President Robert S. Nelsen, center, shares a light moment with congregants of Shiloh Bapist Church, where he offered a message of higher education's importance during the University's annual day of outreach to the African American community on Feb. 24, 2019. (Sacramento State/Rob Neep) | More photos

The powerful message about the value of a Sacramento State education was shared by University leaders and pastors leading some of the city's traditionally African American churches during the annual Super Sunday day of outreach on Feb. 24.

“You’re going to need a college education,” President Robert S. Nelsen told young people at Shiloh Baptist Church in Oak Park. He said he hopes they choose Sac State.

“I promise you that Sac State will be your home, where you will be safe, where you can become the leaders that we need,” Nelsen said.

Nelsen and six other members of the Sac State administration took part in the annual event, which aims to increase the rate of African American students enrolling and graduating from the CSU system. After each service, students and parents met with experts in admissions, financial aid and other areas.

Last year, fewer than 6 percent of Sac State’s students were African American. Outreach efforts such as Super Sunday, which is a CSU-wide initiative, seek to increase that number, and to help close “achievement gaps” among students of color.

Besides Nelsen, Sac State participants in Super Sunday included Steve Perez, interim vice president for Academic Affairs, who attended services at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Oak Park; Diana Tate Vermeire, executive director of the Office of Inclusive Excellence, who went to the Center of Praise in midtown Sacramento; Lisa Cardoza, Nelsen's chief of staff, who spoke at Antioch Progressive Baptist Church; Lorenzo Smith, dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science, who spoke at Calvary Christian Center; Ed Mills, vice president for Student Affairs, who spoke at Genesis Church; and Robyn Carter, interim vice provost for Faculty Affairs, featured speaker at South Sacramento Christian Center.

At Shiloh on Sunday morning, a Sacramento State banner greeted congregants entering the church, and a table in the foyer held information about the University. During the service, Pastor Anthony Sadler urged young people to take advantage of the opportunity to learn about the benefits of attending college.

Nelsen “is intentional about offering information to youth of color about college, and bringing this opportunity to you,” Sadler said.

The president told churchgoers that Sac State has increased its scholarship offerings, and said 56 percent of the university’s students receive financial aid.

Students “can graduate without going into debt,” he said. And graduation rates are rising, thanks to the university’s “Finish in Four” initiative.

With a college education, Nelsen told the crowd, anything is possible. One of the young people in the audience could be a university president some day, he said.

“We at Sac State promise to be there to lift you up,” said Nelsen, and to “make you part of the Sac State family.” – Cynthia Hubert