Two-time Cal State San Bernardino alumnus Sedrick Spencer has been named the Alumni Council representative to the standing work group for the CSU Biennial Symposium Recognizing African American History and Achievement. Appointed by Alumni Council President Jeremy Addis-Mills, Spencer will serve a two-year term.

“It is an honor to be selected as the Alumni Council representative for the CSU Biennial Symposium Recognizing African American History and Achievement,” said Spencer, who earned his bachelor’s in psychology in 1991 and his Master of Public Administration in 1996. “Black students, faculty, administration and staff have all played important roles in the rich history of the CSU system.”

Spencer is the  director of state policy and government relations at Biogen, an American multinational biotechnology company specializing in the discovery, development and delivery of therapies for the treatment of neurological diseases to patients worldwide.

In March 2021, the CSU Board of Trustees adopted a resolution to commemorate the significance of Juneteenth and draw inspiration from the many contributions to society made by African Americans, as well as strive for transformative change that promotes social justice and closes educational equity gaps. To achieve this, a biennial symposium in co-sponsorship with a CSU campus will commence in 2022 and occur every other year thereafter.

The resolution called for the CSU chancellor to appoint a standing work group, comprised of Chancellor’s Office and campus-based representatives to include students, alumni, faculty, staff and administrators, to develop and implement the biennial symposium. Each symposium will be designed to highlight African American history and achievement; foster authentic intercultural dialogue; advance anti-racism efforts in a sustainable manner; and reinforce the CSU’s unwavering commitment to build inclusive and diverse campus communities that empower students with the ability to pursue lives of curiosity, prosperity and self-fulfillment.

“Building upon your longstanding efforts, the symposium will direct attention to the rich and enduring contributions of African American students, faculty, staff, administrators and alumni, and it will harness the very best ideas and actions from across our 23 campuses to eliminate equity gaps and better serve Black and other students of color,” said Joseph I. Castro, the eighth chancellor of the California State University system, in March 2021.

The work group commenced its regular meetings in January 2022.