- CSUSM Achieves STARS Gold Rating for SustainabilityCal State San Marcos recently achieved STARS gold status in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). STARS is short for the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System, which measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education. The self-assessment system, which includes more than 900 participants in 40 countries, measures and encourages stability in aspects of higher education. Participants are rated in the areas of academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership. “STARS is the most comprehensive benchmarking and rating tool for sustainability in higher education institutions,” said Juliana Goodlaw-Morris, CSUSM’s director of sustainability and climate justice. “Thus, this report validates and showcases areas within sustainability we are doing really well and opportunities for growth. "It truly is a campus-wide effort since our reporting covers academics, engagement, leadership, innovation and operations. As we continue to move the needle on sustainability at CSUSM, we will be rolling out a ‘pathway to platinum’ that will showcase our opportunities to further integrate sustainability into the fabric of our campus.” The STARS program is designed to build a stronger, more diverse campus sustainability community, facilitate information sharing about higher education sustainability practices and performance, and provide incentives for continual improvement for sustainability. AASHE is an association of colleges and universities that are working to create a sustainable future. Its mission is to empower higher education to lead the sustainability transformation. For more information about the STARS program, visit stars.aashe.org. Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- CSUSM Receives Two Gifts Totaling $20 Million, Largest in 35-Year HistoryIn a historic moment, Cal State San Marcos has announced two philanthropic donations totaling $20 million – the largest gifts in its 35-year history. A transformative grant of $10 million from Price Philanthropies Foundation will create a first-of-its-kind, three-year accelerated bachelor's degree and workforce pipeline for behavioral and mental health. As part of this groundbreaking milestone and becoming the largest donors to CSUSM, visionary philanthropist Daniel J. Epstein – a director of the CSUSM Foundation Board – and his wife, Phyllis, have committed to an additional gift of $10 million. Their contribution will serve as a unique dollar-for-dollar matching gift opportunity for all CSUSM donors to double their impact across campus. “Phyllis and I are incredibly impressed by CSUSM and President Ellen Neufeldt’s strong commitment to bridge the opportunity gap and create a more equitable and inclusive San Diego,” Daniel Epstein said. “As a regionally focused university with a highly diverse student population, CSUSM is one of the most transformative institutions in the Southern California region, impacting lives and entire communities. We are proud to pledge our support and we hope community members will join us.” The matching gift from the Epsteins will create a ripple effect, reaching into the core of CSUSM’s mission of student success and fortifying an era of unprecedented innovation to advance social mobility. Investments stemming from this gift will have a direct and positive impact on funding to support the people, places and programs of CSUSM’s upcoming comprehensive fundraising campaign. This unparalleled opportunity presents a landmark moment for donors to double their impact, providing meaningful and transformational investments at CSUSM now and for future generations. “We are eternally grateful for the extraordinary investments in our students and community made possible by Dan and Phyllis Epstein and the Price Philanthropies Foundation,” Neufeldt said. “With CSUSM being a national leader in social mobility, the one-to-one matching philanthropic gift will catapult our campaign efforts to support critical student success initiatives. Having their confidence in CSUSM has already inspired generous supporters in our community. I am proud to partner with Price Philanthropies on such a powerful new workforce-connected accelerated bachelor’s degree program, bringing a first-of-its-kind model into the state of California to address surging behavioral and mental health employment demands.” Through the partnership with Price Philanthropies — which is committed to transforming the lives of youth and families — this multiyear program grant invests in the most urgent workforce needs in the behavioral and mental health industry. Amid an environment where the need for mental health and wellness services for children and families has increased exponentially, San Diego Workforce Partnership reports that San Diego County will require more than 18,000 new qualified mental health professionals by 2027. The funding will help embed dual enrollment, professional certificates and enhanced career preparation in a three-year degree pathway. This innovative approach expedites the placement of qualified people into critical roles with an escalated earning potential, a perfect example of social mobility in action. “We are extremely grateful to President Neufeldt and her team for their partnership in creating an accelerated pathway for students to earn a bachelor's degree in three years rather than the traditional four or more years. This innovative and potentially revolutionary approach to higher education offers the potential for students to complete their undergraduate work in less time and be better prepared to enter the workforce,” said Robert and Allison Price. “We believe that the three-year bachelor's degree program can become a model that can be replicated not only in the field of health care but also in many other occupational disciplines.” The degree pathway will provide hundreds of students with immersive, hands-on experiences through internships, simulations and real-world projects, allowing them to graduate in fewer than four years and directly enter the region’s workforce. The program is being meticulously crafted to align with the evolving needs of the mental and behavioral health field by integrating industry insights, expert guidance and tailored coursework. This model emulates the vision and purpose of CSUSM to lift its students, their families and the region, bolstering the university’s standing among the top 1% nationally in social mobility. To be a part of the unique Epstein family match for student success and social mobility and to help shape the future of the university, CSUSM invites the community to participate. To learn more, contact Jessica Berger, vice president for University Advancement, at jmberger@csusm.edu. Media Contact Haley Wonsley, Communications and Marketing Director, University Advancement hwonsley@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7342
- CSUSM Achieves STARS Gold Rating for SustainabilityCal State San Marcos recently achieved STARS gold status in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). STARS is short for the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System, which measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education. The self-assessment system, which includes more than 900 participants in 40 countries, measures and encourages stability in aspects of higher education. Participants are rated in the areas of academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership. “STARS is the most comprehensive benchmarking and rating tool for sustainability in higher education institutions,” said Juliana Goodlaw-Morris, CSUSM’s director of sustainability and climate justice. “Thus, this report validates and showcases areas within sustainability we are doing really well and opportunities for growth. "It truly is a campus-wide effort since our reporting covers academics, engagement, leadership, innovation and operations. As we continue to move the needle on sustainability at CSUSM, we will be rolling out a ‘pathway to platinum’ that will showcase our opportunities to further integrate sustainability into the fabric of our campus.” The STARS program is designed to build a stronger, more diverse campus sustainability community, facilitate information sharing about higher education sustainability practices and performance, and provide incentives for continual improvement for sustainability. AASHE is an association of colleges and universities that are working to create a sustainable future. Its mission is to empower higher education to lead the sustainability transformation. For more information about the STARS program, visit stars.aashe.org. Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- CSUSM Receives Two Gifts Totaling $20 Million, Largest in 35-Year HistoryIn a historic moment, Cal State San Marcos has announced two philanthropic donations totaling $20 million – the largest gifts in its 35-year history. A transformative grant of $10 million from Price Philanthropies Foundation will create a first-of-its-kind, three-year accelerated bachelor's degree and workforce pipeline for behavioral and mental health. As part of this groundbreaking milestone and becoming the largest donors to CSUSM, visionary philanthropist Daniel J. Epstein – a director of the CSUSM Foundation Board – and his wife, Phyllis, have committed to an additional gift of $10 million. Their contribution will serve as a unique dollar-for-dollar matching gift opportunity for all CSUSM donors to double their impact across campus. “Phyllis and I are incredibly impressed by CSUSM and President Ellen Neufeldt’s strong commitment to bridge the opportunity gap and create a more equitable and inclusive San Diego,” Daniel Epstein said. “As a regionally focused university with a highly diverse student population, CSUSM is one of the most transformative institutions in the Southern California region, impacting lives and entire communities. We are proud to pledge our support and we hope community members will join us.” The matching gift from the Epsteins will create a ripple effect, reaching into the core of CSUSM’s mission of student success and fortifying an era of unprecedented innovation to advance social mobility. Investments stemming from this gift will have a direct and positive impact on funding to support the people, places and programs of CSUSM’s upcoming comprehensive fundraising campaign. This unparalleled opportunity presents a landmark moment for donors to double their impact, providing meaningful and transformational investments at CSUSM now and for future generations. “We are eternally grateful for the extraordinary investments in our students and community made possible by Dan and Phyllis Epstein and the Price Philanthropies Foundation,” Neufeldt said. “With CSUSM being a national leader in social mobility, the one-to-one matching philanthropic gift will catapult our campaign efforts to support critical student success initiatives. Having their confidence in CSUSM has already inspired generous supporters in our community. I am proud to partner with Price Philanthropies on such a powerful new workforce-connected accelerated bachelor’s degree program, bringing a first-of-its-kind model into the state of California to address surging behavioral and mental health employment demands.” Through the partnership with Price Philanthropies — which is committed to transforming the lives of youth and families — this multiyear program grant invests in the most urgent workforce needs in the behavioral and mental health industry. Amid an environment where the need for mental health and wellness services for children and families has increased exponentially, San Diego Workforce Partnership reports that San Diego County will require more than 18,000 new qualified mental health professionals by 2027. The funding will help embed dual enrollment, professional certificates and enhanced career preparation in a three-year degree pathway. This innovative approach expedites the placement of qualified people into critical roles with an escalated earning potential, a perfect example of social mobility in action. “We are extremely grateful to President Neufeldt and her team for their partnership in creating an accelerated pathway for students to earn a bachelor's degree in three years rather than the traditional four or more years. This innovative and potentially revolutionary approach to higher education offers the potential for students to complete their undergraduate work in less time and be better prepared to enter the workforce,” said Robert and Allison Price. “We believe that the three-year bachelor's degree program can become a model that can be replicated not only in the field of health care but also in many other occupational disciplines.” The degree pathway will provide hundreds of students with immersive, hands-on experiences through internships, simulations and real-world projects, allowing them to graduate in fewer than four years and directly enter the region’s workforce. The program is being meticulously crafted to align with the evolving needs of the mental and behavioral health field by integrating industry insights, expert guidance and tailored coursework. This model emulates the vision and purpose of CSUSM to lift its students, their families and the region, bolstering the university’s standing among the top 1% nationally in social mobility. To be a part of the unique Epstein family match for student success and social mobility and to help shape the future of the university, CSUSM invites the community to participate. To learn more, contact Jessica Berger, vice president for University Advancement, at jmberger@csusm.edu. Media Contact Haley Wonsley, Communications and Marketing Director, University Advancement hwonsley@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7342
- Amateur Radio Club, Other Orgs Aim to Fund ProjectsBuilding radios may have started as a hobby when Jerald Pinter was a child, but it also became one of his inspirations for pursuing a career in engineering. Though Pinter is now retired as an engineer and engineering manager, he’s helping to prepare the next generation of scientists as a lecturer in Cal State San Marcos’ College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Knowing firsthand how challenging science courses can be, Pinter wanted to find an outlet for students, leading to the founding last fall of CSUSM’s Amateur Radio Club. “These students are grinding through a really tough curriculum,” Pinter said. “I want them to have some fun and be able to be hands on and build something. Instead of grueling equations, they get to just have some fun tinkering with stuff in the lab.” When the club launched, Pinter thought that maybe two or three students would show up. Instead, there are more than 20 who regularly attend the weekly Thursday meetings in the Viasat Engineering Pavilion. Though most are electrical engineering majors, the club is open to any student interested in learning how to build a radio (follow the club on Instagram @Radio_Club.CSUSM for more information). The Amateur Radio Club is one of 13 groups participating in Cougar Crowdfunding Student Org Month. Throughout March, donors can make a difference in the lives of students by supporting these student-run organizations. The Amateur Radio Club, which gained official student organization status this semester, is trying to raise funds to pay for amateur radio licensing testing for its members, equipment, materials to build radios, and radio equipment to start a CSUSM amateur radio station. While Pinter serves as the Amateur Radio Club’s faculty adviser, the organization has a team of four student leaders: Noah Bills, president; Blake Stenson, vice president; Kurt Williams, treasurer; and Erin Obmina-Josue, social media director. “The club is really good for professional development and it's a good résumé builder for the students,” Williams said. “It provides good connections, too. We've had partners from outside come in, and they're willing to come in and talk to everybody about things like engineering and professional development.” Cougar Crowdfunding projects are managed by the Office of Annual Giving Programs. For questions or to submit a project for consideration, contact Digital Giving Specialist Alex Perkins at aperkins@csusm.edu or (760) 750-8895. Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
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