Harold Hellenbrand


Harold Hellenbrand is a retired American college professor, scholar, administrator, and author. He has held several faculty and administrative roles at various institutions, such as the Chair of the English department at California State University, San Bernardino, Dean at the University of Minnesota Duluth, Dean at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and most notably, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at California State University, Northridge, where until his retirement he taught in the English department. He is known especially for his biography of Thomas Jefferson, .

Personal life

Hellenbrand was the only child of Julius A. Hellenbrand, an attorney and justice of the New York State Supreme Court, and Gail Hellenbrand, a politician. According to a 2012 interview with Cal State Northridge's student newspaper, The Sundial, Hellenbrand wanted be an architect when he was a kid, because he always liked design and mathematics. He played soccer, baseball, and football, with soccer being his favorite sport. His favorite novel is Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison. Raymond Chandler is his favorite author, and his favorite film is Dog Day Afternoon, starring Al Pacino

Education

Harold Hellenbrand attended Poly Prep in Brooklyn, graduating in 1971. He earned his bachelor's degree in English and American literature from Harvard College in 1975. He later received his doctorate in modern thought and literature from Stanford University in 1980.

Career

History of Teaching

Hellenbrand started his career as a faculty member in the English Department, and later as Chair, at California State University, San Bernardino from 1982 to 1994. He later moved to Minnesota where he served as Dean and Professor at the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota, Duluth from 1994 to 1998. He served as Dean and Professor at the College of Liberal Arts at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo from 1998 to 2004. He currently serves as Professor in the English Department at California State University, Northridge, where he had earlier served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs for eleven years, during which time he implemented several major changes on campus.

Role at California State University, Northridge

Hellenbrand became Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at California State University, Northridge in 2004. He served in this capacity until January 2012, when he was appointed Interim President at CSUN by the Chancellor of the California State University system. Hellenbrand served in the interim role until Dianne F. Harrison was appointed as the president of CSUN in June 2012, when he returned to the provost and vice president position. By the end of his tenure as provost, CSUN had an average enrollment of 40,000 students and employment of 4,000 faculty and staff members. Hellenbrand's strengths were in planning, K-12 linkages, retention efforts, and commitment to diversity. He stepped down from the provost position in 2015 and currently teaches in the CSUN English department.

Media and Controversies

Don Dorsey Excellence in Mentoring Award

Hellenbrand was the 2017 recipient of the Don Dorsey Excellence in Mentoring Award. The award was founded by the staff in the CSUN Faculty Mentor Program and EOP. It was named after educational psychology professor, Don Dorsey, who helped develop CSUN's first mentor training program. The award recognizes faculty and staff who made exceptional contributions to mentoring past and present students from diverse backgrounds and communities.

Eileen Tosney Award from the American Association of University Administrators

Hellenbrand received the Eileen Tosney Award in 2014. He was honored for his outstanding work as an administrator in the field of higher education, most often awarded as a capstone recognition.
“Harry’s career is the epitome why the AAUA created the Eileen Tosney Award,” CSUN President Dianne F. Harrison said. “Harry has committed his life to elevating students’ minds and is a true champion of access to education. He is an outstanding administrator who uses his keen intellect, his compassion, his dry wit and lots of data to constantly further the mission of the university”

William M. Plater Award from American Association of State Colleges and Universities

The William M. Plator Award honored Hellenbrand's leadership in civic engagement. It is one of higher education's highest honors, and was given to Hellenbrand for his efforts in fighting for student retention and encouraging diversity in academia.

Works/Publications

Harold Hellenbrand has authored the following books, essays, and articles: