CSUDH Interim President Mary Ann Villarreal and a host of speakers welcomed the Toro community to a new academic year at the 2026 Fall Convocation, held at the University Theatre on Sept. 24.
The focus was firmly on the accomplishments and milestones that the university has enjoyed over the past twelve months, including everything from opening new buildings to balancing the budget. Hosted by Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Kim Costino, the event brought together administration, faculty, staff, and students for a wide-ranging array of speakers — all of whom echoed the message of CSUDH’s strong present and exciting future.
The keynote address by Villarreal touched on topics including growing up with her grandmother in Texas, the challenges facing CSUDH and higher education more broadly, and how she has worked with stakeholders to create a stronger, more resilient university that is well-positioned for the next decade.
In speaking about her grandmother, Villarreal related how as a child, she helped her older caretaker learn how to read. As she put it, “[My grandmother] understood something about education that I would spend much of my life coming to understand myself: education gives us much more than knowledge. It gives us possibility. It gives us agency. And sometimes, it gives us hope.”
While talking about her vision of CSUDH, Villarreal said, “Our responsibility is to understand the unique contexts of each of our students and create the conditions necessary to help them realize their goals and discover new possibilities.
“The work we are committed to, the social justice and equity work we are known for, expands access for our students and helps them move into pathways toward greater success and socioeconomic mobility.”
Villarreal concluded, “Let’s continue to work together to keep this momentum going, and let’s enter this new academic year with confidence, with courage, and with a commitment to continued collaboration.”
Watch the full recording of the 2026 Fall Convocation and view photo gallery below:
