October 2024--Provost's Monthly Update

October 10, 2024

Dear Sacramento State Community,

As we forge ahead through the Fall semester, approaching its midpoint with determination, I want to shine a light on the true powerhouse of our campus—our students, staff, and faculty. Your relentless drive, insatiable curiosity, and bold ambition are the engines propelling Sacramento State to new heights. Even as we stand at this pivotal juncture in the academic year, it's clear that your collective spirit is transforming challenges into springboards for growth and seizing every opportunity that comes your way. Your resilience and passion continue to inspire, proving that the heart of Sac State beats strongest when faced with adversity. Together, we are not just navigating this semester; we are redefining what's possible and setting the stage for unprecedented achievements. We are also thrilled to announce that Sacramento State has been recognized as a Top 8 University in the West by U.S. News and World Report 2024. This achievement reflects our commitment to academic excellence and the hard work of our faculty, staff, and students.

Our faculty and staff are continuously strengthening the support system for our students, balancing excellence in both teaching and research. They are implementing equitable teaching practices to foster inclusive learning environments while advancing groundbreaking research that enriches the educational experience. This dual focus ensures our students benefit from cutting-edge knowledge and hands-on opportunities, preparing them for future challenges. From innovative coursework to collaborative research projects, we are committed to providing a dynamic environment where all students can excel academically and contribute to meaningful discoveries, setting them up for success in their future careers and as engaged citizens.

Sacramento State: A Record of Rising Achievement

Over the past three years, Sacramento State has demonstrated remarkable progress across key indicators of institutional success. From enrollment growth and improved retention rates to rising graduation rates and expanded research funding, our university has reached new heights in multiple areas. These achievements reflect our unwavering commitment to student success, academic excellence, and innovative growth.

In the face of unprecedented challenges brought on by the global pandemic and significant budget constraints, Academic Affairs has not only persevered but flourished. Our remarkable progress stands as a testament to the resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment of our entire campus community. Despite the obstacles posed by remote learning transitions, health concerns, and financial pressures, we've achieved impressive gains across key performance indicators.

Enrollment Growth: I am pleased to report a positive trend in our enrollment numbers for the Fall 2024 after the Census, reflecting Sacramento State’s continued commitment to providing accessible, high-quality education:

• Total headcount increased by 2.3%, bringing us to 30,893 students.
• Undergraduate enrollment increased by 2.1%, with 28,231 undergraduates.
• Post-baccalaureate enrollment grew by 4.3%, totaling 2,662 students.
• Full-time Equivalent Students (FTES) increased by 2.7%, reaching 26,577.43.
• Average Unit Load (AUL) also saw a slight increase of 0.9%, now at 12.75.

Retention Rates: The retention rate for first-time students in the Fall 2023 cohort is 82.2%, showing a 1.2% increase from the previous year. Similarly, transfer students demonstrate a strong retention rate of 89.5% from the Fall 2023 cohort, marking a 4.1% increase from the prior year.

Graduation Rates: During the last three years (from 2021 to 2024) the 4-year graduation rate for first-time students increased from 25.8% to 31.3%, which is a 21.3% increase. We have achieved our Graduation Initiative 2025 goal of reaching a 30% graduation rate a year ahead of schedule.

DFW Rates: Through targeted programming and initiatives, we have supported efforts across Academic Affairs to advance student success. A key example is the development of the Provosts' College Success Program, which enhanced our students' educational journey by offering up to $70,000 per academic college to boost outreach, recruitment, and retention efforts. The impact of these initiatives is evident in our DFW rates, which have been reduced by 9% from the 2021-2022 to the 2023-2024 academic year. This significant improvement reflects the dedication and adaptability of our faculty in supporting student success, as well as the effectiveness of our strategic interventions.

Advancing Faculty Diversity at Sacramento State

Sacramento State has significantly increased faculty diversity, with underrepresented minority (URM) faculty rising from 14.4% in 2019 to 17.5% in Fall 2024. Academic Affairs has championed initiatives like the Latinx Cluster hire to boost representation among faculty to work towards proportional representation.

Sacramento State Doubles Grant Funding in Just Three Years

In the academic year 2020/21, Sacramento State received $22,673,522 in grants and contracts. Fast forward to the academic year 2023/24, and that amount has nearly doubled, reaching $44,537,400. This significant increase in grant funding reflects our continued commitment to enhancing educational opportunities and supporting innovative projects across campus.

This surge in funding has dramatically increased access for our students to engage in research alongside faculty members. Such collaborative research is a high-impact practice that significantly contributes to student success by providing hands-on experience, fostering critical thinking skills, and preparing students for future careers or graduate studies.

Additionally, a substantial portion of this increased funding returns to Academic Affairs through Indirect Cost Disbursements (IDC), supporting student success initiatives and faculty development. These funds help cover administrative costs and contribute to maintaining our high-quality educational standards.
We commend the Office of Research, Innovation, & Economic Development and University Enterprises, Inc. Sponsored Programs Administration for their exceptional partnership. For more information, please visit the Offices of Research, Innovation & Economic Development here.

While we celebrate significant achievements across key performance indicators, we also recognize persistent challenges. Our data shows impressive gains and adaptability in challenging times.

However, we face a 20% decline in student retention between the first year and the fourth/fifth semesters. In response, Academic Affairs is partnering with the Office of Institutional Research, Effectiveness, and Planning on a targeted retention campaign.

This balanced approach - celebrating successes while addressing areas for improvement - reflects our commitment to continuous enhancement of the student experience at Sacramento State.

Highlights and Achievements

Sustainability and impact reporting in US higher education anchor institutions

In alignment with our mission to promote sustainability and transparency, we are initiating a significant study focused on how higher education anchor institutions (HEIs) voluntarily report their non-economic impacts. The goals of the study are to quantify the ease of public access to non-economic impact information, strengthen the conceptual foundation for HEI impact reporting, and provide guidance on making voluntary disclosures more accessible, comparable, and systematic.

I also extend my sincere thanks to Dr. Roslyn Roberts, Ph.D., CA, from the Department of Accounting, College of Business, for her invaluable support in this important research. You can find the full report here.

Research Highlights

The Research Enhanced Support Grant has contributed to the completion of Ayanna Yonemura, Ph.D.'s second book, Women, Wars, and Public Policies: From Hostile Shores to Storming Seas. This work underscores our faculty’s dedication to impactful research. You can explore her book here: Women, Wars, and Public Policies.

I would also like to sincerely thank Dr. Yonemura from the Ethnic Studies Department, Black Honors College, for her hard work and commitment in bringing this important project to fruition.

Campus Development | Nine Ten Place
We are proud to celebrate the grand opening of our new apartment building for incoming faculty and staff. Not too many institutions offer housing for staff and faculty, and we are doing that because we understand they are our greatest assets. Nine Ten Place is more than just a housing project. It is a testament to our values, our commitment to excellence, and our bold step towards a more vibrant, diverse, and collaborative future for our campus.

Fall 2024 AI Hackathon

Join us for the Fall 2024 AI Hackathon, co-hosted by the Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, ACM Sac State, and the College of ECS. Students are invited to showcase their creativity in AI models and service-oriented applications. Compete individually or in teams of up to five members. The event will be held on October 18th and October 25th at the Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship in Library 1520. For more information, visit here.

Winter 2024 Commencement

President Wood has announced the return of the Winter 2024 Commencement, scheduled for December 14th at Golden 1 Center. The event will include a special "rewind ceremony" for 2020 and 2021 graduates. Fall 2024 graduates are advised to review the Graduates Information and FAQs on the Commencement website for important details. Those with specific questions should contact their academic college's Commencement Coordinator for additional information.

Sacramento State Ranked Top 10 in the Nation for Latine Education Degrees

A report from Excelencia in Education ranks Sacramento State 10th in the nation for awarding undergraduate education degrees to Latine students. As a recognized Hispanic-Serving Institution and two-time recipient of the Seal of Excelencia, Sac State continues to deliver innovative programs and support services that empower Latine students to excel in their academic and professional careers, addressing the growing need for diverse educators.

Sac State Hosts Inaugural AAPI Civic Engagement Summit

On September 18, 2024, Sacramento State hosted a statewide summit focused on empowering the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community politically. Organized by the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs, the summit emphasized the importance of increasing civic engagement and voting participation among AAPI individuals. With over 500 attendees, leaders highlighted the need for stronger representation and involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, and economics. Sac State, a designated AANHPI-serving institution, continues to play a key role in supporting AAPI students and communities.

2025-2026 Scholarship Applications Now Open!

The 2025-2026 Sacramento State Scholarship Application Cycle is officially open from October 1, 2024, to March 2, 2025, at 11:59 P.M. PST. We encourage students to attend a Scholarship Application Workshop to learn more about the application process and improve their chances of success. Visit the full calendar for workshop dates and details.

Don't miss this valuable opportunity to apply.

Sac State’s Prehospital Education Program Celebrates 15 Years

The Prehospital Education Program at Sac State’s College of Continuing Education (CCE) marks 15 years of exceptional training for future EMTs and Paramedics. Recognized as the first and only California State University campus to offer a paramedic program, Sac State continues to enhance the profession, thanks to insights from working Paramedics. As we celebrate this achievement, we look forward to continuing to provide top-notch education and support for our students. For more information, please visit CCE.

Cheryl Johnson | Upcoming Retirement

After 25 years of dedicated service to Sacramento State, Cheryl Johnson, Executive Assistant to the Provost and Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs, will be retiring on December 20, 2024. Cheryl has been an invaluable member of the Provost’s Office since November 2011, working alongside seven Provosts during her tenure. Prior to her role in the Provost’s Office, she contributed ten years of service to the Faculty Senate and two years to Facilities Management.

Cheryl’s commitment and professionalism have significantly impacted our university community. We are incredibly grateful for her years of service and leadership and will truly miss her presence in the office. In retirement, Cheryl plans to enjoy time with her family and pets, travel, and take care of her garden. Cheryl’s legacy will continue to resonate in the Provost's Office, and
we will miss her dearly.

New Degree Programs and certificates/Credentials

We are excited to announce our new degree, certificates, and credential programs. Students now have the opportunity to pursue the following offerings:

Degree Programs:
● BS Health Services Administration
● BS Statistics
● Blended BS-MS Civil Engineering
● MA Ethnic Studies
● MS Psychological Research
● MS Quantitative Economics

Credentials:
● Credential Education Specialist: Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing
● Credential Education Specialist: PK-3rd Early Childhood (currently under review)
● Credential Education Specialist: Reading and Literacy Leadership

Certificates:
● Certificate in Play Theory
● Certificate in Teaching Cyber Security for High Schools

For further information, please visit the Academic Excellence page. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Amy Wallace, Associate Vice President of Academic Excellence, at amy.wallace@csus.edu.

Thank you again for your unwavering commitment to our students, each other, and our community. Here's to a year of growth, innovation, and shared success!

If you have information you think should be included in a future newsletter, please contact Academic Affairs at academicaffairs@csus.edu.

Warmly,
Carlos Nevarez, Ph.D.
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs (Interim)

View Online

CHRS "No Leave Taken" Update

September 9, 2024

Dear Academic Year Faculty Member:

Starting on October 1, 2024, academic year (AY) faculty will begin entering No Leave Taken in the campus Human Resources system (also referred to as “CMS HR”) for the September 2024 pay period and each pay period thereafter. All University employees will then be aligned in utilizing a consistent monthly leave reporting process.

Faculty are currently expected to report sick days, personal holidays, and other types of absences in CMS HR. No Leave Taken reporting is a standard CSU practice, and our campus had deferred the requirement for AY faculty to report No Leave Taken until the implementation of the Common Human Resource System (CHRS). The requirement to also now report No Leave Taken will help us avoid payroll corrections which impact employee pay and create unexpected workload for faculty and staff.

Now that CHRS is on track to launch during Spring semester 2025, our campus notified CFA and determined that universal No Leave Taken reporting should begin. Implementing this change early in the 2024-25 academic year allows AY faculty to adopt this new practice in time to identify any concerns we should address prior to the official launch of CHRS. CHRS will affect the look of our HR system and adopting the No Leave Taken reporting practice beforehand will reduce the demands on faculty and staff associated with the larger transition.

If you have related questions, please contact the Office of Faculty Success in Academic Affairs at vpfs@csus.edu.

Thank you for your support,

Carlos Nevarez
Provost and Vice President, Academic Affairs (Interim)

Rebecca Cameron
CHRS Academic Sponsor
Vice Provost, Faculty Success (Interim)

View Online

Unlock the Future with AI: Enroll in ID 96i-02–College & Career with AI

August 27, 2024

Are you ready to embrace the future and transform your academic and professional journey? Sac State presents ID 96i-02: College and Career with AI, a dynamic 2-unit course designed for high school students in the Sacramento area, current Sac State students, and individuals enrolling through Open University. This course will equip you with https://www.csus.edu/center/ai-in-society/course.html the knowledge and skills to harness the power of Artificial Intelligence in real-world application.

Click on this link or go to the home page (http://sacstate.ai) to learn more.


Sincerely,

Professor Alexander ”Sasha” Sidorkin, Chief AI Officer

View Online

Embracing Growth: A New Academic Year at Sacramento State

August 27, 2024

Dear Sacramento State Community,

As we embark on this new academic year, I'm filled with optimism about the opportunities that lie ahead. Summer has hopefully provided everyone with a chance to recharge, allowing us to return with renewed vigor and fresh perspectives. At the New Student and Family Convocation last week, I was able to celebrate with new students and their loved ones, knowing they have chosen a University with dedicated and caring faculty and staff. UComm captured some great photos at Convocation: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBEryx

Our commitment to student success remains unwavering. We've made significant strides, reducing DFW rates by 9% over the past two years – a testament to our faculty's dedication and adaptability. Our first-year retention rate holds steady at 81%, while our four-year graduation rate has impressively climbed from 21% to 30% in just three years. These achievements underscore our ability to evolve and improve, even in the face of challenges.

Fall 2024 Enrollment Update

We are thrilled to announce another successful enrollment season, marking a significant milestone in our institution's growth and commitment to academic excellence. Our dedicated efforts have paid off, resulting in impressive student numbers across all categories.

As of this past Sunday, our campus headcount stands at 29,875 students, with a Full-Time Equivalent (FTES) of 25,921.5.

• New Undergraduate Transfers: We have welcomed 4,157 new transfer students, with an average unit load (AUL) of 12.83.
• New Undergraduate First Year Students: Our new first year class includes 3,946 students, carrying an average unit load (AUL) of 14.92.
• New Graduate Students: Additionally, 1,132 new graduate students have joined us this fall.

Notably, our California Resident FTES for Fall 2024 have increased by 289 compared to Fall 2023, reflecting our ongoing commitment to expanding access to higher education for students across the state.

While these numbers are certainly cause for celebration, we must not rest on our laurels. It's crucial that we maintain this positive momentum and continue our efforts to attract and retain talented students from diverse backgrounds. Our collective dedication will be key to sustaining this growth trajectory in the coming years. We will continue to see changes for the first couple of weeks during the add-drop period, with final numbers generated at Census.

As we monitor these fluctuations and await our final enrollment figures, we must also turn our attention to the broader financial landscape facing our institution. The current budget crisis demands proactive measures to ensure our continued success and stability. With this in mind, I am calling upon all colleges to adopt a multi-faceted approach that aligns our enrollment and retention strategies with our financial realities.

To help mitigate the budget crisis. I am asking colleges to focus on strategic enrollment growth and optimize resource allocation while prioritizing student retention. On the enrollment front, colleges should invest in targeted marketing for programs, develop cost-effective hybrid and online learning options, and forge partnerships with local industries to attract both traditional and non-traditional students. For resource utilization, the emphasis should be on data-driven decision-making to allocate resources to programs with the highest growth and potential for growth. Implementing shared services models for administrative functions and class scheduling can reduce overhead costs. Integrating focused retention strategies, such as streamlined student support services and early intervention systems, can help maintain enrollment gains. This multi-pronged approach aims to boost FTES through new enrollments and improved persistence, while enhancing operational efficiency.

Our history has shown that we emerge stronger from such situations. With our collective "sí se puede" spirit, we'll transform these challenges into stepping stones for positive change, enhancing our adaptability and relevance in the dynamic landscape of higher education.

As we navigate this period of transformation, let's keep our primary mission in sharp focus: teaching. I encourage our faculty to continue infusing their instruction with cutting-edge research and scholarship. By involving students in research-rich curricula, we engage in a high-impact practice shown to significantly advance student success. This approach not only enhances their learning experience but also contributes to their overall academic achievement and future prospects.

To support our faculty in navigating what may be another "unprecedented" year in higher education, I strongly encourage you to read "A Faculty Survival Guide for the New Academic Year" from The Chronicle of Higher Education. This insightful article offers four valuable approaches to tackle the unique challenges we may face. You can find it here: A Faculty Survival Guide for the New Academic Year (chronicle.com). I believe you'll find it both informative and inspiring as we embark on this new semester together.

Moreover, let's leverage our strength as a community-engaged university. By deepening our impact locally, we position Sacramento State as the top choice for regional students passionate about giving back to their communities.

I urge you to watch President Wood's Fall Address for a comprehensive overview of our current position and future direction. Together, we have the opportunity to achieve remarkable growth and accomplishments in the coming year.

Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our students, each other, and our community. Here's to a year of growth, innovation, and shared success!

Warmly,

Carlos Nevarez, Ph.D.
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs (Interim)

View Online