Connections

For Alumni and Friends

October 2023

Featured

Cal State LA earns prestigious Seal of Excelencia certification

Cal State LA students celebrating their graduation at the 2022 Commencement ceremony

Cal State LA has recently been certified by Excelencia in Education with the prestigious Seal of Excelencia in 2023 for demonstrating through data, evidence-based practices, and leadership how it is intentionally serving Latino students. Excelencia in Education is the nation’s premier authority on efforts to accelerate Latino student success in higher education. Excelencia has offered the Seal of Excelencia—a national certification valid for three years—since 2018 to recognize institution leaders for the transformation needed to accelerate Latino student success and meet the overall mission of higher education. “Cal State LA is honored to receive the Seal of Excelencia. This certification affirms and confirms our university’s deep commitment to Latino student success. We will continue to be a university where Latino students thrive, and we will continue to graduate students who achieve the lives and careers they imagined,” said Cal State LA’s Interim President Leroy M. Morishita. Read more about the certification.

Golden Eagles welcome Incoming President Berenecea Johnson Eanes

President Eanes speaking from behind a podium.

The Cal State LA community gathered on Oct. 3 at the Luckman Street of the Arts to welcome Incoming President Berenecea Johnson Eanes during her first visit to campus. “What I tell people is that the CSU and CUNY have one thing in common—we are dedicated to access,” Eanes said from the podium during the event. “I know who we serve. I know the kind of students we serve. I know that education transforms lives.” The reception was held on the second day of her two-day visit. The visit is part of Eanes’ listening tour and included meetings with groups of faculty, students, staff, and administrators, tours of campus centers and offices, and a fireside chat with students. Eanes will assume the role of the university’s ninth president starting Jan. 8, 2024. She will be Cal State LA’s first woman president. Eanes is currently the president of York College in the City University of New York system. Prior to serving as president of York College, Eanes spent seven years at Cal State Fullerton where she was vice president for Student Affairs. Read more about the new president’s campus visit.

Campus News

Cal State LA receives INSIGHT Into Diversity’s 2023 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity awards

Cal State LA has once again received national honors from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the nation’s largest and oldest publication dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education. The magazine’s annual Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award recognizes U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive campus environment. As a recipient of the 2023 award, Cal State LA will be featured in the November/December 2023 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. This is the fifth time that Cal State LA has received a HEED Award. Additionally, the university has received a 2023 Health Professions HEED Award for its success in fostering diversity and inclusion in the Patricia A. Chin School of Nursing at Cal State LA. Read more about the HEED awards.

Cal State LA holds inaugural First-Gen Week

A person standing in front of a glittery background holding a small sign posing for a photo.

In honor of our first-generation Golden Eagles, campus partners have planned a series of exciting programs and activities from Nov. 2 to Nov. 9. First-Gen Week at Cal State LA aligns with the national First-Generation College Celebration on Nov. 8. This date marks the signing of the 1965 Higher Education Act (HEA) by President Lyndon B. Johnson, a historic moment that established federal financial aid programs and made crucial investments in higher education. Visit the website to learn more and read stories from our first-gen community.

Native American Heritage Month celebration begins next month

Cal State LA is celebrating Native American Heritage Month from Nov. 1 to Nov. 29 to recognize the histories, cultures, and contributions of Native American communities. This year’s celebration includes listening circles and a canned food drive for the nonprofit United American Indian Involvement, Inc. During the month of October, the university also celebrated LGBTQ+ History Month, Filipinx American History Month, and Ability Awareness Month. Visit the website for the listing of Native American Heritage Month events.

Cal State LA and LECO Corporation collaborate to launch cutting-edge chemical analysis lab

Cal State LA and LECO Corporation, a laboratory equipment company, recently joined forces to launch the LECO Complex Chemical Compositional Analysis Lab. The new lab, located in the renovated laboratory space of Rosser Hall on the Cal State LA campus, will serve as a hub for students, institutional colleagues, and industrial partners to study complex chemical samples. The lab is a collaborative educational and research environment, pivotal in educating and training both undergraduate and graduate students at Cal State LA. A grand opening for the lab was held last month at the university’s Ferguson Courtyard, marking a significant step in advancing research and education in complex chemical analysis. Read more about the new lab.

Prospective students invited to Golden Eagle Fest

Eddie the Eagle walking down the campus walkway.

The Office of Admissions and Recruitment is hosting Golden Eagle Fest on Saturday, Nov. 18, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. During the event, prospective students and their families can explore the campus, meet with faculty, advisors, and current students, and learn all the reasons why they should apply to Cal State LA for fall 2024. Campus tours will be offered, as well as application and financial aid workshops. Read more about Golden Eagle Fest.

Día de Los Muertos set for Nov. 1

Join the Cross Cultural Centers for an evening of tradition at the Día de los Muertos celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 1, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the University-Student Union Plaza. Golden Eagles and the greater Cal State LA community will have an opportunity to honor loved ones who have passed by visiting altars created by campus partners, student organizations, and the Chicanx Latinx Student Resource Center.

Engagement, Service, and the Public Good

College of ECST hosts 19th annual MESA STEM Day

A parent and their child posing for a photo.

The College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology’s 19th annual MESA STEM Day in Partnership with Boeing brought more than 600 students, teachers, and family members to campus to kick off the MESA College Prep program at Cal State LA partner schools. Attendees toured the various ECST laboratories and participated in workshops hosted by current Cal State LA engineering students and Boeing professionals. Parents were invited to attend informational workshops exploring college and program pathways. The MESA Schools program at Cal State LA is a pre-college program that serves educationally disadvantaged students from middle school to community college to prepare them for a career in math, science, engineering, computer science, and technology.

Cal State LA Toy Donation Drive to support families in the community

Cal State LA is hosting a Toy Donation Drive in collaboration with the Para Los Niños nonprofit organization, which serves needy children and families in Los Angeles. Donations of new and unused toys will be collected from Nov. 13 until Dec. 15. Drop off donations at the Center for Student Involvement, located on the third floor of the University-Student Union, or the Center for Engagement, Service, and the Public Good, located on the lower level of the Career Center. For details, call 323-343-3380.

Community Focus

Cal State LA awarded $7 million grant to train new teachers for high-need urban schools

A small humanoid robot performs in front of a students in a classroom.

The College of Education at Cal State LA has been awarded a $7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to continue the success of the university’s Los Angeles Urban Teacher Residency program. The residency program, which trains new teachers to help close the achievement gap of students in high-need urban schools, has prepared 12 cohorts of graduates currently teaching in California schools since 2009. The five-year grant will propose to develop 276 community-centered teachers to deliver culturally sustaining instruction for students in critical areas of special education, secondary STEM education, and bilingual education. This is the third time the college has received this grant through the U.S. Department of Education Teacher Quality Partnership Program. Read more about the program.

Give blood at upcoming American Red Cross blood drives

Students, faculty, staff, and community members can give blood on campus during upcoming American Red Cross blood drives on Nov. 16 and Nov. 30. Learn more about the blood drives.

Athletics

Men’s soccer clinches ninth CCAA title

The 2023 Mens Soccer team celebrating their 2023 CCAA victory.

Cal State LA men’s soccer clinched the 2023 California Collegiate Athletic Association regular season championship with a dominant performance against Cal Poly Humboldt on Sunday, marking the program’s ninth CCAA championship overall. The 2-0 shutout extended their winning streak to eight games and marked their 12th shutout of the season. With the win, the Golden Eagles earned their third regular season title in four years and locked up the top seed for the upcoming CCAA Tournament at Cal Poly Humboldt. Cal State LA closes out their regular season slate at University Stadium this week against Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Cal State LA welcomes basketball season with Midnight Madness

Nicole Flennaugh prepares to shoot a basketball from three-point range.

Cal State LA Athletics kicked off the unofficial start to basketball season on Oct. 23 with the department’s annual Midnight Madness festivities. The night, which began with lawn and table games as well as food from Kogi BBQ, featured the introduction of the men’s and women’s 2023-2024 basketball teams. The event also included performances from athletic teams, a dunk contest, skills challenges, and giveaways throughout the night. Watch the full recap on YouTube.

Alumni Spotlight

Alumna and former DACA recipient Lizbeth Sanchez featured on The Jennifer Hudson Show

At the age of three, Cal State LA alumna Lizbeth Sanchez and her family walked from Mexico to Los Angeles in search of a better life. Recently appearing on The Jennifer Hudson Show, Sanchez spoke about Dr. Christine Evelyn, the childhood doctor who played a pivotal role in her life, encouraging Sanchez to pursue the sciences, and even going as far as gifting Sanchez’s mother with the shoes off her own feet. Sanchez was surprised with a video message from Dr. Evelyn, who congratulated Sanchez on everything she’s accomplished. When asked what words of advice she’d give to others in similar situations, Sanchez implored others to “…keep on going. You will have roadblocks…but they’re not meant to stop you, they’re meant for you to achieve your goals. Find mentors, even if they don’t look like you, someone will help you. And don’t be afraid to break those barriers.” Sanchez received a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from the College of Natural and Social Sciences in 2020. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in biomedical and translational research. Watch the segment on YouTube here.

Recap of the Chicanx Latinx University Alumni Network Mixer

Dancers performing traditional Mexican dances.

Alumni, staff, faculty, students, and the greater Cal State LA community came together on Oct. 6 to celebrate Latinx Heritage Month and the Chicanx Latinx University Alumni Network’s first anniversary. Interim President Leroy M. Morishita shared remarks and guests were treated to performances by the Cal State LA Afro Latin Ensemble and John C. Fremont High School folklórico dancers.