Join Us Virtually on Thursday, May 29, 10–11 AM PST!

As the DEIA landscape continues to shift, higher education leaders and practitioners are increasingly working together to continue moving forward in their work–with confidence. Building on feedback from our April 11 session on maintaining our commitment to our DEIA values, we invite colleagues across the CSU system to:

• learn from SDSU’s Dr. Eric Felix about the CSU’s responsibility to continue with its mission-driven work; and
• discuss opportunities to lean into existing policies and imperatives.

As we end the semester and prepare for a new academic year, let us move forward with a renewed commitment to student equity!

This quarterly series provides reading recommendations that call attention to the student populations, institutional structures, and policy issues that are relevant to the realm of West Coast higher education. This month’s article collection explains and explores participation and equity in California dual enrollment programs.

Adan, S., Diaz, A., Leal‐Carrillo, N., Beer, A., Lundy‐Wagner, V., & Lowe, A. (2024). The California Community Colleges dual enrollment student journey: An equitable journey from participation to matriculation? New Directions for Community Colleges, 2024(207), 9–18. https://doi.org/10.1002/cc.20633

• This article presents an analysis of California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office system data to understand students’ experiences with the dual enrollment process as well as any equity gaps in dual enrollment participation and outcomes.

Rodriguez, O., Payares-Montoya, D., Yang Zhou, R., Kim, H., & Assan, E. (February 2025). Making Gains in Math through Dual Enrollment. Public Policy Institute of California. https://www.ppic.org/publication/making-gains-in-math-through-dual-enrollment/

• Using publicly available data from all California higher education systems (CCC, CSU, UC) the authors describe the landscape of dual enrollment relationships throughout the state.

Salazar, R. (2024). Working towards an equitable future in California dual enrollment programs. UC Berkeley: Center for Studies in Higher Education. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/8682z75j

• This paper explores the underrepresentation of Black and Latinx students in California's community college dual enrollment programs, offering insights for addressing participation gaps.

Middle Leadership Academy Applications Open Spring 2026

We are excited to announce that the next application cycle for the Middle Leadership Academy will open in spring 2026. This adjusted timeline reflects our commitment to delivering an even more impactful and enriching experience for Academy participants.

In the coming months, the Academy leadership team will be focused on refining the application process and enhancing the curriculum to ensure a stronger, more valuable program for future cohorts.



Stay tuned for updates and additional information throughout fall 2025—we look forward to sharing the improvements underway and welcoming our next group of middle leaders.

Beyond the Cap and Gown: Myths and Facts about the Value of a CSU Degree

As CSU campuses celebrate the Class of 2025 this May, Dr. Thad R. Nodine’s 2024 Voices blog remains just as relevant. While graduation marks a major milestone, it also underscores the ongoing need to support low-income students beyond the cap and gown. With nearly half of CSU students coming from low-income families, the blog calls on middle leaders to challenge myths about the value of a college degree and ensure students are equipped with the resources, guidance, and career pathways they need to succeed after commencement.