On Super Sunday, Berenecea Johnson Eanes preached about education.

Cal State LA’s president was a guest speaker at the West Angeles Church of God in Christ on Sunday, Feb. 16, taking the pulpit to inspire school-aged parishioners to pursue higher education and to consider attending Cal State LA.

“We want people to transform their lives via education,” President Eanes said to the congregation. “I stand in front of you the granddaughter of a woman with a second-grade education, the daughter of two people dedicated to service and dedicated to my education, and I will be dedicated to your children.”

For the past 20 years, Super Sunday has connected California State University (CSU) system’s 23 campuses with predominantly Black and African American faith-based organizations in their respective communities. It serves as the signature event of the CSU’s systemwide African American Initiative, which provides information about entry into college and the upward mobility available through a CSU degree.

On Sunday, Eanes was among the CSU leaders—including fellow campus presidents, administrators, and faculty—who delivered the message of opportunity during church services around the state. The Cal State LA Admissions and Recruitment team was present at a service at the St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles.

“College equals opportunity; a degree unlocks yours,” Eanes said. “We are building community, with our churches and with our communities, to make sure our students continue to thrive. A CSU degree means higher earnings, better health, and retirement security. Affordable, supportive—the CSU is here for you.”

Cal State LA was recently named No. 1 in the state for upward mobility by the California Mobility Index, which evaluated colleges and universities on the proportion of low- and moderate-income students they enroll and the return on investments for those students. The university also achieved the top ranking nationally for upward mobility from the Opportunity Insights.

Following Eanes’ address, Pastor Charles Blake II reiterated her message to his congregation.

“I want to echo her words in letting you know how important it is, now more than ever before, especially in our university system, that we invest in our children,” he said. “The same God that gave Dr. Berenecea an opportunity to be who she is now, the same God that has brought through so many trials and tragedies before, is going to take us into the future.”

Eanes and Cal State LA were in search of students such as 17-year-old Gary Cooper, a senior at New Designs Charter School in Los Angeles. Cooper, who will enter Cal State LA as a freshman in the fall, stopped by the university’s information table at the church lobby with his family following Sunday service.

“I know people who went there, and they told me about the positive experiences they had,” Cooper said. “It seems like a good environment where I’ll be able to learn.”

Cooper plans to major in political science at Cal State LA.

“I want to venture into the law field. I want to be in the courts and potentially be a politician one day,” he said.

Deacon John Wilson III, who runs the church’s Education and Enrichment Program, said Cal State LA has become a top destination for many of the church’s youngsters. He expects about seven seniors to apply for entry in the fall semester. Previously, he said the average number of applicants would be two or three.

“From my perspective, Cal State LA is emerging right now as a top tech and professional school, helping kids get jobs and top salaries,” he said. “The last five years coming out of the pandemic, Cal State LA has come out strong.”

Wilson said events such as the CSU Super Sunday send a positive message to students contemplating education after high school

“Super Sunday means a lot,” he said. “It’s a good way to keep the Cal State LA name in front of the congregation. Having the president and her team join us provides a lot of motivation.”

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California State University, Los Angeles is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles. Cal State LA is ranked number one in the United States for the upward mobility of its students. Cal State LA is dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good, offering nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education, and the humanities. Founded in 1947, the University serves more than 24,000 students and has more than 250,000 distinguished alumni.