Regional Leadership Award Goes To President Hughes

Dr. Marvalene Hughes, President of California State University, Stanislaus, has been named the top Chief Executive leader in the Western states for 2002-03.

The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), a national organization that promotes the advancement of higher education, will present President Hughes with the Region VII Chief Executive Leadership Award on December 9 in Anaheim. Region VII includes all universities, public and private, in the states of Nevada, Arizona, Utah, California and Hawaii.

The award recognizes institutional leaders for outstanding contributions to their campus communities, for efforts in promoting public understanding of education and for support of advancement at their campuses.

"I firmly believe that a college education is a life-altering experience, and that leaders in higher education have a profound responsibility to ensure that the experience elevates not only the students' intellect, but also their humanity. I am humbled, surprised and honored that the selection committee has recognized the stellar achievements of California State University, Stanislaus in presenting this award," President Hughes said. "Our University is deeply committed to educational excellence in carrying out our mission to provide access to higher education in this region."

"This award is a credit to the members of our team who have dedicated themselves to making CSU Stanislaus an institution known for its outstanding faculty, challenging curriculum and personalized student attention," she added.

In her ninth year as President, Dr. Hughes has demonstrated talents for creating a vision and inspiring others with a determination and passion along with an air of grace in turning CSU Stanislaus into one of the best universities in the West.

Under President Hughes' leadership, CSU Stanislaus has improved its reputation as a top university, doubled its enrollment over the past nine years, developed new academic programs, strengthened academic initiatives through strategic planning and significantly expanded and improved its facilities.

President Hughes worked side-by-side with the advancement team that energized a successful $25 million comprehensive fund-raising campaign completed two years ahead of schedule to support academic excellence, endowments, scholarships, facilities and capital equipment. Since she established the University's first Division of Advancement in 1996, Foundation assets have grown from $3.5 million to $17.2 million, and annual gift commitments went from an average of $600,000 per year to an average of $4.27 million.

CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed said the CSU and President Hughes' colleagues "are extremely proud" of her latest honor.

"It is a great personal honor, and shows what passionate and inspirational leadership can do to raise the university's stature in the area of university advancement, in particular," Chancellor Reed said. "We are especially pleased that in the four years of the award, three CSU presidents have received the honor, a testament to the high quality of our presidential leadership."

President Hughes has worked diligently to promote public understanding of education and enhance partnerships and cooperative ventures. The University has expanded its nursing program in a joint effort with health care agencies and community colleges, conducted a regional education summit in cooperation with area educators and legislators, and forged business education partnerships with leading Central Valley industries.

President Hughes led the effort to develop a former social service institution in Stockton into the CSU Stanislaus-Stockton Center, which now enrolls more than 1,300 students. A long list of innovative academic programs has been developed in teacher education, nursing and agriculture.

On the national level, President Hughes is co-founder and curriculum coordinator of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities' Millennium Leadership Institute, which prepares leaders from underrepresented groups for university presidencies.

For more information on CSU Stanislaus, see the University Web site at: www.csustan.edu.

Note to editors: A biography and photo of President Hughes are available upon request. Contact Don Hansen at (209) 667-3997, dhansen@csustan.edu.