Cal State LA Connections

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Issue 2 | 2025

California Mobility Index ranks Cal State LA No. 1 in upward mobility

Cal State LA has again been recognized as the top university for upward mobility. The University was named No. 1 in the state in the inaugural rankings of the California Mobility Index (CMI), which was unveiled by the College Futures Foundation and the research agency HEA Group in February. Read more about the CMI ranking.

Professor Nanda Ganesan receives CSU Wang Family Excellence Award

Nanda Ganesan, pictured third from left, was presented the California State University’s Wang Family Excellence Award for Outstanding Faculty Teaching on Jan. 28. The Cal State LA information systems professor was one of only four faculty and one staff member in the 23 CSU campuses to be selected this year. Read more about the CSU Wang Award recipient.

Professor Nanda Ganesan pictures third from the left.

University unveils plaque honoring Rongxiang Xu for his humanitarian efforts

Cal State LA has unveiled a plaque honoring the late Rongxiang Xu and his major contributions as a surgeon, expert in regenerative medicine, and humanitarian. Read more about the plaque unveiling.

Howard Xu, President Berenecea Johnson Eanes, Kevin Xu, and Dr. Li Li.

Cal State LA designated as a research institution with high spending and doctorate production

The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has designated Cal State LA as a Research 2 (R2) institution in its 2025 Research and Activity Designations, as published on Feb. 13. Read more about the R2 designation.

Three Cal State LA students in a research lab.

University receives $345,000 grant to develop a portable mobile fuel cell generator with RockeTruck, Inc.

Cal State LA has partnered with RockeTruck, Inc. to develop a portable fuel cell generator that can be easily transported to deliver clean electric power when grid power is not available. Read more about the joint project.

RockeTruck mobile fuel cell generator on display at Cal State LA.

Cal State LA selected to join the inaugural global ‘Partners in Peace’ initiative

Cal State LA has been selected as a member of the inaugural Partners in Peace cohort, an initiative launched by the National Collegiate Honors Council in partnership with the Nobel Peace Center. Read more about Partners in Peace.

Cal State LA's Honors Thesis and Major Fellowship Coordinator Sonia Cruz Magana and Honors Admissions Coordinator Marylu Castillo.

Best Value Schools gives University’s accounting, MBA programs top rankings for fifth straight year

Cal State LA’s College of Business and Economics has once again received top honors for two of its distinguished programs. Best Value Schools ranked the University’s accounting program as the best in California and its Master of Business Administration as the top in Southern California. Read more about the rankings.

A group of Cal State LA students majoring in accounting.

Mesoamerican Symposium to honor archaeologist John M.D. Pohl, art historian Manuel Aguilar-Moreno

Cal State LA’s Art History Society presents the 2025 Mesoamerican Symposium on Saturday, March 22. The full-day event is organized as a homage to acclaimed archaeologist John M.D. Pohl and art historian Manuel Aguilar-Moreno. Read more about the symposium.

Ceramic figures representing the Shaft Tomb Culture of West Mexico, 300 B.C.-A.D. 300.

Cal State LA team wins third place in Geo-Wall competition, presents at national conference

The Cal State LA student team won third place in the Geo-Wall competition, which is part of the 2025 National Geo-Challenge Student Competition. The Geotech Research Group at Cal State LA, led by Welson Kwan, also showcased their cutting-edge research projects during the annual Geotechnical Frontiers conference. Read more about the honors.

Members of Cal State LA Geo-Wall student team.

Civil engineering student presents research paper at the Transportation Research Board’s Annual Meeting

Yahaira Nava Gonzalez, a civil engineering major at Cal State LA, presented her work at the 2025 Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 7. Gonzalez is one of 24 students nationwide selected for the TRB's 2025 Minority Student Fellows Program. Read more about the research presentation.

Cal State LA student Yahaira Nava Gonzalez delivering a poster presentation.

Cal State LA to create a hub focused on transgender studies, art, and engagement

Cal State LA has been awarded a $412,000 grant to create a hub for transgender studies scholarship with community-based art and engagement. The grant will help establish the Trans Studies Consortium of Los Angeles. Read more about the consortium.

Engagement, Service, and the Public Good

President Eanes encourages young church parishioners to pursue college degrees

President Eanes was a guest speaker at the West Angeles Church of God in Christ on Super Sunday on Feb. 16, taking the pulpit to inspire school-aged parishioners to pursue higher education and to consider attending Cal State LA. Read more about Super Sunday.

Cal State LA President Berenecea Johnson Eanes attends service at West Angeles Church of God in Christ.

Cal State LA celebrates MLK’s legacy at Kingdom Day Parade

President Eanes participated in her first Kingdom Day Parade, joining about 30 members of the Cal State LA community at the “world’s largest and longest running life celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King” on Feb. 17. Read more about the Kingdom Day Parade.

Cal State LA President Berenecea Johnson Eanes and Golden Eagles men's basketball assistant coach Michael Cooper.

Wildfire Recovery Drive benefits 150 Cal State LA community members

The Wildfire Recovery Drive held from Feb. 3 to 28 collected donations of essential supplies that benefited about 150 Cal State LA community members, including 120 students. Read more about the drive.

A firefighter assesses the damage to a home burnt down during the Los Angeles County wildfires.

Sal Castro Academy trains educators to be student-centered advocates

In its third year of existence, the Sal Castro Academy for Urban Teacher Leaders has expanded to include 128 participants from five Los Angeles area school districts. Read more about the academy.

Classroom instruction as part of the Sal Castro Academy for Urban Teacher Leaders.

VITA program provides free tax preparation for students, community members through April 12

Cal State LA’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) will again prepare tax returns at no cost to students and community members. Student volunteers will provide the service Saturdays through April 12, both on campus and various off-site locations. Read more about VITA.

Members of the Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program confer with a client during the tax season.

Lily Buggs earns fourth first-team All-CCAA basketball honors

Senior Lily Buggs became only the second Golden Eagle to earn four women’s basketball first-team All-CCAA honors, and the first to do so over four straight seasons. Read more about the women’s team.

Jonon Young sets meet record, earns athlete of the week honor

Long jumper Jonon Young set a new meet record at Long Beach State’s Beach Opener on March 1, which led to her being named the FloCollege/CCAA Women’s Field Athlete of the Week for March 3-9. Read more about the student-athlete.

Joseph Wambaugh, acclaimed crime author, dies at 88

Best-selling author Joseph Wambaugh, pictured left, died of esophageal cancer at his home in Rancho Mirage on Feb. 28. The Cal State LA alumnus served on the Los Angeles Police Department before turning into a prolific writer of fictional and non-fictional crime novels. Read more about the late alumnus.

The late Joseph Wambaugh pictured to the left in group photo.

Golden Eagles at LA Kings’ Cal State LA Night

Alumni, students, and other members of the Golden Eagle community gathered for the LA Kings’ Cal State LA Night on March 11 to celebrate school spirit and support a meaningful cause. Read more about the LA Kings’ Cal State LA Night.