CSUSB celebrates its Class of 2026

California State University, San Bernardino celebrated the Class of 2026 across five commencement ceremonies May 15-16 at Toyota Arena, honoring an estimated 3,186 graduates from its San Bernardino and Palm Desert campuses, many of whom celebrated being the first in their families to earn a college degree.

CSUSB Palm Desert Campus honors Class of 2026 at graduation reception

The Cal State San Bernardino, Palm Desert Campus celebrated the Class of 2026 with a joyful and heartfelt graduation reception, bringing together students, faculty, alumni, families and friends for an evening of recognition and pride.

CSUSB Palm Desert Campus names 2025-26 outstanding student

Brenda Franco Alcala, who lives in Cathedral City, is currently pursuing a bachelor of arts degree in business administration with concentrations in accounting and hospitality management at the Palm Desert Campus.

PDC Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year

Dr. Michelle Russen, an assistant professor of hospitality management at PDC, was named the 2025-26 Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year at the Palm Desert Campus! Dr. Russen was presented her award at the graduation reception and was honored for her exceptional teaching and commitment to student success.

PDC Student Employee of the Year

Dante Ramirez, a social work major at PDC, was selected as the 2025–26 Student Employee of the Year at the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus!

As part of the 2026 National Student Employment Celebration Week (April 13–17), CSUSB’s Employment Services Office—alongside the Division of Student Affairs, Career Center and Palm Desert Campus—hosted the 9th Annual Outstanding Student Employee of the Year award celebrations at both the Palm Desert and San Bernardino campuses.

CSUSB student employees are vital to our campus community, contributing to operational excellence and making a meaningful impact across departments. During April's celebrations, finalists from each organizational division—including representatives from the Palm Desert Campus—were recognized for their outstanding work and dedication.

PDC student selected as JHBC Outstanding Undergraduate Student of the Year

The Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration at CSUSB recently celebrated its top students, recognizing not just academic excellence, but the determination, mentorship and community behind each success story.

We’re especially proud to share that Jose Ramirez II, a student from the Palm Desert Campus, was named JHBC’s Outstanding Undergraduate Student for 2025–26!

A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, student parent and information systems and technology major with a cybersecurity concentration, Jose exemplifies leadership both inside and outside the classroom. As president of the Ford Fellows chapter at the Palm Desert Campus and a participant in the City of Palm Desert’s Emerging Leaders program, he continues to make a meaningful impact in his community.

CSUSB Palm Desert Campus expands educational access and opportunity across the Coachella Valley through pre-college programs

The pre-college programs at CSUSB deliver comprehensive academic and personal support services designed to increase high school graduation rates, college enrollment and degree completion.

Business majors open house

The CSUSB Palm Desert Campus hosted a Business Majors Open House, welcoming 50 students from Coachella Valley High School and Desert Mirage High School for an engaging day of exploration and learning.

Students toured the campus, connected with faculty and learned about the academic and career opportunities available through the university’s Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration.

The event reflected the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus’s ongoing commitment to empowering local students and strengthening the future workforce of the Coachella Valley.

PAWS event

Finals week can be stressful—but our students had some extra support.

The Palm Desert Campus Health Promotion Team hosted PAWS (Pet Away Worries and Stress), giving students a chance to relax, recharge and connect with adorable therapy dogs.

A big thank you to Animal Samaritans for bringing their incredible Animal Companion Therapy dogs to campus and helping our students de-stress ahead of finals.

Nursing mentoring program

The CSUSB Nursing Department partnered with OneFuture Coachella Valley again this year to provide mentoring and campus visit opportunities for local high school students interested in pursuing a career in nursing through the K16-Collaborative Grant Program.

Highlights from the year:



• A Careers in Nursing event at the Palm Desert Campus, where students and their families connected with nursing mentors, enjoyed dinner, heard from a student panel and toured our state-of-the-art simulation labs.

• Three mentoring sessions were held throughout the year, welcoming students from Indio High School and La Quinta High School.

• Students explored their strengths, gained insight into the daily life of a nursing student, toured the campus, and participated in hands-on learning with patient simulators and medical equipment.

Social Work Community Advocacy Project

As part of their social work policy course, students at PDC completed a Community Advocacy Project (CAP) focused on addressing local community needs through advocacy and action.

The group organized Black Rock High School’s first-ever College & Career Exploration Day in Yucca Valley, serving 150 alternative and continuation students in the Morongo Unified School District. The event connected students with local colleges, including the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus, and provided information on academic programs, career technical education and future career pathways to support their post-secondary planning.