The California State University

We’re honored and proud to see CSU Chief Information Officer Edmund Clark recognized by the Los Angeles Times as a nominee for the Chief Information Officer category at this year’s LATimes Studios Business LA Executive Forum & Leadership Awards.

Clark’s leadership is expanding access to tools and training for all 470,000 students and 63,000 faculty and staff across the CSU. He also convened the CSU Workforce Acceleration Board, bringing together Adobe, Alphabet (Google), Anthropic, Amazon Web Services (AWS), IBM, Instructure, Intel, LinkedIn, Microsoft, NVIDIA, OpenAI and the Office of California Governor Gavin Newsom to help shape the future of education and prepare students for an AI-driven economy.

Learn more: https://www.calstate.edu/impact-of-the-csu/technology/ai-empowered-csu/Pages/default.aspx

Did you know the CSU awarded 53% of California’s general engineering bachelor’s degrees in 2024? 👩‍🔧

CSU graduates are helping drive innovation across the state, including alumni like Andrew Anagnost (’87), president and CEO of Autodesk, who earned his mechanical engineering degree from California State University, Northridge. The CSU’s approach blends academic excellence with real‑world application. These hands‑on experiences ensure graduates are prepared to contribute immediately upon graduation in high‑demand fields.​

Learn more: https://www.calstate.edu/csu-system/news/Pages/Meeting-CAs-Industry-Workforce-Needs-Engineering.aspx

Are you a CSU alum? Share your story through CSU Voices: https://www.calstate.edu/impact-of-the-csu/government/csuvoices

“Reach out, ask questions and seek help! Do not navigate college alone; there are plenty of people who will help you succeed academically and beyond.” - CSU Trustee Carson Fajardo

This Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month, the CSU’s four APIDA trustees provided sage advice for students navigating the various challenges and experiences of attending university: https://www.calstate.edu/csu-system/news/Pages/APIDA-Month-Advice-from-CSU-APIDA-Trustees.aspx

"As a first-generation college graduate myself, I understand both the challenges and the possibilities associated with higher education. Stay resilient and confident—your journey matters and contributes to a growing legacy of APIDA student leadership, professional opportunity and alumni success." - CSU Trustee Darlene Yee-Melichar

In celebration of Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month, the CSU’s four APIDA trustees reflect on the communities that uplifted them, the lessons that guided their college paths and the wisdom they hope to pass on to today’s students: https://www.calstate.edu/csu-system/news/Pages/APIDA-Month-Advice-from-CSU-APIDA-Trustees.aspx

California’s future depends on higher education that meets students where they are. With state investment, the CSU can expand innovative degree programs, strengthen transfer pathways, grow direct admissions efforts and offer more flexible learning options that improve access and support student success.

Read how CSU students are applying innovative, real-world problem-solving skills at research competitions this year: https://www.calstate.edu/csu-system/news/Pages/Students-Exhibit-Innovation-and-Drive-at-2026-CSU-Competitions.aspx

Through CSU Voices, you can urge lawmakers to support the innovative programs and pathways that open doors for more Californians: https://www.calstate.edu/impact-of-the-csu/government/csuvoices

The Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) is one of California’s clearest examples of . ADT students who transfer to the CSU complete their bachelor’s degrees at strong rates:

✅ 56% within two years
✅ 77% within three years
✅ More than 80% within four years

When students have a clear, supported path from community college to the CSU, they succeed, and California gains more bachelor’s degrees at scale: https://www.calstate.edu/csu-system/news/Pages/csu-transfer-pathways-for-students.aspx

"As a first-generation APIDA student, you may face cultural and family expectations alongside academic pressures. Use available resources, ask questions, seek support, network, build your community and remember you are not alone." - CSU Trustee Wenda Fong

In honor of Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month, the CSU’s four APIDA trustees reflect on the power of community, the lessons that shaped their college journeys and the advice they hope today’s students carry into the future.

Read their words of wisdom: https://www.calstate.edu/csu-system/news/Pages/APIDA-Month-Advice-from-CSU-APIDA-Trustees.aspx

CSU Chancellor Dr. Mildred García has been named one of Clarity Group Global's 35 Essential Thought Leaders in University Leadership, honoring her influential voice and unwavering commitment to public higher education: https://www.consultclarity.org/post/thought-leaders-university-leadership

A champion for access, opportunity and student success, Chancellor García recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate alongside university partners for the CSU’s essential role in expanding access to high-quality , strengthening California’s communities and preparing the workforce of the future: https://www.calstate.edu/csu-system/news/Pages/CSU-Delegation-Shares-University-Priorities-in-Washington-DC.aspx

📸: Kea Taylor/Imagine Photography