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CSUSM Social Mobility

Social mobility is at the heart of Cal State San Marcos' mission, strengthening the communities where we live and work, and driving economic inclusion.
Read our case statement

We are social mobility

CSUSM is dedicated to supporting first-generation and low-income students, closing educational gaps, and fostering social mobility. Our commitment helps students transcend barriers, unlocking their potential for lifelong success. By promoting inclusive economic growth, we ensure opportunities and progress are shared by all. Watch our video to learn more.

Social Mobility Webinar Presented by CSUSM banner
Elevating the Future: Higher Education’s Role in Advancing Social and Economic Mobility
Thursday, Oct. 10 at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET

In this virtual forum, we will bring together leading higher education experts to explore the connection between higher education and social and economic mobility.

The topics will include affordability, access, and accountability; equity in student success; and strategies for enhancing post-graduate outcomes and career placement.
Register for the eventDownload the PDF

TOP 1%
Nationwide out of more than 1,200 schools in CollegeNET's 2023 Social Mobility Index
10
 
Consecutive years receiving Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award from INSIGHT into Diversity magazine
11th
Ranking in U.S. News and World Report’s Top Performers on Social Mobility
TOP 4%
Among nation’s best in national think tank Third Way’s 2023 Economic Mobility Index
President Neufeldt at the podium smiling
A pioneer in Social Mobility
Cal State San Marcos President Ellen Neufeldt is nationally recognized for her trailblazing leadership in advancing social mobility, guiding the university to the top 1% nationally in CollegeNET’s Social Mobility Index, which measures how well universities graduate students into well-paying careers and leadership opportunities.

Neufeldt works tirelessly to redefine what it means to be a student-centered university in the 21st century, and her efforts have included incorporating social mobility into CSUSM’s strategic plan and expanding educational access through community and K-12 partnerships.
Championing social mobilityPresident Neufeldt's Bio

Our impact on students

Jocelyn Dates
A single mother of three, Jocelyne Dates has an inspiring story to share about her path to graduating with CSUSM’s highest student honor.
Alex Perkins
Alex’s resilience paid off when she received her bachelor’s in communication from CSUSM in 2011. Today, she is the university’s digital giving specialist, providing essential support to annual giving programs.
Serena Farrell
Discover how Serena's journey at CSUSM, from research to student experiences, exemplifies social mobility and the transformative potential of education in STEM fields.

Social Mobility Symposium

The national social mobility conference is your chance to connect with colleagues from around the country to share new ideas and explore innovative ways of serving students while also partnering with external community stakeholders.

Explore CSUSM Social Mobility Symposium

panel from audience point of view

Philanthropy creates opportunities

Stone Brewing Fund for Social Mobility
Steve Wagner, the president and co-founder of Stone Brewing, and his wife, Laura, have given $1 million to establish funding to support social mobility, one of the core tenets of the university’s new strategic plan.
Blue & Silver Fundraising Dinner
The second annual CSUSM Blue & Silver Fundraising Dinner marked another historical night on June 15, raising a record-breaking $1,070,100 for social mobility and student success initiatives.

Join us in our initiative

Helpful resources

Discover more about social mobility and its impact on higher education by exploring our comprehensive repository of articles, news, and rankings at CSUSM.
Visit our social mobility resource center

Get involved

Join us in advancing social mobility at CSUSM by getting involved in our initiatives, like our social mobility symposium, and making a transformative impact in higher education. Contact socialmobility@csusm.edu