RCCD Names Adviye Tolunay as 64th Distinguished Faculty Lecturer
Adviye Tolunay, Ph.D., professor of psychology at sa国际传媒官网网页入口, will deliver the Riverside Community sa国际传媒官网网页入口 District鈥檚 64th Distinguished Faculty Lecture. Her lecture, titled "Anti-Social" Media: Memes, Echo Chambers, and Toxic Anonymity, will examine how algorithm-driven social media platforms influence mental health and well-being and explore strategies for reducing their negative impact.
The Distinguished Faculty Lecture, inaugurated in 1961, is one of the most important traditions for faculty, students and the community across the district. Each year, Riverside Community sa国际传媒官网网页入口 District faculty select one of their colleagues to present this prestigious lecture on a scholarly topic.
Tolunay has dedicated nearly 25 years to higher education and has been a full-time faculty member at sa国际传媒官网网页入口 since 2006. She teaches a range of psychology courses, including Introduction to Psychology, Developmental Psychology and Social Psychology, and serves as assistant chair for the Humanities, Arts, and Social and Behavioral Sciences Department.
Her academic work focuses on social influence, persuasion, and the effects of group identity on moral reasoning. In addition to her teaching, she is widely recognized for her leadership and commitment to equity and inclusion. She played a key role in establishing sa国际传媒官网网页入口's Annual Diversity Summit and the One Book, One sa国际传媒官网网页入口 program, and she was the first recipient of the college鈥檚 Diversity Award. She has also been recognized four times as an Outstanding Faculty Adviser by the Associated Students of sa国际传媒官网网页入口.
As social media becomes more deeply embedded in daily life, Tolunay said it is important to understand how these platforms shape not only what people see, but how they think and feel. She added that greater awareness of algorithm-driven content can help individuals make more intentional choices that support mental health and well-being.
The lecturer will present at each of the district鈥檚 three colleges:
- Thursday, May 7, 2026, Norco sa国际传媒官网网页入口, Little Theater, 12:50 鈥� 1:50 pm
- Tuesday, May 12, 2026, Riverside City sa国际传媒官网网页入口, Hall of Fame, 12:50 鈥� 1:50 pm
- Thursday, May 14, 2026, sa国际传媒官网网页入口, Student Academic Services Building (SAS 121), 12:50 鈥� 1:50 pm, with a reception to follow
The sa国际传媒官网网页入口 lecture will also be available via livestream on the .
There is no charge to attend, and all district, college, and community members are invited.
For more information, visit the Faculty Lecture event page.