By Cynthia Hubert

February 13, 2025

Sacramento State has joined a prestigious group of universities across the country that boast a significant commitment to research and scholarly activities.

The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has, for the first time, recognized Sac State for its “high research activity” and number of awarded research doctoral degrees by designating the University as an R2 institution.

The recognition is a point of pride for the University, one that signals its ongoing commitment to scholarly work and that will help it attract and retain top faculty, provide students with valuable research opportunities and impact the larger community.

Research is nothing new at Sac State, which annually is awarded millions of dollars in funding for such projects. But in recent years the University has increased the number of doctoral degrees necessary to earn the coveted Carnegie designation.

“In many ways, the R2 designation is a natural progression for us,” said Lisa Hammersley, interim associate vice president for Research, Innovation, and Economic Development.

“This is recognition of the level of scholarship that our faculty has engaged in for quite some time,” she said. “I’m very excited about the designation.”

President Luke Wood said the recognition marks a “pivotal moment” for the University.

“It’s a testament to the exceptional work of our faculty, students and staff who have taken our research and creative activities to new heights,” he said. “Their dedication to engaging in critical research focused on solving real-world problems and to creating new knowledge has transformed our campus into a hub of innovation and discovery.”

Carnegie classifies academic institutions as either R1, R2, or “Research Colleges and Universities” to illuminate the depth of their research footprints and resources.

“We already have been recognized as a high-quality teaching institution. Our graduation rates have increased. We have a diverse student body with great support programs. We are a caring institution that supports mental health and wellness. Now we are being recognized for our research, which we really have been doing all along.”

-- Lisa Hammersley, interim associate vice president for Research, Innovation, and Economic Development

Sac State has been classified in the R2 category, putting it among institutions that spend at least $5 million on research and development and produce at least 20 research doctorates in a single year.

In fiscal year 2023, Sac State received $28 million in research funding and awarded 26 research doctorates. The University joins 138 other institutions, including 16 in California, that have achieved R2 status.

R1 institutions are those that spend at least $50 million on research and development and produce at least 70 research doctorates each year. The third category, where Sac State previously resided, focuses solely on research activity.

Even as it celebrates the milestone, however, Sac State will continue to prioritize teaching.

“We already have been recognized as a high-quality teaching institution,” Hammersley said. “Our graduation rates have increased. We have a diverse student body with great support programs. We are a caring institution that supports mental health and wellness. Now we are being recognized for our research, which we really have been doing all along.”

“It’s all part of the student success story.”

Students play an active role in many research programs at the University, allowing them to build their resumes while working on meaningful projects that benefit the region and beyond.

Among many examples, Chemistry Professor Katherine McReynolds and her students study agents capable of slowing the spread of deadly viruses. In collaboration with UC Davis, graduate students in Biology are studying stem cells and their potential to treat and cure devastating illnesses including cancer. Psychology students led by Professor Erin Rose Ellison are working with elementary school children to research ideas for improving a creek that runs behind their campus.

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The ability to engage in high-impact research at an institution that still prioritizes teaching can be attractive to prospective students who are considering where to attend college.

“The R2 designation beautifully complements Sacramento State’s longstanding reputation for teaching excellence,” said Carlos Nevarez, interim provost and vice president of Academic Affairs.

“When our faculty engage in high-level research, it enriches the learning experience for our students – from undergraduates working alongside professors in laboratories to doctoral candidates developing groundbreaking research of their own. This synergy between teaching and scholarship creates a dynamic learning environment where students don’t just learn about discoveries; they help make them.”

The designation is a catalyst for advancing Sac State’s fundamental commitments to student success; diversity, equity and inclusion; innovation, and wellness, Nevarez said. Practically speaking, he added, it opens doors to expanded funding opportunities, enhanced industry partnerships and deeper community engagement.

“This recognition will expand opportunities for our diverse student population to engage in meaningful research that addresses real community challenges,” he said. “It strengthens our ability to support innovative research that promotes health equity, social justice and community well-being.

“Most importantly, it will help us create more inclusive pathways into research careers, ensuring that tomorrow’s researchers and innovators will reflect the rich diversity of California.”

To learn more about the latest grant-supported research projects at Sacramento State, visit our webpage.