Stanislaus State Hosts Governor Newsom’s Sixth California Jobs First Tour Stop

Governor Gavin Newsom chose California State University, Stanislaus’s main campus in Turlock as the location for the sixth stop on his ongoing statewide California Jobs First tour in advance of this week’s release of the state’s proposed 2025-2026 budget. 

The governor’s visit to Stanislaus State reflects the University’s vital role as an anchor institution in the Central Valley and as a driver of social mobility, workforce development and economic progress for the region. Representing the University’s leadership were President Britt Rios-Ellis and Vice President for Business and Finance/Chief Financial Officer Rose McAuliffe, along with faculty, staff and student representatives. 

“As part of the California State University, we are proud to be a strong driver in preparing California’s workforce, fueling key industries, driving economic growth and ensuring that the state’s population has access to well-trained nurses, teachers and scientists, as well as those versed in the arts,” Rios-Ellis said in welcome remarks addressing the press corps attendees. 

During his hourlong presentation, Newsom previewed elements of the state budget, which will be released on Friday, Jan. 10, and received the Northern San Joaquin Valley’s regional economic plan focused on equitable job creation, sustainable development and workforce preparedness. 

“We want to emphasize today that the state’s vision, as it relates to economic and workforce development, is realized locally,” Newsom said. “California is the future of the American economy. We’ve got to make sure people see themselves in the economy...That’s precisely why this effort is so impactful and so meaningful.” 

“Education is one of the most impactful investments we can make in California’s future. Perhaps most importantly, we know that those who get a college degree are more likely to live longer, happier, healthier lives and to engage civically and civilly within their respective communities.”

-Britt Rios-Ellis, Stanislaus State President

The North San Joaquin Valley’s economic plan, shared with Newsom by Merced County Director of Workforce Investment Erick Serrato, represents a collaboration with universities, local leaders and industry partners and highlights strategies for sustainable job growth, workforce training and economic resilience. 

“The North Valley has been a place where you put a seed in the ground and you harvest the California Dream,” Serrato said. “This plan comes from labor leaders, from creatives, from entrepreneurs and industry heads; from community voices and from the offices of the three county CEOs that guided this work; from a community-based and driven steering Committee; from a brilliant team of researchers and economists — a third of which call this place home, Stanislaus State.” 

Recognizing that today’s elementary and high school students are the future college students and leaders in economic growth, Serrato emphasized how this shaped their development of the economic plan. 

“We’ve been aligning our work with a K-16 collaborative,” Serrato said. “That’s why our plan mirrors the state’s Master Plan on Career Education.” 

“Whether we’re providing certification for community health workers, training small business folks in entrepreneurship, or providing full degree options, Stan State offers what is needed for job training,” Rios-Ellis said. “Education is one of the most impactful investments we can make in California’s future. Perhaps most importantly, we know that those who get a college degree are more likely to live longer, happier, healthier lives and to engage civically and civilly within their respective communities.” 

Newsom underscored the significance of the University’s work in the Central Valley, highlighting Stan State’s role in advancing the region as demonstrated by recent rankings placing the University No. 2 in the nation for social mobility and No. 9 among the best public universities according to the Wall Street Journal. 

“It is exactly why I’m here, because we wanted to lift up your extraordinary work,” Newsom said. “You lifted my spirits by offering the proof of what social mobility really looks like and the independent analysis that’s been done to frame your success. Your success is our success, and that’s the spirit of the Opportunity for All framework.” 

During the event, Governor Newsom discussed the importance of education in driving economic growth and strengthening California’s workforce. The California Jobs First tour aims to address the state’s economic challenges by promoting regional solutions tailored to the unique needs of California’s diverse communities.  

“Gov. Newsom, we want to thank you for your commitment to workforce development and economic equity,” Rios-Ellis said. “We share the belief that public higher education is one of the most impactful investments we can make in California’s future.”