Cynthia Desrochers, Director
Institute for Teaching and Learning
California State University
Office of the Chancellor

Dr. Cynthia Desrochers is director of the Institute for Teaching and Learning (ITL). The purpose of ITL is to support faculty professional development and renewal among the 23 campuses of The California State University (CSU).

Most recently (1983-2007), Cynthia Desrochers served as professor of education and founding director of the campus teaching and learning center at Cal State Northridge. Prior to joining the CSU (1972-1983), she served as master teacher on the faculty of the University Elementary School, UCLA, instructor in UCLA’s teacher education program, and K-12 consultant in teaching and supervision in 27 states and Italy.

Cynthia Desrochers earned her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctor’s degrees, as well as her teaching and administrative services credentials, at UCLA. Her doctoral work centered on curriculum design and the study of organizational change. Her teaching and research interests have focused primarily on how people learn, on coaching and supervision of teaching, and on organizational development and change.

Cynthia Desrochers served as president of the CSU Faculty Development Council, on the governing board of the Professional and Organizational Development (POD) Network in Higher Education, and as member-at-large of Cal State Northridge’s faculty senate for three terms.

In 1990, Cynthia Desrochers was recognized for her teaching at Cal State Northridge with their Distinguished Teaching Award.