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Establishin​g a Firm Foundation​

As CSU Chancellor Mildred García marks her one-year anniversary as leader of the nation’s largest and most diverse four-year public university system, we reflect on how she has served its students, strengthened the system and emerged as a leading voice in higher education.​


“The story of the CSU—elevating lives, families and communities through the transformative power of higher education—that’s my personal story.”

— Mildred García, CSU Chancellor​ 

Over the past twelve months, California State University Chancellor Mildred García has expanded and deepened her relationships throughout the CSU community and its stakeholders, advocated on behalf of the university for additional student support, earned several accolades and awards, and helped bring national attention to the incredible work being done across the 23 universities to transform the lives of individuals and their communities.

Through her engagement with students, faculty, staff and beyond, García has advanced the CSU's mission to boost student success, especially among “America's new majority"—first-generation students, low-income students and students of color, as well as adults looking for new and brighter opportunities; to drive innovation; and to showcase the value and impact of a CSU degree.

Revisit some of the milestones from García's first year as CSU chancellor.​

 

 

October 2023

California State University Chancellor Mildred García began her tenure on October 1, 2023, becoming the first Latina to serve in this role. "Leading the nation's largest and most diverse four-year university system and its greatest driver of social mobility is my professional life's highest honor—and greatest responsibility."


 

November 2023

Among the many accolades Chancellor García (center) has received is the Puerto Rican Heritage Award from Comité Noviembre in November 2023. The committee cited Chancellor García's personal and professional trajectory in creating a legacy that will leave a unique cultural imprint on the Puerto Rican community and beyond.


 

DECEMBER 2023

​​Town and gown collaboration: Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson (center) held a welcome reception for Chancellor García (left) in December 2023. The CSU Chancellor’s Office is located in Long Beach, California, and has a strong partnership with the city. (Also pictured is CSU Trustee Wenda Fong.)


 

JANUARY 2024

Chancellor García (center) is often invited to participate in conversations on the importance of higher education and the CSU's impact on individuals and communities. In January 2024, she served on a panel hosted by The Campaign for College Opportunity alongside California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian (second from left) and University of California President Michael Drake (second from right).​


 

FEBRUARY 2024

Chancellor García spoke at the services of Faithful Central Bible Church in Inglewood, California, for the 19th annual CSU Super Sunday​ on February 25, 2024. CSU system leaders, campus presidents, administrators and students visited places of worship—both in person and virtually—across the state to share personal stories and important college-related information for Black and African American students.​


 

“I hope you'll let nothing hold you back. Whether you're the first in your family to attend, looking to transfer from a community college or an adult who wants more for yourself through a certificate or degree, the CSU offers the programs and support you need to reach your dreams," Chancellor García told the congregants of Faithful Central Bible Church during CSU Super Sunday.


 

In Sacramento, California, for CSU Advocacy Day events, Chancellor García joined CSU leaders including members of the California State Student Association (pictured) to educate state legislators about the incredible impact the university has on the state and advocate for continued state support.


 

While in Sacramento, Chancellor García joined CSU alumni including Stephen Burke (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, '12) and Samantha Contreras (Cal State LA, '12) at a systemwide advocacy event hosted by the CSU Alumni Council. Fun fact: The CSU alumni network—more than 4 million strong—is larger than the population of 23 U.S. states.


 

Also in February, Chancellor García (center) invested San José State's thirty-first president, Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson, and celebrated with fellow CSU leaders (from left) Fresno State President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, CSU San Marcos President Ellen Neufeldt, CSU Trustee Yamilette “Yami" Rodriguez, CSU Trustee Darlene Yee-Melichar and Cal State East Bay President Cathy Sandeen.


 

March 2024

The California Legislative Women's Caucus honored Chancellor García as a 2024 California Woman Making HERstory during Women's History Month commemorations on the Assembly and Senate floors March 12, 2024. “I am honored and humbled to be recognized as a California Woman HERstory Maker alongside other remarkable women whom I deeply admire," said Chancellor García.

“I take seriously my role as the first Latina to lead not only the nation's largest and most diverse four-year university system, but the first Latina to lead any four-year university system in the nation. It is my hope that no matter where they look on our 23 university campuses, our students see opportunity, inclusion and encouragement, and perhaps, their future selves." 


 

April 2024

In a special livestreamed event at CSU Channel Islands on April 2, 2024, Chancellor García and Trustee Wenda Fong shared their leadership journeys with students. The event was moderated by Daisy Navarrete, the 2023-24 Associated Students Inc. president at CSUCI (right). Both García and Fong emphasized that CSU students share similar family backgrounds and stories of perseverance as they pursue higher education as a means of achieving greater goals.

“Our campuses are your homes; they're where you can become a leader and where you can change the things that you feel you need to give voice to," García said. “And you can do that at all of our campuses at the CSU and walk out being wonderful leaders in your communities and in your professions."


 

While in Washington, D.C., for CSU Hill Day events in April 2024, Chancellor García and CSU leaders including university presidents, trustees and students met with members of the California Democratic Party to demonstrate the CSU's impact on California and the nation and discuss the university's federal priorities.​


 

May 2024

Chancellor García (in black, far right) accepted TELACU's “CREO" Award at its 41st Annual Building the Dream Gala. The award is TELACU's most prestigious honor and recognizes individuals who exemplify the highest ideals and commitment to improving our community through personal and public service.


 

June 2024

Chancellor García participated in a panel discussion on June 13-14 at the CSU's second biennial Juneteenth Symposium, which highlighted the progress made to elevate Black student success. “Today, while there's so much work still ahead of us, the Cal State family has undeniably taken action," Chancellor García told the assembled crowd.​


 

Under the leadership of Chancellor García (pictured here at the CSU Juneteenth Symposium), the CSU has awarded $4.6 million in funding to its 23 universities to advance Black student success and elevate Black excellence across the system, established a new CSU Statewide Central Office for the Advancement of Black Excellence and celebrated​​ the recipients of the CSU's first-ever Black Student Success Scholarship.​

These actions are just a few examples of García's commitment to serving and lifting up historically underrepresented communities, both as an advocate for public higher education and the leader of a Minority-Serving Institution.


 

July 2024

Ahoy there! Chancellor García received a tour aboard Cal Maritime's Training Ship Golden Bear July 30, 2024. The ship serves as a floating classroom that provides two months of at-sea training every summer for first- and third-year students, known as the Summer Sea Term, and as a laboratory for new marine technology. The ship docked at the Port of Los Angeles for two days before heading back home to Vallejo.​ 


 

During her tour, which was guided by TS Golden Bear Captain Samar Bannister and Interim Cal Maritime President Michael Dumont, García chatted with cadets and learned about the ship's teaching facilities and equipment, including a 180-degree bridge simulator and a full-mission diesel simulator that give cadets realistic maritime experiences.


 

August 2024

Chancellor García joined the California state auditor and lawmakers in Sacramento on August 14, 2024, to discuss the CSU's progress in strengthening civil rights programs, as well as a broader vision for cultural transformation and commitment to accountability.

“The work we are engaged in requires nothing short of cultural change. … We must build and maintain a culture of care. That means honoring and living out our core values so that our universities are places where every person is respected, protected and empowered to pursue their goals, free from any harassing or discriminatory behaviors."


 

SEPTEMBER 2024

At the September meeting of the CSU Board of Trustees, Chancellor García celebrated the 2024 recipients of the CSU Trustees' Award for Outstanding Achievement​. The award, which is the highest student distinction within the university, grants students scholarships based on academic achievements, financial need, excellence in community service and personal hardship.

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Chancellor García was inducted​ into the American Academy of Arts & Sciences on September 21 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, joining an elite group of luminaries from around the country. She was among 250 individuals chosen this year to join the Academy, a prestigious research and policy organization, in recognition of their achievements in a variety of disciplines.

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October 2024

Congressman Robert Garcia entered a statement into the Congressional Record on October 1 congratulating Chancellor García on her one-year anniversary. He called her “a tireless champion of economic opportunity and educational equity, particularly for students from underrepresented backgrounds.”

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Keep up with all of CSU Chancellor Mildred García's activities.​


Story: Alisia Ruble​

Photography: CONTRIBUTED

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10/14/2024