Manijeh Badiee honored with 2023-24 Golden Apple Award

“We came to hijack this meeting,” said CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales jovially, as he, Provost Rafik Mohamed and about 20 other faculty, staff and administrators barged into a meeting taking place on the second floor of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences on May 8.

“This is a wonderful occasion,” said Morales, as he turned to face Manijeh Badiee, professor of psychology. “We want to present to you, Dr. Badiee, with the 2023-24 Golden Apple Award.” Badiee, surprised and visibly moved, was surrounded by applause and cheers as Morales announced the honor.

This method of presentation is part of a cherished university tradition. It's customary to surprise deserving faculty members by interrupting classrooms, labs, lecture halls or meetings. This allows the students or fellow faculty members to witness firsthand the professor being recognized and honored – an inspiring scene for all involved.

The Golden Apple Award includes a $2,000 faculty professional development grant, recognition at the college’s commencement ceremony, and being honored at the faculty recognition luncheon.

“You’re receiving this award based on your exceptional and vast teaching record,” said Morales to Badiee. “Your dedication to teaching and mentorship of our students reflects this university’s mission to provide an outstanding education to all who enroll at Cal State San Bernardino.”

Mohamed praised Badiee’s dedication to her students, saying, “I met you nine years ago. I have taught my own classes here (at the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences). I have only sat in on two or three other classes, one of which was yours. I was blown away by the relationship you have with your students. It’s apparent to me why you are receiving the Golden Apple Award.”

Mohamed turned to address Badiee’s mother, stepfather and sister, who were in attendance. “I don’t know if your family knows, but this is our campus’ most prestigious teaching award. It only goes to the best of the best. I can’t think of anyone more deserving.”

Christina Hassija, dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, concurred and reflected on when she and Badiee had both started at CSUSB in 2013.

“Dr. Badiee and I were hired together. Before we even started, we used to chat online and write our syllabus together. So, it really is incredible to watch you receive this recognition today,” Hassija said. “You’re such an inspiration and role model to our students. You have inspired them to speak up, to speak out, to look at their own biases, to reflect, to take care of themselves, I mean, all the things we would really want to cultivate and encourage in our students. You’ve done that, and you’ve done that with intention, and you’ve done it well. I’m just really proud to have you as a colleague.”

Several of Badiee’s colleagues highlighted her accomplishments and the profound influence she has had on both students and faculty.

Janelle Gilbert, professor of psychology and Badiee’s fellow faculty member, said, “Even when you first came in as a junior faculty member, you were so active with your students from the beginning. And you reached out to all of us faculty who were more senior than you to make sure you got to know us.”

“You focus on making sure people are seen,” said Badiee’s longtime friend and colleague, Kevin Grisham, interim associate vice president of Faculty Affairs & Development. “To me, that’s always been very special, not just for our students, but I think our colleagues would agree with me, that you make us feel seen, regardless of where we’re coming from. Thank you for everything you do for our students but also for the colleagues who’ve had the great honor to serve alongside you.”

Of Badiee being selected for the award, Tom Long, professor of history and member of the award committee, shared, “We didn’t really have to select Manijeh. It was obvious. One of the things that really stood out was the sheer volume of students who wrote these lengthy, incredibly positive reviews of her. It was just overpowering, and quite frankly, it was emotional to read! You could tell the students were pouring their hearts out to the professor who poured her heart out to them. It was beautiful.”

One of the most touching moments came from Badiee’s family. Her mother shared that in 2013, Badiee had been offered two faculty positions: one at CSUSB, the other at a private university with higher pay. Friends and family members had encouraged her to accept the position at the private university, however, Badiee felt pulled toward CSUSB.

"She said, ‘Mom, I want to go to San Bernardino because a lot of the kids are the first generation (to attend college) in their family. I feel I can be a better teacher, a better mentor there.’ And that’s how she started here. I’m so proud,” said Badiee’s mother.

Reflecting on the start of her journey at CSUSB, Badiee said, “I love being here so much. As soon as I interviewed here, I remember going back to my hotel room and dancing because I was so happy.”

Of the Golden Apple Award, she said, “I’m overwhelmed and humbled. This is the one award that means so much to me. I love teaching. I love our students. They’re why I do what I do.”

Badiee earned her bachelor of arts in Spanish and computer science from Austin College in Sherman, Texas; her master of arts in counseling from St. Edwards University in Austin, Texas; and her Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her doctoral internship was completed at the Counseling Center of Texas Woman’s University.

Joining CSUSB in 2013, Badiee brought with her a rich background in teaching from several esteemed institutions, including the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas; Argosy University in Dallas; and Austin College. Her ability to engage students at all levels, from undergraduate to graduate, has consistently garnered positive feedback. She is greatly appreciated for her efforts to create a supportive, inclusive learning environment within her classes.

Badiee has notably influenced the lives of numerous students through her leadership of the "DREAM" research team (Dare to Research, Empower and Make the World Better). Her mentorship extends to supervising 17 undergraduate honors theses and serving on 16 graduate thesis committees, chairing two of them.

As an innovator in her field, Badiee is currently enhancing the internship experiences for psychology department graduate students as the internship coordinator for the masters of science clinical /counseling psychology program. Her recent initiatives include the redesign of the department’s internship classes to include high-impact practices that greatly benefit the students' learning experience.

Her accolades for teaching excellence include the university-wide Research and Creative Activity Faculty Mentor Award in 2020 from CSUSB, the Outstanding Faculty in Instructionally Related Activities Award in 2019 from CSUSB's College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, and several more, acknowledging her profound impact on the educational journey of her students and contributions to the field of psychology. Additionally, she has been an active member of several divisions of the American Psychological Association, contributing to the broader psychological community.

The selection committee for the 2023-24 Golden Apple Award, led by co-chairs Stuart Sumida from the Department of Biology and Montgomery Van Wart from public administration, includes members from various colleges within the university: Shafiq Rahman from the College of Arts and Letters, Ghulam Sarwar from the Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration, Christopher Gentry from the College of Natural Sciences, and Long from the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.