Since the first California State University (CSU) campus opened in 1857, the CSU has provided an exceptional academic environment for its 433,000 students and extensive opportunities for students to serve. The 23 CSU campuses range from urban settings with 25,000 students to rural areas with 3,500. All have distinct features and programs but share the same mission – to provide high-quality, affordable higher education to meet CA’s ever-changing needs.
The CSU also reaches out to California’s growing, underserved communities, offering affordable opportunities to pursue a college degree that enable students from diverse backgrounds to succeed. The CSU provides more than half of all undergraduate degrees granted to California’s Latino, African American and Native American students. Some systemwide initiatives include:
• The CSU’s “How to Get to College” poster outlines steps for middle and high school students to prepare for college. The CSU has distributed more than 3 million copies in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Russian, Hmong, Tagalong and Chinese.
• As part of its African American Initiative, the CSU has partnered with churches throughout California to bring awareness to students, parents and families about the importance of early preparation for college. In 2010,
• The CSU is leading a statewide “Troops to College” program established to assist military men and women transition to college after exiting the service. The program includes academic outreach, admissions and enrollment planning for the approximately 60,000 veterans exiting military service each year.
Additionally, CSU students participate in all types of service activities in more than 5,794 community sites annually. Students from all academic majors have opportunities to connect service to their studies in more than 2,570 service-learning courses annually.
Mission of the CSU Center for Community Engagement: As a driving and innovative force, advances the California State University's systemwide and multi-campus commitment to serving the economic, public policy and social needs of our state.