president of Cal State Northridge is selected and begins his or her appointment. Up until the interim appointment, Dr. Hellenbrand served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Cal State Northridge, beginning in August 2004. In this role, he has brought a wide range of administrative and academic experiences to Cal State Northridge, including 18 years of experience within the CSU System. Dr. Hellenbrand’s background reflects strengths in planning, K-12 linkages, retention efforts, and commitment to diversity. Dr. Hellenbrand considers Cal State Northridge and its public urban university setting central to regional economic success and to major political and social currents. He is also attracted to Northridge's dedication to teacher renewal, something that is crucial to the Los Angeles area now and over the next 20 years. Provost Hellenbrand served as Dean, and Professor at the College of Liberal Arts at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo from 1998-2004; as Dean, and Professor at the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota, Duluth from 1994-1998; and as Chair, and Professor of the English Department at California State University, San Bernardino from 1982-1994.

After earning his bachelor's degree in English and American literature from Harvard College in 1975, Provost Hellenbrand received his doctorate in modern thought and literature from Stanford University in 1980.

Contact: Harry can be reached by e-mail at hhellenb@csun.edu for additional information about this "Dialogic Session."