Our Crowdfunding Groups
We are raising funds for a scholarship established in honor of Dr. Boris Ricks, whose leadership and dedication has left a lasting impact on countless California State University, Northridge students. This scholarship will continue Dr. Ricks's legacy by supporting students who have the potential for leadership at CSUN or in the community. Through this scholarship, we hope to empower recipients to achieve their academic and professional goals while honoring Dr. Ricks's contributions to the Political Science Department, CSUN, and the Southern California community.
Dr. Boris Ricks’s Legacy
Dr. Boris Ricks was an Associate Professor of Political Science at CSUN and a respected faculty member since 2008. Prior to joining CSUN, Dr. Ricks served as an Assistant Professor in the Political Science Department at the University of Missouri from 2006 to 2008. He earned his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Southern California in 2003.
Dr. Ricks was a devoted educator and scholar whose teaching and research spanned a wide range of topics. His scholarship focused on the study of government, politics, and political actors, with an emphasis on their origins, foundations, and interactions with groups and individuals. Within this framework, he concentrated on key concepts such as power, conflict, social justice, equality, relative deprivation, and representation. Dr. Ricks applied these concepts to analyze the socio-political impact of critical issues like voting rights, poverty, crime, education, environmental justice, and health disparities, particularly in urban settings. Dr. Ricks’s publications included articles, book chapters, and book reviews featured in The Journal of Race & Policy, Rhetoric & Public Affairs, Journal of American History, and many other outlets.
Dr. Ricks was also a tireless and dedicated mentor, extending his guidance to students within and beyond the Political Science Department. His office was often marked by a long line of students eager to meet with him. Known for his fairness and kindness, he was deeply respected and highly popular among his students.
Dr. Ricks was also an active leader on campus, within the California State University system, and in the Los Angeles community. Dr. Ricks served on the CSUN Faculty Senate as well as on the CSU Academic Senate. He frequently contributed as a commentator for local television, radio, print, and social media news outlets. In 2023, he played a key role in leading the L.A. Governance Reform Project, collaborating with researchers from several Los Angeles universities. The project proposed significant reforms to the city council aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability within the municipal government.
Honoring Dr. Boris Ricks’s Legacy
The Dr. Boris Ricks Memorial Fund supports a scholarship established by Dr. Renford Reese, Professor of Political Science at Cal Poly Pomona, in tribute to Dr. Ricks’s lasting impact. This fund is dedicated to awarding scholarships to CSUN students who demonstrate outstanding leadership potential, either on campus or within the community, while promoting the values Dr. Ricks championed. By fostering future leaders, the fund aims to honor and preserve Dr. Ricks’s enduring legacy of service, mentorship, and community engagement.
