Issue #12
March 2011

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Thousands Welcome the CSU Super Sunday Message

With visits to approximately 100 churches the CSU completed its annual statewide outreach to African American communities, delivering from the pulpit a message about the value of higher education.

CSU Super Sunday is the nation’s largest outreach by a higher education institution focusing on informing African American youth and their families about the steps to college.

During events at 48 cities or communities in Northern, Central and Southern California, CSU presidents, trustees, the chancellor and other university executives encouraged African American parents and guardians to be active partners in their children’s education.

"The California State University is a major asset of the state and it belongs to you," Chancellor Charles B. Reed said. "Let's make sure that our children take advantage of the educational opportunities offered at the CSU so they become the educated minds that will take California to the next stage of economic prosperity."

See CSU Super Sunday, photo gallery and blogs

Visit the Super Sunday website

Clockwise: CSU Monterey Bay President Dianne Harrison; CSU Bakersfield outreach staff
Karla Young and graduate student Monica Hicks;
and CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed.

CSU Alumnus Speaks About Overcoming His Own Challenges During Foster Youth Summit

CSU Long Beach alumnus Demontray “Dee” Hankins shared his experiences about facing adversity and surmounting the challenges, during the 2011California Foster Youth Education Summit held in Sacramento on Feb. 7-8.

The summit focused on the pathway foster youth follow to successfully transition from foster care, to college degree, to a successful career.

According to conference officials, 62,000 California children and youth are in foster care.

Read more about the summit here.

Latinas Connect at The Beach

The CSU Long Beach Latina Connection Conference in February brought approximately 200 students looking for connection and mentorship with other Latina students, staff and faculty.

"Our goal is to encourage persistence and retention of Latinas at CSU Long Beach and to provide an opportunity to share experiences and promote awareness through facilitated discussions," said Gloria Inzunza Franco, director of Special Recruitment & Retention Initiatives for Students at CSU Long Beach.

The program included workshops on taking personal responsibility as college students and exploring the role of culture and family in Latinas' academic careers.

Arne Duncan Makes Case for More Latino Teachers

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan encouraged Latino students to become teachers during a Town Hall meeting held on Feb. 18 at the Roybal Learning Center in Los Angeles to promote the teaching profession.

"Our country's classrooms have too few Hispanic teachers," he said.

According to Duncan, only 7 percent of U.S. teachers are Latino while the Latino student population is about 20 percent.

Duncan was joined by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, celebrities John Legend and Oscar De La Hoya, and LAUSD teachers Rodrigo Garcia, Natalie Pizarro, David Amena and David Arias.

Asian American Initiative to Launch College Awareness Campaign

http://www.calstate.edu/externalrelations/news/e-newsletter/images/PacificIslanderBOY

Leaders of the CSU Asian American and Pacific Islander Initiative are planning a series of college awareness days for underserved students and their families.

On June 4, CSU Dominguez Hills will host the first of such events to serve Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander families.

The events will be named "Journey to Success," reflecting the journey that Asian and Pacific Islander immigrants made to America in search of stability and prosperity.

The events are part of the CSU Community Partnerships led by the CSU External Relations department.

Questions, ideas or comments about editorial content, e-mail Clara Potes-Fellow
cpotes-fellow@calstate.edu

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