myCSUSM
Students' Lifelong Success
Workforce and Economic Mobility: Higher Education’s Role in Driving Opportunity
On Friday, February 6, 2026, California State University San Marcos hosted the 2026 National Social Mobility Symposium. The half-day webinar explored how colleges and universities can serve as catalysts for students’ lifelong success and play a role in shaping workforce and economic outcomes.
The program featured a dynamic panel discussion addressing employer expectations, talent pipelines, systemic barriers to career readiness, and national policy and innovation driving mobility. Attendees also gained insights into how institutions are evolving to meet the needs of today’s learners and tomorrow’s workforce.
Agenda: Morning Virtual Program (National Audience)
Friday, February 6, 2026: Starting at 8:30am Pacific/11:30am Eastern - Ending at 11:30am Pacific/2:30pm Eastern
Welcomes & Framing Remarks
HOST: Ellen Neufeldt, Ed.D.
President, California State University San Marcos
OPENING REMARKS: Mildred García, Ed.D.
Chancellor, the California State University
EMCEE: Wenda Fong
Trustee, The California State University Board of Trustees
Opportunity Works: How Work-Based Learning Improves Career Success
2025 State Opportunity Index - Strengthening the link between education and opportunity
PRESENTER: Dave Clayton, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President of Research, Strada Education Foundation
MODERATOR: Berenecea Johnson Eanes, Ph.D.
President, Cal State LA
The Future of Workforce and Economic Mobility
MODERATOR: Scott Carlson
Senior Writer, The Chronicle of Higher Education
PANELIST: Xav de Souza Briggs, Ph.D.
Senior Fellow, Brookings
PANELIST: Pamela Padilla, Ph.D.
Vice President for Research and Innovation, University of North Texas
PANELIST: Wil Del Pilar, Ph.D.
Vice President, Ed Trust
PANELIST: Shayne Spaulding, MPP
Senior Fellow, Urban Institute
From Initiative to Identity: Making Social Mobility Core to Institutional Strategy
A PRESIDENTIAL CONVERSATION WITH:
Ellen Neufeldt, Ed.D.
President, California State University San Marcos
Georj Lewis, Ed.D.
President, Clayton State University
Corey A. King, Ed.D.
Chancellor, University of Wisconsin- Whitewater
Closing & Call to Action
EMCEE: Wenda Fong
Trustee, The California State University Board of Trustees
In Their Words: Reflections from Symposium Attendees
Attending the [Symposium] at [CSUSM] offered me a unique opportunity to engage with thought leaders focused on how higher education can be a driving force for upward social mobility. The symposium is a testament to the transformative power of higher education in changing lives and uplifting entire communities and continues to center how we can improve access and outcomes for those who are not being effectively served.
Attendee
National Symposium
The most impactful aspects of the symposium were the incredible insights from Dr. Vargas and the powerful panel discussions. Dr. Ardoin's research data stood out as particularly inspiring, along with the voices of the students and the wisdom shared by the president's panel.
Attendee
National Symposium
