Once a Warrior, Always a Warrior

Dear Warriors and Friends,

As I bid farewell to Stan State and the wonderful communities in and surrounding Turlock, Modesto and Stockton, I am filled with gratitude for the privilege of working alongside you. Together, we have continued to provide powerful educational opportunities for our students and communities.

I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we’ve shared.

I’ve had a great time collaborating and partnering with you all across the Central Valley, representing and advocating for everything Stanislaus State brings to this community — through our alumni, our students, our faculty and staff, our donors and advocates, academic excellence and vast array of learning opportunities. It’s hard to believe I have been here less than a year!

For the past 10 months, I’ve had the opportunity to deeply engage with the community.

I have had the privilege of meeting and collaborating with many amazing people, both on and off campus. I met many of our first-generation students and their families and watched as students visited campus with their parents, some of whom have never been on a college campus.

I have had the privilege of meeting proud Stan State alumni who are teachers, nurses, farmers, counselors, business leaders, executives and administrators. Our alums make deep contributions to the Central Valley. They often speak about the unwavering support they received from their faculty and how important that was to their success. 

To our faculty: I’m grateful for the investment you have made in creating learning communities inside and outside of your classrooms and labs and for inspiring students to be lifelong learners.

Together, we’ve accomplished so much this year:

• Through strategic initiatives, outreach and recruitment efforts, we reduced our enrollment decline from 8.7% to 4.3%;
• We fundraised $1.34 million between August 2023 and June 2024;
• The University conferred degrees to more than 3,300 graduates and 322 credential recipients;
• With much fanfare, we began construction of the new academic building at the Stockton Campus;
• Stan State Athletics had a stellar year, demonstrating both academic and athletic excellence. The department produced two All-Americans, two Academic All-Americans, 17 All-Region honorees, 29 Academic All-District selections, 35 All-CCAA performers, four CCAA Freshmen of the Year, one CCAA Newcomer of the Year, one CCAA Elite 13 Award recipient and two Warriors that were either men’s or women’s soccer Forwards of the Year.
• Our Art, Music and Theatre Departments completed a vibrant and successful season;
• We granted well-deserved honorary doctorates to two distinguished members of our campus community who left a legacy at Stan State;
• We were hosted by Gallo, where 472 of our alumni work; and
• We hosted City of Turlock officials on campus, including the mayor, city manager and deputy city manager, all of whom are alumni and embody Warrior Pride, countywide.

These are just a few examples of the remarkable work we accomplished during this academic year. The evidence of Stan State’s impact in the Central Valley is indisputable; we are a transformational partner in the quality of life here! 

Stan State is not merely a “hidden gem”; it is a dynamic contributor to the quality of life in the Central Valley. Throughout my time here, I have witnessed the incredible work happening within these walls — the dedication, passion and resilience of each individual. You are the heartbeat of this institution, and your collective efforts shape its legacy.

As we part ways, I encourage you to lean into the essence of Stan State — the tireless commitment to excellence, the unwavering support for one another, and the impact we make every single day. I am grateful for the connections forged and the shared purpose that unites us.

A promising future awaits, and I firmly believe that we are stronger together and will be cheering you on! As you continue your journey, remember, YOU are Stan State Warriors — always striving, always resilient.

Wishing you all the best,

Interim President Sue Borrego

Once a Warrior, Always a Warrior!