CSUSB president, administrators, to speak at annual 'CSU Super Sunday' event

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. -- For the tenth year in a row, California State University, San Bernardino will participate in the annual CSU Super Sunday presentations at several African American churches in Riverside County on Sunday, Feb. 23.

CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales and three other university administrators will speak on the value of a college education and early college preparation at various churches on the same day.

Morales will address the congregation at Life Church of God in Christ, 3349 Rubidoux Blvd., Riverside, at both 8 and 9:45 a.m. services.

“As a longtime advocate for early college preparation, I’m delighted to participate in the CSU Super Sunday events,” said Morales. “One of our key goals at Cal State San Bernardino is to increase the number of students who are ready for college. To help achieve that goal, it’s crucial that we partner not only with local K-12 school officials, but also with our faith-based communities on the importance of preparing students for college.”

The annual Super Sunday is the flagship event of the CSU’s African American Initiative, a partnership between California State University campuses and African American religious leaders with the goal of increasing college-going rates among African American students.

The initiative emphasizes the university’s commitment to African American students to prepare for and enroll in college, and earn university degrees.

The Super Sunday presentations focus on preparing elementary, middle and high school students for college. It is one of the California State University’s outreach efforts to promote higher education and the importance of early academic preparation.

On Sundays in February, CSU Chancellor Tim White, along with university presidents and other representatives from all 23 CSU campuses, will speak at nearly 100 predominately African American churches throughout the state about preparing for college, applying to a CSU campus and applying for financial aid.

In addition, Brian Haynes, CSUSB’s vice president for Student Services, will speak at 10 a.m. on Feb. 23 at Allen Chapel AME, 4009 Locust St., in Riverside.

Mark Hartley, CSUSB’s director of Student Leadership and Development, will visit the Principles of Faith Christian Center, 17977 Merrill Ave., in Fontana at 9:30 a.m.

CSUSB athletic director Kevin Hatcher will speak at 9 a.m. at the Corona Community Church, 321 E. Sixth St., in Corona.

Cal State San Bernardino is also the most diverse university in the region; there is no majority ethnic group on campus. Further evidence shows the achievement gaps among the various ethnic CSUSB student groups are narrowing.

The retention rate for African-American students from first-to-second-year at the San Bernardino campus ranked 91 percent, a leader in the CSU and above the system average.

CSUSB also ranked second in the CSU system for retention of first-to-second year Latino students, with 89 percent of first-time Latino freshmen enrolled in fall 2011 returning in fall 2012.

Since 2005, the Super Sunday event has brought CSU leaders to churches throughout California to educate students and families about the requirements to successfully enroll in college and ultimately earn a degree.

Participants at the services receive information about financial aid and the CSUMentor website that provides the tools to plan and apply to CSU campuses.

After the church service, parents and students will have the opportunity to talk to CSU representatives and receive a How To Get To College poster – a practical guide about how to prepare for college.

The guide – available in several languages as both a printed and electronic document – provides the list of classes that students need to take in grades six through twelve to qualify for admission to the CSU.  It also provides tips for parents and mentors to help students succeed.

Super Sunday is held in February in recognition of Black History Month to highlight the value of higher education as the gateway for opportunity to current and future generations of African Americans.

In addition, research shows that people who earn a college degree have more social mobility and are more active citizens, earning almost $1 million more in their lifetime than those who only graduate from high school.

Visit the CSU Super Sunday website for more information on the event.

For more information on Cal State San Bernardino, contact the university’s Office of Public Affairs at (909) 537-5007 and visit news.csusb.edu.