Michelle DenBeste, interim dean of the College of Social Sciences at Fresno State, will be recognized by Fresno City Councilwoman Esmeralda Soria with her district one “Women Leading the Way 2017” award for contributing to the betterment of the city of Fresno as an active leader towards positive change. DenBeste is among nine honorees who will be recognized during the 3rd annual Women’s History Month event, 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 21 at Fresno City College. A professor of History who was named interim dean in 2015, DenBeste established the Public Leadership Institute, which funds students and faculty for work on opinion surveys about issues in the Central Valley and offers students experience working with public figures. She has overseen the creation of a new degree program in Geography and City and Regional Planning, and a new public history project, and other programs since joining the College of Social Sciences. DenBeste also participates in a number of groups which support rights for immigrants, the LGBTQ community and women. INFO: Lucero Benitez at lbenitez@csufresno.edu.
