Honorable Mentions
University recognized for Hispanics earning degrees and diversity
The national magazines “Diverse Issues in Higher Education” and “The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education” again rated CSU Stanislaus in their “Top 100” listings for the number of Hispanic students receiving degrees. More than 25 percent of the University’s students are of Latino heritage. The CSU Stanislaus Athletics Department was recognized by the NCAA for overall excellence in diversity. CSU Stanislaus was one of only two CSU athletics programs honored with the 2008 Diversity in Athletics Awards, which applaud the winners for staff and athlete gender and racial diversity that reflect the population of their regions along with competitive excellence.
CSU to Graduate First Students in Educational Doctorate Program
More than 100 students will be the first graduates of the CSU’s independently awarded Doctor of Education programs. The program opened in September 2008 with a full cohort of 29 students and a second cohort started classes in June 2009. Many of these first students are on track to graduate as early as 2011. The CSU developed the doctoral education programs in response to the state’s need for well-prepared administrators to lead public schools and community colleges. The Ed.D. is the first doctoral program offered at the University, with CSU campuses having been given the authority in 2007 to institute the highest degree. California doctorates had long been limited to the realm of the University of California system, so schools like University of California, Davis; University of California, Berkley; and University of California, Los Angeles, could award the advanced degrees, but institutions like CSU Stanislaus could not. Specializations are in leadership for preschool to grade 12 schools and community college leadership. It is the only program in the CSU system focused on instructional leadership. The program is set up for education professionals who are working in the field. The plan is for students to blend programs from their doctoral studies into the curriculum where they work.
Promise Scholars Program boosts foster student opportunities
Thanks to a federal funding boost of $285,000, more high school graduates and community college transfers who were once foster care children will be finding support and the opportunity to earn a four-year degree through the CSU Stanislaus Promise Scholars Program. Under the direction of Wanda Bonnell, the program has grown since it was launched in 2006 and has created some great success stories with invaluable mentoring and guidance. University President Hamid Shirvani worked closely with Congressman Dennis Cardoza who succeeded in including the appropriation in the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations bill that was signed by President Obama on March 11, 2009. The additional funding will help the University expand the program to more students and provide them with resources that help them succeed.
CSU Stanislaus included in Forbes’ “Top Colleges for Getting Rich”
California State University, Stanislaus ranks among the top public universities that produce top wage-earning alumni, according to a recent article on a salary potential study published by Forbes.com. In the “Top Colleges For Getting Rich” ratings based on the salaries of college degree holders from the country’s more than 600 public universities, CSU Stanislaus was ranked 137th. The list of 175 top state universities by salary potential included 13 CSU campuses. CSU Stanislaus graduates earn a “mid-career” median of $71,400 and a starting average salary of $38,000, according to the study. A University survey of 2007 graduates reveals that 82 percent of them are employed full-time or are attending graduate school.
Ham Shirvani named President of the Year for second time in 3 years
For the second time in three years, the California State Student Association (CSSA) honored CSU Stanislaus President Dr. Hamid Shirvani Robert C. Maxson CSU President of the Year. Shirvani received the same recognition in 2007, and is one of only two presidents in the history of the California State University system to be named President of the Year more than once. President Shirvani has drawn high praise for his dedicated work with students from both student leaders and CSU colleagues, including Chancellor Charles Reed. As further evidence of his recognized commitment to students, President Shirvani was selected to deliver the keynote address during the CSSA 50th Anniversary Banquet at the California Higher Education Student Summit (CHESS) in Sacramento in 2009.