Stanislaus State President Britt Rios-Ellis delivered her second Fall Welcome Address on Tuesday, Aug. 19, calling on the Warrior community to embrace collaboration and lead with cariño as the University enters the 2025-2026 academic year.
Speaking to a full house of faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members gathered in Snider Recital Hall and watching online, Rios-Ellis reflected on the accomplishments of her first year at the helm of the University while charting a bold vision for the future.
“This past year has been transformative in many ways,” she said. “I am deeply proud of what we have accomplished together as a Warrior community, such as the considerable progress we have made in decreasing our structural deficit and expanding community partnerships to advance student success and inclusion.”
Rios-Ellis rooted her remarks in the power of cariño — a Spanish word she described as a force for good and the University’s defining strength.
“Cariño is a powerful value and practice, especially for a Hispanic-Serving Institution, because it is deeply felt and reinforced — it represents one of the highest forms of emotional intelligence and it is truly a reflection of love and justice in action,” she said. “Leading with cariño means that we have our students’ well-being and future at the center of our intention at all times. I want you to know that it is with cariño that I pledge to lead Stan State.”
Recognizing Milestones and Achievements
Rios-Ellis celebrated recent achievements that underscore Stan State’s growing reputation for excellence. For the second consecutive year, Money.com awarded the University a five-star rating, placing Stan State among the top 50 colleges in the nation for value and outcomes. Additionally, The Princeton Review named Stan State to its “Best Value Colleges” list for the first time, ranking it No. 9 nationally for making an impact and No. 19 for financial aid.
“These recognitions are a testament to the dedication of our faculty and staff,” she said. “They show the world what we already know: Stan State is rising and leading — through teaching, learning and service — as a national model for access, impact and innovation.”
She also highlighted campus projects such as the planned $31 million Residential Life Village IV, a facility designed to meet the needs of students, including student parents, and a new groundwater recharge basin that will expand Stan State’s signature water reclamation system, providing storage for up to an additional 20 million gallons of rainwater.
A Bold Vision for Year Two
Looking ahead, Rios-Ellis emphasized collaboration and “systemness” — the strength the University gains when faculty, staff and students work in alignment across divisions and disciplines.
“Our vision is bold: We will deepen our commitment to student success, expand our regional impact and continue building a transparent and responsive culture wherein we all contribute to our collective success,” she said.
That vision includes the opening of a new academic building at the Stockton Campus, the University’s pursuit of the Seal of Excelencia, a national certification recognizing excellence in serving Latino students, and a $1.2 million CSU grant to expand support for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students.
The president also praised faculty members whose work exemplifies Stan State’s impact, including Alok Arun of biology, who secured a $435,000 grant from BEAM Circular to launch a Centre for Sustainable Biotechnology at the University, and Professor of Geography Augustine Avwunudiogba, who was selected as a Fulbright scholar.
“These achievements reflect the global impact and scholarly excellence that Warriors bring to the world,” she said.
Budget Realities and Innovation
Rios-Ellis acknowledged the fiscal challenges facing both the California State University system and Stan State. The recently signed state budget resulted in a deferred allocation of $144 million across the CSU, adding $3.1 million to Stan State’s budget deficit.
Despite these headwinds, she noted that the University has already reduced its structural deficit by $11 million and is committed to protecting academic programs and student services.
“Through careful planning and innovative thinking, we are making progress toward a balanced budget,” she said. “It is clear that entrepreneurship and innovation are not only welcome at Stan State but essential. By creating new revenue streams and fostering entrepreneurial strategies, we will continue to strengthen our University’s long-term outlook.”
Encouraging Enrollment Momentum
Alongside fiscal stewardship, Rios-Ellis expressed optimism about the University’s enrollment trends. Early indicators show that new undergraduate enrollment is nearly 5.6% higher compared to this time last year, while overall resident full-time equivalent students are up approximately 2%.
“This growth reflects the tremendous work of so many who helped ensure that our newest Warriors were met with cariño, guidance and a true sense of belonging from the start,” she said. “As we move forward, our shared focus will be on retention — ensuring that our continuing students have the advising, course access and degree pathways they need to graduate in a timely fashion.”
Rios-Ellis closed her address by encouraging the Warrior community to share their experiences to highlight the University’s impact across the Central Valley and beyond.
“When you share your story, you not only inspire those around you — you help the world see the power of Stan State, its people and the remarkable assets we have right here,” she said. “With the pulse of possibility and the power of cariño we will keep the ever more elusive American dream, or sueño Americano, alive and well at Stan State.”
