CSUSB Palm Desert Hopes To Graduate More Native American Students

PALM DESERT, CA – California State University, San Bernardino, and California Indian Nations College in Palm Desert have signed a memorandum of understanding to increase the number of Native American transfer students to the CSUSB campus, it was announced Tuesday by CSUSB Palm Desert campus officials.

The MOU goal is to increase the number of Native Americans earning bachelor’s degrees. CSUSB believes that the academic success of Native American students is imperative to the success of local communities and has pledged to do everything in its power to be supportive of their development, according to CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales.

“As an anchor institution in the Inland Empire, CSUSB is here to serve all our region’s residents in order to build a better future for San Bernardino and Riverside counties,” Morales said. “We are committed to increasing our outreach and access efforts to the IE’s First Peoples, and this MOU is a tremendous step forward.”

CINC President Celeste R. Townsend said, “This MOU not only solidifies the partnership with CSUSB, but it also strengthens a joint quest to increase the accessibility of educational opportunities through advanced learning that focuses on diversity, inclusion and empowerment for the underserved and misrepresented population.”

Academic institutions have historically excluded Native American students and CSUSB is "committed to removing barriers to entry and providing a supportive and culturally competent environment once they are enrolled," according to Tuesday's announcement.

CINC offers an academic curriculum rooted in Native American values and provides personalized support to advance the success of Native and non-Native students, according to the campus.

Under the MOU, CINC will be responsible for preparing students annually for transfer and/or work placement. Beginning with the 2023-24 academic year, CINC will provide all its students with a necessary studies program to meet CSUSB admission requirements without the need for remedial college courses, according to the announcement.

CSUSB will guarantee admission for all graduating CINC students who fulfill certain requirements.

“Support and collaboration with Tribal communities has been intrinsic to CSUSB’s success over the years. This MOU demonstrates the university’s commitment to ensuring that access to higher education is intentionally inclusive of the Native American residents of the IE,” said CSUSB Vice President for Student Affairs Paz Olivérez. “I look forward to this new collaboration with CINC and the impact it will have on our region.”