Sacramento State to lead new CSU Statewide office for Black student success

The new central office will cultivate and innovate transformative practices across the system’s 23 universities as well as underserved communities.

 After a competitive review process involving multiple university candidates, the California State University (CSU) has selected California State University, Sacramento, as the location for its new CSU Statewide Central Office for the Advancement of Black Excellence.

The systemwide office serves as the primary entity to oversee and implement the recommendations articulated in the CSU’s Black Student Success report issued last June. In addition, the office will cultivate and innovate transformative practices across the system’s 23 universities as well as underserved communities.

“We are thrilled to establish the CSU’s first-ever Statewide Central Office for the Advancement of Black Excellence, not only to accelerate action and drive change across our 23 universities but, just as important, to clearly demonstrate our institution’s deep commitment to becoming a national leader in Black student success,” said CSU Chancellor Mildred García.

“With an exemplary track record in supporting and elevating outcomes for Black students, I am proud that Sacramento State has been selected as the inaugural site and will continue its legacy of inspiring, informing and empowering our statewide efforts in close collaboration with our universities across the system,” Garcia added.

A CSU statewide office selection committee, which included members from the original Black Student Success Workgroup, selected Sacramento State for its proven success in supporting Black students, staff and faculty, and addressing inequities and achievement gaps within the Black student community.

Sacramento State’s vision for oversight of the office, including strategies to enhance experiences both in and outside of the classroom, were a deciding factor in its selection.

The office will be funded with an initial investment of $1.3 million, part of an original $10 million one-time allocation to Black student success initiatives provided by the Chancellor’s Office following the publication of the student success recommendations.

“We are honored by the trust and support shown by Chancellor García and the CSU for Sacramento State and our work to help Black students realize their educational dreams,” said Sacramento State President Luke Wood.

“Placing the statewide office on our campus acknowledges our work and success, and further highlights our programs such as the first-ever Black Honors College, as well as our having the largest population of Black students of any CSU campus. We know our success will be reflected and multiplied by the work that will be done here on behalf of the entire CSU,” Wood added.

In addition to the selection of the statewide office, the CSU recently completed its first-ever systemwide inventory of practices and services that aligned with the Black Student Success report recommendations.

As part of this self-assessment, universities submitted action items to advance their efforts in supporting Black student success. The Chancellor’s Office allocated more than $4.5 million to help fund these activities at all 23 universities.

“The selection of the statewide office represents a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to advancing equity and inclusivity within the CSU,” added Deputy Vice Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs Dilcie D. Perez. “We are committed to ensuring that we create the opportunities that allow all students to thrive, and we look forward to partnering with Sacramento State in moving this important work forward.”