Carson, CA -- Cal State Dominguez Hills has named Dr. Sohaila Shakib as the new Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR), it was announced by Patrick Guillen, Acting Athletics Director. Dr. Shakib, who will begin her Associate Professorship in the Sociology Department at CSUDH in spring 2006, comes to the Carson campus from the University of Southern California where she has been a Senior Research Associate for the Keck School of Medicine since 2003.

“I'm very excited to be the Faculty Athletic Representative for the California State University Dominguez Hills Athletics Department,” Shakib begins. “I look forward to working with all of the talented student-athletes, faculty and staff at this outstanding University.”

Shakib (So-HAY-luh shac-KEEBE) completed a National Cancer Institute (NCI) post-doctoral fellowship in cancer prevention at USC in 2002, after receiving her Ph.D. in sociology from USC in 1999. Prior to her doctorate, Shakib earned a master's degree in sociology from USC after completing her bachelor's degree in psychology from Tulane University in 1990.

Says CSUDH Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Boice Bowman, “I am very pleased to welcome Dr.Shakib as she assumes the role of Faculty Athletic Representative. We are indeed fortunate to have someone with the background that fits so well with the responsibilities of this important assignment. I look forward to working with her to explore new ideas and procedures as they relate to enhancing the academic experience of our student-athletes."

As the incoming Associate Professor in Sport Sociology whose career work has focused on Title IX, adolescent sports participation and attrition, and the development of gender equity physical activity interventions for youth, Shakib will develop curriculum in sport sociology at CSUDH, drawing from her knowledge of sport sociology, physical activity and substance abuse.

“I am very excited to have Dr. Shakib as a member of our team,” begins Guillen. “She brings impressive credentials to the department, but even more importantly, she has a true passion and dedication to the overall welfare of our student-athletes. On behalf of all our student-athletes, I look forward to having Dr. Shakib as part of our department.”

Extensively published, Shakib's most recent articles involve the cultural psychology approach to drug abuse prevention (Substance Use & Misuse) and the acculturation, physical activity and fast-food consumption among Asian-American and Hispanic adolescents (Journal of Community Health). Currently, Dr. Shakib's work centers on developing programming to prevent obesity and increase physical activity among middle school aged boys and girls.

Dr. Shakib will begin her appointment at Cal State Dominguez Hills on January 21, 2006.