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2024: A Year Of Action​


Throughout this year, the California State University has strengthened efforts to provide safe, inclusive spaces for students and employees, expanded access for all Californians and bolstered initiatives that advance student achievement, especially for first-generation college students, working adults and people of color. Take a look back at some of the year’s stories highlighting these efforts.​​

 

 

JANUARY

Expanding Access: 2024 marked the 25th anniversary of the Guardian Scholars program, a CSU-led program that has created a powerful and lasting impact for thousands of former foster youth. The university also announced a new online tool, the CSU Transfer Planner, to help community college students track their journey to a four-year degree, building upon its work to support transfer students.


 

FEBRUARY

Cultivating Potential: To mark the occasion of Black History Month, we asked some of the CSU's Black and African American leaders to share their journeys, what inspires their work and how they use their platforms to effect change in their communities.

Additionally, the CSU was named a winner of the Lumina Foundation's Great Admissions Challenge, which recognized efforts to increase accessibility to higher education for all students; and the university announced the Technology Infrastructure for Data Exploration (TIDE) project, a computing center that expands CSU researchers' ability to perform high-level research.


 

MARCH

Supporting Student Wellness: We highlighted university efforts to support students' basic needs following another successful CalFresh Outreach Week​. Thanks in part to systemwide outreach efforts, nearly 23,000 students received assistance with CalFresh applications during the 2022-23 academic year alone.

The university also recognized the achievements of its dedicated women leaders, who make up more than half of the CSU's campus presidents, in honor of Women's History Month.


 

APRIL

Looking to the Future: This April, CSU trustees approved the creation of new, simplified lower-division general education (GE) requirements—effective fall 2025—that will create a clear and consistent set of requirements for all future CSU students pursuing a bachelor's degree.

We also highlighted 11 CSU projects that are leveraging California Climate Action Seed and Matching Grants to help achieve a climate-resilient future in celebration of Earth Month.


 

MAY

Honoring APIDA Heritage: In honor of Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month, we asked the CSU's APIDA presidents and trustees to share their thoughts on leadership and representation. The CSU also announced the allocation of $6.4 million to enhance culturally responsive support for underserved students, including Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations in the CSU.

We also explored how CSU centers and programs for APIDA students help diversify campus communities, enriching the educational experience for all students and reflecting the varied backgrounds and perspectives within the CSU system.


 

JUNE

Celebrating the Class of 2024: More than 125,000 graduates walked, jumped and even cartwheeled across the commencement stage this spring—and we captured it all in our 2024 commencement photo gallery. We also spoke with a few of the outstanding grads who had already leveraged their education to secure jobs in their respective fields.

The CSU community also gathered on June 13-14 for the second biennial Juneteenth Symposium, where they celebrated the progress made to support Black student success and called for additional action. The inaugural Black Student Success Scholarship awardees were also announced at the symposium.

Finally, in recognition of Pride Month, we showcased how resources for the CSU's LGBTQIA community—from Pride Month celebrations and Lavender Graduation events to student alliances and Pride centers—help foster a safe, welcoming environment for all students.


 

JULY

Building a Culture of Care, Respect and Trust: We outlined in July how the CSU has strengthened its civil rights programming and services to create more spaces where students and employees feel protected and heard. Chancellor García and other university leaders later shared this progress with lawmakers in the state capital.

In a special feature on election-year courses, we demonstrated how the CSU is working to prepare civically engaged students with a global viewpoint. And the university community voted in the CSU's “Photo of the Year" competition, which celebrates the work of campus photographers and captures the essence of university life. ​


 

AUGUST

Preparing Students for Careers: In August, we shared insights from a tour of Cal Maritime's Training Ship Golden Bear—a floating classroom and laboratory that offers students real-world training. We also celebrated the newest College Corps fellows as they began the new school year. The program, a partnership with California Volunteers, helps students pay for college and gain meaningful work experience.

We also looked at how CSU agreements with community colleges make attaining a bachelor's degree a reality for more transfer students by providing guaranteed admissions, dual enrollment and clearer degree pathways. 


 

SEPTEMBER

Recognizing CSU's Incredible ROI: The CSU was once again recognized for providing a high-quality education at an unequaled value, opening doors to educational opportunities for all Californians in several national college rankings released in the fall.

September also marked the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, during which we gathered reflections from the CSU's Latinx leaders, including CSU Chancellor Mildred García, the first Latina in the country to lead a four-year public university.

Finally, the CSU Board of Trustees was presented with information about the integration of Cal Maritime and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo at its September meeting, reflecting the CSU's commitment to its core educational mission as well as fiscal sustainability. The board voted in favor of the integration at its November meeting.


 

OCTOBER

Establishing a Firm Foundation: October 1 marked Chancellor García's one-year anniversary as leader of the CSU, and we reflected on how she has served its students, strengthened the system and emerged as a leading voice in higher education.

The CSU announced record first-year student enrollment for the fall 2024 term, as well as plans for a new student success framework—announced at the CSU Graduation Initiative Symposium—and the launch of a strategic plan effort that aims to position the university as a national model for serving America's new majority.

And, in recognition of their commitment to supporting Latinx student success, twelve CSUs were certified or recertified as Seal of Excelencia institutions by Excelencia in Education.


 

NOVEMBER

Engaging with the Community: In honor of National Native American Heritage Month, we featured several CSU programs and projects that are aiding Tribal partners in efforts to preserve their heritage. We also profiled several CSU military-connected students and alumni who shared how their university has helped them achieve greatness to mark the occasion of Veterans Day.

And, ahead of the 2024 General Election, we highlighted how the CSU is developing civically engaged and politically aware voters, encouraging them to become active in their local communities.


 

DECEMBER

Expanding Leadership Nationally: Recognizing her decades of experience and dedication to student success and innovation, the National Association of Higher Education Systems (NASH) elected Chancellor García to its Board of Directors​. García ​will lend her expertise as NASH continues its work to advance the role of multi-campus systems in creating​​ a more vibrant and sustainable higher education sector.​​

 

As we ring in the new year, we look forward to continuing the university's work to ensure student success with a focus on educating students with global awareness, expanding support beyond graduation and preparing students to be part of emerging technologies.​


Story: Alisia Ruble​

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12/9/2024