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Centers and Institutes

The scope and quality of academic instruction throughout the College of Professional Studies & Fine Arts is enhanced by the work of the Institutes and Centers that operate within the college or in collaboration with other colleges. They encourage meaningful research, stimulate dialogue through symposia, conferences and workshops, and engage in mutually beneficial community service programs.

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  • Center for Visual and Performing Arts
    Enhancing, coordinating, and publicizing the visual and performing arts programs of PSFA, forming alliances and partnerships with San Diego arts agencies, and initiating new programs to expand the impact of the arts on the campus and in the community.
    Donna Conaty, Director
    dconaty@mail.sdsu.edu
  • The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation Student Center for Professional Development
    Providing undergraduate hospitality students and alumni access to a wide range of professional development services.
    Brian P. Blake, Director
    bblake@projects.sdsdu.edu
    View website
  • Center for Hospitality and Tourism Research
    Enhancing the skills and knowledge of professionals and students in the field of hospitality and tourism management through the creation and delivery of initiatives in executive development, research, and curriculum innovation.
    Carl Winston, Director
    (619) 594-4964
  • Center for Surf Research
    The Center for Surf Research is the first of its kind in the world; it responds to the challenges of a rapidly expanding surfing industry and the broadening horizons of surf tourism and its impact on peoples, environments, and economies along the coastlines of more than 100 countries.
    Jess Ponting, Director
    View website
  • Sycuan Institute on Government Gaming
    Focusing on research, policy studies, and education related to the area of tribal gaming management.
    Kate Spilde, Director
    kspilde@mail.sdsu.edu View website
  • Institute of Public and Urban Affairs
    Conducting research in community and governmental affairs, sponsoring conferences, colloquia and symposia related to issues in public administration and affairs including urban planning, management and criminal justice administration.
    Mounah Abdel-Samad, Director
    msamad@mail.sdsu.edu
    View website
  • Institute of Meetings and Events
    Developing mentoring and professional relationships between industry professionals and SDSU students
  • Production Center for Documentary and Drama
    Mentoring graduate students in the creation of projects that promote artistic and technical growth, and working with global film schools, film institutes, and filmmakers in the production of the long-running, international TV series, “The Short List.”
    Tim Powell, Director
    tpowell@mail.sdsu.edu
    View website
  • Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film
    The nation’s first program dedicated solely to the study and discussion of women’s representation on screen and behind the scenes in television and film.
    Martha Lauzen, Director
    lauzen@mail.sdsu.edu
    View website
  • Dr. Sanford I. Berman Institute for Effective Communication and General Semantics
    Dedicated to the study of language and its relations among our symbolic activities, society, and the mind.
    Brian H. Spitzberg, Director
    spitz@mail.sdsu.edu
  • Institute for Leisure and Tourism Management
    Primarily concerned with conducting leisure-related research, promoting professional development, disseminating specialized publications, and organizing conferences, seminars, lectures and workshops.
    Larry Beck, Director
    lbeck@mail.sdsu.edu
  • The Investigative Newsource
    Producing investigative, data-driven journalism and developing the next generation of investigative reporters.
    Lorie Hearn, Director
    View website