By Cynthia Hubert

August 25, 2025

Sacramento State continues to grow and evolve to meet the needs of its campus community despite ongoing challenges with state funding and federal policies, President Luke Wood said during his Fall Address Sept. 21.

Wood and faculty from the University’s eight colleges also welcomed nearly 1,000 new students and their loved ones to the Hornet Family during Convocation ceremonies.

In sharing his priorities for the coming year, Wood outlined four initiatives that he said will help the University move forward in the face of state budget cuts and loss of federal dollars to crtiical programs under the Trump administration.

“The light that shines here at Sacramento State is far greater than the darkness of our times,” he said during his speech in the University Ballroom.

Wood’s four initiatives include:

• Helping students receive a “return on investment” by providing them with an education that impacts their lives
• Achieving financial independence from state downturns
• Making the University a national brand
• Creating an environment of hope and dignity for students, faculty and staff

He addressed each of the initiatives, citing examples of how the University is working to achieve them.

For example, Sac State is implementing more internships, as well as courses around Artificial Intelligence and other areas to prepare students for the rapidly evolving future.

The University is trying to achieve financial independence by reducing bureaucracy and “being more strategic with resources,” Wood said.

In an effort to build a national brand around Sac State, the campus has hired high-profile coaches, including former Sacramento King Mike Bibby and football coach Brennan Marion, and is working to build winning teams that have the ability to play in elite spaces.

Finally, Sac State continues to reflect its mission of offering hope and dignity to the campus community and beyond through its work on Native American repatriation efforts, Wood said. The president also cited expanded Cultural and Academic Resource Centers, mental health support, and basic needs programs as examples of the University’s efforts to serve those who study and work at the University.

The policies and programs represent steps toward “creating a campus culture where dignity and accessibility isn’t an afterthought; it’s foundational to everything we do,” the President said.

Later the same day, 989 new students and their loved ones attended afternoon and evening Convocation ceremonies officially welcoming them into the Hornet family.

Courtney Tanksley, a Sociology transfer student from Cosumnes Community College, brought her eight-year-old daughter to the ceremony.

“I’m older and I wanted to show my kids a little bit of the college experience and show them how college can be,” she said. “And it’s also a celebration for myself. Even though it may be a late milestone, it’s still a celebration, and I want to be part of this University.”

Jennifer K Morita contributed to this story.