Randi McKenzie

Email

Primary Email: [email protected]

Phone/Fax

Primary Phone: 619-534-1732

Building/Location

Student Services East - 2109
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-4560

Files

• Randi McKenzie's CV

Bio

Randi McKenzie is excited to continue teaching THEA. 355: Introduction to Movement with an emphasis on Theatrical Sword Fighting. Emerita Assistant Dean for Student Affairs from the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts, McKenzie received her master’s degree in Education with an emphasis in physical education from Bowling Green State University and her bachelors from Kent State University, in health, physical education and psychology. Randi has taught, advised, coached, and mentored university students and staff for over 50 years. She has been at SDSU since 1980. For thirteen years, she directed the SDSU Faculty-Student Mentoring Program and under her leadership, the program received national recognition (Noel-Levitz, Retention Excellence Award, 2001). She has presented at numerous conferences and has received positive recognition for her work in the classroom as well as in the competitive arena. Randi was an involved faculty member and served the university on organizations and committees that include, but are not limited to: (President’s Community Council on Diversity, the Provost’s Retention Council, University Senate, Student Grievance Committee, Student Affairs Committee, Mortar Board, the Adult Friendly University Committee, faculty fellow in the residence halls and was the advisor to SOS (Survivor Outreach and Support). Her hobbies include working with students, pickleball, painting, acting, pottery, piano, and singing. She was a competitive fencer for 26 years and ranked second in the nation in women’s saber fencing, first in the senior division in foil and sabre. Certified as an Actor Combatant in the late 1980’s through the Society of American Fight Directors, she taught theatrical sword fighting at the University of San Diego in the joint MFA program with the Old Globe Theatre.

Randi considers herself “a novice to the theatre world” and relished her first acting gig as the front end of a horse in a traveling Kabuki play, “Road to Edo” with the SDSU Children’s Touring Theatre. She performed in the SDSU production of “Wolves” and “The Effects of Gamma Rays on Man in the Moon Marigolds” and has volunteered to teach sword fighting in SDSU acting classes as well as with the Meisner & Chekhov Integrated Actor Training Center.

She has received numerous awards and was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame in 2021 at Kent State University and recently had an award named after her: The Randi McKenzie First Generation Alumni Award. When she is not wielding swords, Randi volunteers in the Office of Educational Opportunity Programs Outreach and Success, teaches disaster preparedness with the American Red Cross, co-advises Mortar Board, a national honor society for college seniors and works at staying married to Emeritus Professor Thomas McKenzie for the past 47 years.

Education

Areas of Specialization

Certifications

• Society of American Fight Directors (1988,1990,1991, 2018)
• San Diego Police Depart. Retired Senior Patrol Volunteer Police Academy (2016)
• SDSU Police Department-Compassionate Interviewing (2017)
• SDSU Women’s Resource Center—Brave Project (2018)
• NCRC (National Conflict Resolution Center) Mediation Training (2016)
• Military Ally Training (2016)
• NASPA National Convention (2012, 2013, 2016)
• Transgender Health Training (2016)
• Mental Health First Aid Certificate (April, 2015)
• Safezones—LGBTQ Sponsored training with CPS Sexual Harassment in the Work Place Training (2019)
• Step Up—Bystander Intervention training, Florida (2018)
• Hands Only CPR 2024 Intimacy Coaching 2024

Responsibilities

Awards & Honors

• "Randi McKenzie, First Generation Alumni Award"-Kent State University-(2020-21)
• Hall of Fame-Distinguished Athletic Alumni Award-2021
• Quest for the Best Faculty/Staff Recognition (2010, 2012)
• Mortar Board Outstanding Faculty/Staff Recognition, (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)
• Dan Cornthwaite Luminary Award for Outstanding Advising (2015)
• Vice Presidential Special Service Award (2011)
• PSFA Inspiration Award (2006-2016)
• Phi Eta Sigma, honorary membership (2010)
• Executive Producer, “Your Future PSFA.” Telly, Aurora, and Aegis Award winner for sound, sound design, direction, and animation. David Graves, Executive Director and Animator (2006)
• Aztec Achievement Award. “Best Retention Practices” Award (2003)
• Director, Faculty/Student Mentoring Program Noel Levitz Retention Excellence Award (2001)
• Second Place, open division, USA National Fencing Championships, women’s sabre fencing (1994)
• Several Master’s National Division medals (foil and sabre) 1990-1994
• Competitive fencer in all three weapons (1970-1995)

Courses

Presentations

• Panelist, “EOP Summer Bridge, freshmen and Transfers” (2008-2016)
• Panelist, “Professors Don’t Bite” SDSU Residential Education (multiple occasions) Presenter, International Student Mentor Training (2016)
• Presenter, New Student and Parent Orientations, conduct 10-15 sessions each summer for new students and their parents/guests, (2006-2016)
• Presenter, SDSU Leadership Summit (2015, 2016)
• Presenter-American Red Cross Preparedness Presentations- 2020-present
• Instructor, ALICE training. Presenter, Active Shooter training (7-13 each year); advised on teaching techniques and presentation skills. (2010-2016)
• Volunteer Instructor, OSHER Introduction to Theatrical Sword Fighting (2019)
• Instructor, "Foiling Around", Introduction to Theatrical Sword Fighting, Meisner/Chekhov

Service