Advancing a More Equitable Future
Every student with the talent and determination to make their mark should have the opportunity to make it. CSUN is proud to welcome students from every corner of the world and every rung of the socioeconomic ladder. Your support creates new opportunities for our richly diverse student body and puts their dreams within reach, accelerating the essential flow of talent into the region and providing our communities with the inclusive leaders we need to solve society’s biggest challenges.
Creating New Career Pathways in STEM
Philanthropy at CSUN is driving a bold new project that will equip students with skills for high-demand careers in STEM and the creative and tech economy — and help close the persistent equity gaps in those career fields.
There are two distinct components of the Global Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Equity Innovation Hub — the infrastructure and the programming. The physical space is scheduled to open in fall 2024 and will be a state-of-the-art learning environment. The national initiative is already underway, and future programming will provide opportunities for all CSUN students and will also be amplified to inspire Latinx and other historically underrepresented students throughout our region and beyond to explore degree pathways in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
The Global HSI Equity Innovation Hub will serve as a door for students as young as preschool and their families — with particular focus on mentoring middle school and high school students — throughout the region.
The Equity Innovation Hub will provide interdisciplinary programming focused on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics), leveraging technology to engage all students in creative and disruptive thinking and solving real-world problems in service to their communities. Through a national network of HSI partners, we will facilitate access to virtual programming to students throughout the country, inspiring the talent needed to build an inclusive workforce of the future.
This transformational work wouldn’t be possible without investments from the state and federal government and the generous support of our private partners. These investments include a $25 million allocation in the 2021-22 California state budget and an additional $1 million in federal funding that was shepherded by U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla. The initial vision and planning came through two $1 million gifts from design software giant Autodesk and its president and CEO, alumnus Andrew Anagnost. A transformative $25 million gift from Apple supports the equity-centered programming that embraces thought partners across the CSU and the nation. Together, these visionary investments will empower the Global HSI Equity Innovation Hub to engage the rich diversity of our communities to inspire the creators and innovators of the future.
Inspiring Male Teachers of Color
K-12 teachers educate and motivate students who will attend universities, drive our workforce and strengthen our communities. Recognizing the persistent gap between the number of students of color and the number of teachers of color in the U.S. school system, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and The FEDCO Charitable Foundation combined to invest more than $1 million in CSUN mentorship and professional development programs to help recruit and retain AfricanAmerican, Latino and Asian male teachers in the Los Angeles and Compton Unified School Districts. Led by the Michael D. Eisner College of Education, these programs are poised to become a national model as they work to increase and retain male teachers of color who serve as role models and help students reach their fullest potential.
