Cal State San Bernardino President Tomás D. Morales and several other CSUSB officials will speak at Inland Empire African American churches on Feb. 26 to encourage young people to go college as part of the 12th annual California State University Super Sunday higher education initiative.

Super Sunday is part of the CSU African American Initiative, which seeks to increase the college preparation, enrollment and graduation rates of African American students from underserved communities.  More than 100,000 congregants, students and their families are expected to receive the Super Sunday message as CSU leaders, including Chancellor Timothy P. White, speak at more than 100 churches across the state on Feb. 12 in Northern and Central California, and Feb. 26 in Southern California.

Congregants will also receive information about the CSU’s Graduation Initiative 2025, the system’s plan to increase graduation rates and to eliminate the achievement gap for the university’s 475,000 students across all 23 campuses. CSU resources will be provided to help them foster a college-going culture at home, including information about preparing for college, applying to a CSU campus and applying for financial aid.

Morales, now in his fifth year as CSUSB president, will speak at Life Church of God in Christ in Riverside during two services, 8 and 9:45 a.m.  

 “It is crucial that we prepare our young people and their families for college because higher education plays such a critical role in our society,” said Morales, who added that for the first time in years, African American student enrollment at CSUSB is increasing.

In fall 2016, applications for African American freshmen grew by 19 percent, admission grew by three percent and enrollment grew by 23 percent compared to fall 2015, Morales said. The increase was also seen for African American transfer students as applications grew by 11 percent, admission grew by 24.5 percent, and enrollment grew by 30 percent in fall 2016 compared to fall 2015, he said.

“It’s great to see our enrollment increases, but that also indicates how important it is to work with the communities we serve regarding higher education,” Morales said. “We must and will continue our outreach on promoting a college education.”

 Along with Morales, the other CSUSB officials speaking on Feb. 26 are:

  • Francisa Beer, dean of graduate studies and research and a professor of accounting and finance, will speak at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Fontana at 9:45 a.m.;
  • Brian Haynes, vice president of student affairs,  will speak at Cathedral of Praise International Ministries in San Bernardino at 8 and 11 a.m.; and
  • Olivia Rosas, associate vice president of enrollment management, will speak at Ecclesia Christian Fellowship in San Bernardino at 10:30 a.m.

Visit the CSU Graduation Initiative 2025 website for more information on the program, as well as the CSU Super Sunday website.