Hellenbrand started his career as a faculty member in the English Department, and later as chair of the department, at
California State University, San Bernardino in 1982. In 1994, he moved to Minnesota where he served as Dean and Professor at the College of Liberal Arts at the
University of Minnesota, Duluth until 1998. He then served as Dean and Professor at the College of Liberal Arts at
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo from 1998 to 2004. He then served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at
California State University, Northridge, and before his retirement, he taught as a professor in the English Department there as well.
Role at California State University, Northridge Hellenbrand became
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at
California State University, Northridge in 2004. He served in this capacity until January 2012, when he was appointed Interim President at CSUN by the Chancellor of the
California State University (CSU) system. Hellenbrand served in the interim role until Dianne F. Harrison was appointed as the president of CSUN in June 2012, when he returned to the provost and vice president position. Hellenbrand focused on K-12 linkages, faculty retention efforts, and commitment to diversity. He stepped down from the provost position in 2015
Media • “Kristyan Kouri and Harold Hellenbrand: College is a wise investment for all”: published in the Los Angeles Daily News on June 22, 2011, followed by an update from August 28, 2017. The article presents the argument that a college education is important therefore, there should be better funding in order for California residents to have more access to college education. Additionally, it argues that there should be programs that specifically help students with certain needs such as the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). Kouri and Hellenbrand gave two testimonies of two students who were involved in gangs. Isabelle, one of the students, explained how EOP and Cal State, Northridge helped her to leave the gang life and realize her dreams. Kouri and Hellenbrand emphasize how crucial it is for the public to understand that cuts to the California education system is shortsighted and although it will cost money, the state as a whole will benefit in the long run. The articles argues that, in the long term, people with a college education earn more money, which results in more tax revenues, which also results in more money for the state for the state to use on population needs. Kouri and Hellenbrand conclude their article by reiterating how educational institutions like Cal State, Northridge are vital to the well-being of all California residents and urged voters to demand more investment in education from the state. • “Kristyan Kouri and Harold Hellenbrand: Economic barriers to college hit Hispanics especially hard”: published in the Los Angeles Daily News titled “Economic barriers to college hit Hispanics especially hard” on August 19, 2011, followed by an update August 28, 2017. The article lays out what it means for disadvantaged communities, such as the Latin community, to receive a college education. The article tells the story of 90-year-old Nellie Saenz Chavez and her struggle of holding a low-paying jobs while also being a mother and having a husband who worked all day as well. Although Chavez was able to obtain a more decent life in her later years, her story is a prime example of the lack of educational opportunities that existed for Hispanics before modern times. == Awards ==