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Frederika “Fraka” Harmsen: Accomplishments in Academia

· Frederika Harmsen,fraka harmsen

Frederika “Fraka” Harmsen is currently the Special Advisor to the President of California State University at Chico. Among her responsibilities in this role are focusing on facilities usage and cost recovery.

Fraka Harmsen has spent the majority of her career in academia, is a strong advocate for higher education, and has worked closely with the California legislature. Some of her most notable accomplishments include:

  • Being a leader in the innovative use of technology, both in teaching and learning.
  • Promoting a standard of excellence in academic practice.
  • Growing the university’s global footprint.
  • Founding the highly interdisciplinary Institute for Water, Energy, Sustainability, and Technology (iWEST).

Her previous research has largely focused on three broad areas: climate change and sustainability, marine habitat mapping for ecosystem based management, and STEM education. Frederika "Fraka" Harmsen has numerous publications and reports, and has received over three million dollars in federal research grants that have been used to support over 50 graduate and undergraduate students.