New Leaders Join Team CSU
Three highly regarded, results-driven individuals have joined the University’s leadership team — Michael Biehl, senior vice president of business affairs and chief financial officer; Julie Rehm, vice president of advancement and executive director of the CSU Foundation; and Randy Deike, senior vice president of enrollment management and student success.
“These talented and innovative leaders have proven track records of success and we are thrilled they have joined the CSU team,” says President Harlan Sands. “They will be critical partners who will help us deliver on our ambitious set of strategic goals and objectives.”
Michael Biehl
As senior vice president for business affairs and CFO, Biehl provides strategic vision and operational leadership in managing University finances, allocating resources, enhancing facilities and operations, and investing in campus growth plans. He brings to CSU more than 25 years of financial leadership and CFO experience. Most recently, he helped execute the successful merger of Fairmount Santrol of Cleveland and Unimin Corporation, owned by a private Belgian company, to form a new public company, Covia Holdings Corp., a $2.3 billion provider of minerals and materials solutions for industrial and energy markets around the world.
“Working with Cleveland State’s leadership is a great opportunity where I’ll be able to utilize my business experience to help grow one of Cleveland’s anchor institutions,” Biehl states. “I am excited to work in higher education and further the great work that has established CSU as a quality urban university”
Julie Rehm
As the lead for University fundraising and donor stewardship, Dr. Rehm drives efforts to generate support for Cleveland State’s student success, research and community engagement goals. She previously served as vice president of foundation and government relations at Case Western Reserve University, where she was a senior development leader for CWRU’s $1.8 billion capital campaign and helped secure over $34 million in public sector funds. Earlier in her career, she held senior positions with the Cleveland Clinic and the Battelle Memorial Institute.
“As a first-generation student who began my academic career at a community college, Cleveland State’s inclusiveness appeals to me greatly,” she says. “I am excited to join the team at a time when the University is clearly transforming itself into a national leader in urban higher education.”
Randy Deike
Dr. Deike brings 35 years of experience in higher education, including New York University and Penn State. Most recently, as senior vice president for enrollment management and student success at Drexel University he helped increase enrollments and raise the school’s national profile. In CSU’s newly created position of senior vice president for enrollment management and student success, he advances and integrates the University’s award-winning Engaged Learning approach across student recruitment and financial aid, academic support services, student affairs, and student career development.
“Talent is our most important global commodity and CSU’s commitment to enrolling and supporting a diverse group of talented students is what attracted me most. I feel privileged to join the team,” he says.
Also in This Issue...
Addressing Food Insecurities Among Students
According to the College & University Food Bank Alliance, 36 percent of college students experience food insecurity while nine percent are homeless.
Making Food Safer
In a chemical engineering laboratory in the heart of Fenn Hall, a team of mathematics and engineering students and faculty begin an expirement that could enhance food safety.
Alumna Finds Success as Chef, Restaurateur
From Ukrainian immigrant to celebrated chef, Natasha Pogrebinsky (BA ’05) turned passion into purpose — opening acclaimed restaurants and sharing her heritage through food and national TV features.
Making Great Kraut
Drew Anderson (BBA ’09) turned his love for homemade sauerkraut into Cleveland Kraut, sold in 3,500+ stores with inventive flavors and national acclaim — proving fermentation can be bold and local.
Community Roots
Sam McNulty (BA ’97) launched his hospitality career at CSU and now runs top Ohio City bars and Market Garden Brewery. He’s also redeveloping Duck Island, connecting Cleveland neighborhoods.
Global Agriculture Grows the World
Charlotte Sine graduated from Fenn College in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in English. That degree served her well during a 46-year career in various editorial positions at Meister Media Worldwide.
A Message from the President
President Harlan M. Sands marks his first year, spotlighting CSU’s student-centered achievements: Say Yes scholarships, new partnerships, global outreach, and seven strategic priorities forward together.
Love Letter to Cleveland
A 58‑ft mural by Gary and Laura Dumm now graces CSU’s Michael Schwartz Library, celebrating local landmarks and history, funded by community and tied to Cleveland Memory Project.
CSU Among Nation’s Best
Cleveland State has once again been selected by The Wall Street Journal as one of the best universities in the United States.
C|M|LAW Hall of Fame
The Cleveland-Marshall Law Hall of Fame was established in 2017 to honor alumni, faculty, staff, friends and community leaders who have contributed to the success and prestige of the law school.
Increasing Degree Attainment
CSU is part of a statewide partnership, led by College Now Greater Cleveland, selected to join Degrees When Due. This national initiative seeks to assist students who have some college credits to complete their degrees.
Sands Shares Plans for Year Two
Seven new initiatives, including a Forward Together Innovation Challenge, were announced as part of President Harlan Sands’ first State of the University address.
LCC Joins Enhanced Transfer Partnership
Cleveland State University has created a series of innovative partnerships with local community colleges which are designed to create a comprehensive, assistive pathway for students to make the easy transition to Cleveland State.
Parker Hannifin Students Live and Learn
In early 2019, Cleveland became the fourth Say Yes to Education chapter in the nation, thereby making college free for virtually all Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) graduates.
Pooling Their Knowledge
CSU partnered with the Seven Hills Recreation Center to improve sensory processing and socialization for children with special needs through a pediatric aquatic therapy program.
Distinguished Faculty and Staff Awards
CSU’s faculty and staff are second to none! Each year, Distinguished Faculty and Staff Awards honor individuals who bring distinction to the University and support student success through their day-to-day efforts.
Research Highlights
CSU researchers tackle big challenges —f rom AI-driven fertility analysis and trauma-informed youth programs to brain aneurysm prevention using nanoparticles — fueling innovation across disciplines.
Leave a Legacy with Estate Plan
Alumna Virginia McFrederick loved libraries. And because she included CSU in her estate plan, the Michael Schwartz Library is now home to the Virginia McFrederick Group Study Center.
Getting Real About Property Management
Cleveland State University will expand innovative education, research and experiential learning in real estate and property management, thanks to a transformative $1.2 million gift from the NRP Group and the Millennia Companies.
Creating Community Through the Arts
Gina Vernaci had spent nearly four decades as a theater manager and administrator and was in the middle of a highly successful tenure at Cleveland’s Playhouse Square when a lunchtime walk changed her educational and professional path.
Distinguished Alumni Awards
CSU is Viking Strong with a worldwide network of 130,000-plus alumni. Each year, a select group who bring distinction to the University through their career achievements, service and engagement are honored with Distinguished Alumni Awards.
From Fixing Cars to Fixing Bodies
Alumnus sees medicine as a vehicle for improving the community
Alumni Adventures
From behind-the-scenes visits to well-known (and little-known) Cleveland sites to world tours, the CSU Alumni Association’s calendar of events has something for everyone.
Homecoming Memories
A people-powered parade, golden apples, a harvest picnic, reunions, dedications, awards . . . Homecoming 2019 was packed with activities that brought alumni and their families back to campus.
Class Notes – Winter 2020
Addressing Food Insecurities Among Students
According to the College & University Food Bank Alliance, 36 percent of college students experience food insecurity while nine percent are homeless.
Alumna Finds Success as Chef, Restaurateur
From Ukrainian immigrant to celebrated chef, Natasha Pogrebinsky (BA ’05) turned passion into purpose — opening acclaimed restaurants and sharing her heritage through food and national TV features.
Community Roots
Sam McNulty (BA ’97) launched his hospitality career at CSU and now runs top Ohio City bars and Market Garden Brewery. He’s also redeveloping Duck Island, connecting Cleveland neighborhoods.
A Message from the President
President Harlan M. Sands marks his first year, spotlighting CSU’s student-centered achievements: Say Yes scholarships, new partnerships, global outreach, and seven strategic priorities forward together.
CSU Among Nation’s Best
Cleveland State has once again been selected by The Wall Street Journal as one of the best universities in the United States.
Increasing Degree Attainment
CSU is part of a statewide partnership, led by College Now Greater Cleveland, selected to join Degrees When Due. This national initiative seeks to assist students who have some college credits to complete their degrees.
LCC Joins Enhanced Transfer Partnership
Cleveland State University has created a series of innovative partnerships with local community colleges which are designed to create a comprehensive, assistive pathway for students to make the easy transition to Cleveland State.
Pooling Their Knowledge
CSU partnered with the Seven Hills Recreation Center to improve sensory processing and socialization for children with special needs through a pediatric aquatic therapy program.
Research Highlights
CSU researchers tackle big challenges —f rom AI-driven fertility analysis and trauma-informed youth programs to brain aneurysm prevention using nanoparticles — fueling innovation across disciplines.
Getting Real About Property Management
Cleveland State University will expand innovative education, research and experiential learning in real estate and property management, thanks to a transformative $1.2 million gift from the NRP Group and the Millennia Companies.
Distinguished Alumni Awards
CSU is Viking Strong with a worldwide network of 130,000-plus alumni. Each year, a select group who bring distinction to the University through their career achievements, service and engagement are honored with Distinguished Alumni Awards.
Alumni Adventures
From behind-the-scenes visits to well-known (and little-known) Cleveland sites to world tours, the CSU Alumni Association’s calendar of events has something for everyone.
Class Notes – Winter 2020
Making Food Safer
In a chemical engineering laboratory in the heart of Fenn Hall, a team of mathematics and engineering students and faculty begin an expirement that could enhance food safety.
Making Great Kraut
Drew Anderson (BBA ’09) turned his love for homemade sauerkraut into Cleveland Kraut, sold in 3,500+ stores with inventive flavors and national acclaim — proving fermentation can be bold and local.
Global Agriculture Grows the World
Charlotte Sine graduated from Fenn College in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in English. That degree served her well during a 46-year career in various editorial positions at Meister Media Worldwide.
Love Letter to Cleveland
A 58‑ft mural by Gary and Laura Dumm now graces CSU’s Michael Schwartz Library, celebrating local landmarks and history, funded by community and tied to Cleveland Memory Project.
C|M|LAW Hall of Fame
The Cleveland-Marshall Law Hall of Fame was established in 2017 to honor alumni, faculty, staff, friends and community leaders who have contributed to the success and prestige of the law school.
Sands Shares Plans for Year Two
Seven new initiatives, including a Forward Together Innovation Challenge, were announced as part of President Harlan Sands’ first State of the University address.
Parker Hannifin Students Live and Learn
In early 2019, Cleveland became the fourth Say Yes to Education chapter in the nation, thereby making college free for virtually all Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) graduates.
Distinguished Faculty and Staff Awards
CSU’s faculty and staff are second to none! Each year, Distinguished Faculty and Staff Awards honor individuals who bring distinction to the University and support student success through their day-to-day efforts.
Leave a Legacy with Estate Plan
Alumna Virginia McFrederick loved libraries. And because she included CSU in her estate plan, the Michael Schwartz Library is now home to the Virginia McFrederick Group Study Center.
Creating Community Through the Arts
Gina Vernaci had spent nearly four decades as a theater manager and administrator and was in the middle of a highly successful tenure at Cleveland’s Playhouse Square when a lunchtime walk changed her educational and professional path.
From Fixing Cars to Fixing Bodies
Alumnus sees medicine as a vehicle for improving the community
Homecoming Memories
A people-powered parade, golden apples, a harvest picnic, reunions, dedications, awards . . . Homecoming 2019 was packed with activities that brought alumni and their families back to campus.
Addressing Food Insecurities Among Students
According to the College & University Food Bank Alliance, 36 percent of college students experience food insecurity while nine percent are homeless.
Making Great Kraut
Drew Anderson (BBA ’09) turned his love for homemade sauerkraut into Cleveland Kraut, sold in 3,500+ stores with inventive flavors and national acclaim — proving fermentation can be bold and local.
A Message from the President
President Harlan M. Sands marks his first year, spotlighting CSU’s student-centered achievements: Say Yes scholarships, new partnerships, global outreach, and seven strategic priorities forward together.
C|M|LAW Hall of Fame
The Cleveland-Marshall Law Hall of Fame was established in 2017 to honor alumni, faculty, staff, friends and community leaders who have contributed to the success and prestige of the law school.
LCC Joins Enhanced Transfer Partnership
Cleveland State University has created a series of innovative partnerships with local community colleges which are designed to create a comprehensive, assistive pathway for students to make the easy transition to Cleveland State.
Distinguished Faculty and Staff Awards
CSU’s faculty and staff are second to none! Each year, Distinguished Faculty and Staff Awards honor individuals who bring distinction to the University and support student success through their day-to-day efforts.
Getting Real About Property Management
Cleveland State University will expand innovative education, research and experiential learning in real estate and property management, thanks to a transformative $1.2 million gift from the NRP Group and the Millennia Companies.
From Fixing Cars to Fixing Bodies
Alumnus sees medicine as a vehicle for improving the community
Class Notes – Winter 2020
Making Food Safer
In a chemical engineering laboratory in the heart of Fenn Hall, a team of mathematics and engineering students and faculty begin an expirement that could enhance food safety.
Community Roots
Sam McNulty (BA ’97) launched his hospitality career at CSU and now runs top Ohio City bars and Market Garden Brewery. He’s also redeveloping Duck Island, connecting Cleveland neighborhoods.
Love Letter to Cleveland
A 58‑ft mural by Gary and Laura Dumm now graces CSU’s Michael Schwartz Library, celebrating local landmarks and history, funded by community and tied to Cleveland Memory Project.
Increasing Degree Attainment
CSU is part of a statewide partnership, led by College Now Greater Cleveland, selected to join Degrees When Due. This national initiative seeks to assist students who have some college credits to complete their degrees.
Parker Hannifin Students Live and Learn
In early 2019, Cleveland became the fourth Say Yes to Education chapter in the nation, thereby making college free for virtually all Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) graduates.
Research Highlights
CSU researchers tackle big challenges —f rom AI-driven fertility analysis and trauma-informed youth programs to brain aneurysm prevention using nanoparticles — fueling innovation across disciplines.
Creating Community Through the Arts
Gina Vernaci had spent nearly four decades as a theater manager and administrator and was in the middle of a highly successful tenure at Cleveland’s Playhouse Square when a lunchtime walk changed her educational and professional path.
Alumni Adventures
From behind-the-scenes visits to well-known (and little-known) Cleveland sites to world tours, the CSU Alumni Association’s calendar of events has something for everyone.
Alumna Finds Success as Chef, Restaurateur
From Ukrainian immigrant to celebrated chef, Natasha Pogrebinsky (BA ’05) turned passion into purpose — opening acclaimed restaurants and sharing her heritage through food and national TV features.
Global Agriculture Grows the World
Charlotte Sine graduated from Fenn College in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in English. That degree served her well during a 46-year career in various editorial positions at Meister Media Worldwide.
CSU Among Nation’s Best
Cleveland State has once again been selected by The Wall Street Journal as one of the best universities in the United States.
Sands Shares Plans for Year Two
Seven new initiatives, including a Forward Together Innovation Challenge, were announced as part of President Harlan Sands’ first State of the University address.
Pooling Their Knowledge
CSU partnered with the Seven Hills Recreation Center to improve sensory processing and socialization for children with special needs through a pediatric aquatic therapy program.
Leave a Legacy with Estate Plan
Alumna Virginia McFrederick loved libraries. And because she included CSU in her estate plan, the Michael Schwartz Library is now home to the Virginia McFrederick Group Study Center.
Distinguished Alumni Awards
CSU is Viking Strong with a worldwide network of 130,000-plus alumni. Each year, a select group who bring distinction to the University through their career achievements, service and engagement are honored with Distinguished Alumni Awards.
Homecoming Memories
A people-powered parade, golden apples, a harvest picnic, reunions, dedications, awards . . . Homecoming 2019 was packed with activities that brought alumni and their families back to campus.