AANPHI HERITAGE MONTH SHOWCASE 

The Network is honored to feature reflections from Dr. Arnab Mukherjea, inaugural Director of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Middle Leadership Academy (AMLA). In addition to serving as AMLA Director, Dr. Mukherjea is a Professor of Public Health at California State University, East Bay and Faculty Director for Health Professions in the CSU Office of the Chancellor. In this thoughtful conversation, he reflects on the impact of AMLA across the CSU system, the importance of culturally responsive leadership and student support, and the need to better understand the diverse experiences of AANHPI communities through disaggregated data, representation, community engaged approaches, and equity centered practices. 

Holistic Advising and Student Success in the CSU

In April 2026, the California State University (CSU) Student Success Network (Network) hosted a convening on strengthening and enhancing student advising in the CSU. A theme woven throughout the convening was the relationship between advising and the student success metrics that measure retention and completion. Literature suggests that the style and approach of student advising—particularly holistic advising practices—are the most important factors in advising that foster student success. To complement information provided in the convening, this short blog, by Jeanine Cunnigham, Network Research and Evaluation Manager, provides resources on holistic advising practices and encourages middle leaders to reflect upon the conditions at their own campus. 

Artificial Intelligence in Practice Across the CSU: A Voices Blog Series 

This is the third in a series of blogs authored by Thad Nodine, Ph.D., in collaboration with the CSU Student Success Network (Network) focusing on the California State University’s (CSU’s) systemwide approach to generative AI (GenAI). The third installment on faculty perspectives about GenAI in the CSU draws from interviews with two CSU professors who are members of the Network’s Advisory Board and who are experienced in using GenAI in the classroom: Dr. Emily Acosta Lewis, professor of Communication and Media Studies at Sonoma State University, and Dr. Svetlana V. Tyutina, Spanish professor and graduate program director at CSU Northridge. 

Announcing the 2026 Equity in Action Grant Recipients 

The Network is excited to announce the recipients of the 2026 Equity in Action (EIA) Grants. This year’s grant competition received an incredible response with 59 applications submitted from 16 CSU campuses, highlighting the deep commitment across the CSU system to advancing equity centered student success initiatives. 

We are pleased to announce the following award recipients: 

Scaling Grant Award 

• Sacramento State (lead institution) in partnership with CSU San Marcos, Cal Poly Humboldt, CSU Channel Islands, and CSU San Bernardino 

Pilot Grant Awards 

• CSU Dominguez Hills 
• Sonoma State University 
• Stanislaus State 
• Chico State 
• Cal Poly San Luis Obispo 
• Cal Poly Pomona 
  

We extend our sincere congratulations to all funded teams and look forward to seeing these innovative projects strengthen equitable student success outcomes across the CSU system. We also want to express our deep appreciation to every campus team who took the time to submit a proposal.  

Coming soon: New opportunities for middle leaders to share and engage across the CSU!

In Fall 2026, the Network will launch The Middle Leader, a peer-reviewed journal by middle leaders for middle leaders. Check the newsletter and social media for more information about upcoming events and opportunities related to the journal!