As a continuation of the Black Student Success report, the California State University (CSU) has completed a systemwide inventory to gain a greater understanding of how the 23 universities are currently supporting Black student success. Universities were asked to evaluate themselves based on selected recommendations that had a clear campus component, including: recruitment and outreach; student retention, persistence and academic success; campus culture, community and belonging; and the role of Black faculty and staff in student success.
The highlights include current efforts to support Black student success as well as a summary of campus-submitted action items to drive the vision of the CSU to become a nationwide leader in Black excellence.
Download the Highlights
As the nation's largest and most diverse four-year public university, the CSU provides opportunities for upward mobility to more than 450,000 students and serves as a key stepping stone to empowering them to become leaders in a changing workforce.
Reflecting national trends, the CSU has experienced an ongoing decline in both Black student enrollment as well as retention. In fall 2022, Interim Chancellor Jolene Koester charged the CSU leadership to redouble efforts in supporting and advancing Black student success. She framed this effort within Graduation Initiative 2025, which has contributed to increased graduation rates systemwide but has not yet been able to close stubborn equity gaps.
A strategic workgroup developed both an approach that centered the student experience and voice as well as recommendations that challenge the CSU to think broadly and act boldly. The resulting report articulates13 systemwide recommendations designed to catalyze the cultural change urgently needed to advance Black student success and create a potential model for other institutions of higher education.
Download an Executive Summary Download the Report
Draft recommendations to advance a strategic plan to position the CSU as a nationwide leader in Black student outreach, recruitment, enrollment, persistence, success and graduation. Following their work to establish the strategic direction and action steps to advance Black student success, the implementation of the workgroup's recommendations will involve collaboration with a broad and inclusive cross-section of institutional stakeholders from across the system.
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These links and conversations support our mission to improve upward mobility and increase Black student enrollment and retention at the CSU.
Inaugural Juneteenth SymposiumGraduation Initiative 2025Closing the Equity GapAfrican American Communities