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Name
Kim Kita
Title/Role at CSU
Director of Special Projects and Partnerships. My role is to lead and oversee the many aspects of the CSU Todos Santos Center, including creating bridges between CSU and Baja California Sur (BCS), working with faculty and program leaders to support their creation of new courses, working with CSURF on the nuts and bolts of business operations, collaborating with the team working at the Todos Santos Center, and looking for opportunities for further partnering, fundraising and engagement in service of the Center functioning as a vibrant hub for educational and cultural exchange.
When did you visit the CSU Todos Santos Center?
I first came to Todos Santos in January 2013 and have since returned on many, many occasions.
What did you do/work on during your trips to Todos Santos?
My time in Todos Santos centers on learning from community members and regional organizations, supporting the programs in residence at the Center, and working with the team at the Center to continually improve and expand operations, programs, and impact.
What have you learned by working in the two communities of CSU and Baja California Sur?
There is a movement happening, a shift in awareness whereby people hold the highest of standards for engaging, and a deep commitment to creating genuine, just, and mutually empowering and beneficial relationships. While there are tensions in the world, as reflected by recent election rhetoric and aggression, this emerging shift toward collaboration, understanding, and mutual respect is strong, and it’s growing. This is the heart of why this work is so meaningful and inspiring to me, personally and professionally, and why I work to support the efforts of those engaging through the CSU Todos Santos Center. There is a growing community of people stepping up to create the world we want to live in and being a part of that brings energy and a sense of possibility.
What would you want people to know about the CSU involvement in Todos Santos?
I’ve learned that so very many faculty, staff, and students at CSU have genuine interest in educational and cultural exchange, and a deep commitment to learning with and from the people, animals, and ecosystems of Mexico. Our daily conversations and efforts revolve around how we can be responsible ambassadors of CSU and the United States, while simultaneously supporting and furthering regional initiatives and priorities. There are no limits to the learning, exploration, and partnerships within Baja California Sur. Whatever your passion, there are connections and possibilities. I believe that this is an example of answering the call of a 21st century land grant institution, to provide research and education to address our shared world problems, while providing access and outreach to allow each of us the opportunity to develop as a global citizen and to explore what that means.
What did you find most rewarding about your experience in Todos Santos?
It’s inspiring to learn from the people in Todos Santos and Baja California Sur who are so very dedicated, talented, and passionate, and working on what matters so very much – from recycling, to ecotourism, marine turtle research, public health, youth engagement, conservation of fisheries in the Sea of Cortez, and more. It’s rewarding for me to learn from each person and project, and to apply what I learn to be as effective as I can be in my work with CSU. My experiences and relationships in Todos Santos and BCS impact me powerfully; as I learn and grow from these experiences, I am continually fueled to offer what I can to genuinely and positively impact our world.
About the CSU Todos Santos Center
The Colorado State University Todos Santos Center is the university’s first international location and is core to CSU’s mission of teaching, research, service, and outreach.
The Center provides opportunities for CSU students and Baja California Sur residents to collaborate with local partners and businesses to identify needs, conduct research, and produce impactful outcomes.
CSU’s vision in Todos Santos is to cultivate generations of global citizens and to be a part of creating thriving communities through collaboration, experience, and exchange of knowledge in areas such as agriculture, infectious disease, elementary education, environmental and social sustainability, wildlife ecology, veterinary medicine, and public health.
