Please save the dates for candidate open forums for VP UA

April 16, 2024 - We are interviewing candidates for the position of vice president for University Advancement and anticipate finalist interviews to take place on campus beginning Tuesday, April 30.

Please save the dates below and plan to participate in virtual open forums with each finalist. A link for the livestream is included below for each session. Candidate names and resumes/CVs will be sent out on Monday, April 29, along with a link to the survey for providing feedback about each candidate.

Tuesday, April 30
10:45 - 11:45 a.m.
Zoom Link: https://csus.zoom.us/j/86574246689?from=addon
Meeting ID: 865 7424 6689

Wednesday, May 1
10:45 - 11:45 a.m.
Zoom Link: https://csus.zoom.us/j/86574246689?from=addon
Meeting ID: 865 7424 6689

Thursday, May 2
10:45 -11:45 a.m.
Zoom Link: https://csus.zoom.us/j/86574246689?from=addon
Meeting ID: 865 7424 6689

Friday, May 3
10:45 -11:45 a.m.
Zoom Link: https://csus.zoom.us/j/86574246689?from=addon
Meeting ID: 865 7424 6689

The RSVP form has information about how to request accommodations. Live captioning will be enabled. If you require additional accommodations, please email rmunoz@csus.edu no later than noon April 22.

Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Staff Awards

April 15, 2024 - I am excited to share that nominations are now open for the 2024 Outstanding Staff Awards. We are eager for this opportunity to celebrate staff and administrators (all non-faculty personnel) who demonstrate excellence in their work and go above and beyond in their pursuit of our mission and strategic action items. You can learn more about the criteria for each award on the Outstanding Staff Awards web page. The nomination period closes at 5 p.m. April 26.

Thank you to all who put their names forward to serve on the awards selection committee. To ensure proportional representation, the selection committee is made up of two members each from Academic Affairs, Administration and Business Affairs, and Student Affairs, and one member each from University Advancement, Inclusive Excellence, Information Resources and Technology, the Division of the President, and University Auxiliaries.

To access the nomination form, please click here. Some awards are designated for staff only, while others are open to staff or MPPs. Members of Cabinet, faculty, and student employees are not eligible to be nominated, but are encouraged to submit nominations. Nominations can be made in the following categories:

Awards for Staff

• Outstanding Contribution to Student Success
• Outstanding Contribution to Teaching, Research, Scholarship, and/or Creative Activity
• Outstanding Contribution to Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
• Outstanding Contribution to Campus Beautification and Sustainability
• Outstanding Contribution to Philanthropy and Resource Development
• Outstanding Contribution to Community Engagement
• Outstanding Contribution to Wellness

• Patricia Holmes Outstanding Mentor Award
• Behind the Scenes Champion Award

• MPP MVP

We again will bestow the Jody Nelsen MVP Award, which will be chosen by the selection committee from all submitted nominations. The recipient of this award will receive a $1,000 bonus and a designated parking space for one year (parking pass not included).

If you have any questions about the nomination process, please contact Chief of Staff Kristen Tudor at khtudor@csus.edu. Award recipients will be announced in June and honored at a reception in October. I look forward to celebrating the talented and dedicated staff who make Our Sacramento State great!

Stingers Up!

Mia Settles-Tidwell is leaving Sac State

April 11, 2024 - I am saddened to share that Dr. Mia Settles-Tidwell, vice president for Inclusive Excellence and University diversity officer, is leaving Sacramento State effective May 1.

Dr. Settles-Tidwell has been a member of the Hornet Family since November 2021, when she was hired to lead Inclusive Excellence and implement the Antiracism and Inclusive Campus Plan (AICP). During her time leading IE, Dr. Settles-Tidwell drove progress on 30 goals and 200 action steps in the AICP, institutionalized the Believing, Becoming, and Being framework and mural project, developed a DEIBJ consultation tool and AICP Tracker, and hired our first ADA coordinator/director of Universal Access and Inclusion. She led the successful search for the inaugural executive director of the Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Student Achievement Center and drafted the legislative report for the Chancellor’s Office related to the allocation of $6,405,000 in accordance with AB 190. Dr. Settles-Tidwell co-developed and co-led the Cozen Title IX implementation plan for the campus, working closely with other campus stakeholders and the Chancellor’s Office. She has also been instrumental over the past two years planning the upcoming CSU-wide Juneteenth Symposium, which will take place in Sacramento June 13-14, 2024. More recently, Dr. Settles-Tidwell engaged and supported multiple communities around the impacts of the war in Israel-Gaza, and co-lead the creation of the Taskforce on Addressing Antisemitism and the Taskforce on Islamophobia. She also has been instrumental in moving forward Strategic Activity 8, which calls for the expansion of Employee Resource Groups. Dr. Settles-Tidwell is a strategic thinker who is strongly committed to student success and equity in education.

We remain committed to the critical work that Dr. Settles-Tidwell has led. I am pleased that Dr. Michael Nguyen, associate vice president and executive director for the Office of Cultural Transformation has graciously agreed to serve as acting chief diversity officer, overseeing Inclusive Excellence. The campus will engage in a national search to fill this critical role.

Please join me in thanking Dr. Settles-Tidwell for her service to Sacramento State over the past 2 ½ years. We are undoubtedly a better campus community because of her leadership and dedication to justice, equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging.

Join me at the Out of the Darkness Campus Walk for Suicide Prevention

April 8, 2024 - I invite the campus and Sacramento communities to join me at the 13th annual Sacramento State Out of the Darkness Campus Walk for Suicide Prevention, in front of The WELL at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 11th. The event theme for this year is "Hornets for Hope." This event spreads awareness about the importance of suicide prevention, honors those impacted, and is centered on fostering community at Sac State.

Over the last few years, there has been a continued need for conversations about mental health and coming together to support mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

The 2023 Surgeon General’s Advisory called the last few years an “epidemic of loneliness and isolation,” with studies finding that loneliness and isolation are more widespread than many other current major health issues (U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory, 2023). Recent research has found that young adults experience some of the highest rates of loneliness and isolation (CDC, 2023). Among college students, suicide is the second-leading cause of death, claiming 1,100 lives each year (Active Minds, 2024).

To address the loneliness epidemic, the 2023 Surgeon General’s Advisory cites social connection and community as healing agents for these public health issues and states that social connection is one of the strongest protective factors against self-harm and suicide (U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory, 2023). Feeling connected to school and community has been found to offer protection against suicide (CDC, 2022). These findings highlight that, now more than ever, it is important to come together as a community to support mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

Register now for the Out of the Darkness Campus Walk for Suicide Prevention. A Mental Health Resource Fair, 4 – 5:30 p.m. in front of The WELL, will precede the walk and feature campus and community partners, mental health resources, Stress Less Puppies, and remembrance activities. The Out of the Darkness Campus Walk is presented as a partnership of Sacramento State’s Student Health, Counseling, and Wellness Services and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).

The Out of the Darkness Campus Walk is an opportunity for the Hornet Family to come together, support each other, and spread hope. If you have questions or need more information, please email Ali Hopkins at orlando@csus.edu.

I hope to see you there. Hornets for Hope!

Fall 2024 admission and intent to enroll deadlines have been extended

March 21, 2024 - Sacramento State remains committed to ensuring accessibility and inclusivity, and to providing equal opportunities for all qualified individuals seeking access to higher education. To support these ideals, we are extending the Fall 2024 admission application deadline for non-impacted undergraduate programs to May 1. The deadline for admitted students to submit their intent to register for the fall semester has been extended to June 1.

This decision was made based on three factors. First, significant Department of Education delays in processing the 2024-25 FAFSA have created financial uncertainty for students and their families. Second, Sac State has launched two first-in-the-nation programs, the Black Honors College and Combat U, both of which are receiving interest and enthusiasm from current, incoming, and prospective students. Third, our new strategic initiatives include bold enrollment goals focused on former foster youth, community college transfer students, and Native American and Indigenous students, as well as increased access for out-of-state and international students. Extending our admission application deadline will provide time for students to learn more about financial aid packages, as well as new and existing programs.

We continue to engage with incoming and prospective students and to invite interested individuals to join our hive. We encourage you to spread the word about the admission application extension.

Stingers Up!

Learn more about our Seal of Excelencia recertification

March 19, 2024 - We are pleased to invite the Sacramento State community to learn about what it means to be a Seal of Excelencia university, 1 - 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, in the University Union Cottonwood Suites II and III.

In September 2023, we were awarded recertification of the prestigious Seal of Excelencia by Excelencia in Education, recognizing our work aligning data, evidence-based practices, and leadership to intentionally serve Latine students.

At the event, you’ll hear from the outstanding Seal of Excelencia team – staff and faculty who worked diligently on our recertification application. Together, we will share information about the recertification process and how it will help guide us to improve our service to Latine students.

Please RSVP and request accommodations no later than March 26. We look forward to sharing this exciting work and what it means for Sacramento State.

Stingers Up!

Call for Outstanding Staff Awards selection committee members

March 15, 2024 - We soon will solicit nominations for the 2024 Outstanding Staff Awards, which recognize staff and administrators (all non-faculty personnel) who demonstrate excellence in their work and go above and beyond in their pursuit of our mission.

We are seeking individuals to serve on the award-selection committee. To express your interest in serving on this important committee, please complete this form by noon Friday, March 22. We anticipate the committee will meet three to four times between early April and late May. Committee members also may have to review nominations outside of meeting times. I encourage all managers to support this important service to the University.

To help ensure proportional representation from all divisions, the selection committee will include two members each from Academic Affairs, Administration and Business Affairs, and Student Affairs, and one member each from University Advancement, Inclusive Excellence, Information Resources and Technology, the Division of the President, and University Auxiliaries. Vice presidents from each area will select committee members from individuals who volunteer through this open call. Previous year’s winners also will be invited to serve as representatives from their divisions.

Please watch for a call for nominations to honor outstanding employees in the categories below, which have been updated from last year’s awards.

Staff Awards

• Outstanding Contribution to Learning and Student Success.
  •Outstanding Contribution to Teaching, Scholarship, and Creative Activity.
  •Outstanding Contribution to Justice, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging.
  •Outstanding Contributions to Campus Beautification and Sustainability.
  •Outstanding Contribution to Philanthropy and Resource Development.
  •Outstanding Contribution to Community Engagement.
  •Outstanding Contribution to Wellness and/or Safety.

Staff or MPP Awards:

• Behind the Scenes Champion.
  •Outstanding Mentor Award.

MPP Award:

• MPP MVP.

We are pleased to again award the Jody Nelsen MVP Award, which this year will honor one outstanding individual, chosen by the selection committee from all submitted nominations. That award includes a $1,000 bonus and a reserved parking spot for one year (does not include the cost of a parking permit).

Award recipients will be honored at a ceremony in October. We look forward to celebrating the talented and dedicated staff that make Our Sacramento State great.

Stingers Up!

Reminder: open forums to infrom provost search are this week

March 12, 2024 - As you know, we have recently begun the process of searching for a permanent provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, the University’s chief academic officer. The provost oversees all areas of Academic Affairs, including our seven academic colleges, continuing education, undergraduate and graduate education, the University Library, and other programs and centers. The provost provides oversight and management of Academic Affairs’ complex budget, personnel programs, faculty affairs, and strategic planning and implementation. The provost also provides leadership in planning, development, and assessment of academic programs, and oversight of all academic and research initiatives at the University.

Given the wide-ranging impact of this role, it is important that we hear from all members of the campus community about the qualities, characteristics, and experience you desire in the candidates for that position. There are several opportunities to share your opinions.

Three open forums, two in-person and one virtual, are scheduled this week. Individuals who are unable to attend any of these sessions may share feedback via an online survey, which will remain open until 5 p.m. on Friday, March 22. Below are the dates, times, and locations for each of the open forums.

Provost Search Open Forum 1

Wednesday, March 13
10:30-11:30 a.m.
The WELL Terrace Suite

Provost Search Open Forum 2

Wednesday, March 13
4-5 p.m.
Virtual Listening Session (Zoom link)

Provost Search Open Forum 3

Thursday, March 14
10:30-11:30 a.m.
The WELL Terrace Suite

The University has hired an executive search firm for previous provost searches, but we have made the decision not to do so for this search, as it is incredibly costly. Instead, we will ensure that there is a diverse pool of candidates with a proven record of success by utilizing an inclusive nationwide recruitment strategy and outreach to potential candidates. Should our initial search not yield such a pool of applicants, hiring a search firm may be necessary. The search committee was created using a shared governance process and includes appointees from the Faculty Senate, University Staff Assembly, Associated Students Inc., and presential appointees, creating a diverse committee of faculty and staff members, administrators, and a student.

We look forward to learning more about what you think we should seek in candidates for this important position.

Stingers Up!

Two senior leaders have new titles

March 7, 2024 - I am pleased to share that two members of my senior leadership team have new titles that more accurately reflect their current roles and responsibilities. Effective immediately, Dr. Mark Wheeler is senior advisor to the president, and Dr. Kristen Tudor is chief of staff. This is not creating new administrative lines, but retitling existing lines in a manner that mirrors many other CSU campuses.

As senior advisor to the president, Dr. Wheeler will continue in his role as a key thought partner and executive advisor, leading strategic efforts with critical internal and external constituents. Dr. Wheeler joined Sacramento State as chief of staff in August 2023 and has become a trusted member of my Cabinet, the campus community, and the Sacramento community. Among other initiatives that he has focused on, Dr. Wheeler will continue to lead our efforts to comply with the Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and Cal NAGPRA, as directed by the Chancellor’s Office. Dr. Wheeler has gone well beyond the compliance requirements under these laws and directives by working to build critical relationships and partnerships with local Native Nations. Dr. Wheeler’s vision and leadership is invaluable, and his new title more accurately captures his role on my leadership team.

As chief of staff, Dr. Tudor will continue to carry out strategic priorities, collaborating with our senior leadership team on a variety of activities that cut across the University's organizational divisions. Dr. Tudor has served as deputy chief of staff since July 2021. She will continue to facilitate communication and interaction among the President's Office, various internal and external constituencies, including members of the California State University Board of Trustees, and numerous other administrative activities and projects. Many of you already know that Dr. Tudor serves as a central information source for internal and external inquiries. She will now have the title that clearly reflects the work that she has been doing since I became President. We do not plan to backfill the position of deputy chief of staff.

Eligible graduates can now claim Commencement tickets

March 4, 2024 - We are pleased to announce that eligible graduates can now RSVP to claim up to eight guest tickets for 2024 Commencement, scheduled for May 17-19, at Golden 1 Center.

We encourage all eligible graduates to review the Guest Tickets web page for more information about ticketing, including registration windows and a step-by-step guide to claim tickets.

Eligible graduates have been granted access to register and claim their tickets through their Student Center. The free tickets required for guests to attend Commencement are unique to each college's ceremony and are only valid for the Commencement ceremony listed on the ticket. Graduates and children under age 3 who will sit on a guardian’s lap during the ceremony do not need a ticket.

You can view the full Commencement schedule here. In the event that there is a change of venue or schedule, we will notify graduates via a SacSend and through updates posted to the Commencement web page.

Only Fall 2023, Spring 2024, and Summer 2024 graduates are eligible to participate in 2024 Commencement ceremonies. Requests to participate from graduates outside those cohorts are not being accepted.

Congratulations to everyone who is preparing to graduate! I look forward to celebrating this momentous occasion with you, alongside your family and friends, this May at what will be my inaugural Commencement as president.

Remember to use #SacStateGrad on your graduation pictures and social media posts so they can be featured on our feed at Commencement. Stingers Up!

You are invited to open forums about our provost search

March 1, 2024 - As we prepare to begin the process of hiring a permanent provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, we would like your feedback about the qualities, characteristics, and experience you would like to see in the candidates for that position.

There are multiple opportunities to share your voice about this critical Cabinet-level position. All members of the campus community are invited to RSVP for one of the in-person or virtual open forums. Those who are unable to attend one of the open forum sessions may share feedback via this survey. Below are the dates, times, and locations for each of the three sessions.

Provost Search Open Forum 1

Wednesday, March 13

10:30-11:30 a.m.

The WELL Terrace Suite

Provost Search Open Forum 2

Wednesday, March 13

4-5 p.m.

Virtual Listening Session (Zoom link)

Provost Search Open Forum 3

Thursday, March 14

10:30-11:30 a.m.

The WELL Terrace Suite

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about what we should be looking for in candidates for this important position, and thank you to those who have agreed to serve on the search committee. Stingers Up!

Vote Center at Modoc Hall open March 2 - 5

February 28, 2024 - California will hold a primary election on March 5, when we will vote for candidates for president, the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, statewide constitutional offices, and the state legislature to advance to the November general election. We also will vote on several local issues and candidates.

Sacramento State will host a four-day vote center on campus in Modoc Hall, where Sacramento County voters can cast a ballot or deposit their vote-by-mail ballot in a secure ballot drop-box. The Vote Center will also allow voters to pick up a replacement ballot as well as provide the opportunity for same-day registration and voting. There will be free parking at the Vote Center in designated spaces.

The Vote Center’s schedule is:

• 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, March 2-Monday, March 4.
• 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 5 (Election Day).

The simple act of voting is critical to our democracy and has never been more important. I sincerely hope that all eligible Hornets will take part in this year’s election.

Congratulations to our gymnastics team

February 27, 2024 - Last Friday evening in The Nest, our gymnastics team broke the school record by scoring 196.825 points in a win over Air Force. Along with the point total record, the Hornets set the team record for floor as well as individual event records for bars and beam.

Please join us in congratulating head coach Melissa Genovese and all of the remarkable student-athletes whose hard work and dedication led to this historic win. You can read more about the incredible performances by visiting the Hornet Gymnastics web page.

Sacramento State gymnastics will compete in The Nest again this week, hosting Iowa at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 3. The Hornets will also host the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Women’s Gymnastics Championship on Saturday, March 23. You can view their season schedule on the Hornet Athletics website.

Stingers Up!

Luke Wood

President

Mark Orr

Director of Athletics

Establishing a Black-themed honors college at Sacramento State

February 9, 2024 - During the 2023 Fall Address, I shared a preview of our new strategic action item to implement the Chancellor’s Office Black Student Success Recommendations by establishing a Black-themed honors college at Sacramento State.

An honors college is an elite academic and co-curricular program for students that will provide unique privileges, specialized curriculum, residential living and designated facilities, scholarships, and distinguished recognition. The Sacramento State Black Honors College is specifically designed for students interested in Black history, life, and culture. Given Sacramento State’s extensive history serving Black and African American students, our campus is the perfect home for the nation’s first Black Honors College. In fact, Sacramento State is home to the largest population of Black and African American students in the entire 23-institution California State University system.

We are delighted to share more information about this exciting new initiative at 8:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 9, in Library 11. At this gathering for the Sacramento State community, we will share details about the Black Honors College, opening in Fall 2024. Space is limited.

At this briefing, we will share the vision for the Black Honors College and share information about how it will respond to needs expressed by Black students, faculty, and staff. This also will be an opportunity to meet college leadership, including faculty, and learn about the specific benefits the college will offer to students.

We look forward to sharing more information about how the Black Honors College will serve and positively impact students interested in Black history, life, and culture.

Stingers Up!

Campus is open and fully operational

February 5, 2024 - As you know, wind and rain from this weekend’s storm resulted in downed trees and widespread power outages throughout the Sacramento region. Though some are still without power this morning, campus is open and fully operational. All buildings have power and roadways are unobstructed.

The provost sent a message to faculty earlier today asking that they extend flexibility to students, as some are without power or may have trouble getting to campus today. If you are unable to get to campus safely today, please contact your manager or professors.

Thank you to our groundskeepers and facilities staff who worked diligently through the weekend to keep campus safe and accessible. Please stay safe out there.

Volunteer opportunities for 2024 Commencement

January 31, 2024 - Sacramento State’s 2024 Commencement is scheduled for May 17-19 at Golden 1 Center. To ensure the best experience for our students and their guests, we will need roughly 400 volunteer shifts filled across the three days of ceremonies.

The Volunteer Registration Form is now open to employees and faculty. The deadline to volunteer is April 26, 2024, but I encourage you to sign up as soon as you are able as shifts are available on a first-come, first-served basis and can fill quickly.

We understand that some individuals might not feel comfortable being face-to-face with the public at the event. The volunteer registration form includes a comment box allowing you to indicate your level of comfort working in certain positions. People who are not comfortable working in close proximity with guests and graduates will be assigned other Commencement duties.

Commencement is our most public event and one of the most important days in our students’ lives. Thank you for giving your time to make the event truly special for them. We appreciate the commitment and sacrifices you make to ensure that our students and their families have the best graduation possible. We look forward to celebrating our students with you at Commencement.

Seeking individuals to be a part of strategic activity work groups

January 24, 2024 - Based on extensive feedback from the campus community, we have added 23 strategic activities to the 2023-2028 Strategic Plan. Many of those activities were detailed in my Spring Address, and much more will be shared as the activities’ executive sponsors begin work to move each of the activities forward.

Expertise of people working in the areas touched by each of the strategic activities will be critical to their successful implementation. To ensure that success, we want to identify the appropriate individuals to be a part of the work groups responsible for each activity. This is a unique opportunity to collaborate with colleagues from across campus and to drive meaningful progress.

Please complete this very brief survey by noon on Feb. 2, indicating the strategic activity working group you want to participate in, and sharing your relevant background, experience, and knowledge. This will help us ensure we have the right team in place to successfully execute each of the activities. You can review the full list of numbered strategic activities in the Strategic Activities document.

Thank you again for your valuable feedback during the listening sessions, which directly informed the strategic activities around which we are mobilizing. I look forward to the next exciting phase of the Strategic Plan’s implementation.

Stingers Up!

Take advantage of your fee waiver benefit

January 24, 2024 - During the Spring Address, I previewed a new strategic activity in our campus Strategic Plan designed to provide internal leadership development for staff seeking opportunities for career advancement within Sacramento State. The “Promote Sac State Staff” initiative will be in place by Fall 2024, and we will share more details in the coming months.

With that initiative in mind, and as the spring semester begins, we encourage eligible employees to consider taking advantage of their fee waiver benefit. It allows staff to enroll in job-related courses that improve performance or develop skills necessary to further succeed in current roles or to advance into new positions. We also ask managers to provide maximum flexibility for eligible employees who wish to utilize this benefit.

We hope this information will help staff plan for the fall semester. However, for staff who want to enroll this semester, information about how to utilize the fee waiver to enroll in job-related courses can be found on the HR Benefits website. Eligible employees do not need to apply to the University to use this benefit for job-related courses.

The goal of the “Promote Sac State Staff” initiative is to provide employees opportunities for professional growth and learning, and increase readiness for advancement. Taking advantage of the high-caliber classes offered here at Our Sacramento State will be one important way we advance that goal.

Stingers Up!

Michelle Willard to be chief of External Relations

January 23, 2024 - During my Spring Address, I talked about the need for our campus to find ways to consolidate divisions and areas to reduce workload and redundancies. I am pleased to share that we have re-envisioned the Division of Public Affairs and Advocacy, which previously housed Government Relations and Anchor University, to better align campus community engagement efforts and better support government relations initiatives. Effective immediately, Anchor is a part of Academic Affairs and will merge with the Community Engagement Center. Government Relations will join the Office of the President and will be led by a chief of External Relations reporting to the chief of staff.

I am extremely pleased to share that Michelle Willard will join the Hornet Family in February as chief of External Relations. Michelle will lead our critical efforts to cultivate public and private support for Sacramento State through work with community and government agencies at the local, state, and federal level. She will also use her extensive experience to develop strategic partnerships with private industry leaders to advance the University’s mission.

Michelle joins Sacramento State after six years with the Greater Sacramento Economic Council (GSEC), most recently serving as their chief public affairs officer. In that role, she advised more than 45 CEOs, university presidents, congressional leaders, mayors, and county supervisors on economic development initiatives throughout the six-county Sacramento region. Michelle’s vision and leadership for GSEC advanced the interests of those partners and the community through strategic advocacy, building and maintaining collaborative relationships with federal, state, and local government leaders, and bolstering strategic communication initiatives related to economic development. Michelle has already made a lasting impact on the community through her work at GSEC, leading efforts for the largest semiconductor investment in California. Under Michelle’s leadership, GSEC has been ranked as the No. 3 economic development organization in the world by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) for the last two years.

Michelle also led GSEC’s marketing and communications teams, creating innovative digital media marketing and communications campaigns, including the #NextOutWest campaign. The campaign won a 2020 gold award from IEDC. Through the development and execution of multiple communications strategies, Michelle garnered global, national, and local media attention. During her first year at GSEC in 2016, she won an award from the California Association of Economic Development for a national digital media campaign with world-renowned performance painter David Garibaldi.

For more than a decade, Michelle worked in all aspects of economic development, public affairs, public relations, marketing, and strategic advocacy, working with media outlets including Bloomberg, Forbes, Los Angeles Times, CNBC, Business Insider, and The Wall Street Journal. Additionally, she was a top-rated news anchor and reporter for KTXS News in Abilene, Texas, and at WLTX-TV in Columbia, South Carolina. Before returning to California, she led public relations and marketing for the global nonprofit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Hawaii.

In 2020, Michelle received the Outstanding Young Alumni Award from her alma mater, Lyndon State College (now Vermont State University), where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast News with a minor in Marketing. Michelle’s husband is an Air Force pilot who serves as lieutenant colonel and commander at Beale Air Force Base, flying U-2, B-1 and T-38 aircraft. They are the proud parents of two boys.

Michelle’s wealth of experience and proven track record in economic development, public/government affairs, public relations, and marketing will undoubtedly contribute to the growth and transformation of Sacramento State. We look forward to the positive impact she will make in our community, especially for our students. Please join me in welcoming Michelle to the Hornet Family.

Stingers Up!

The CFA strike has ended and classes resume today

January 23, 2024 - On Monday evening the California State University (CSU) and the California Faculty Association (CFA) reached a tentative contract agreement. As a result, the CFA ended its strike, effective immediately.

Prior to and during the strike, there were conflicting messages about the status of instruction. As a result, many students did not return to campus this week, did not adjust their work schedules, and may have made other plans for this week. We are grateful for the resolution that led the CFA to call off the strike, and we encourage faculty to provide maximum flexibility to students this week due to the quick turnaround to resuming classes. The add/drop deadline will remain extended through the third week of classes.

Thank you all for your patience and understanding during this difficult time, and for all that you continue to do to provide our students with the excellent education and support they need to thrive.

Spring 2024 Commencement schedule is now available

January 19, 2024 - It is with great excitement that I announce that 2024 Commencement is scheduled for May 17-19 at Golden 1 Center. I look forward to celebrating graduation with students and their supporters at this incredible venue.

Sacramento State’s Commencement website has been updated with the detailed schedule and other important information about the ceremonies. Graduating students should read the ”Graduate Information and FAQ” page for answers to common Commencement-related questions.

Students must register to participate in Commencement. In March, eligible students will receive an email to indicate that the link in their Student Center is active so they can register and claim guest tickets. Each eligible graduate will be allotted eight tickets to their specific ceremony. They will be able to access their tickets through their Student Center beginning March 4. A step-by-step guide to claiming tickets soon will be available on the Commencement website.

Only Fall 2023, Spring 2024, and Summer 2024 graduates are invited to participate in Spring 2024 Commencement. We are unable to accommodate requests for exceptions.

If the Sacramento Kings make it past the first round of NBA Conference playoffs, Commencement could be moved to Hornet Stadium. Our University Events team is working to ensure that if Commencement is moved to Hornet Stadium, it will remain a high-quality, unforgettable experience for our graduates and their guests. The schedule for this contingency plan can be found on the Commencement website. If we shift to the contingency schedule at Hornet Stadium, each graduate still will receive eight guest tickets and will cross the stage and be individually recognized. We will have an unforgettable celebration at either venue.

We will notify graduates via SacSend and through updates posted to the Commencement website about any changes in venue and schedule. I look forward to celebrating this significant occasion with the Hornet Family.

Stingers Up!

Join me at the Spring Address to learn more about strategic activities

January, 16, 2024 - Please join us for the Spring Address at 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, in the University Union Ballroom, where we will share details about the strategic actions that came out of the 100 Days of Listening. There will be an opportunity to network with colleagues at the pre-event reception beginning at 8:30 a.m., also in the Ballroom. The Spring Address is also available via livestream from our campus events web page. ASL-English interpretation and real-time captioning will be provided.

As you know, in April 2023, three months before I began my tenure as Sacramento State president, the University launched its 2023-2028 Strategic Plan, a powerful document with imperatives and goals that capture the ethos of where Sacramento State is and where it needs to be. During my 100 Days of Listening, one of the goals was to identify what our campus can do to implement the Strategic Plan, as it did not contain action items (i.e., strategic activities). Based on what we learned during the 92 sessions attended by over 1,500 members of the Sac State community and feedback received from a survey conducted by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), we released a draft of 35 Strategic Activities to the campus community and asked for your feedback in December 2023.

After carefully considering that feedback, we are pleased to share the final document containing 23 strategic activities to guide the six imperatives in the Strategic Plan. During the Spring Address I will provide the background and details for many of these items.

As you review the strategic activities, please note:

1. Not everything will happen at once. Each strategic activity has a semester and year by which that item should be completed or well underway, all of which are between now and 2028. The implementation timelines of these efforts must align with institutional resources, personnel constraints, and differing levels of urgency.
2. Executive sponsors for each of the strategic activities are listed in the right column of the document. These Cabinet members are responsible for engaging the appropriate campus stakeholders in the implementation of the strategic activities.
3. A limited number of actions are already underway. Action items noted with an asterisk (*) are underway and/or were previously announced. For example, the move to reach a 1:1,500 therapist/counselor-to-student ratio was set forth as part of the action items that laid the foundation for the Presidential Taskforce on Campus Safety. We also have already appointed Dr. Sasha Sidorkin to head our Artificial Intelligence initiative.
4. Preexisting campus initiatives are still underway. Existing efforts that have been underway for several years or more are not highlighted within the plan as they already have visibility on campus. For example, the Placer Center and the California Mobility Center are not highlighted within the plan but remain core and essential efforts for the future of Sacramento State and our region.
5. Several action item recommendations are “operational actions” that are not listed in this plan but will still occur. For instance, we learned from members of our Deaf community that the coordination of campus ASL interpretation services should return to the Deaf Studies Department. This is occurring but is not specified within the plan. Operational actions will be communicated to departments and/or via presidential memos, depending upon the scope of those affected by the change.
6. All feedback received in December about the draft version of the strategic activities from members of the campus community has been shared with the executive sponsors of each item.
7. Lastly, based on feedback from the campus community, we have established three bold enrollment goals which represent our desire to provide access and success for populations that have been historically minoritized in education. These goals are listed at the top of the strategic activities document.

I want to thank all who attended a listening session and shared their experiences, opinions, and vision for Our Sacramento State, and those who took the time to provide thoughtful and constructive feedback on the draft strategic activities. I look forward to sharing more at the Spring Address later this week.

Stingers Up!

VP for Student Affairs

January 9, 2024 - I am pleased to share that, after a competitive national search, Aniesha Mitchell, J.D., has accepted the position of vice president for Student Affairs. Mitchell joined Sacramento State as interim VP for Student Affairs in August 2023. She previously served as senior associate vice president for Student Affairs and Campus Diversity at San Diego State University.

In her role at SDSU, Mitchell served as the lead executive officer in the Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity, providing leadership and support to 42 departments and over 480 talented employees, and managing a $46 million budget. Mitchell was critical to SDSU’s efforts to advance graduation outcomes for students who have been historically underrepresented and underserved in education.

Mitchell has over 20 years of progressive leadership experience in higher education in the areas of Title IX, campus safety, student conduct, compliance, retention, and restorative justice. Her extensive experience in higher education includes roles at the University of Cincinnati, University of Mississippi, University of Michigan, and Oakland University. Mitchell earned a bachelor of arts degree in Political Science from Oakland University and a Juris Doctor degree from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School.

Mitchell quickly became a trusted member of Cabinet when she joined the Hornet Family last summer. During her tenure as interim VP, she supported with the implementation of convocation, co-chaired the Presidential Taskforce on Campus Safety, and launched the Campus Action Response Team (CART), created to support the community during demonstrations and other constitutionally protected activities under the First Amendment.

I am grateful that Aniesha has agreed to make Sacramento her home, and I look forward to all that she will do for our students and the rest of the campus community as she continues her work as vice president for Student Affairs.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the search committee for its diligent work to find the right person for this position. Please join me in congratulating Aniesha Mitchell on her new position. Stingers Up!

An invitation to the President's Spring Address

January 5, 2024 - Please RSVP and plan to attend my Spring Address at 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, in the University Union Ballroom. All members of the campus community are also invited to greet and network with colleagues at a pre-event reception at 8:30 a.m., also taking place in the Ballroom.

Those who cannot attend in person can watch the livestream from our campus events web page. The Spring Address will also be recorded and available to those who are not able to watch live. ASL-English interpretation and real-time captioning will be provided. Additional accommodations can be requested on the RSVP form, no later than Jan. 10.

I look forward to sharing more information about what I learned from you during my 100 Days of Listening and details about the strategic activities we have identified for the Strategic Plan. Thank you to those of you who took the time to provide feedback on the draft of the strategic activities I sent out to campus in December.

I look forward to being together soon. Stingers Up!

Archive of Presidential Communications

• 2023 - Fall
• 2023 - Summer