The intersection of public policy and individual liberty provided the substance of this year's African American Leaders for Tomorrow (AALT) program as 50 high school students from across the state joined educators, business leaders, and elected officials for a four-day leadership conference on the CSUDH campus. The California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) created the program to equip young men and women of color with the tools and experience necessary to excel in higher education and to become leaders within their communities and beyond. Sen. Steven Bradford, Vice Chair of the CLBC, welcomed the AALT scholars at the event's kick-off dinner. “This program is about preparing the next ... Read More
CSUDH Launches First Doctoral Program
Seventeen students embarked this summer term on an academic journey that no other Toro has yet made. They represent the inaugural student cohort of CSUDH's Occupational Therapy Doctoral (OTD) program–the first doctoral program offered in the university's more than 60-year history. President Thomas A. Parham welcomed the students during an orientation event on May 15 at the Loker Student Union ballroom and applauded their decision to break new ground for generations of students to follow. “Go into your studies knowing that what you're doing is significant and worthwhile and makes an enormous difference. Go into it knowing that your institution could not be prouder of you,” Parham said. ... Read More
Commencement 2023 Highlights Perseverance
More than 3,300 proud Toros walked the stage at Commencement 2023 in Dignity Sports Park Tennis Stadium, supported by the joyous cheers of family, friends, and fellow students. Six ceremonies held on May 19-20 honored the commitment and persistence displayed by the Class of 2023, which ended one journey with a flip of the tassel and now begins another. In his opening remarks, President Thomas A. Parham celebrated the individual achievements of this year's graduates and reminded them that their journey was only just beginning. "Every year, as we bear witness to the hard work, perseverance, and achievements of our students, we are reminded why education is the great societal equalizer and ... Read More
Cultural Grad Events Celebrate the Journey
Malcolm X called education “our passport to the future” in his speech at the founding forum for the Organization of Afro-American Unity in 1964. He linked it to the struggle for human rights, the discovery and celebration of cultural identity, and the development of greater self-respect. In his view, education provided an essential conduit for progress, a roadmap for continuous travel and not just a destination. It was in this spirit that CSUDH's cultural and affinity organizations gathered this month ahead of formal Commencement on May 19 and 20 for a series of smaller, culturally focused graduation celebrations. “It's important to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates in a ... Read More
Dance Team Delivers Historic National Championship Win
The CSUDH Dance team has devoted itself tirelessly to the success of their fellow student athletes for nearly two decades. In Daytona Beach, Fla. on April 6-8, their performance in the finals of the Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship brought national attention to their fierce commitment as representatives of the university and its athletic traditions. The Toro dancers won the Division II National Championship in the newly created Spirit Rally category. Their standout performance among some 8,500 other participants from 430 colleges and universities across the country, capped a season that also saw unprecedented success for several of the university's other athletic ... Read More