Fisher joins CSUSM at an important moment in the university’s fundraising efforts, as it advances its ambitious “Blueprint for the Future” fundraising campaign. The $200 million campaign has reached 87% of its goal, reflecting the extraordinary momentum of faculty and staff grants, as well as the generosity of CSUSM’s alumni, donors and community partners, positioning the university for an exciting next chapter of growth and impact. 

Fisher joins CSUSM from the University of Arizona, where she served in various development roles since 2019. Most recently, she spent nearly four years as vice president of development, leading centralized and college-embedded advancement teams supporting a broad portfolio of academic and university programs. She brings more than 25 years of leadership experience spanning higher education philanthropy, nonprofit management and community service. 

“I am overjoyed by the opportunity to join President Neufeldt and the CSUSM team,” Fisher said. “As a first-generation college student myself, student success and social mobility connect deeply to every chapter of my life, and it will be an honor to lead advancement at this amazing university.” 

As VP of development at Arizona, Fisher partnered with donors, faculty and university leaders to advance philanthropic initiatives supporting student success, research innovation and community engagement. She led development teams across multiple colleges and university programs, while cultivating and stewarding a portfolio of major and principal gift donors. She also played an integral role in planning and executing the university’s current multibillion-dollar fundraising campaign. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Andy to CSUSM at such an important time in the university’s history,” CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said. “Her experience as a successful advancement leader, combined with her background as a nonprofit CEO and her deep commitment to student success, makes her an exceptional addition to our leadership team. Andy understands the transformative power of education personally and professionally, and I look forward to partnering with her as we continue building the philanthropic support necessary to advance our university’s vision and create even greater opportunities for our students.” 

Before her career in higher education philanthropy, Fisher spent nearly 25 years in the nonprofit sector, culminating in her role as CEO of the Centre County Youth Service Bureau in central Pennsylvania. She led an organization with more than 90 employees and 14 programs serving children, youth and families across eight sites. During her tenure, she helped expand the organization’s private giving and donor retention efforts and worked closely with community organizations, government leaders and elected officials on issues affecting children and families. 

Fisher said her experience working directly with families and communities continues to shape her approach to philanthropy. 

“I know firsthand the difference that opportunity and support can make in a person’s life,” Fisher said. “I am especially drawn to CSUSM because of its extraordinary commitment to social mobility and its focus on helping students achieve their dreams. I look forward to building strong relationships with our alumni, donors, Foundation Board, campus community and regional partners to help advance that mission.” 

In her new role, Fisher will lead CSUSM’s University Advancement division, including development, alumni engagement, events and conference services, government relations and advancement operations. She will work closely with Neufeldt, university leadership and the CSUSM Foundation Board to strengthen philanthropic partnerships and support the university’s strategic priorities. 

Fisher holds a master’s degree in criminal justice from Shippensburg University and a bachelor’s in administration of justice from Penn State University. She began her career in human services after being hired in 1994 to implement a federally funded residential program for homeless youth. 

Fisher’s appointment marks the next chapter in CSUSM’s efforts to build upon its strong foundation of philanthropic and community support and expand opportunities for students and the region. She will begin her new role at CSUSM later this month. 

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Over the past 12 months, Cal State San Marcos celebrated several fundraising milestones.

Last fall, the university publicly launched Blueprint for the Future, an ambitious campaign to raise $200 million in philanthropy and research funding. Today, the campaign has reached 84% of its goal thanks to the generosity of donors, alumni and community partners.

CSUSM also recorded its second-highest fundraising year in campus history, reflecting a growing culture of philanthropy across the university.

"Every gift creates a new opportunity for a CSUSM student," CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said. "Our donors believe in the potential of our students and the power of higher education to change lives and strengthen our region’s economic prosperity. Their generosity is creating opportunities for social mobility today while shaping the future of our university for generations to come."

Building the Future of Engineering

The largest gift of the 2025-26 academic year, $10 million from Hunter Industries, ranks among the largest philanthropic contributions in university history. The investment builds on a decades-long partnership between the university and the Hunter family and will support the future Hunter Hall of Science and Engineering.

Opening in spring 2028, the 70,000-square-foot, three-story facility will feature advanced laboratories, a robotics suite and collaborative learning spaces designed to prepare students for careers in engineering and advanced technology.

Hunter Hall will expand CSUSM's engineering capacity, increasing enrollment from approximately 500 to nearly 2,000 students while enabling the launch of a new industrial and systems engineering program.

Leading the Nation in Social Mobility

Backed by $3 million in philanthropic support, the university will become home to the CSU National Center for Social Mobility, a hub for research, innovation and collaboration that will share evidence-based practices across all 22 CSU campuses and beyond.

The center builds on CSUSM's longstanding commitment to expanding opportunity. Earlier this year, CSUSM was ranked No. 1 in the nation for social mobility for the second time in four years by the CollegeNET Social Mobility Index.

Stewarding Donor Investments

The university also celebrated the continued growth of its endowment. This year, CSUSM earned systemwide recognition for investment performance, achieving the highest five-year rate of return among CSU campuses, tying for the top one-year return and ranking second in 10-year performance.

Fueling Research and Innovation

Faculty research is also advancing Blueprint for the Future. Physics professor Justin Perron is leading a three-year, federally funded initiative to give undergraduates hands-on training in quantum information science and technology. Additional funding is supporting research in mathematics, biology, mental health and public health.

Record-Breaking Giving Day

The momentum behind Blueprint for the Future extends far beyond transformational gifts. It is powered by thousands of alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends who believe in the promise of CSUSM.

That collective generosity was on full display during the university's most successful Giving Day to date. In just 24 hours, supporters contributed $828,397 through 2,444 gifts, setting a new university record. Alumni also continue to play an increasingly important role in the campaign, now representing 32% of all Blueprint for the Future donors.

A new building. A national center. Thousands of lives transformed. That's the vision behind Blueprint for the Future, and every gift brings CSUSM closer to reaching the goal to raise $200 million in philanthropy and research funding.

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

“You need to find something to stay active,” Tony said.

He picked up gardening, building raised beds as his first woodworking project since his youth.

“They were a little rough,” he said with a laugh, but now they harvest baskets of potatoes, carrots, onions, snap peas and more.

Even seeds that accidentally fell to the ground took root, turning into tomato vines. The Jacksons’ Fallbrook home also has avocado, citrus and pomegranate trees, along with native plants that Sue carefully manages.

It’s a fitting next chapter for a couple who always has put in the work.

Retirement also gave the Jacksons more time for philanthropy.

Tony first visited Cal State San Marcos in 2011, and one thing stood out to him immediately: a dedicated office for student veterans.

“That was impressive,” he said, “to see resources for a group with unique experiences.”

This would motivate him to serve on the CSUSM Foundation Board for 13 years.

Today, he and Sue continue to support student veterans through the Major General Anthony L. Jackson Veterans Endowed Scholarship. They also support ACE Scholars Services and men’s and women’s basketball.

Using QCDs Instead of Cash to Support Students

The Jacksons’ approach to giving recently evolved.

Tony had heard of qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) from individual retirement accounts (IRAs), but he didn’t take advantage of the strategy until last year.

“We love what CSUSM is doing and knew we were going to give,” he said. “QCDs were just the wisest way to do it.”

A QCD allows individuals age 70½ or older to make a distribution from their IRA directly to a nonprofit like the CSUSM Foundation. The distribution counts toward any required minimum distribution (RMD) but doesn’t count as income, thus avoiding income tax. That can help lower overall tax liability, reduce Medicare premiums and avoid certain income-based phaseouts. Individuals can give up to $111,000 per year this way, even if their RMD is lower.

Still, for the Jacksons, the strategy is secondary.

“I remember what it was like to be a struggling student,” Tony said.

As a former student-athlete on scholarship at San Jose State, he knows personally what a difference philanthropy can make.

“Sue and I have more than we need,” he said. “How can we share that and help the generations behind us? It’s the right thing to do.”

For the Jacksons, giving to CSUSM is about more than tax efficiency. It’s about investing in students, strengthening the community they’ve long called home and continuing a lifetime of service.

Interested in QCDs?

For information on QCDs and other tax-smart ways to give, contact P. Vien Walker, director of planned giving, at 760-750-8138 or vwalker@csusm.edu, or visit plannedgiving.csusm.edu.

Every contribution to CSUSM brings the university closer to its Blueprint for the Future campaign goal to raise $200 million in philanthropy and research funding.

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

Topping-out ceremonies are a long-standing construction tradition, typically marked by the signing of the final structural beam before it is lifted into place. At CSUSM, the moment carried deeper meaning, as it honored the university’s commitment to building new and accessible pathways for students in the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (CSTEM).

“I feel a deep sense of gratitude for the momentum that brought us to this point,” CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said. “This facility is social mobility in action. It’s about providing access for students, many of whom are the first in their families to go to college, stepping into fields that are shaping the future.”

Built for Growth

Opening in fall 2027, Hunter Hall represents a significant investment in CSUSM’s trajectory as one of the fastest-growing campuses in the California State University system. Once complete, the approximately 70,000-square-foot, three-story facility will feature state-of-the-art laboratories, a robotics suite and collaborative learning spaces designed to meet the region's increasing demand for engineering talent.

Hunter Hall will allow CSUSM to expand engineering enrollment from 500 to nearly 2,000 students and launch a new program in industrial and systems engineering, building on existing offerings in electrical, software and computer engineering.

The expansion comes at a critical time for San Diego, one of the nation's fastest-growing technology and innovation hubs, where the need for skilled engineers continues to outpace supply. With eight in 10 CSUSM graduates remaining in the region after graduation, Hunter Hall is positioned to directly strengthen the local workforce pipeline.

A Transformational Gift

The project has been made possible in part by a transformational $10 million gift from Hunter Industries, one of the largest contributions in university history.

“It’s an exciting moment to see this building coming to fruition,” said Greg Hunter, CEO of Hunter Industries. “We’re proud to support a project that will have both a lasting impact on students and be a source of talent in our community.”

The gift has helped propel CSUSM's Blueprint for the Future fundraising campaign to 82% of its $200 million goal, underscoring broad support for a university dedicated to student success, social mobility and community engagement.

“Hunter Hall creates the conditions for the kind of collaboration our students will experience in their careers,” said Jackie Trischman, dean of CSTEM. “We’re grateful to Hunter Industries and other partners for making this possible and for helping us prepare our students to contribute to innovation across our region.”

For more information on funding and naming opportunities for Hunter Hall, contact Mike Helé, director of philanthropy, at 760-750-8401 or mhele@csusm.edu.

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

Few would guess that he is the CEO of Hunter Industries, a global organization and the largest private employer in San Marcos – or that the company is also a longtime philanthropic partner to CSUSM and is recognized on the campus founders’ seal.

To them, he’s just Greg, a student who slips into class with the ease that comes from sharing four semesters with his classmates.

“Greg is effortlessly humble, which is so refreshing,” fellow student Travis Bourdon said. “We knew he was a professional but had no idea of the scope. He fits right in, has made friends and encourages us to think about complex concepts differently.”

A lifelong learner and Cornell University graduate, Hunter enrolled at CSUSM to challenge himself and strengthen his analytical skills. But the experience quickly became something more as he found himself inspired and motivated by the students around him.

“Their grit, backgrounds and excellence impress me, as does the passion and engagement of the faculty,” Hunter said. “CSUSM is a special place with a clear commitment to advancing social mobility and student success across the region. It means a great deal to continue my family’s legacy of support.”

This experience, combined with the family’s longstanding commitment to CSUSM, inspired a transformational $10 million gift to fund a new STEM facility. Recently approved by the CSU Board of Trustees, the building will be named Hunter Hall of Science and Engineering and is scheduled to open in fall 2027. Hunter Hall will boost engineering enrollment from 500 to nearly 2,000 students, strengthen the region’s workforce pipeline and support economic growth.

“We are deeply grateful to the Hunter family and Hunter Industries for this extraordinary gift,” President Ellen Neufeldt said. “Greg’s experience in the classroom gives him a unique perspective on our students, many of whom are the first in their families to graduate from college. Hunter Hall will be a landmark addition to campus, providing state-of-the-art STEM facilities, fueling regional innovation and strengthening pathways for future graduates.”

The Hunter family has helped shape CSUSM’s history for three generations – including Greg’s grandparents, parents and aunt, Ann Hunter-Wellborn, who served on CSUSM's University Council before the campus was founded and has continued to advocate for many student success programs. Over the years, Hunter Industries has supported several pivotal projects, including the Clarke Field House, University Student Union, Hunter Design Lab and state-of-the-art physics laboratories. The company also provides internships, mentorship and faculty support, and employs many CSUSM alumni.

As for balancing coursework and running a global company, Greg approaches his studies with the same focus and dedication that define his leadership.

“Greg is an exceptional student,” mathematics professor Hanson Smith said. “He even makes time for office hours, which is remarkable for someone who is also a CEO. Students are typically career-focused. Greg already has an extraordinary career, yet he’s here because he loves learning, which is likely what makes him such an effective leader.”

With the Hunter gift, CSUSM’s “Blueprint for the Future” campaign – the university’s most ambitious fundraising effort – has raised nearly 80% of its $200 million goal. The campaign reflects the university’s continued growth and its commitment to advancing social mobility across the region. Explore Blueprint for the Future to see how CSUSM is different by design.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

The total raised on Dec. 2 was $80,000 more than the previous record set last year.

Giving Day is part of Giving Tuesday, an international day focused on philanthropy.

The Giving Day highlights included:

• A number of matches were met, including $200,000 from the Epstein family, $10,000 from SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, $5,000 from North City and more than $100,000 in individual area frontline matches, benefiting 132 campus programs.
• 56 ambassadors brought in 329 gifts.
• Students made 318 gifts.
• Nearly one in five gifts came from alumni, who supported 119 programs, departments, colleges or scholarships.

Every gift counts toward the university’s “Blueprint for the Future” fundraising campaign, the largest in CSUSM’s history. The campaign’s theme reflects both the physical growth on campus and the forward momentum building at CSUSM as one of the CSU system’s fastest-growing campuses. Founded in 1989, CSUSM serves 17,000 students and is proud to be ranked No. 1 in the nation for advancing social mobility.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

“We never heard about people going to college,” said Barrera, who earned a bachelor's degree in human development in 2018 and a master's in public health in 2024. “If it weren’t for Upward Bound, I wouldn’t have known it was a possibility for me.”

Through Upward Bound, a program that helps low-income and first-generation high school students prepare for college, Barrera received academic support, mentoring and help with applications.  

When Barrera arrived at Cal State San Marcos, she discovered a community that was both welcoming and unfamiliar.

“I met an international student for the first time," she said. "Back home, everyone is Hispanic. It was so interesting to be in a place that celebrated diversity. The campus and the student life centers showed me that there’s a place for everyone.” 

After earning her bachelor’s, Barrera began working in health-related fields and discovered a passion for research. Returning to CSUSM for her master's helped her refine that passion and find belonging.

“That’s when I really felt seen as a Mexican-American researcher,” Barrera said.

Receiving a scholarship from the CSUSM Alumni Association was another milestone.

“The money was helpful, but more importantly, being selected was super validating,” she said.

Today, Barrera works at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash., and hopes to pursue a doctorate in public health. As an employee benefit, she was able to create a will and decided to include a $10,000 scholarship for public health students at CSUSM.

“Making a will was so easy, a lot easier than I thought, and I’m extremely grateful to be in this position to give back,” Barrera said.

Supporting students like her and the public health field is at the heart of Barrera's motivation to give. Asked what she’d tell future recipients of her scholarship, she doesn’t hesitate.

“You received this scholarship for a reason," she said. "There are people out there who see your potential and have invested in it. Lean into that and trust your capabilities to do incredible things. Keep going!”

How You Can Support Future Students in Your Estate Plan

Barrera’s story is a powerful example of how anyone, at any age, can help future students thrive.

Gifts in estate plans – through wills, trusts or retirement accounts – can be changed by the donor at any time, and there are many possible planned giving options to suit your needs. Gifts at all levels make a difference for students.

“I want young people to know it’s easier than they think,” Barrera said. “Even with modest assets, you can still set up a planned gift. You don’t have to wait until later in life.”

To learn more about planned gifts, contact P. Vien Walker, director of planned giving, at 760-750-8138 or vwalker@csusm.edu, or visit plannedgiving.csusm.edu.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

“On top of training up to three hours a day, my major in algorithmic mathematics is very demanding and leaves little time to hold a job,” McGregor said. “I’m grateful for Brooks and Marion Reid’s support and hope to pay it forward someday, especially in math or athletics.”

McGregor's appreciation of the Reids comes from being the recipient of both the Reid Athletic Scholarship and the K. Brooks and Marion Reid Student Achievement Award in Discrete Mathematics. These scholarships are just two of the many ways that the Reids have contributed to Cal State San Marcos over the years.

Founding faculty members Brooks and Marion Reid have been champions of student success since CSUSM’s earliest days. Brooks, a mathematics professor emeritus, and Marion, the university’s founding dean of Kellogg Library and now dean emerita, have contributed to initiatives across campus, from academics and research to athletics. Brooks serves on the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (CSTEM) Advisory Council, staying connected to students like McGregor.

"It was exciting to be part of CSUSM from the very beginning,” the Reids said. “The library and mathematics have always been close to our hearts, and we’re proud of how the university has flourished over the years. We had fulfilling careers here, and giving back is a way to honor that legacy and help future generations thrive.”

In addition to scholarships and mathematics awards, the couple supports the annual Reid Lecture Series, which invites the campus and local community to experience the beauty of mathematics through continued support for programs like the Mathematical Association of America Institutional Membership, the Putnam Mathematics Competition and the San Marcos Informal Mathematics Colloquium.

Thanks to the generosity of donors like Brooks and Marion Reid, CSUSM students have the resources to thrive both academically and personally. Their gifts also contribute to the university’s $200 million “Blueprint for the Future” campaign.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Pack’s path to CSUSM wasn’t straightforward. After beginning his higher-education journey at the U.S. Air Force Academy and transferring to another university, he eventually found his home at San Marcos, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1997. He often credited a CSUSM economics professor with transforming his academic trajectory and helping set the foundation for his career. 

Professionally, Pack rose to become co-CEO of Fortress Investment Group, one of the world’s leading investment firms. Over more than two decades, he built a reputation as a leader in credit and real estate investing, overseeing billions of dollars in assets and guiding teams through complex financial markets. 

Pack’s connection to CSUSM remained strong long after graduation. He gave his time and expertise as a member of the CSUSM Foundation Board from 2011-16, including service on the Fundraising Committee, where his vision helped strengthen the university’s philanthropic efforts. He also supported the Finance Society by offering real-world insights to students preparing for their own careers. 

Pack’s passion for serving veterans was rooted in his upbringing as the son of Lt. Col. A.J. Pack, a U.S. Marine Corps officer who served for 22 years. Like Josh, Lt. Col. Pack served as a director of the CSUSM Foundation Board (2015-21). In his father’s honor, Josh established the Lt. Col. A.J. Pack Veterans Scholarship at CSUSM, supporting military-affiliated students in pursuing their educational and career goals. 

He also championed the creation of a veterans and military center on campus, which broke ground in 2013, calling the work “enormously gratifying for me and my family.” In 2014, he partnered with the Veterans Center and Associated Students, Inc., to host the campus premiere of “The Hornet’s Nest,” a documentary about American troops in Afghanistan. The event included a post-screening Q&A with military units and filmmakers, underscoring his belief in the importance of recognizing and supporting student veterans. 

In 2021, Pack reflected on his connection to CSUSM in an article on the Fortress website, noting how meaningful it was to help create a leading center for veterans and active-duty service members at the university. 

“The CSUSM veterans community has earned not just our thanks, but our commitment to support their dreams,” he said. 

Pack will be remembered for the generosity he showed to his alma mater and to the veteran community that meant so much to him. Through the Lt. Col. A.J. Pack Veterans Scholarship, his support of campus programs and his advocacy for military-connected students, he built a legacy of service that will continue to impact lives for years to come. 

Pack is survived by his wife and their four children. 

“Josh was a true partner in our mission of student success,” CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said. “He had an unwavering belief in the power of education, and he never forgot where he came from. His impact on our students, and especially our student veterans, will endure for generations, and we will carry forward his spirit of service with gratitude.” 

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Pending approval by the California State University Board of Trustees, the ISE Building will be named in honor of Hunter Industries, a San Marcos-based leading global manufacturer of products for landscape irrigation and lighting, dispensing technologies, and custom manufacturing since 1981. Construction began with a groundbreaking in July, and the building is scheduled to open to students by fall 2027. It will be funded through a combination of CSU systemwide funding and external contributions.

The ISE Building is critical to meet the growing demand for STEM education in San Diego County and Southern California, where regional industry needs have outpaced the production of qualified engineers and scientists. The building will allow the university to expand its enrollment of students in engineering disciplines from 500 to nearly 2,000.

CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt revealed the donation on Friday, the same day that the university publicly announced its $200 million “Blueprint for the Future” campaign, the most ambitious fundraising effort in its history.

“This gift represents an extraordinary investment in the future of our region,” Neufeldt said. “Hunter Industries has been part of CSUSM’s story since our very beginning, growing as we grew, believing in our mission and sharing a vision for the future. I truly cannot imagine a better partner to walk alongside us in this next chapter. This will have such a great impact for our campus and region – opening doors to higher education and preparing the next generation of highly skilled engineers and scientists.”

“An educated workforce is the foundation of a thriving economy,” said Greg Hunter, CEO of Hunter Industries. “We are proud to deepen our partnership with CSUSM and invest in a facility that will empower students, strengthen our community and drive innovation for decades to come.”

Long a visionary philanthropic partner of CSUSM, Hunter Industries is included on the campus founder's seal listing original donors from the school’s early years. The company has supported CSUSM through pivotal growth projects, including capital and programmatic contributions toward areas such as the College of Business Administration, University Student Union and the Clarke Field House.

Hunter Industries has championed CSUSM’s STEM programs, contributing to the creation of the Hunter Design Lab in the Viasat Engineering Pavilion, funding state-of-the-art physics laboratories and providing internships, mentorship and faculty support through its software development division. Today, Hunter is a model of corporate partnership in higher education and the largest private employer in San Marcos, employing many CSUSM alumni and interns.

With Hunter Industries’ gift, CSUSM’s “Blueprint for the Future” campaign is more than 70% of the way toward the $200 million goal. The campaign’s theme reflects both the physical growth on campus and the forward momentum building at CSUSM as one of the CSU system’s fastest-growing campuses. Founded in 1989, CSUSM serves 17,000 students and is proud to be ranked in the top 1% nationally for advancing social mobility. To learn more about “Blueprint for the Future,” visit the campaign website.

About Hunter Industries

Headquartered in San Marcos, Hunter Industries is a leading global manufacturer of products for landscape irrigation and lighting, dispensing technologies, and custom manufacturing. Founded in 1981, the family-owned company offers thousands of products, including a full range of water- and energy-efficient solutions for residential, commercial, municipal, agricultural and golf course applications. Hunter’s core mission remains unchanged: to deliver valued products and services backed by unwavering customer support. Learn more at hunter.global.

CSUSM officially launched its “Blueprint for the Future” campaign on Sept. 19. It’s an effort that combines philanthropy with grants and research funding. The campaign’s theme reflects both the physical growth on campus and the forward momentum building at CSUSM. 

To underscore this momentum, CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt launched the campaign with the announcement of a transformational $10 million philanthropic investment from Hunter Industries to support the construction of CSUSM’s new Integrated Science and Engineering (ISE) Building. This ranks among the largest philanthropic gifts in CSUSM’s history – joining landmark contributions from Price Philanthropies and the Epstein Family Foundation at the same level.

“The ‘Blueprint for the Future’ campaign is our commitment to reimagining what’s possible in higher education,” Neufeldt said. “We are a university that is different by design, which means we are truly intentional about how we meet our mission of student success. This campaign is more than a call to give – it’s a call to transform lives, uplift families and power the future of our region.”  

Building on a strong foundation of student success, career readiness and community impact, “Blueprint for the Future” is guided by three pillars:  

• Innovate – driving bold ideas and solutions that expand opportunity.  
• Accelerate – advancing student success and creating lasting impact. 
• Cultivate – strengthening community connections and pathways from education into careers.  

“What excites me most about CSUSM is how innovation here directly translates into workforce opportunity,” said Simon Kuo, chair of the CSUSM Foundation Board and vice president of corporate quality at Viasat. “The ‘Blueprint for the Future’ campaign is about fueling new ideas and building the pipeline of talent our region needs to thrive – from health care and technology to education and the arts.”  

With more than 70% of the goal raised at the time of the public launch in September, “Blueprint for the Future” is off to a strong start. Thanks to philanthropic gifts and research funding, CSUSM has been able to:  

• Launch the Scholars in Wellness and Innovation Fast-Track (SWIFT) Health Programs, a unique accelerated three-year degree with dual enrollment starting in high school.  
• Break ground on the new ISE Building, expanding STEM programs and increasing enrollment capacity.  
• Significantly grow the endowment to support the work of the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center (CICSC).  
• Advance research in areas such as quantum information science and technology, further develop undergraduate STEM education and expand workforce development through the Veterans to Naval Careers program.  
• Strengthen the work of the CSU Shiley Haynes Institute for Palliative Care by expanding to other CSU campuses. 

Discover how you can be part of CSUSM’s historic “Blueprint for the Future” campaign. 

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Martinez Mendez contended with social anxiety herself as a teen, and she was eager to ensure that her younger siblings knew there were resources and support systems to help if they faced similar challenges.

“I was like their second mother, especially with my sister,” Martinez Mendez said. “It made me think, ‘How can I implement and help with mental health and related issues?’ Because growing up, I never really had the support system.”

Martinez Mendez arrived at Cal State San Marcos initially planning to major in psychology and work toward becoming a clinical psychologist or family therapist. But working at Student Health & Counseling Services (SHCS) inspired her to pursue a slightly different path.

Martinez Mendez spent two years during her undergraduate studies working in CSUSM’s HOPE & Wellness Center as a peer educator. The experience was life-changing, inspiring Martinez Mendez to pursue a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree at CSUSM after she graduated last May as a double major in child and adolescent development and Spanish.

“I realized that I love doing more community outreach than working one on one,” she said.

The HOPE & Wellness Center is among several groups on campus devoted to providing mental health services for CSUSM students. Last year, the university received a $250,000 grant from the Conrad Prebys Foundation to advance those services, part of a larger $6 million investment by the Prebys Foundation in grants to 23 local organizations. 

The Prebys Foundation’s funding helped CSUSM launch a mental health intervention program called the Community of Care that brings together the Cougar Care Network, SHCS and the Crisis Response Team. The grant also served as a catalyst for additional philanthropic support, including funding from the San Diego Foundation’s mental health program for MSW interns and a matching contribution from the Epstein Family Foundation.

 The Community of Care’s efforts to decrease mental health challenges and crises for students include the following strategies: 

• Providing counseling through SHCS for students seeking mental health support. 
• Providing basic needs resources and expanding mental health referral support through Cougar Care Network and its mobile Care Cart. 
• Providing response to time-sensitive mental health crises on campus. 

Martinez Mendez is part of those efforts as a MSW graduate assistant this year for the HOPE & Wellness Center. She works closely with Cathy Nguyen, the coordinator of health promotion and a senior health educator, and Rosa Hunt, a health educator.

Martinez Mendez became more interested in social work through her undergraduate work with psychology professor Aleksandria Grabow. It was Grabow who taught her about the many different areas that social work touches. A self-described introvert, Martinez Mendez also credits psychology professor Kimberly Vanderbilt for helping her grow and become more comfortable working with families.

As a MSW student, Martinez Mendez attends classes two days a week while working 20 hours a week at schools in San Marcos Unified School District to earn her pupil personnel services credential, which authorizes individuals to work as school counselors, school psychologists or school social workers.

It’s all part of her goal of becoming a school social worker or therapist to continue advocating for mental health for school-aged children.

Visit the Student Health & Counseling Services website to learn about free mental health first aid trainings. SHCS will host the “Suicide Awareness Walk and Candlelight Vigil”  on Sept. 25 at 5 p.m. Learn more about other upcoming events to support mental health on the SHCS events calendar.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

“We are thrilled to welcome Michelle to CSUSM,” CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said. “Her depth of experience and collaborative leadership style will be instrumental as we launch the biggest fundraising campaign in the university’s history and continue to build on the strong foundation.”

Clark brings more than 30 years of experience in philanthropy advising, nonprofit management and fundraising strategy. She has led development programs at institutions including Caltech, UC San Francisco, Emory University, USC and The Music Center.

During her career, Clark has contributed to more than $500 million in philanthropic gifts supporting higher education, scientific research, health equity and the arts. She has served in executive roles, advised presidents and provosts, and built high-performing teams. Her expertise includes planning and executing multibillion-dollar campaigns, navigating public-private partnerships, and shaping academic and community programs.

“I’m honored to join CSUSM at such a pivotal moment in its journey,” Clark said. “The campaign represents a bold vision for the university, and I’m delighted to partner with President Neufeldt, the advancement team, the Foundation Board and the entire campus community to help bring that vision to life." 

Clark also has a strong track record of working with fiduciary and fundraising boards, supporting governance, development and marketing committees. As a consultant and interim leader, she partners with universities, nonprofits and philanthropic advisory organizations to elevate strategy, optimize operations and drive results.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in art history and a certificate in management effectiveness from USC.

Clark will serve in an interim capacity while CSUSM continues to advance its fundraising and engagement efforts. A national search for a permanent vice president of advancement will begin this fall.

In partnership with CCAE Theatricals, CSUSM’s College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences (CHABSS) launched Pathways to Purpose, a career readiness program that provides structured, paid internships for students in arts education and theater arts. Future educators gain experience designing curriculum and teaching in Escondido elementary schools, while theater students gain an introduction to administration, performance opportunities and invaluable production experience through set design, prop creation and behind-the-scenes work on live performances. 

“While there are clear career paths in fields like nursing or business, the pathway for liberal arts students may not seem as obvious at first glance,” CHABSS Dean Liora Gubkin said. “For our students, especially those who are first-generation, paid internships open doors to opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.” 

More than half of CSUSM students are the first in their families to attend college, often balancing academics with multiple jobs. For liberal arts students, especially those drawn to nonprofit and public-sector work, most internships are unpaid. Pathways to Purpose helps level the playing field by reducing financial barriers and offering real-world experience. Research shows that students who complete internships are more likely to graduate on time, secure employment and earn higher wages. And with eight out of 10 CSUSM graduates staying local, the program also strengthens the region’s cultural and educational landscape. 

“We’re proud to support CSUSM’s Pathways to Purpose program, which reflects the university’s commitment to student success,” said Joe Bowe, president of the David T. and Dorris E. Staples Foundation. “By combining paid internships, mentorship and career skills training, the program prepares students for meaningful careers in the arts and education while strengthening the local workforce.”

The Staples Foundation’s support builds on a longstanding relationship with CSUSM. Over the years, the foundation has contributed nearly $500,000 to programs such as the Alliance to Accelerate Excellence in Education, the ASI Cougar Pantry, the School of Education and the university’s All-Steinway School designation – a tribute to co-founder Dorris Staples’ love of music. 

“We’re immensely grateful to the Staples Foundation and thrilled to collaborate with CSUSM,” said Julianna Crespo, executive director of CCAE Theatricals. “The arts are essential to building vibrant communities. Partnering with CSUSM to provide students with real-world experience ensures that the next generation of artists and educators can thrive and make a lasting impact.” 

With Pathways to Purpose, the Staples Foundation is helping shape the future of the arts at CSUSM, providing students with the resources they need to transform their passions into purpose-driven careers that will benefit our region for years to come. 

“Our vision is to expand this program across all liberal arts disciplines, giving every student a chance to apply their education in real-world settings,” Gubkin said. 

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

That upbringing made it especially meaningful to Berger when she was hired to be Cal State San Marcos’ vice president of University Advancement in 2021. Berger brought extensive higher education experience from Harvey Mudd College, a private liberal arts school about 90 miles north of San Marcos. But as a first-generation college graduate herself, it resonated deeply with Berger seeing CSUSM’s commitment to social mobility and knowing that more than half of its graduates are, like her, the first in their families to earn a college degree. 

“I have so much gratitude to my parents,” Berger said. “They gave me the opportunity to do something that they didn't have the chance to do. My dad passed away last year, and I was able to establish a scholarship in their name that supports first-generation students. My parents’ support is really embedded in me, and to be able to give back in that way to students who were like me, it means the world. 

“It’s so special to be a part of a place where you get to see the dreams of our students and how those dreams are able to come to life because of the work of all the people here.” 

Those moments are what make this such a bittersweet time for Berger. She will start a new chapter in her life later this month as the executive vice president and chief advancement officer at Chapman University in Orange County. Berger’s last day at CSUSM will be July 24. An interim vice president of University Advancement is expected to be announced in the coming weeks. 

“It is bittersweet, because I love this place,” Berger said. “I love the people and it's been such a privilege and honor to be a part of this university.” 

Berger credits success and achievements during her tenure to the meaningful collaboration with the CSUSM community and partners to dream big and create transformational pathways for the future.  

At CSUSM, Berger’s leadership has been defined by vision, integrity and a strong belief in the power of philanthropy to change lives. 

Over the last four years, University Advancement surpassed goals every year, raised the highest amount of funds in a single evening at the Blue & Silver fundraising dinner, broke CSUSM Giving Day records, and headed efforts to raise private support through philanthropy and government agencies toward the first state-funded academic building at CSUSM in over a decade—the Integrated Science & Engineering Building that will break ground this summer.  

In 2023-24, CSUSM raised more than $26 million — a university record that more than doubled the previous high. Two landmark commitments, the university's first eight-figure gifts totaling $20 million, reflected the trust Berger helped build between the university and its supporters. They were also testaments to CSUSM’s commitment to student success. 

“Jessica has been an extraordinary partner and leader, and we are so grateful for the passion and expertise she brought to the university,” CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said. “Her commitment to building meaningful relationships, elevating our philanthropy efforts and guiding a strong, collaborative team will have a lasting legacy. I am grateful to Jessica for her transformational leadership — and the impact she and the entire advancement team have had and will continue to have on advancing our mission as we move forward.” 

Under Berger’s guidance, University Advancement grew not just in dollars, but in depth by engaging more alumni, connecting more with regional leaders, and laying the foundation for the largest fundraising campaign in the university’s history — a $200 million campaign that is nearly 70% toward its goal.  

Berger also worked closely with the CSUSM Foundation Board to ensure that philanthropic goals aligned with the university’s strategic priorities, including development of the nation’s first case statement of support for social mobility upon CSUSM ranking No. 1 in CollegeNet’s Social Mobility Index in 2022. The results have included more scholarships, more support for faculty research, and a deeper sense of shared purpose across campus. 

“I’m so grateful to everyone at Cal State San Marcos,” Berger said. “President Neufeldt really touched my life professionally and personally. She’s been incredibly influential in shaping the leader that I am today. 

“And I’ve been so fortunate to work alongside the President's Administrative Team, the Advancement team – I call them the ‘A Team’ because they are really such a strong team – and the Foundation Board, a group of volunteers who truly give their time, talent and treasure in numerous ways. And then our campus partners, all of the success and achievements that we've seen have been in collaboration with so many people. I know the strong momentum will continue, and I look forward to cheering on CSUSM’s continued success as a friend and supporter.” 

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

As president and one of the founding members of the Lawrence E. and Neva B. Fenstermaker Foundation, Brooks has been instrumental in supporting STEM at CSUSM for nearly 30 years. While the Fenstermaker Foundation is now sunsetting, its legacy will live on through a $1.3 million endowment in perpetual support of STEM students at CSUSM. This transformative gift will be further amplified by a $1 million matching contribution from the Epstein Family Foundation.

“Supporting STEM has been one of the most rewarding parts of my life,” Brooks said. “Three decades ago, we chose CSUSM because it was new and so full of potential. This university is exactly what we needed in North County San Diego, and it has been wonderful to watch it grow.”

Over the years, in addition to the recent endowment, the Fenstermaker Foundation has donated $1.9 million to STEM initiatives at CSUSM, providing more than 130 STEM students with scholarships and establishing a $40,000 library endowment for science resources.

“We are deeply grateful to the Fenstermaker Foundation board of directors,” CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said. “Their generosity has transformed countless lives, creating a ripple effect of innovation and opportunity that will benefit our community for generations to come.”

From first gen to multi-gen impact

As a first-generation college student, Brooks put herself through school at Adelphi University in Brooklyn. At the time, it was rare for women to pursue higher education or build careers in fields such as biology, making Brooks' achievements both groundbreaking and inspiring. Notably, she worked alongside pioneering scientist George Nicholas Papanicolaou, whose development of the Pap smear revolutionized cervical cancer detection.

The Fenstermaker Foundation was founded in 1995 by Lawrence Fenstermaker, who served in the 11^th Naval District in San Diego. While Fenstermaker did not attend college, he was passionate about learning and helping others obtain an education. Along with Brooks as one of the original five board members, the Fenstermaker Foundation started giving to CSUSM in 1996 and has remained a steadfast supporter ever since.    

“The Fenstermaker Foundation’s endowment will allow CSUSM Summer Scholars students to get paid, hands-on research experiences in STEM,” said Julie Jameson, director of CSUSM's graduate program in biology. “This type of opportunity truly changes lives and fulfills the university’s mission of student success.”

CSUSM proudly honors Brooks, a remarkable champion of STEM education. Through her visionary leadership, the Fenstermaker Foundation has made an enduring impact on CSUSM, fostering innovation and creating opportunities that will empower students and transform lives for years to come.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

“This record-breaking achievement will empower our students to excel in their academics and beyond,” said Jessica Berger, vice president of University Advancement. “From hundreds of social media posts to ambassadors advocating for their programs and gifts of all sizes, your collective support is a testament to the strength of our dedicated community.”

Giving Day is part of Giving Tuesday, an international day focused on philanthropy.

The Giving Day highlights included:

·       A number of matches were met, including $200,000 from the Epstein Family, $15,000 from SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, and over $100,000 in individual area frontline matches that impacted the results for 132 campus programs.

• 79 ambassadors spread the word, bringing in a collective 238 gifts.
• 258 students donated.
• Nearly one in five gifts were made by alumni.

“Even more impressive than the total amount raised was the number of people who made it possible,” Berger said. “From students and employees to friends, parents, alumni, and community members, everyone came together to make this day a phenomenal success.

“Your support will have an immediate and lasting effect on our campus community. We couldn't do this important work without you. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!”

Did you miss your chance to donate on Giving Day? You can still make a meaningful impact on the program you love. Give today!

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

As a teenager, Myers started a small nonprofit to raise money for cancer treatment and research in honor of a friend who had leukemia. Years later, as an incoming freshman at Cal State San Marcos, Myers secured a job with Associated Students, Inc., as a student receptionist. The role helped her meet a network of students involved on campus, which led to her involvement in CSUSM’s Student Philanthropy Council and, eventually, to participating in the inaugural CSUSM Giving Day in 2015.

“I think my exposure to the student philanthropy world and the CSUSM Foundation Board came from different student connections through ASI,” Myers said. “But giving was always part of what I did as a student, including as an adolescent.”

On Dec. 3, when CSUSM hosts its 10^th annual Giving Day, Myers will do what she’s done every year since that first one – give. Myers is one of 15 people – and one of just three alumni – who have donated on CSUSM Giving Day every year since its inception.

CSUSM Giving Day is part of Giving Tuesday, an international day focused on philanthropy. For 24 hours, donors have an opportunity to choose from dozens of programs to support. Last year, CSUSM Giving Day raised nearly $460,000 with contributions made by 2,410 donors. A variety of giving challenges are planned this year, including a dollar-for-dollar match from the Epstein family on the first $200,000 given up to $10,000 per gift.

In addition to donations, people can support CSUSM Giving Day by:

• Becoming an ambassador and helping to promote the program they love by reaching out to their personal networks on CSUSM Giving Day using their own custom link.
• Re-posting and commenting on their favorite CSUSM Giving Day social media posts to increase engagement and inspire others to give.
• Learning more about the causes that can be supported and the immediate impact that can be made by giving on Dec. 3.

Myers has supported many programs over the years, including the student philanthropy endowment fund, a variety of scholarships and the economics department from which she graduated in 2017.

“I give because I believe in philanthropy,” said Myers, who leads sales operations for Carlsmed, a commercial stage medical technology company and leader of the personalized spine surgery market that is based in Carlsbad. “I believe also that education and access to education is the crux of societal and personal change. I think that it is the solution to bringing awareness to societal issues.

“And in responsible hands and minds, money is really quite a renewable resource. So philanthropy and giving back is really like giving blood – it will come back, and the impact it will make is bigger than the impact you'll feel. And that’s something I appreciate.”

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

The event, co-hosted by President Ellen Neufeldt and the CSUSM Foundation Board, welcomed nearly 300 dedicated alumni, community leaders, campus partners, tribal leaders and elected officials. University Advancement Vice President Jessica Berger opened the event as a celebration of Cal State San Marcos, taking a moment to recognize the sponsors and partners who made it possible.

"This evening is truly a celebration of the power of Cal State San Marcos, driven by the individual power of all of you – our strongest friends, advocates and supporters," Berger said during her opening remarks.

Such support extended to the evening's entertainment with a Steinway & Sons Spirio |r provided courtesy of Steinway Piano Gallery San Diego. The grand piano was featured in student performances by Daniel Cruz as well as the CSUSM Jazz Ensemble’s Troy Amos, Andrew Kelly, Andrew Marin and Michael Kuszajewski.

CSUSM Foundation Board Chair Emilie Hersh and Vice Chair Simon Kuo set the tone for the evening with their remarks.

“All of these students are committed to succeeding and bringing about change in the community," Hersh said. "This is one of the many reasons I have been inspired and honored to be part of the CSUSM community.”

The mission of social mobility at CSUSM is dedicated to creating pathways to success for every student. More than 50% of CSUSM students are the first in their families to attend college, and a large number of these students work part-time or full-time jobs in order to fund their education. By fostering partnerships with local industries, nonprofit organizations and community leaders, CSUSM builds a powerful network of support that propels student success.

“Over the years, I’ve heard from numerous students about how their education at CSUSM has transformed their lives and moved them up the economic ladder,” Kuo said. “This is a place that helps students overcome barriers and forge a better future.”

President Neufeldt took to the stage with a compelling speech highlighting CSUSM’s transformative impact in higher education.

“Together, we will continue to rise, to thrive, to be that beacon of where the future of higher ed is going,” Neufeldt said.

She reaffirmed CSUSM’s commitment to expanding access and education for all as a national leader in social mobility.

Through philanthropic support, student success programs and resources make their impact across campus to a diverse cohort of students each year. During the dinner, five members of the Class of 2024 were invited to the stage to be recognized as champions of social mobility:

• Noah Bills, an electrical engineering student who transferred to CSUSM with a focus and determination to earn a bachelor’s degree and was a recipient of the inaugural Harvey and Anne Neufeldt Scholarship (established by Neufeldt as a tribute to her parents).
• Jasmin Casas, who holds a bachelor’s in literature and writing studies with a minor in political studies. She served as a student representative for the Foundation Board and is  working toward a career as a criminal prosecution lawyer at the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.
• Dakota Freaner, a member of ACE Scholars Services, a program that supports CSUSM’s former foster youth.  This year, he received the 2024 Tom & Kim Zarro Family award and graduated with a bachelor’s in social sciences. He will pursue a master’s in social work at CSUSM this fall.
• Siaje Gideon, a student highlighted during Neufeldt’s remarks, received her bachelor’s in biological sciences and founded the Black in STEM club. She will begin her doctoral studies in immunology at UC Irvine this fall.
• Lawrence Morris, is a sociological practice masters graduate and support recipient for Project Rebound, a program for formerly incarcerated individuals seeking to pursue a degree. Morris, who also earned his bachelor's from CSUSM in 2022, has been embedded within CSUSM’s Project Rebound office since its inception.

Casas, Freaner and Morris were highlighted in the video “I Am Social Mobility,” which premiered during the event.  

The 2024 Blue & Silver Fundraising Dinner concluded the highest annual fundraising total in CSUSM’s 35-year history. The impact of the evening, as well as the two historic commitments from the Epstein Family and Price Philanthropies Foundation made in the spring, contributed to over $26 million raised for the university in fiscal year 2023-24. With the momentum of success showing no signs of slowing down, the upcoming year holds promise for CSUSM and its ongoing mission in student success.

Generous donors contributed a total of 5,290 gifts, highlighting the community’s commitment to programs that promote social and economic mobility and ensuring student success across the university’s diverse student population. For perspective, the total amount raised this past fiscal year is more than half the amount raised during CSUSM’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign, “Forward Together,” which took seven years to complete.  

During the second annual Blue & Silver Fundraising Dinner in June, CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt highlighted the critical role of philanthropy 

“The success of our university and our students is built on the power of community,” Neufeldt said. “Together, we are transforming lives and creating a brighter future for all.” 

CSUSM’s fundraising efforts are crucial in maintaining and expanding initiatives that empower students from all backgrounds, providing them with the tools and support necessary to overcome barriers and achieve their full potential. 

Two largest gifts in CSUSM history 

In March, CSUSM announced two philanthropic gifts totaling $20 million. Price Philanthropies Foundation awarded a $10 million grant to create an innovative three-year accelerated bachelor’s degree and establish a workforce pipeline for behavioral and mental health professionals, and Foundation Board Director Dan Epstein and his wife, Phyllis, committed $10 million to serve as a unique dollar-for-dollar matching gift opportunity that will support areas across campus.  

“We are eternally grateful for the extraordinary investments in our students and community made possible by Dan and Phyllis Epstein and the Price Philanthropies Foundation,” Neufeldt said. 

These substantial gifts will have a lasting impact on the campus and its students, driving innovation and excellence across all areas of study. 

Foundation giving and community partnerships 

Foundation giving continues to play a significant role in CSUSM’s fundraising success. The College Futures Foundation provided a $650,000 grant to the CCC-CSU Transfer Collaborative, with $470,000 awarded to CSUSM. This collaborative, which includes seven California State University campuses (CSUSM among them) and 10 California Community Colleges schools, aims to develop a national model for transfer success and accessibility for all California students.  

CSUSM received $250,000 from the Conrad Prebys Foundation to advance mental health services for its diverse student population, and $300,000 to establish a partnership with TrueCare to address the escalating mental health needs and bolster the university’s community of care. 

Other gifts include the Hewlett Foundation donating $308,260 to support a teacher career pathway program, Henry Luce Foundation supporting CSUSM's California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center, and additional foundation support for the Innovation Hub and Tikkun Olam Makers Club. 

Foundation giving and community partnerships are vital in helping CSUSM expand educational opportunities and foster socioeconomic growth in the region. 

The individual power of you 

Individual giving saw substantial growth this year, with alumni, faculty, staff and friends of CSUSM contributing significantly to make an impact in the region. This collective effort highlights the power of community and the impact of individual contributions in advancing the university’s mission. 

CSUSM Athletics secured nearly $1 million in support from both longtime and new donors, while colleges across campus experienced increases in their annual totals. In the College of Business Administration, alumna and CSUSM Foundation Board Director Annie Norviel continued her generous contributions toward student scholarships in accounting. In addition, CSUSM founding administrators Drs. Ernie and Leslie Zomalt expanded their endowment for study abroad programs and maintained their support for the Outstanding Service Award, which is presented annually to a CSUSM staff member or administrator. New scholarships were established throughout the year to support student veterans, nursing and several areas of studies within the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences, among others. 

Significant contributions also included planned and legacy gifts. Legacy donors play an important role in securing CSUSM's long-term financial health and empowering future generations of Cougars.  

“This past year is truly a celebration of the power of Cal State San Marcos, driven by the individual power of you – our strongest friends, advocates and supporters,” said Jessica Berger, vice president of University Advancement.  

The generosity of dedicated supporters ensures that CSUSM can continue to provide the best support system for its students to reach graduation and their career goals. 

Annual events shine bright 

Giving Day, held last November, was a tremendous success, raising nearly $460,000 from 2,410 donors in just 24 hours. The enthusiastic participation of so many individuals highlights the community’s deep commitment and showcases the true spirit of generosity. One of the funds supported through Giving Day is the library's Affordable Textbook Campaign, which provides students with low- or no-cost access to textbooks and course materials. This example and the collective effort shown on Giving Day continues to highlight the #HeartofaCougar. 

In June, CSUSM hosted its second consecutive record-breaking Blue & Silver Fundraising Dinner with over $1 million raised, marking a significant milestone in its fundraising efforts. This event, which exceeded the previous year’s fundraising record, brought together dedicated alumni, community leaders, campus partners, tribal leaders and elected officials. The evening's highlight was the celebration of students recognized as champions of social mobility, with their inspiring stories featured in the video “I Am Social Mobility.” 

A step closer: Integrated Science and Engineering Building

CSUSM continues to make significant strides toward making the future Integrated Science and Engineering Building a reality. This building is not only critical for the university’s rapidly growing CSTEM program and needs of the region, but it also will serve as a hub for community engagement, providing a space for partnerships with local industries and fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.  

Looking ahead: onward and upward 

As the new academic year begins, CSUSM is committed to maintaining this momentum and solidifying its position as a national leader in social and economic mobility.  

“A CSUSM education helps students transcend barriers faced by earlier generations and unlock their potential for lifelong success. This isn’t only a key for individuals and families but for organizations, industries and society,” said Emilie Hersh, CSUSM Foundation Board chair. 

CSUSM’s record-breaking fundraising year is a celebration of the collective power of the community and a testament to the transformative power of education. With the continued support of donors, the university is poised to achieve even greater heights as it prepares for its next and largest philanthropic campaign. 

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

At a time when mental health challenges among young people are pervasive and most CSUSM students come from systematically disadvantaged communities where accessing mental and behavioral health services is stigmatized, the Prebys Foundation’s support for bolstering inclusivity and accessibility in mental health intervention is paramount. The grant not only enhances crisis response, mental health training and peer support initiatives on campus, but also it serves as a collective commitment toward fostering a supportive environment where all students can thrive academically and personally. 

Additionally, this funding will broaden resources like the Health Assistance Fund and BetterYou app, and it will provide stipends to Master of Social Work interns, promoting social mobility by empowering students to pursue their education without sacrificing employment opportunities. Student voices are echoing the significance of such investments in mental health support.

“I will always be so grateful for Student Health & Counseling Services because it allowed me to receive the mental well-being help I needed,” said CSUSM student Amber Arenas, who's pursuing a double major in psychology and criminology and justice studies. “Everyone has financial burdens, and this fund helps a lot of us not have the stress of money so we can fully spend our time being a college student and becoming academically successful.”  

Social mobility cannot exist without breaking down these systemic barriers to provide students with access to testing, training and treatment that honors their lived experiences. CSUSM’s Community of Care initiative aims to enhance these wraparound services and address the mental health needs of students. 

The impact of the Prebys Foundation grant will be amplified further thanks to a recent philanthropic pledge. In March, CSUSM Foundation Board Director Dan Epstein and his wife, Phyllis, made a transformational $10 million matching gift to CSUSM, effectively doubling the foundation grant into a total of $500,000. CSUSM’s receipt of the Prebys Foundation grant, coupled with the Epstein matching gift, symbolizes the power of community partnerships in effecting transformative change. 

Grant Oliphant, CEO of the Prebys Foundation, emphasized the importance of empowering young individuals and building meaningful community ties.

“San Diego can become a national model by consistently supporting the well-being of youth and young adults," Oliphant said. "The health and vitality of student leaders are crucial for a vibrant future.” 

As CSUSM continues its mission to strengthen mental health services, the university remains dedicated to ensuring that students thrive academically and personally, irrespective of background or circumstance. To get involved in mental health and wellness efforts on campus, follow the Cougar Care Network (@csusmccn) and SHCS's HOPE & Wellness Center (@csusmhope) on social media.  

Visit the Health Assistance Fund and Student Health & Counseling Services websites to learn about upcoming Mental Health First Aid trainings.   

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

A transformative grant of $10 million from Price Philanthropies Foundation will create a first-of-its-kind, three-year accelerated bachelor's degree and workforce pipeline for behavioral and mental health.  

As part of this groundbreaking milestone and becoming the largest donors to CSUSM, visionary philanthropist Daniel J. Epstein – a director of the CSUSM Foundation Board – and his wife, Phyllis, have committed to an additional gift of $10 million. Their contribution will serve as a unique dollar-for-dollar matching gift opportunity for all CSUSM donors to double their impact across campus. 

“Phyllis and I are incredibly impressed by CSUSM and President Ellen Neufeldt’s strong commitment to bridge the opportunity gap and create a more equitable and inclusive San Diego,” Daniel Epstein said. “As a regionally focused university with a highly diverse student population, CSUSM is one of the most transformative institutions in the Southern California region, impacting lives and entire communities. We are proud to pledge our support and we hope community members will join us.” 

The matching gift from the Epsteins will create a ripple effect, reaching into the core of CSUSM’s mission of student success and fortifying an era of unprecedented innovation to advance social mobility. Investments stemming from this gift will have a direct and positive impact on funding to support the people, places and programs of CSUSM’s upcoming comprehensive fundraising campaign. This unparalleled opportunity presents a landmark moment for donors to double their impact, providing meaningful and transformational investments at CSUSM now and for future generations. 

“We are eternally grateful for the extraordinary investments in our students and community made possible by Dan and Phyllis Epstein and the Price Philanthropies Foundation,” Neufeldt said. “With CSUSM being a national leader in social mobility, the one-to-one matching philanthropic gift will catapult our campaign efforts to support critical student success initiatives. Having their confidence in CSUSM has already inspired generous supporters in our community. I am proud to partner with Price Philanthropies on such a powerful new workforce-connected accelerated bachelor’s degree program, bringing a first-of-its-kind model into the state of California to address surging behavioral and mental health employment demands.” 

Through the partnership with Price Philanthropies — which is committed to transforming the lives of youth and families — this multiyear program grant invests in the most urgent workforce needs in the behavioral and mental health industry. Amid an environment where the need for mental health and wellness services for children and families has increased exponentially, San Diego Workforce Partnership reports that San Diego County will require more than 18,000 new qualified mental health professionals by 2027. The funding will help embed dual enrollment, professional certificates and enhanced career preparation in a three-year degree pathway. This innovative approach expedites the placement of qualified people into critical roles with an escalated earning potential, a perfect example of social mobility in action.  

“We are extremely grateful to President Neufeldt and her team for their partnership in creating an accelerated pathway for students to earn a bachelor's degree in three years rather than the traditional four or more years. This innovative and potentially revolutionary approach to higher education offers the potential for students to complete their undergraduate work in less time and be better prepared to enter the workforce,” said Robert and Allison Price. “We believe that the three-year bachelor's degree program can become a model that can be replicated not only in the field of health care but also in many other occupational disciplines.” 

The degree pathway will provide hundreds of students with immersive, hands-on experiences through internships, simulations and real-world projects, allowing them to graduate in fewer than four years and directly enter the region’s workforce. The program is being meticulously crafted to align with the evolving needs of the mental and behavioral health field by integrating industry insights, expert guidance and tailored coursework.

This model emulates the vision and purpose of CSUSM to lift its students, their families and the region, bolstering the university’s standing among the top 1% nationally in social mobility.

To be a part of the unique Epstein family match for student success and social mobility and to help shape the future of the university, CSUSM invites the community to participate. To learn more, contact Jessica Berger, vice president for University Advancement, at jmberger@csusm.edu.

Media Contact

Haley Wonsley, Communications and Marketing Director, University Advancement

hwonsley@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7342

Though Pinter is now retired as an engineer and engineering manager, he’s helping to prepare the next generation of scientists as a lecturer in Cal State San Marcos’ College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

Knowing firsthand how challenging science courses can be, Pinter wanted to find an outlet for students, leading to the founding last fall of CSUSM’s Amateur Radio Club.

“These students are grinding through a really tough curriculum,” Pinter said. “I want them to have some fun and be able to be hands on and build something. Instead of grueling equations, they get to just have some fun tinkering with stuff in the lab.”

When the club launched, Pinter thought that maybe two or three students would show up. Instead, there are more than 20 who regularly attend the weekly Thursday meetings in the Viasat Engineering Pavilion. Though most are electrical engineering majors, the club is open to any student interested in learning how to build a radio (follow the club on Instagram @Radio_Club.CSUSM for more information).

The Amateur Radio Club is one of 13 groups participating in Cougar Crowdfunding Student Org Month. Throughout March, donors can make a difference in the lives of students by supporting these student-run organizations.

The Amateur Radio Club, which gained official student organization status this semester, is trying to raise funds to pay for amateur radio licensing testing for its members, equipment, materials to build radios, and radio equipment to start a CSUSM amateur radio station.

While Pinter serves as the Amateur Radio Club’s faculty adviser, the organization has a team of four student leaders: Noah Bills, president; Blake Stenson, vice president; Kurt Williams, treasurer; and Erin Obmina-Josue, social media director.

“The club is really good for professional development and it's a good résumé builder for the students,” Williams said. “It provides good connections, too. We've had partners from outside come in, and they're willing to come in and talk to everybody about things like engineering and professional development.”

Cougar Crowdfunding projects are managed by the Office of Annual Giving Programs. For questions or to submit a project for consideration, contact Digital Giving Specialist Alex Perkins at aperkins@csusm.edu or (760) 750-8895.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Qualcomm is supporting CSUSM – specifically the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (CSTEM) – through The Inventor’s Patent Academy (TIPA), an engineering capstone program, an intro to coding technical interview workshop and engineering scholarships.  

In 2022, Qualcomm partnered with Invent Together, a coalition of universities, nonprofits, companies and other stakeholders dedicated to understanding the diversity gaps that exist in invention and patenting. The company launched TIPA to close these gaps, through public policy and private initiatives. The free course guides inventors through the process of obtaining a patent, particularly targeting potential inventors who are underrepresented in the patent-heavy science and engineering fields, including women, people of color, people who identify as LGBTQ+, people from lower-income communities, people with disabilities, or those with backgrounds that did not allow exposure. 

“Currently in the United States, only 13% of inventors listed on patents are women, while Black, Latinx and Indigenous people account for less than 8% of all U.S. inventors, and children of families in the top 1% of income are 10 times more likely to patent in their lifetimes than children in the bottom half of family income,” said Emma Lacey, senior program manager at Qualcomm.  

“It’s so important for us to give back to students and invest in making the current workforce more diverse because we are of the firm belief that everyone should have the opportunity to invent and seek out opportunities for upward mobility in their personal and professional lives. We want to foster a larger pool of innovators because diverse minds solve diverse problems, and that benefits the whole of society.” 

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, intellectual property supports more than 45 million jobs and contributes over $6.6 trillion to the nation’s economy. Invent Together has found that including more Black/Indigenous/People of Color (BIPOC) and women inventors in the early stages of innovation would boost the U.S. economy by up to $1 trillion every year and would fuel U.S. economic growth, social mobility and intergenerational wealth. 

In developing TIPA, Qualcomm was motivated by the belief that anyone can invent, that every inventor can learn to patent and that strong patent rights empower individual inventors to transform the world in ways that benefit all. 

“Qualcomm gave CSUSM a gift to do some activities to try to figure out what is the best way to implement TIPA in higher education,” said Scott Gross, CSUSM's associate vice president of industry partnerships.  “So we are doing three things: facilitating a faculty learning community, appointing a faculty to pilot the program in classes and introducing TIPA modules during a conference in January.

“I firmly believe that faculty at CSUSM are discovering new intellectual property daily, and aside from sharing it with students, they might be uncertain about what to do with these findings. Based on the Bayh-Dole Act, when a faculty member discovers intellectual property, it is the university's responsibility to make sure it gets into the hands of the public so that society can benefit from it. And at CSUSM, we take that responsibility very seriously.” 

Aside from TIPA, Qualcomm is impacting the STEM community at large by investing in CSUSM students through mentorship and scholarships.  

Since founding its engineering program in 2018, CSUSM has focused on creating a pipeline of diverse graduates who are career-ready. These opportunities are not only life-changing for many students, but also transformative for the industry.  

At CSUSM, 53% of engineering students are first-generation, there has been a 50% year-over-year increase in female students, and 47% identify as Latinx, a striking number since the national percentage of Latinx engineering graduates is only 9% and the percentage of graduates within the California State University system is only 26%.  

CSUSM and Qualcomm aim to increase representation and success in engineering. This is accomplished by teaching students skills through the engineering capstone program, teaching them how to obtain a job through coding technical interview workshops, and supporting their degree completion through engineering scholarships. 

When an opportunity to go to college presented itself, Daniel Beltran, an electrical engineering student and Qualcomm scholarship recipient, paired his life experience as a farm laborer with his savviness in mathematics. With so many possibilities in these careers, Beltran felt the weight of too many crossroads. That was until a field trip to Qualcomm headquarters in San Diego showed him a path in engineering that he was confident in.  

“Qualcomm's commitment to empower and support the new generation of engineers is inspiring,” Beltran said. “Receiving an award from them has allowed me to plan out my educational career in a secure way.” 

For students, seeing active industry projects is motivating. During their final academic year, students discover innovative solutions to real-world problems of their choice while connecting with these industry partners as part of the engineering capstone project. For the 2023-24 academic year, Qualcomm is funding three of these projects, and a professional from its team is providing industry access and mentorship. 

Ten students in need of support also will receive $2,500 scholarships from Qualcomm.  

“Being awarded this scholarship has made it easier to continue pursuing my educational goals, and I will be able to breathe easy knowing that the Qualcomm engineering scholarship made it easier to remain focused on my studies,” said Deavan Contreras, an electrical engineering student who received the scholarship this academic year. 

“Serving in the Navy, I was fortunate to have provided medical support to the Marines as we completed two tours of combat in Afghanistan and Iraq. The memories I have of those times bring a sense of pride as well as self-reflection on the hardships that are faced in military operations. Having firsthand knowledge of the technology that allowed us to complete our missions inspired me to continue my education, and every semester that I complete is a step closer to becoming a contributing member of society as an engineer.”

Finally, Qualcomm and CSTEM are piloting an “Intro to Technical Coding Interview” workshop that will teach third-year students majoring in electrical engineering, computer engineering, and computer science and information systems how to ace their technical coding interview. This skill is imperative for them to earn a summer internship and career opportunity. 

Through each of these robust exercises, CSUSM scholars steward the future of STEM in the region. In fact, eight out of 10 students stay in the region after graduation, a significant win for the advancement of Southern California. 

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

“We are deeply grateful for everyone who helped make Giving Day such a resounding success, one that will have an immediate and lasting impact on our campus community,” said Jessica Berger, vice president for University Advancement.

Now in its ninth year at CSUSM, Giving Day is part of Giving Tuesday, an international day focused on philanthropy.

Giving Day contributions were made by 2,410 donors and came from a wide swath of supporters, including alumni, employees, students, parents, friends and sponsors.

Berger noted that this support is “a true testament to the strength of a dedicated community that collectively showed up together in such a big way.”

 The Giving Day highlights include:  

• Meeting a variety of impressive matches, including a $15,000 employee match from SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union and a $25,000 power hour made possible by North City;
• 52 ambassadors helped spread the word, bringing in a collective 339 gifts;
• 377 students donated; and
• One in five gifts were made by alumni.

Did you miss your chance to donate on Giving Day? You can still make a meaningful impact on the program you love. Give today!

Know a CSUSM project that needs funding? Connect with the Office of Annual Giving to launch a Cougar Crowdfunding project.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

“I absolutely hated it,” Wyndham recalled. “I seriously thought about transferring to San Diego State or Long Beach State.”

Everything felt wrong. She was separated from her high school friends, her biology classes were rigorous, and her parents (who hadn’t gone to college) couldn’t relate to what she was going through. The overarching theme was disconnection.

The dark veil began to lift when Wyndham (who then went by Jocelyn Brown) joined Associated Students, Inc., as an undergraduate representative at the start of her sophomore year. As her courage and confidence grew, so did her standing in ASI – corporate secretary in her third year, followed by vice president of external relations and, finally, president for the 2002-03 school year.

Terrified of public speaking, Wyndham forced herself to go through the Toastmasters program in preparation for the ASI election process.

“I really found a passion for service,” she said. “The calling was greater than my fear and my shyness.”

The calling continues. Wyndham returned to her alma mater as an employee a decade after she graduated, and she has risen to become associate vice president of philanthropy. She leads CSUSM’s development team, which builds and cultivates relationships with donors, particularly people and organizations who have the capacity to give at a high level.

“I love that every day I feel like I'm making a difference to the campus,” Wyndham said. “I love being out in the community and meeting people and acting as that facilitator between people and their passions and what the campus is doing, bringing those two together to make change for the region. It's fulfilling work.”

During her year as ASI president, Wyndham also did fulfilling work as a facilitator, between the administration and student body of a still-young university. She remembers priorities that centered on increasing communication and connection at CSUSM. She accomplished the former by instituting the first “state of the campus” address by then-President Alexander Gonzalez to the students; the latter by creating a masquerade ball that she was pleased to see still existed when she came back as a staff member in 2013.

Wyndham also led advocacy around tuition and campus fees, which included a bus trip to Long Beach to take part in a demonstration in front of the CSU chancellor’s office.

Sticking it out at CSUSM had rewards she never could have imagined – as a student, she even met her future husband, fellow alumnus Pete Wyndham (the couple has two young daughters together).

“The environment that I ended up thriving in here and everything that I came to love about Cal State San Marcos,” she said, "that same feeling is what exists today.”

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

According to “Giving USA: The Annual Report on Philanthropy,” considered the seminal publication reporting on the sources and uses of charitable giving in the United States, 2022 was one of the worst years in philanthropy history. Charitable giving experienced a 10.5% decline across the country, marking only the fourth time that donations have fallen since Giving USA started keeping track in 1956. Contributing factors to the national decline include inflation and stock market losses. 

Bucking the trend, CSUSM's achievements tell a different story. The university shattered records and set new standards in multiple areas, thanks to the unwavering dedication of supporters. In total, CSUSM saw a 23% increase in total donors and a 20% increase in alumni donors.  

“Such a monumental accomplishment underscores the resolute belief in our mission and the deep commitment of our supporters as the top university in the nation for social mobility,” said Jessica Berger, CSUSM’s vice president of University Advancement. “Our giving success this year was made possible thanks to the unwavering dedication of our supporters, the visionary leadership of President Ellen Neufeldt and the shared commitment to education, student success and student social mobility felt deeply across our campus community, our region and beyond.” 

 More donors contributed on Giving Day 2022 

During CSUSM Giving Day – a crowd-driven online fundraising event that supports areas throughout the university as part of Giving Tuesday – more than $560,000 was contributed in just 24 hours on Nov. 29.  

Among the day’s highlights, CSUSM Foundation Board Director Nathaniel Keifer-Wheals (’09, ’21) made a $100,000 gift in support of a future Integrated Science and Engineering Building.  

Notably, most of the 2,500 donations on Giving Day (92%) were $250 or below, allowing a broad range of supporters to contribute meaningfully to CSUSM’s mission. 

Fundraising dinner raises $1 million for student success and social mobility 

Another meaningful fundraising event, the inaugural Blue & Silver Fundraising Dinner hosted on June 9, brought in over $1 million for student success and social mobility programs and initiatives, four times what had been raised at previous comparable fundraising events on campus.  

Co-hosted by Neufeldt and the CSUSM Foundation Board, the Blue & Silver Fundraising Dinner marked a significant milestone as the first major in-person fundraising event in four years, following the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The evening of dining and dancing was capped with an exhilarating raise-the-paddle segment, magnified by the announcement of a generous one-to-one matching contribution from the Epstein Family Foundation as well as the announcement that Carol Lazier, a devoted San Diego philanthropist and community volunteer, would triple her previously committed estate gift to CSUSM from $1.2 million to $4 million—the largest planned gift in the history of the university. 

Notable gifts make an impact 

Additional highlights of CSUSM giving this past year include: 

• Donations from Stone Brewing co-founder Greg Koch and the Ecke family kicked off the fundraising for a $2.5 million project to expand space in CSUSM’s library for special collections documenting the history of the region. 
• San Diego philanthropist Darlene Shiley surprised attendees at the 2023 National Symposium for Academic Palliative Care Education and Research with the announcement of a $1 million gift to help launch the California State University Shiley Haynes Institute for Palliative Care campus partnership exchange. The institute was founded at CSUSM in 2012 and recently marked its 10th anniversary. 
• College Futures Foundation, in partnership with the James Irvine Foundation, funded a $350,000 grant to provide support to CSUSM and seven other California State University campuses on a collaboration that will remove barriers to the success of transfer students. 
• Nordson Corporation provided the first corporate gift of $300,000 to the future Integrated Science and Engineering Building. This building will be home to many of CSUSM’s rapidly growing STEM programs, empowering student potential and diversifying the future of science and engineering in our region.  

Defying the odds 

“The fundraising success achieved during the 2022-2023 fiscal year not only defies national philanthropic trends but also serves as a testament to the power of collaboration, visionary leadership and shared goals,” said Steve Wagner, the immediate past chair of the CSUSM Foundation Board. 

Wagner and his wife, Laura, established the Stone Brewing Fund for Social Mobility in early 2022 to support programs and initiatives at CSUSM that improve student college access and success. 

“I am endlessly grateful to every CSUSM supporter, friend, advocate, alum and donor,” Neufeldt said. “Giving is fundamental to supporting and advancing our mission of student success and signals a belief in the boundless potential of our university, our faculty and staff, and our students. As we look toward the future, we do so with the momentum of this exceptional giving year, demonstrating the profound impact that can be achieved when a community comes together to drive transformational change.” 

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

The event, co-hosted by CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt and the CSUSM Foundation Board, was attended by nearly 400 alumni, civic and industry leaders, and elected officials. It marked a significant milestone as the first major in-person fundraising event in four years following the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Keynote remarks by Neufeldt emphasized CSUSM’s top ranking position on the CollegeNet Social Mobility Index as well as the university’s commitment to increasing equitable educational access and attainment, leading to a strong talent pipeline for the region. CSUSM is a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution with a diverse student population – 70% are students of color, 12% are military affiliated and the campus serves the highest number of former foster youth per capita in the nation. CSUSM is also a major contributor of bachelor’s degree holders to the region’s workforce, with about 80% of students remaining in the region following graduation.  

“A remarkable 57% of (2023 graduates) were first in their families to earn a four-year degree; and 52% (of all CSUSM students) come from family households with a median income less than $60,000,” said Neufeldt, who shared that potential median post-graduation incomes are $85,000. “Beyond career success and economic gains, it’s personal impact that truly matters. Each graduate’s journey creates a ripple effect that touches not just their own lives but also the lives of their families and entire communities.” 

Neufeldt also highlighted innovative CSUSM programs such as The Alliance, Senior Experience, Summer Scholars, and the Innovation Hub as well as exciting projects on the horizon, including the Integrated Science and Engineering Building and a new affordable housing project that is scheduled to break ground in 2024. 

This October, the university will host a national Social Mobility Symposium for the third year in a row, bringing together thought leaders, higher education practitioners and community partners to engage in conversations around best practices. 

“Our vision is to create a Center for Social Mobility here at CSUSM and, through philanthropy, we can make that a reality, strengthening social mobility for our campus, our region, our nation and our world,” Neufeldt said. 

The evening of dining and dancing was capped with an exhilarating raise-the-paddle segment, magnified by the announcement of a generous one-to-one matching contribution from the Epstein Family Foundation. 

“We are incredibly impressed by CSUSM and President Ellen Neufeldt’s strong commitment to bridge the opportunity gap and create a more equitable and inclusive San Diego,” said Dan Epstein, who also serves as a director on the CSUSM Foundation Board. “As a regionally focused university with a highly diverse student population, CSUSM is one of the most transformative institutions in the San Diego region, impacting lives and entire communities.”      

Neufeldt closed her remarks with gratitude to the Epsteins as well as to Carol Lazier. Lazier, a quietly devoted San Diego philanthropist and community volunteer, supports numerous organizations across San Diego connected to the arts, education, health and youth. At CSUSM, she is a supporter of the music department as well as ACE Scholar Services for former foster youth. The morning of the dinner she called to share her plans to nearly triple her previously committed estate gift to CSUSM from $1.2 million to $4 million—the largest planned gift in the history of the university. 

“Education transforms lives and uplifts communities,” Lazier said. “It is an honor to support CSUSM’s mission of social mobility which invests in the next generation of talented individuals, ensuring they have the opportunities they deserve to thrive and make a positive impact in our world.”  

“We are incredibly grateful to our dedicated community supporters and leaders who sponsored and/or contributed to our very first Blue & Silver Fundraiser,” said Vice President of University Advancement Jessica Berger. “Together we are sending a powerful message to every student across our region that we believe in them and are here to support them every step of the way in achieving their dreams.” 

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Greg Koch, co-founder of Stone, and the Ecke family famous for its legacy of floriculture in the region are the lead funders for a plan to build a new public services area on the fifth floor of Kellogg Library. The donations kick off the fundraising for a project that is projected to cost $2.5 million and be completed in two phases.

“In a short time, we’ve made great strides to preserve the history of our region, especially that of North San Diego County, and this space will allow our communities to converge around a common purpose: to keep community stories alive,” said Jennifer Fabbi, dean of the CSUSM library.

The Special Collections Department at CSUSM, housing collections that are irreplaceable or rare, has existed for about five years, and it occupies a space on the first floor of the library (the second floor is street level). The space features only one viewing table for people to interact with the material, and with the collections confined to a storage environment, there is limited opportunity to display memorabilia and engage the public and campus community with the rich history within each collection.

The vision of the 8,200-square-foot renovation project, designed by San Diego architecture firm LPA, is to broaden the footprint of Special Collections and create a permanent and accessible center on the library’s fifth floor.

The new space will open with a grand entrance from the fifth-floor elevator. Off the main entrance will be the exhibit gallery, where physical and digital collection elements will be on display. The gallery will flank a central event space that can be set up for seminars, presentations, or community gatherings and celebrations.

Opposite the gallery will be a reading room, a secured location for hands-on interaction with the collections and a place for research engagement for students and scholars.

Since its inception, Special Collections has grown to include such major archives as:

• The Brewchive®, a comprehensive archive of the “third wave” of San Diego’s craft brewing history, from 1980 to the present.
• The Paul Ecke Ranch, Inc. Business Records and Family Papers, three generations of materials documenting the influence of the Ecke family on North County.
• The Dan Rios Papers, more than one million photo negatives of North County from 1968-2001.

Launched in 2017 in a county that’s widely regarded as the capital of craft beer, the Brewchive® is one of only a handful of special collections nationwide focused solely on beer. It includes photos, videos, marketing materials, coasters, beer lists, menus, recipes, brewing logs, brewing manifestos, unique or rare trade periodicals, and interviews. Many of them come from the personal collection of Koch, who founded Stone with Steve Wagner in San Marcos in 1996.

“It’s well known that the history of San Diego craft brewing is recognized nationally and internationally – you can find ‘San Diego-style’ IPAs being brewed across the country and around the world.” Koch said. “However, I love that it's being appreciated and housed at CSUSM, near where Stone and so many great craft breweries started. This project is going to bring the Brewchive® out of the basement and invite the community in to interact with it, maybe even try a couple of vintage recipes.”

The Ecke collection numbers hundreds of boxes of business records, flower catalogs, photographs, correspondence, maps and other documents. They were donated 10 years ago by three Ecke siblings in the fourth generation of a family that immigrated to Southern California from Germany in the early 1900s and built a horticultural empire by popularizing the poinsettia and other flowers.

“We appreciate that CSUSM recognized the importance of preserving North County’s history and is making it a priority,” Paul Ecke III, Lizbeth Ecke and Sara Ecke May said. “Our family’s legacy is part of that, and we like that students will have access to it and faculty members can use special collections in their classes. The exhibits area in this new space – where history will be on display – is exciting to us.”

To learn more about this project, contact P. Vien Walker in University Advancement at 760-750-8138 or vwalker@csusm.edu.

“We’re ecstatic about breaking the university’s Giving Day record,” said Jessica Berger, vice president for University Advancement. “But the most impressive part for me wasn’t the total amount raised – it’s the number of people who made it possible. And that was everyone from students and employees to friends, parents, alumni and community members. 

“We are grateful for everyone who helped make Giving Day such a resounding success, one that will have an immediate and lasting impact on our campus community.” 

Now in its eighth year at CSUSM, Giving Day is part of Giving Tuesday, an international day focused on philanthropy. This year’s Giving Day total was an increase of 23% compared to last year, when a then-record $457,193 was raised. 

The university also set a Giving Day record with 2,539 donations, which came from a wide swath of supporters, including alumni, employees, students, parents, friends and sponsors. 

Among the day’s many highlights, CSUSM Foundation Board Director Nathaniel Keifer-Wheals (’09, ’21) made a $100,000 gift in support of a future Integrated Science and Engineering Building. Keifer-Wheals along with Foundation Board Chair Steve Wagner and his wife, Laura, also supported Giving Day challenges. A unique and beloved part of CSUSM’s Giving Day, challenges add a friendly competition to the day, as donors strategize to hopefully turn their gift into additional donations for the funds that they love. 

Additionally, impressive matches were provided by SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union and North City.  

Nearly 60 campus ambassadors helped spread the word about Giving Day and brought in a collective 344 gifts. Campus Recreation’s sports club program participated in Giving Day for the first time, collectively raising more than $14,000. 

Did you miss your chance to donate on Giving Day? You can still make a meaningful impact on the program you love. Give today! 

Know a CSUSM project that needs funding? Connect with the Office of Annual Giving to launch a Cougar Crowdfunding project. 

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

President Ellen Neufeldt joined CoBA Dean Ronald Ramirez, accounting professor Richard Hwang and members of the Du family in an Aug. 10 ceremony in the classroom.

“The Du family has deep ties to our university, and I’m so grateful for their continued support of our campus,” Neufeldt told attendees.

Through their family-owned company DDH Enterprise, Inc., the Du family have been supporters of CoBA since 2005. As part of the Markstein Hall building campaign, the Markstein Hall 344 conference room was named after the family patriarch, Xuong Du. The family has also made contributions in support of the CoBA Business Professional Development program and the accounting department.

Two family members are alumni of CSUSM – Kevin Du, the son of DDH CEO David Du, graduated in 2014, and Kevin’s wife, Trisha, was part of the Class of 2021.

“I know the Du family believes strongly in educational opportunity and helping the community, and their values certainly align with ours at CSUSM,” Neufeldt said. 

“Student success has always been a part of who we have been at CSUSM. Now, with the recent launch of our new strategic plan, we are doubling down with an ambitious mission to magnify opportunities even more for our students. The Du family’s generosity and partnership with CSUSM is helping us advance that mission.”

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

It was the latest of many ties that bind the co-founder of one of the most successful companies in craft beer to the university in the city where Stone Brewing was born in 1996, only seven years after CSUSM itself. 

Every year, Wagner would mentor a student from the business school, and generally he would derive as much from the experience as the aspiring business person would. He has continued the practice to the present, and he goes out of his way to maintain contact with the mentees. Over the holidays last year, he invited the entire group out for lunch.  

“We enjoy keeping in touch because I like following their journey and I think they like using me as a sounding board for advice,” Wagner said. “For many, getting a college education and a college degree has had a profound effect on them, their families and their social and economic impact in the community. It’s amazing and moving.” 

The increasing resonance of social mobility with Wagner over time dovetails perfectly with its importance to CSUSM as one of the institutional pillars for President Ellen Neufeldt, a nationally regarded expert in social mobility. CSUSM’s newly launched institutional strategic plan places student success at the center of the campus’ mission, with a vision to be a national leader in student social mobility. That synchronicity has led to a deepening of the relationship between the university and Wagner, one of its most ardent community champions. 

Wagner, chair of CSUSM’s Foundation Board, and his wife, Laura, have given the university $1 million to establish the Stone Brewing Fund for Social Mobility, which will provide foundational funding to improve college access and success for students via avenues such as Student Affairs initiatives, college faculty mentorship programs and community outreach.  

“We are so impressed with the growth of CSUSM and what it has accomplished over the years, and we wanted to help out in any way that we could,” Wagner said. “The social mobility piece is important to us because one of the best ways to solve the inequity or inequality in our society these days is to help people who may not normally have access to a college education to be able to get there and succeed. And it’s not just success for them – it’s success for their families and, in CSUSM’s case, with 80% of graduates staying in the area, it’s success for our region and companies like ours, families like ours.” 

The Wagners structured their gift so that it’s both an endowment that supports long-term priorities and a discretionary fund that can be used by Neufeldt for immediate needs – needs, for example, that were exposed by the pandemic.  

“This gift is transformational for us, our students and our community – it’s a tremendous investment in our collective future,” Neufeldt said. “I am grateful to Steve and Laura for their immense generosity and confidence in the mission of CSUSM. We are excited to leverage their investment to support and further enable the success of our students in earning degrees, leading to social mobility and economic prosperity for our entire region.” 

Wagner has made a deep impression on Jessica Berger in her first year at CSUSM since being hired as vice president of University Advancement last summer. 

“To say that Steve leads by example would be an understatement,” Berger said. “His dedication to the success of our students today, through thoughtful mentorship and generous support, combined with his commitment to future generations of CSUSM students will have a lasting imprint. The magnitude of Steve’s gift underscores the tremendous impact that philanthropy will have in transforming lives.” 

Among the ways that the social mobility fund could be deployed in the short term are to enhance the critical financial stability for existing student programs, to expand success programs to serve more students, to develop a comprehensive data management and analysis process to track outcomes and student progress, and to create multiple success programs for underrepresented student populations. It also will support an experiential leadership conference and social mobility symposium. 

“We are truly excited about the establishment of the Stone Brewing Fund for Social Mobility,” said Gail Cole-Avent, CSUSM’s associate vice president of Student Life. “Within Student Life, our vision and work has focused on providing inclusive and high-impact programs that expose students to leadership development, mentorship opportunities and community connections. This investment will help us elevate those programs, which will have a positive impact on our students’ future success.” 

In many ways, Stone Brewing and CSUSM have grown up together as twin anchors of the North County region. Wagner saw the value of the local university almost from the day that he founded Stone with Greg Koch in a humble San Marcos industrial park, in the process launching a craft beer revolution. In the early years of the business, Wagner recalls, Stone would invite marketing professors to bring their classes to the brewery for a guest lecture by Koch (more the public face of the company) and a tour of the facility.  

Stone also undertook projects with CoBA’s Senior Experience program, enlisting business students to research possible expansion into Los Angeles; encouraged some of its employees to receive additional training through Extended Learning; and for more than a decade hosted on campus its annual anniversary beer festival, which raised funds for local nonprofit organizations.  

The Wagners have been donating to CSUSM for 17 years, but it wasn’t until Steve was invited to join the Foundation Board about a decade ago that they ramped up their philanthropy. One of their main areas of emphasis in giving is music, as they fund a music scholarship and School of Arts programming that focuses on underrepresented artists. That’s apt for Steve, given that he spent much of the 1980s as a working musician, playing bass for a Los Angeles-based band known as The Balancing Act, before he began the home brewing that led to the creation of Stone.  

Since taking over as Foundation Board chair last summer, Wagner has become even more involved in CSUSM’s annual Giving Day. Last Nov. 30, he and board director Nathaniel Keifer-Wheals funded 23 challenge gifts and bonuses, fueling a level of competition that helped the university break its Giving Day records by raising $457,193 in just 24 hours.  

“Giving Day has exceeded my wildest expectations with the way it has progressed so quickly,” Wagner said. “The university has done a great job of making it a really fun and competitive day, which drives the participation and the excitement.” 

In giving this latest donation, Steve and Laura Wagner are endorsing what they call the “incredible leadership” of Neufeldt, who has trumpeted social mobility as a core value since she arrived at CSUSM in 2019. Steve also is making a statement to would-be donors throughout the region, hoping to inspire them with the power of his example. 

“My friends have heard me talk about the university. They know that I’m passionate, and they know why I am,” he said. “I thought for a long time that CSUSM was a well-kept secret in our region, but that has really changed over the last 10 years or so. People are starting to understand the tremendous impact the university has, and I think it’s easier and easier to get people excited about it and hopefully to get people to contribute as well.” 

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

The Stone Brewing Fund for Social Mobility will provide foundational funding to improve college access and success for students via avenues such as Student Affairs initiatives, college faculty mentorship programs and community outreach.  

Wagner is the chair of the CSUSM Foundation Board, and he and Laura are among the university’s most ardent community champions. 

“We are so impressed with the growth of CSUSM and what it has accomplished over the years, and we wanted to help out in any way that we could,” Wagner said. “The social mobility piece is important to us because one of the best ways to solve the inequity or inequality in our society these days is to help people who may not normally have access to a college education to be able to get there and succeed. And it’s not just success for them – it’s success for their families and, in CSUSM’s case, with 80% of graduates staying in the area, it’s success for our region and companies like ours, families like ours.”  

The Wagners structured their gift so that it’s both an endowment that supports long-term priorities and a discretionary fund that can be used by CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt for immediate needs – needs, for example, that were exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.  

“This gift is transformational for us, our students and our community – it’s a tremendous investment in our collective future,” Neufeldt said. “I am grateful to Steve and Laura for their immense generosity and confidence in the mission of CSUSM. We are excited to leverage their investment to support and further enable the success of our students in earning degrees, leading to social mobility and economic prosperity for our entire region.”  

Among the ways that the social mobility fund could be deployed in the short term are to enhance the critical financial stability for existing student programs, to expand success programs to serve more students, to develop a comprehensive data management and analysis process to track outcomes and student progress, and to create multiple success programs for underrepresented student populations. It also will support an experiential leadership conference and social mobility symposium.  

“To say that Steve leads by example would be an understatement,” said Jessica Berger, CSUSM’s vice president of University Advancement. “His dedication to the success of our students today, through thoughtful mentorship and generous support, combined with his commitment to future generations of CSUSM students will have a lasting imprint. The magnitude of Steve’s gift underscores the tremendous impact that philanthropy will have in transforming lives.”  

Social mobility is an institutional pillar for CSUSM under Neufeldt, a nationally regarded expert in the subject. The university’s new strategic plan, which launched this semester, places student success at the center of the campus’ mission, with a vision to be a national leader in student social mobility.  

In some ways, CSUSM already is; for the last seven years, it has ranked in the top 5% out of 1,500 schools in the Social Mobility Index by CollegeNET, which measures the extent to which a college or university educates more economically disadvantaged students (with family incomes below the national median) at lower tuition and graduates them into good-paying jobs.  

About half of CSUSM students are underrepresented minorities, and at least 52% of graduates are the first in their families to earn a bachelor’s degree. One in nine students is a veteran, service member or military-affiliated dependent. CSUSM is also a major contributor of bachelor’s degree holders to the region’s workforce, with more than 80% of students remaining in the region following graduation.  

Wagner stepped into the role of chair of the Foundation Board last year, about a decade after he first joined the board. On CSUSM Giving Day last Nov. 30, he and board director Nathaniel Keifer-Wheals funded 23 challenge gifts and bonuses, fueling a level of competition that helped the university break its Giving Day records by raising $457,193 in just 24 hours.  

Steve and Laura Wagner also fund a music scholarship at CSUSM and School of Arts programming that focuses on underrepresented artists. And Wagner remains active in a professional mentoring program that he helped establish through the College of Business Administration.  

Ripples and their far-reaching effects have been the overarching theme of much of Low’s adult life. There are the ripples of the thousands of patients he helped during his three-decade career as a radiologist at Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego. There are the ripples of his father and uncle, the former of whom was a World War II hero in the Pacific and the latter who died in combat. And there are the ripples of the secret family history that Low unearthed during his second act as a published author – the unlikely love story between two Chinese immigrants in San Francisco in the late 19^th century that spawned generations of Chinese Americans, including Low himself.  

All of this knowledge weighed heavily on Low’s mind last August as he lay in a bed at Scripps Green Hospital in La Jolla, fighting off a nasty staph infection that doctors told him could have ended his life if left untreated for one more day. Amid his hospitalization and subsequent rehab, he spoke with many nurses, some of whom were alumni of Cal State San Marcos. Not only was he grateful for their excellent level of care, but he was left inspired by their personal stories – the hardships they had overcome, the financial struggles they had faced, the dedication they showed to their work.  

“These stories were so compelling,” Low said. “I knew at that moment that I had been given a second chance at life, and I wanted to do something to help them. I was a ripple, and this was my opportunity to live my life differently, to give back to the people who are helping me.”  

Low now hopes to create ripples that will benefit others. He and his wife, Carolyn Hesse-Low, a renowned plein air artist, have donated $5,000 to CSUSM to create a scholarship for undergraduate nursing students. Two students who meet certain criteria each will receive $2,500 for the 2022-23 academic year, and Low intends to contribute at least $5,000 annually to continue the scholarship.  

He also delivered a virtual lecture, appropriately titled “Ripples in Time,” on April 19 in which he recounted his remarkable, multigenerational family story and the personal experiences that precipitated his support of CSUSM nursing students. Low tells that tale more deeply in his 2019 book “Three Coins: A Young Girl’s Story of Kidnappings, Slavery and Romance in 19^th Century America,” and he will donate all proceeds from his book sales – purchased not just on Tuesday but any date – to support nursing scholarships.  

The event Tuesday was hosted by the College of Education, Health and Human Services, and sponsored by the School of Nursing, the CSUSM Student Nurses Association and the Cross-Cultural Center. 

 “It makes me feel good, but it also makes the people who purchase the book feel good that they’re doing something to help young nurses in training,” Low said. 

Listen to Low talk for only a few minutes, and you’ll realize he’s a born storyteller, so much so that you’d swear he’s a lifelong writer rather than a physician who stumbled upon the craft late in life. His quest to document his family’s past began in 1982 when his oldest son was born and he set out to make a family tree, running into snags the farther back he tried to go.  

Specifically, Low got stuck on his great-grandparents. Through a relative, he came across a 1903 photograph of his great-grandfather, who Low had discovered was a worker on the transcontinental railroad, and his great-grandmother, about whom little was known. The family lore, as passed down to Low, was that missionaries had brought her from China to America, but Low figured that was unlikely, given the harsh anti-Chinese sentiment in the United States at the time (Chinese women weren’t allowed to enter the country, and after the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, Chinese laborers also were barred from entry or U.S. citizenship; this exclusion continued for 61 years).

“The big question at that point was: Who is the wife?” he said. “Where did she come from? Why was she here? She shouldn’t have been here.” 

Those questions, and their captivating answers, form the basis of “Three Coins.” The comprehensive research undergirding the book became a saga that lasted almost two decades. In the process, Low uncovered the story of Ah Ying, who was only 9 when she was sold into slavery and brought to America in 1880. She was defiant, refusing to be held down by slave owners, missionaries or Chinese thugs. Against great odds, she survived, fell in love with Hung Lai Wah and started a family.  

Low counts himself and his own family – including his two sons, Ryan and Robert – among the generations of descendants of that improbable union. 

“There are more than 100 of us now who’ve had incredible lives and accomplishments and contributions that were only possible because of this young girl and her survival and the ripples,” Low said. “The attitude of never giving up hope is key to who these people were and who I am. That kind of resilience really led to generations of Americans.” 

Low retired from his medical practice on Dec. 31, 2019, nine months after the release of “Three Coins.” (This month, he published his second book focused on family history; “The All-American Crew: A True Story of a World War II Bomber and the Men Who Flew It” is about his uncle, Stanley, and the nine crewmates who died in the war.) About a year-and-a-half after retirement, Low embarked with some friends on a backpacking trip in Yosemite National Park. The objective was audacious: Hike 50 miles and climb 9,000 feet of elevation, to the summit of Sing Peak, all with 30-40 pounds of gear strapped to his back.  

Low had prepared for the expedition for months by hiking around the hills of La Jolla, and he was feeling great as he neared the peak on the third day. As he tried to scramble over a pile of rocks, however, he lost his balance and fell. Fearing that his head would smash into the stone and result in a subdural hematoma, he was relieved when he looked himself over and found only some abrasions on the back of his right shoulder.  

Crisis seemingly averted, he posed for photos with his friends at the top and set out on the long descent. But problems soon emerged. After logging 11 miles on the first day down, Low started to feel his body shutting down. He was shaking so much that a friend thought he was hypothermic and Low thought he might have COVID-19.  

He didn’t, though the reality turned out to be even worse. Overcome by fatigue, painfully slow movement and even double vision, he was able to make the long drive home thanks largely to the self-drive mode on his Tesla. Back in La Jolla, he checked into urgent care at the urging of his wife, whereupon he was diagnosed with a staph aureus infection that caused near-fatal sepsis.  

Between the hospital and a couple of rehab facilities, Low couldn’t return home for a month, and it took three months for him to walk normally again, in part because of preexisting spinal stenosis made worse by the weeks in bed. Even now, he says he’s still not quite back to full health.  

“I don’t understand how it happened or what happened,” he said. “But I have to confess that I’m still very freaked out. When I get a little cut or I get some back pain or neck pain, I’m like, ‘Oh my God, it’s coming back.’ I think that will stay with me for a while.” 

Just like the CSUSM nursing alumni who helped save his life and inspired his philanthropy, however, Low is nothing if not resolute in the face of adversity. He is, after all, the great-grandson of Ah Ying.  

“Everything in our lives, quite frankly, is part of a much bigger story,” Low said. “I can talk to you about what happened to my great-grandmother and its effects. But everything in our lives is a ripple. It’s just that this near life-ending event was so dramatic. It was a ripple. I am a ripple. And I want to make sure that the outcome of that ripple is a positive one and that something positive grows out of it.” 

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

“History has always made me the happiest,” said Teater, who’s partial to the modern civil rights era herself.  

Teater earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Cal State San Marcos in 2018 and is now in her second year of the university’s master’s program, with plans to graduate in December. When an opportunity arose to do a paid internship through CSUSM’s library focused on oral history projects, she leaped at it.  

Teater is one of four history graduate students working for the library this semester as oral history interns. The pilot program is intended to give the students a real-world taste of a vital public history activity of documenting the experiences and stories of the local community.  

“While the learning component is an awesome part of this internship, we are doing actual work, and it will be encapsulated in the archives at CSUSM long after we all graduate,” Teater said. “Being paid makes my work feel valuable, and it gives me some footing for the future. I hope this is a trend that continues, especially at CSUSM.” 

Teater and the other interns can be paid for their work thanks to the generosity of a Rancho Santa Fe woman with a deep and abiding love of history and libraries. Before she died last year, Ellie Johns set up a gift fund to support internships exposing students to the field of library science and archives.  

The internships are funded by an agreement between CSUSM, the Rancho Santa Fe Foundation and the Library Guild of Rancho Santa Fe, Johns’ longtime former organization. 

“Ellie was very passionate about the field of library science, and she wanted her legacy to reflect that,” said Jennifer Fabbi, dean of the library. “From the time I was first introduced to Ellie’s work in 2015, she was very clear about her desire to impact the futures of those interested in library work.” 

Eleanor Rix Johns was born in California in 1924. Attending UC Berkeley as an English major, she met her future husband, Cecil “Seese” Johns, in 1943 and accompanied him as an officer’s wife in his assignments in Asia and Europe. She joined the occupation forces in Japan and served as a writer for Stars and Stripes.  

After her husband retired from the military, the couple settled in Rancho Santa Fe. A lifelong lover of books, Johns became a member of the city’s library guild and served on the board as president and membership chair, personally recruiting more than 200 new members. As an early organizer of the Book Cellar, the guild’s used bookstore, she sought to create an ongoing income stream to support the guild. The result is a store staffed by volunteers that operates to this day and grows annually.  

Following her time serving on the guild board, Johns moved on to become a librarian at the Rancho Santa Fe branch of the San Diego County library and worked for many more years, finally deciding to retire in her late 80s.  

“Ellie was committed to education, the power of literacy and lifelong learning,” said Chris Sichel, president and CEO of the Rancho Santa Fe Foundation, which administers the endowment funding the initiative. “At RSF Foundation, we work with donors to establish ways they can support the causes closest to their hearts, even after they are gone, and this scholarship fund is one such example of the power of legacy giving. 

“Ellie knew the value of being a lifelong learner, and her legacy will be carried out by people who visit the CSUSM library and find answers to their questions or are inspired to delve deeper and learn even more about how we better the future.” 

Teater is now one of those people carrying out Johns’ legacy. She and the other library interns are working on an oral history project focused on Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) who have created change in North County. Under the guidance of Sean Visintainer (head of Special Collections) and Jennifer Ho (Special Collections archivist), the interns are learning the ins and outs of the craft, and after spring break they will begin interviewing sources for the oral history.   

Teater is also an intern for the Lambda Archives of San Diego, and she’s working with that organization on her master’s thesis about queer people of color during the rise and height of the AIDS crisis in San Diego. She plans to pursue a career in archives or library science and might enroll in a Master of Library and Information Science program as soon as the fall semester.  

Johns, no doubt, would have been proud.  

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

Thai, who earned his MBA from Cal State San Marcos in 2000, is doing that in myriad ways. That includes recently establishing the CSUSM CLIMB Compassionate Leadership Experience Awards program. Thai and his wife, Lily, have already contributed $5,000 to establish the program and intend to contribute $5,000 per year for the next five years through their Build a School Foundation, Inc.

“When Jimmy was a student in my MBA leadership class, I saw the wonderful potential in him and teased him that when he made his millions, he should come back and support us,” said Raj Pillai, a professor of management and the executive director of CLIMB. “I am so glad that he is doing so in such a unique way through his Compassionate Leadership grant to CLIMB, which will be used by students to help the less fortunate in our community and develop their leadership skills in the process.”

CLIMB, which stands for the Center for Leadership Innovation and Mentorship Building, was established by the College of Business Administration in 2004 with the goal of serving “the leadership development needs of the surrounding community through innovative research and collaboration with various internal and external constituencies.”

Thai will be the featured guest for CLIMB’s Speaker Series event on April 1 when he presents a talk titled “Compassionate Leadership: Overcoming Adversity and Transforming Lives.”

Thai certainly knows about overcoming adversity. He tried 15 times to leave his native Vietnam during and after the war before finally making it to the United States at age 20.

“Looking back, I did not really see anything special about it,” Thai said of the perseverance he showed. “For me, growing up during the Vietnam War right from birth until the fall of Saigon in '75, that 10 years I grew up during the war. And then after the fall of Saigon, I lived with communists for 10 years. So to me, struggle and hardship and going to bed hungry seemed to be the norm. I didn't really think much about hardship or struggle. I didn't know any better.

“A lot of people don't know much about the Vietnamese refugees – the boat people – because it's been four or five decades already. Half of us didn't make it. Half of us call the Pacific Ocean our home for good. That's why I've always considered myself lucky. As strange as it sounds, I still consider myself a lucky one.”

Despite speaking no English when he arrived, Thai enrolled almost immediately at Miramar College before transferring to UC San Diego, where he earned a bachelor’s in electrical engineering. He got his master’s in electrical engineering at Cal State Fullerton before deciding to pursue his MBA. He chose CSUSM both for its proximity to his home in North County and the fact that he could complete the program in 18 months rather than taking two full years.

The lessons Thai learned at CSUSM are still making an impact more than two decades later.

“I still have all the textbooks from my MBA program, and I use them quite a bit,” he said. “Even when I learned how to trade stock, I prefer the finance textbook from that class just because they talk a lot about stock options and how to do a lot of fancy stock option derivatives and things like that. But the leadership material is the one I use the most. It really fit in with my passion to lead and to change organizations and also to live up to being a leader.”

Thai and Lily founded the Build a School Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit that provides educational opportunities for poor children by funding classroom constructions, school-related infrastructures, teaching and learning equipment, scholarships and basic health care needs. Founded in 2015 with a goal to build 100 schools by 2025, the organization has completed 94 with three others under construction, and it’s already looking toward Phase 2.

As part of his work with the Build a School Foundation, Inc., Thai wants to continue helping tomorrow’s leaders.

“Just be useful and be kind,” he said. “Have a career, find something that you can be useful to help yourself. And when you have that ability, then just be kind and help other people who are less fortunate than you.”

Visit the CLIMB website to register or learn more about Jimmy Thai’s April 1 Speaker Series event, “Compassionate Leadership: Overcoming Adversity and Transforming Lives.”

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

One of the foundational ones from her perspective was her time at Cal State San Marcos, where as a new mother, she earned an accounting degree and developed the skills that allowed her to find a good job soon after graduation and advance quickly in her career. 

Now, Norviel is emulating the many people who showed her kindness and compassion on her journey, and is giving back to others. The 2008 alumna has made her first gift to CSUSM a big one – a $50,000 endowed scholarship that will support accounting majors during their time in the program.  

“Whenever I make a donation to an organization that I support, it gives me the most rewarding feeling,” said Norviel, who’s a partner and certified public accountant at Moss Adams, which is based in Seattle but has offices throughout the country, including in San Diego.  

“Without the education I received at CSUSM, I wouldn’t have been able to meet with and work for a firm like Moss Adams. I wanted that kind of experience to be shared by more people.” 

Norviel’s generosity is proving to be doubly beneficial, too. Moss Adams, the company she has worked for since the year she graduated and a longstanding partner of CSUSM, chose to match the donation with a $50,000 gift of its own to the accounting department.  

“Moss Adams has a long history of investing in the communities in which we operate, and we’re focused on increasing diversity, equity and inclusion in the accounting profession,” said Gerardo Godinez, Moss Adams partner in charge. “CSUSM’s goals for its accounting program aligned with several of our strategic priorities, and we feel CSUSM is an institution where we can make an impact. We are committed to the success of diverse talent and supporting both the community and students in the field.” 

Alan Styles, chair of the accounting department and one of the professors whom Norviel considers most influential in her success, said he was surprised and overjoyed by Norviel’s gift, which he said is among an increasing number of scholarship donations from alumni. 

“The gift from Annie will fund scholarships that allow us to attract students to the accounting program,” Styles said. “Accounting scholarships enable students to reduce their employment obligations and focus more time on their academic studies and becoming more involved in the Accounting Society and its professional networking activities. A vast majority of our students are first-generation college students, and becoming accounting professionals allows them to set an example for many in their family and community.” 

In making her initial gift to CSUSM, Norviel was inspired by Kyle Casement, a director on the university’s Foundation Board, a fellow CSUSM accounting alumnus and a former colleague at Moss Adams for almost a decade. On Giving Day last fall, Casement created an alumni scholarship to increase alumni accounting outreach, and he has been a tireless champion of alumni giving at any level. 

“He really takes the time to advocate for CSUSM, and we definitely need more people like him,” Norviel said. “It's very inspiring how much time he devotes to the school. I started this initiative, and I’m committed to do more in the future.” 

Casement described Norviel’s donation as “incredible.” 

“Annie is someone who I have always looked up to and who inspires me,” he said. “This gift is a great example of her generosity and support for the university and specifically the accounting program. Not only will this gift have a direct and meaningful impact on current and future students, but I think her contribution and her story will also help inspire other alumni to consider how they might also be able to pay it forward.” 

Students who stand to benefit from Norviel’s generosity can certainly be moved by her personal story. She was raised in Beijing in such a state of poverty that she lived with her parents, her older brother and her grandmother in a bedroom less than 200 square feet, without a water supply or heating system. 

“It was essentially mud and bricks put together with a roof,” she said. 

Desiring to leave China for a land of freedom and opportunity, Norviel moved to the United States by herself after high school. It was a leap of faith, to be sure. She didn’t speak much English, and the only person she knew in America was a friend in Salt Lake City who was more of an acquaintance.  

Settling in Utah would have been hard enough, but only a couple of weeks after she did so, the friend informed her that he would be leaving with his wife to accept a job in China. And when the process of applying to U.S. universities proved much more difficult and cumbersome than she anticipated, Norviel realized that she would need to switch into survival mode.  

Drawn by the large Chinese community, she moved to San Francisco and rented a furnished room while working as a waiter to make ends meet and trying to figure out her new surroundings. When an opportunity presented itself to buy a restaurant from the owner who was retiring, she jumped on it, using the money that she had planned to spend on college. Along the way, she haltingly improved her grasp of the language and learned essential business skills that were all new to her. 

“I have met a lot of great people in this great country,” Norviel said. “That’s also part of the reason I enjoy giving back, because there are so many people who were so generous and extremely kind to me at different stages of my life.” 

Norviel eventually moved to the San Diego area and finally was able to achieve her dream of higher education. CSUSM and its accounting program were the perfect fit.  

“She embraced the work ethic and dedication to academics and development as a professional that we promote in our accounting program,” Styles said. “She indicated a strong desire to be a leader in the professional accounting community while a student.” 

Norviel is just that at Moss Adams, having risen from a tax accountant to a senior manager to a partner. Even the language barrier that stymied her during her early years in America turned out to be an asset in one sense – her ability to speak Chinese has allowed her to serve clients with operations in Asia.  

Asked what advice she gives to students, Norviel said: “It’s OK if you don’t know what you want to do when you’re 18. It’s OK to try different things. There may be a detour until you learn what you’re really passionate about, what you’re good at. I didn't know I would be an accounting professional when I was 18. As long as you work hard, study hard, there will be success waiting for you somewhere.” 

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

Even when he was exposed to the concept early in his EDUC 364 course, he understood it mainly as a 20-hour requirement to complete the class. But the experience of tutoring foster youth as part of his service learning project affected Edwards deeply, so much so that he’s bringing a decided spirit of giving to the holiday season.

Edwards this month organized a toy drive with the student organization Brotherhood Alliance through the Black Student Center that netted 322 toys that will become Christmas gifts for local foster kids. If that weren’t enough, he also raised hundreds of dollars for a San Diego nonprofit that helps former foster kids transition to independent living.

“I just thought, ‘It’s the holidays and there are so many kids in the foster system who are going without and who just want to get a sense of what it feels like to have Christmas or be supported through their journey of being in foster youth,’ ” Edwards said. “So I took it upon myself to go a little farther and do these acts to demonstrate that we can all be the change that we want to see in terms of helping foster kids.”

Edwards embarked on the service learning project in a course taught by School of Education lecturer Sherry Freeborn called “The Role of Cultural Diversity in Schooling.” In that class and other education prerequisites like it, CSUSM partners with a program called Tutor Connection run by Michelle Bailow, who works in foster youth services for the San Diego County Office of Education.

After teaching students about the effects of trauma and the ins and outs of the child welfare system, Bailow matches them with a foster youth from somewhere in the county for 20 hours of tutoring supervised by her.

Edwards met for two hours every Monday with a seventh-grade foster youth who has special needs. Assuming at the outset that the sessions would revolve around classwork and other educational problems, Edwards soon discovered that was not the case.

“When I started talking with the kid, it became clear that he just needed a friend, someone to lift him up a little bit,” Edwards said. “That's what I began to do, and that's what got me thinking about the fundraisers that I have been participating in.”

Edwards derived so much inspiration from his weekly tutoring meetings that he volunteered to be paired with a second foster youth as well. And when he approached Bailow with his desire to do even more for the holidays, Bailow connected him with two local agencies. 

Promises2Kids, founded in 1981, is a San Diego nonprofit that annually supports more than 3,000 current and former foster youth in the county, and each December it holds the “Give from Your Heart” toy drive. In concert with the Brotherhood Alliance, Edwards stationed two drop-off boxes in the Black Student Center and several more at various locations around the county. Last week, he picked up the hundreds of toys and delivered them to Promises2Kids for distribution before Christmas. 

At the same time, Edwards worked with Just in Time for Foster Youth, specifically its My First Home program, which assists former foster youth in furnishing their new apartments as they exit the system and begin to live on their own. Edwards visited all of the EDUC 364 classes to present his fundraising plan and ask students to chip in up to $5. He and his friends in the Brotherhood Alliance then teamed up to match what the students gave, which amounted to a total of $600. 

Bailow has been a community partner of CSUSM for about 15 years, and she said Edwards’ level of initiative and generosity is rare in her experience.   

“I have phenomenal students who are dedicated to their kids and become mentors,” Bailow said. “But the fact that he took on all this on his own because this class had such an impact on him and that he wanted to give back and do something special for kids in the foster care system, he definitely stands out as one of the shining stars from all my years of doing this.” 

Edwards is on track to graduate in May 2023 with a degree in psychology. At 31, he also just became a licensed barber, having recently completed the required 1,500 hours of training and passed the California state exam. His career ambition is to fuse his two interests, bettering his clients’ mental state while cutting and styling their hair.  

“A lot of men won't go and talk to a therapist, but they'll talk to their barber,” he said. “I also hope to continue to partner with Michelle and offer my service for free to foster youth who need haircuts. I want to use that skill of cutting hair to support my education and to tie it in with everything else that I do.” 

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

“I am awestruck by the generosity of so many,” said Jessica Berger, vice president for University Advancement. “We are grateful for everyone who helped make Giving Day such a resounding success, one that will have an immediate and lasting impact on our campus community.”

Now in its seventh year at CSUSM, Giving Day is part of Giving Tuesday, an international day focused on philanthropy. This year’s Giving Day surpassed the previous record in 2018, when Fox Russell surprised the university with a $100,000 gift in honor of his late parents, bringing the total that year to $448,955.

On Tuesday, Nov. 30, nearly 1,500 people – including alumni, employees, students, parents, friends and sponsors – rallied to support 104 campus projects and initiatives.

Presenting sponsor North City jumpstarted the day with a $25,000 Power Hour, which was met within an impressive 30 minutes. SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union provided a $10,000 employee match, and 17 funds were able to accelerate their giving thanks to frontline matches.

Foundation Board chair Steve Wagner, his wife Laura, and director Nathaniel Keifer-Wheals (‘09, ‘21) generously funded 23 challenge gifts and bonuses. A unique and beloved part of CSUSM’s Giving Day, challenges add a friendly competition to the day, as donors strategize to hopefully turn their gift into a $1,000 or even $2,000 surprise donation to the fund that they support. CSUSM’s Dreamer Resource Office and women’s cross country and track tied as the biggest challenge winners with each receiving $4,500.

Enthusiasm surged in the afternoon when an anonymous donor, inspired by the spirit of Giving Day, pledged a $50,000 dollar-for-dollar match.

Two new endowed scholarships were established on Giving Day: the Marilyn J. McWilliams Spirit of Inclusive Excellence Scholarship and Dorothy Igei Endowed Scholarship, a $50,000 scholarship honoring the late mother of Tina Bell, who serves an associate vice president in University Advancement, is a proud parent of a CSUSM alumna, and will be retiring at the end of the year.

Additional highlights from the day included:

• CSUSM received 2,149 total gifts.
• One in five gifts was made by alumni.
• Students continued to show their love for CSUSM by making 360 gifts.
• 90% of all gifts received were less than $250.
• 68 ambassadors helped spread the word and brought in a collective $36,386 from their personal networks.
• More than 2,500 students cast their vote through the CougarBot challenge, crowning the ASI Cougar Pantry with an additional $1,000 award.

Did you miss your chance to donate during Giving Day? You can still make a meaningful impact on the program you love. Give today!

Know a CSUSM project that needs funding? Connect with the Office of Annual Giving to launch a Cougar Crowdfunding project.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist
ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

The fact that Berger wasn’t officially working for CSUSM yet was irrelevant. Like the majority of CSUSM students, Berger is a first-generation college graduate, so the opportunity to see so many students experiencing the same joy she did was one that she wasn’t going to miss.

“I had between goosebumps and tears as I saw the expressions of the graduates, and I know what that feeling is like that you've made it,” Berger said. “I've always had this mantra that goals have no limit. And just to see how far those students have come, to hear their stories, and then to see their families and the impact that moment has on their families is really special.”

Berger officially joined the CSUSM family on July 12 after previously serving as the assistant vice president for development in the Office of College Advancement at Harvey Mudd College in Claremont. She is looking forward to helping more CSUSM students reach commencement day in her role with University Advancement and as the executive director of the CSUSM Foundation, which supports the university’s mission by cultivating and promoting charitable investment in the university and encouraging a culture of philanthropy.

“From Jessica’s very first visit to campus, she has embraced and connected with our mission of student success, and she truly bleeds Cougar blue,” said Steve Wagner, chair of the Foundation Board and the co-founder and president of Stone Brewing Co. “I have personally been very impressed with the energy and focus she brings to the challenges of her role. I’ve been thrilled to see her at numerous events in the community already, meeting people and starting the important work of building relationships.

“She has already proven to be a strong partner to the CSUSM Foundation Board, and her team has really responded to her inspiring leadership. She is truly a one-of-a-kind talent, and I am privileged to be serving alongside her – and hope that I can keep up!”

Berger grew up in Wickliffe, Ohio, just outside of Cleveland. Though neither of her parents attended college, their work ethic and tireless support left a lasting impression. Even today, they remain her biggest cheerleaders, sending flowers and a note on her first day at CSUSM to make sure she knew of their pride in her accomplishments. And, in a state crazy for Ohio State athletics, there are at least two people sporting CSUSM gear as her parents proudly represent Berger’s new school.

“I look up to them as two people who really instilled the values of hard work,” Berger said. “I couldn't do any of it without their support.”

Berger points to two pivotal moments that helped her understand the life-changing impact that education and philanthropy could have on students. The first was a shooting tragedy at her middle school. The second came a decade later when she saw firsthand how generosity could transform a community.

Berger was a student at Wickliffe Middle School in 1994 when a gunman killed a custodian and wounded four others at the school. The heart-wrenching event made a young Berger realize that life couldn’t be taken for granted and guided her down a new path in her education. After middle school, she transferred to a high school that was an hour away from her home to find a better educational environment.

“I started to gain confidence in realizing you have the ability to change your path,” she said. “You don't have to fall victim to any circumstance.”

Berger thrived in school and on the swim team, and she continued to swim competitively while working toward her bachelor’s in psychology at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio. She attended Cleveland State University for her Master of Social Work, and it was after her first year there that she took a transformational trip to Kerala, India, to work with families impacted by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that killed more than 225,000 people in 14 countries.

Berger spent a month in Kerala, leading a group of almost two dozen students researching non-governmental organizations to help those impacted by the devastation. It was astounding for her to see these organizations build two-story homes that could withstand a tsunami for only $2,000.

“It was something that was just mind-boggling,” Berger said. “It was a life-changing moment to see the impact that philanthropy had on communities.”

It also solidified Berger’s desire to make a difference through philanthropy and engagement.

Berger moved to California and began working for the MACHAO Orphanage Foundation, which provides assistance to orphans in Kenya. That led to a position with Polytechnic School in Pasadena to help with a $93 million campaign. It was also her introduction to educational fundraising.

“Education has always been the most important thing in my life,” Berger said. “My parents didn't have the opportunity to attend college, but I knew that it was my ticket to do anything and the key to open any doors for the future.

“At CSUSM, I wake up every day not feeling like it's a job because I'm working with people who are impacting that trajectory for our students and providing that support they need to be successful.”

CSUSM successfully completed its first comprehensive fundraising campaign at the end of 2018, and Berger and her team are already in the planning stages of the university’s next campaign. She is looking forward to helping CSUSM continue progress toward being a national leader in social mobility and student success.

As the university rolls out its new strategic plan, Berger and her team will be building an action plan focused on community partnerships and fundraising priorities that will impact the campus and region for decades.

“I hit the jackpot with a University Advancement team that is talented, committed and collaborative,” Berger said. “It's been exciting to dive right in and explore areas that we can thoughtfully build and grow in order to be successful and as we strategize the work that will need to take place for the next campaign. We also have an incredibly strong and passionate Foundation Board of directors who will be instrumental in our campaign planning and execution.

“Every single person at CSUSM is here for our students, to ensure their success. It has been really inspiring that every community constituent I’ve met with has, unsolicited, shared that they're here because of our students and our important mission.”

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

The donation is the first one that CSUSM has received from the Henry L. Guenther Foundation, a nonprofit charitable organization based in Seal Beach.  

Funding will be used to equip three lab complexes with advanced technology and equipment, including virtual reality, simulation manikins and industry-standard instruments that will mirror real health care settings. The new immersive training labs will build a highly qualified and diverse nursing workforce to advance the health of residents in the region.  

“Thanks to the generosity of the Guenther Foundation, the School of Nursing at CSUSM is able to advance its simulation capacity with the purchase of state-of-the-art technology that offers nursing students an opportunity to participate in faculty-guided, simulated experiences that prepare students for the real-world scenarios they will face during their clinical rotations and as practicing nurses after they graduate,” said Jennifer Ostergren, dean of CSUSM’s College of Education, Health and Human Services. 

The funding from the Guenther Foundation will allow CSUSM to build upon its on-campus nursing facility that was renovated in 2014. That remake resulted in a 12,000-square-foot space featuring a larger nursing skills lab with 11 beds, a state-of-the art simulation theater and four mock exam rooms. CSUSM also has added several body-accurate manikins that allow students to engage in realistic patient-care scenarios.  

With the new funding, CSUSM will supplement its current offerings with the following technologies:  

• Simulation capture audio/visual system for simulation rooms, including software, audio and video equipment for full integration of simulated care and post-simulation review for students and faculty.  

• Nursing Anne Simulator system, which includes a manikin, tablet and monitor.  

• Simulation newborn system, which will assist with newborn health assessment training.  

• 10 simulation pads, which are used to control manikins and simulators and allow instructors to deliver simulation-based training such as heart tones, lung sounds and bowel sounds. 

• Infusion and syringe pumps, which help teach nursing students how to administer IV fluids and medications. 

• Spot Vital Signs system, vitals machines that are used in hospitals and other health settings, including blood pressure cuff, thermometer and cart. 

Susanne Sundberg, chairman of the Guenther Foundation Board of Directors, said not only did CSUSM’s grant request fall within the foundation’s mission and areas of focus for funding, but that she was personally interested in it because her granddaughter is in nursing school. 

“We know there’s a critical need for nurses in California,” Sundberg said. “The Board of Directors is confident that the simulation and skills lab as funded by the Henry L. Guenther Foundation will help increase a qualified nursing workforce in the state.” 

Cougar Crowdfunding helps bring groups of donors together to fund specific projects during a time-constrained campaign. In this peer-to-peer model, projects raise modest sums of money, typically $2,000-$5,000 to fund special projects. All of CSUSM’s academic programs, colleges, faculty, student groups and university departments are eligible to apply to be a Cougar Crowdfunding project, which are facilitated through the Office of Annual Giving Programs in University Advancement.

“Cougar Crowdfunding will surely have a positive impact in our ongoing efforts to implement innovative approaches to fundraising and to build an inclusive culture of philanthropy at CSUSM,” said Jessica Berger, vice president for University Advancement. 

The platform officially launched with its first project in the summer, as members of the CSUSM community rallied together to fund a memorial bench in honor of Valissa Smith Middleton, who was a cherished friend and colleague in Distribution Services.

Through Cougar Crowdfunding, donors are able see how much is being raised in real time for any specific project and project managers can easily track how close they are to reaching their goals.

Visit the Cougar Crowdfunding webpage for frequently asked questions and how to get started.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist
ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Now, staunch supporters of CSUSM since its very beginning are honoring Huerta and boosting CAMP in a different way.  

Ann Hunter-Welborn, a member of the University Council before CSUSM was even founded, and her husband, David Welborn, have donated $26,000 to the university to establish the Dolores Huerta endowed scholarship. Each year, starting this fall, one student in CAMP, which helps students from migrant and seasonal farmworker backgrounds succeed in the transition to college, will receive a $1,000 scholarship to assist them in their education.  

“I think it’s an important recognition of the contribution that migrants make to our whole society and our responsibility to do some small thing to make their lives easier,” Hunter-Welborn said. 

Of the total gift, $1,000 will fund the first scholarship in fall 2021 while the remaining $25,000 will launch the endowed scholarship. The donation is being timed in connection with the second annual One CSUSM day on May 4. One CSUSM is a day of giving that started last year to deliver badly needed aid to students at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, the focus of the campaign is scholarships. 

The gift by Hunter-Welborn and her husband is the outgrowth of a meeting she had this spring with CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt in which they connected over the idea of access to higher education, especially among underrepresented groups. 

“Access has always been a big issue, and I think, in many ways, it’s become a bigger issue in the last year because of the stress that everybody is living under and graduating seniors not getting much of a senior year,” Hunter-Welborn said. “It just seemed like a good time to do it and a good counterpart to the César Chávez recognition on campus.” 

The news that CAMP is the target of this endowed scholarship came as music to the ears of Minerva Gonzalez, the CAMP principal investigator who directed the program at CSUSM for 16 years before handing over the reins to Maria Venegas Escobedo in 2018. Gonzalez said the gift will allow CAMP to serve the needs of future students who aren’t covered either by the program or financial aid.  

“CAMP students are all first generation, low income, and face so many personal, academic and financial challenges,” Gonzalez said. “Yet they are the most resilient and determined students. This endowment will be a much-needed resource that will support their educational path toward graduation. 

“It is with our deepest appreciation that Ann Hunter-Welborn and her husband have blessed us with their generosity.” 

Hunter-Welborn and David Welborn previously have given to many different areas on campus, including the All-Steinway campaign, the music department, the University Library and Center ARTES.  

“I am grateful that CSUSM has been such a successful university and has grown to be such an important part of the North County community and beyond,” Hunter-Welborn said.  

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

The gift announced Tuesday is the first one that CSUSM has received from The Conrad Prebys Foundation, the largest charitable organization in San Diego County, or its namesake, Conrad Prebys, one of the most prolific philanthropists in the region’s history.  

“We are filled with gratitude by the generosity of this gift from The Conrad Prebys Foundation, an organization that is changing the face of San Diego through its commitment to philanthropy,” CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said. “Innovation is central to everything we do at CSUSM, and this grant will allow us to build on our efforts to help solve crucial problems for our region’s future.” 

CSUSM is among 121 grant projects that are receiving nearly $78 million in funding during the inaugural grant cycle of The Conrad Prebys Foundation. The recipients include some of the most prominent institutions in San Diego, such as Rady Children’s Hospital, Sharp HealthCare, KPBS, Scripps Research, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and The Old Globe. Also among the grants are 10 to higher education institutions totaling almost $17 million.  

The CSUSM Innovation Hub is a 2,800-square-foot space within the Extended Learning building on campus. Designed to teach students how to be entrepreneurs, innovators and the next generation of leaders, the Hub was set to launch in person by April 2020, but the coronavirus pandemic forced activity to be held in a virtual setting. Despite that limitation, the Hub has enjoyed success, including student innovation competitions that created unique solutions for local K-12 districts. 

The grant from The Conrad Prebys Foundation will allow the Innovation Hub to meet its technology, equipment and critical supply needs to transform the space, enabling projects to move forward from ideas through commercialization. Funds will be used to outfit the Hub with forward-thinking technology such as virtual reality equipment, 3D printers and scanners, 360-degree cameras and makerspace tool kits, among other products. 

“We are very excited and grateful to be part of The Conrad Prebys Foundation recipient list in fulfilling the vision of the CSUSM Innovation Hub,” said Jill Litschewski, director of the Hub. “The grant will allow us to continue the momentum in building CSUSM’s social innovation and entrepreneurial spirit, pursuing solutions to our region’s most pressing needs.” 

The potential of the Innovation Hub was illustrated recently when a team composed mostly of current and former CSUSM students came together through the Hub to win a $15,000 prize in a virtual hackathon organized by an arm of the U.S. Department of Defense.  

“Our relationship with The Conrad Prebys Foundation will allow CSUSM to achieve something transformative for our students, for our community and the whole North County region,” said Charles De Leone, faculty director of innovation and interim dean of the Office of Graduate Studies and Research. “It gives CSUSM a chance to be the innovative engine to drive us to a new and brighter future for all the members of our community.” 

In addition to the nearly $78 million in grants announced Tuesday, The Conrad Prebys Foundation already has received letters of intent for its next grant cycle, which will be announced this summer. 

“Our staff and board are honored to serve as stewards for The Conrad Prebys Foundation, and with our role comes the responsibility to empower the nonprofits creating meaningful change across San Diego,” said Erin Decker, director of grantmaking for the foundation. “The grantees have exhibited an extraordinary level of resilience, innovation and compassion during this very challenging time, and it is these organizations that will heal our community in the months and years to come. The foundation is proud to be a part of their story.” 

On the final day of 2012, Ecke had completed the sale of his family’s storied Encinitas ranch to the Leichtag Foundation, a local nonprofit. As part of the transaction, he had negotiated a one-year lease-back, which meant that he had one year of access to every square foot of the sprawling property – one year to sift through literal barns full of stuff accumulated during more than a century of business for a family that had become, in Ecke’s telling, the Microsoft of growing poinsettias and selling them around the world. Such was their market dominance.

What to do, Ecke wondered, with the overwhelming cache of business records, flower catalogs, family photos, correspondence, maps and other documents that surely possessed historical value, given the Eckes’ prominence in the building of North County going back to his great-grandfather’s immigration from Germany in the early 1900s?

“Most people just have to clean out their garage once in a while, or they move,” Ecke said. “We hadn’t moved in 100 years. So I found myself digging through 100 years of Ecke stuff, and it was quite a task.”

As Ecke dove into the initial legwork, spending months sorting and organizing and, yes, purging with the help of a local historian, he thought more and more about a permanent home for his family’s archives. What better place than a local, growing university that could give the collection the attention and space that Ecke thought it deserved?

What better place than the Cal State San Marcos University Library?

By the end of 2013, Ecke had donated hundreds of boxes worth of materials to CSUSM, thus establishing the foundation of what became the library’s Special Collections department. Eight years later, the partnership between the Ecke family and CSUSM is stronger than ever.

Late last year, the Eckes gave $80,000 to the university in continued support of a collection that formally is called the Paul Ecke Ranch, Inc. Business Records and Family Papers. That raised the family’s total giving to more than $350,000 dating back to their first gift in 1996.

“There are so many benefits to having this collection at the library,” said Jennifer Ho, an archivist for Special Collections. “Local history is the main thing. When most people think of San Diego, they think of the coast or downtown or the border areas, but there’s not enough attention given to the North County area. So that aspect is huge. The business was started by an immigrant, so you’ve got that immigrant-hustle, American Dream story. And it started as a small business, so you have some business history there.

“And, of course, the poinsettias angle. We think of poinsettias as the traditional holiday flower, but it’s just because of the Eckes’ incredible marketing that that’s the case.”

Ho’s position as the archivist in charge of the Ecke collection exists thanks to funding from the Eckes. A 2007 alumna of CSUSM, Ho was hired in November 2019 to build on the work of her predecessor, Aditi Worcester, who organized and created an inventory of the materials in the collection.

One of the first things Ho did upon arriving at her alma mater was take a tour of the ranch at the invitation of Paul Ecke III and his sister, Lizbeth. Paul whisked Ho and colleagues Jennifer Fabbi (library dean) and Sean Visintainer (head of Special Collections) around the property in a golf cart, under the theory that it’s easier to understand the history of a place once you’ve seen it with your own eyes.

“It was a really great all-day tour, telling us about the buildings and the home they used to live in and all the research and development,” Ho said. “They’re lovely people. And we email a few times a year about materials they want to add to the collection or photos that I’ve put online.”

Ho had been in her job for only a few months when the coronavirus pandemic struck and forced the closure of CSUSM’s physical campus, including the library. For nearly a year, Ho has been able to work from inside the library just one day a week, which has slowed the progress of her primary task: scanning the reams of documents and turning them into digital files. She anticipates that the pace will pick up considerably when campus reopens and the library can bring on student workers to assist her.  

Having pored through most of the collection himself before he donated it, Paul Ecke has some personal favorites. A canceled check for a 50-cent sack of flour from the Great Depression. The annual catalogs that detailed the ranch’s stockpile of poinsettias and other flowers. Large aerial photos of the property arranged for by his grandfather, Paul Ecke Sr., nicknamed “Mr. Poinsettia” as the man who cultivated the business into a global force.  

“For me, those photos are a fascinating historical record for an era before Google Earth,” Ecke said. “I think they’re going to be great for future generations.” 

Materials directly related to the poinsettia business are the primary draw, but as Fabbi says, "this local history collection also provides a magnifying glass through which to examine national and global happenings over many decades.”  

• There are letters from the brother of Paul Ecke Sr., Hans, who served in World War I and died of the Spanish flu, the last time that the world was in the grips of a pandemic of such severity. A letter from Paul to Hans marked “return to sender” was how the family discovered that Hans had died. 

• There is correspondence between Paul Ecke Sr. and Japanese farmers who worked on neighboring land in Encinitas. When the farmers were placed in internment camps after the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese, they asked Ecke to store on his ranch things like their tractors, trucks and family heirlooms. One letter expressed the family’s gratitude for the Eckes’ role in helping to save their farm.  

• There’s an abundance of documents connected to the Bracero program, a contract between the U.S. and Mexican governments in the early 1940s to bring more than 4 million Mexican laborers north to work temporarily in agriculture because of an American labor shortage stemming from World War II. The Eckes employed Bracero workers and Paul, who was a boy when the program ended in the mid-60s, remembers his grandfather and father talking about it. “It was an important part of the ranch history because it was hard to get workers and they filled a need, especially after the war,” he said. Ho said the Bracero documents are being digitized for CSUSM faculty to use as research material for their students, in part because of the relevance of the program to the pressing immigration issues of today. “There are a lot of echoes between the Bracero program and today’s immigrants, documented or not, coming in and trying to make a life for themselves, which is exactly what these men were trying to do,” Ho said. 

Nearly a decade after he first began tackling the mountain of artifacts on his family’s ranch, Ecke feels as invested in the project and CSUSM’s work as ever. He relishes the regular check-ins with Ho and colleagues to review, explain and clarify things.  

“Maybe it’s a lifelong journey for me, meeting with Cal State San Marcos to help them get it right,” Ecke said. “There’s a bunch of stuff around North County with the Ecke name on it, but as people age, as people die, as new people come to town, the memory of our family is going to keep fading. I think they did some extraordinary things in their time, and I’m really excited that, because of this collection, if you want to know who they were, you can find out.” 

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

It was hard enough for Lee to juggle a heavy class load in biological sciences as she felt the pressure to try to graduate from CSUSM this spring, within a three-year hiatus from active duty granted by the U.S. Navy to pursue her education as part of its Career Intermission Program.

On top of her academic stress, she has been balancing the demands of motherhood, caring for her 4-year-old daughter while helping her two older daughters – 8 and 19 – navigate virtual learning. Her husband, a Navy veteran, was out of work for an extended period because of the perilous nature of his job as a dental hygienist. She even had to drop everything this fall to assist her aunt as she prepared for and recuperated from cancer surgery.

Then, with Lee’s husband having returned to work and her school demands gradually easing, COVID-19 delivered yet another blow. The dental clinic shut down again, leaving the family financially strapped just as her housing allowance through the GI Bill was expiring at the semester’s end.

“It’s been pretty devastating, to say the least,” Lee said of the personal impacts of the pandemic.

So, when Lee recently saw an email pop into her inbox offering student veterans who qualify the opportunity to receive some much-needed financial assistance in time for the holidays, she overcame her aversion to charity and seized on the chance. This week, she will pick up a $500 gift card and some ready-made meals that will contribute to making her family’s Christmas a little bit brighter.

“I was ecstatic when I found out,” she said. “I didn’t know what to say. I thought I would probably have to reach out for some sort of help, and this came along at just the right time.”

Lee’s reaction is no doubt music to the ears of the generous donors who made this last-minute campaign possible. It all started just last month when the newly formed project team that’s building the hospital for Kaiser Permanente in San Marcos decided that it wanted to support veterans and transitioning military members for the holidays.

The team reached out to Tana Lorah, the senior manager of government and community relations for Kaiser Permanente San Diego, who in turn reached out to CSUSM, knowing how integral veterans and military-connected students are to the university. The original intention was to donate gift cards to assist five to 10 families along with 50 boxed meals.

That’s when things started to snowball. CSUSM Veterans Services sent a message to its students with a form by which they could request assistance – either a gift card or a meal or both, depending on whether they were a veteran or a military dependent. The response was overwhelming. Within seven hours, more than 100 requests had been submitted.  

“It was way more than we anticipated,” said Scott Gross, interim director of Veteran Services. “It does make you pause and say, ‘Wow, what a reminder of how this is so difficult for so many.’ And what surprised the staff is that veterans tend to be proud and resilient people, so there can be some resistance to asking for help.  

“We knew there was a need, but we didn’t realize the scale.” 

When it learned of the substantial need among the CSUSM student veteran population, the Kaiser Permanente project team scaled its efforts up accordingly. DPR Construction, the general contractor for the hospital, allocated a staff member to organize and gather the donations. From a small adopt-a-family model, the initiative grew to the point that the project team gave $23,600 in gift cards and 200 meals.  

“This is the team’s way of giving back and saying thank you for the opportunities we’ve been given,” said Joseph Stasney, Kaiser’s national director of hospital design and construction, who led the giving campaign with DPR executive Lucy Villanueva.  

“We have been very fortunate, and this year it is especially important to reach out and help those who are certainly in need. As part of this wonderful group of people, I can tell you it came from the hearts of everyone.”  

As the momentum began to build, CSUSM’s division of University Advancement joined the fray, enlisting donors to help support the cause. The Epstein Family Foundation, which gave the money that built the veterans center at CSUSM, made a lead gift to provide additional support to students, and other donors chipped in for a combined total of more than $16,000. 

The final tally: $500 gifts for 79 student veterans and 345 boxed turkey dinners for military-connected students and their families – just in time for the holidays.  

“In addition to being grateful for the generosity of these donors, I am proud of the CSUSM team that we were able to mobilize as quickly as we did, get a sense from our student veterans about what their situation was, and then turn around and provide the gifts quickly,” Gross said. “With a bureaucracy like ours, as big as we are, that’s not an easy thing to do. But the whole time we’ve been working through the questions, what’s motivating us is the knowledge that this is going to make someone’s holiday. This is going to put a smile on kids’ faces. It’s going to mean some of our students having a meal when they weren’t going to otherwise.” 

With all the adversity she’s dealing with, Lee wasn’t planning to cook a big meal for Christmas. She doesn’t think her girls would have minded, but now she won’t have to worry about it. As for the gift card, she intends to devote the $500 to the family’s grocery budget, helping to allay their food insecurity and giving her one less source of stress for the holidays. 

“This assistance will be a really huge help for us,” Lee said. “I cannot thank the people enough for allowing my family and other student veterans to have a little bit of relief in this harsh time.” 

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

Last month, a record 112 employees raised $10,306 during the university’s month-long “Dibs” campaign, providing a critical safety net for students in need through the ASI Student Emergency Fund.

“One thing, above all else, unites us in our mission every day at Cal State San Marcos: our incredible students,” said Sean Briner, director of annual giving programs. “Employees work hard every day to serve, empower and inspire our students because they understand the transformative power of an education.”

Annual Giving first introduced its dibs theme two years ago, inviting employees to temporarily name a campus landmark for 15 days in support of the ASI Student Emergency Fund. Each year, the employee giving campaign, which occurs in September, focuses on growing a culture of philanthropy among employees while addressing a critical student need on campus.

While the concept of a dibs-style campaign isn’t exclusive to CSUSM, the university received high praise from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education in 2019 for its fresh and inspiring approach to solving a critical funding gap.

“We knew this year that the need would be greater than ever before,” Briner said.

Requests for aid from the ASI Student Emergency Fund has skyrocketed since the onset of the pandemic, experiencing a 700% increase since March. While demand spiked with a 700% increase at the beginning of the pandemic, the fund is still seeing a 65% increase compared to last year. The ASI Student Emergency Fund provides critical aid for students experiencing sudden job loss, underemployment, unexpected expenses, housing disruptions, and increases in utility and medical bills.

“I am very grateful for the generosity of those who gave,” said one student in an email to the Cougar Care Network, which partners with ASI in serving students in need. “The Student Emergency Fund relieved a little bit of stress this month and allowed me to focus better on my studies.”

In addition to employee participation increasing 81% over last year, total giving more than doubled.

“Being able to serve more students amid a pandemic reveals the true heart of our incredible employees,” Briner said. “In a student’s moment of need, our employees answer the call and show once again that we truly are in this together.”

Mangrum’s mother died when he was young, and he had a challenging upbringing in Oklahoma. He shared with his children, Trudy and Bill, that it wasn’t unusual for him to skip school to go fishing or hunting. When Bob returned after these absences, his teachers didn’t lecture him. Instead, they reinforced the importance of being in school and worked to get him back on track.

“From the way he told those stories, I knew he had a deep appreciation for how a teacher can touch the life of a student who's had it really hard,” Bill Mangrum said. “Teachers and leaders can make a difference in the lives of young people. They made a difference in his life, and that's what he believed the athletic department and the teachers could do at Cal State San Marcos – they could make a difference in the lives of young people. And in making a difference in the lives of young people, they can make a difference in the world.”

Bob Mangrum died on June 14 at the age of 87 having made a difference in the lives of countless youth across the region.

“The world lost just a complete human being,” said Steve Scott, who retired in 2018 after nearly two decades as CSUSM’s cross country and track and field coach. “He was a class act and incredibly generous – not just to Cal State San Marcos but elementary and high schools in the area. He was just a wonderful human.”

From CSUSM’s earliest days, Bob and his wife, Ruth, provided support to help the university grow and become a beacon of higher education in the region. They were introduced to the university through their friendship with Bill Stacy, the university’s founding president, and his wife, Sue. Their connection continued to deepen under the leadership of CSUSM’s second president, Alex Gonzalez.

The Mangrums’ support included not only helping to establish an athletics program at CSUSM but ensuring the department’s survival during difficult economic times.

“It’s not an exaggeration to say that we certainly wouldn't have the athletic program we have today without Bob,” said Steve Nichols, a political science professor and the athletic director from 2004-09. “And we might not have any athletic program today had it not been for Bob, because he and Ruth were instrumental in sustaining us.”

CSUSM’s athletics department was founded in 1998 with golf, cross country, and track and field programs. The university was able to quickly build a home for track thanks to the generosity of the Mangrums.

Bob Mangrum also was responsible for bringing Scott, a legend in the track world, to the university. It was a hire that gave instant credibility to a fledgling athletics program.

Scott was scheduled to attend a groundbreaking for CSUSM’s track in the late 1990s, but missed the event because of a family emergency. To make up for missing it, Scott went to Mangrum’s house and they went for a run together. As they were chatting after the run, Mangrum asked if Scott knew anyone who might be interested in coaching the new CSUSM cross country and track teams. To Mangrum’s surprise, Scott said he would be interested. A month later, CSUSM had a two-time Olympian as a head coach.

“Bob was totally responsible for, really, my future, my happiness, my financial well-being,” Scott said. “I was just going nowhere where I was. God put Bob in my life for a reason, and I was able to influence hundreds and hundreds of kids and motivate them and give them direction and goals, and it was all because of Bob and Ruth.”

Mangrum’s generosity went beyond simply writing a check. When Scott wanted to host a cross country race on campus, he asked Mangrum, who owned a construction business, if Mangrum had a small Bobcat they could use to plow a trail. Scott was shocked when Mangrum showed up with a giant tractor, fill dirt and a crew to help create the course. When the program needed to move a discus ring, Mangrum took care of it. When the women’s cross country team won national titles from 2009-11, Mangrum purchased championship rings for the student-athletes.

The Mangrums also provided much-needed scholarship funds, and student-athletes who earn a 4.0 grade-point average are annually honored with the Mangrum Award for Academic Excellence.

“We didn't have much of an operating budget, didn't have much in scholarships, and every little bit that we got helped,” Scott said. “Winning the championships was all due to Bob and Ruth, because you can't get good athletes without scholarship money. That's key to a championship program. With the money they provided, I was able to get some very good student-athletes.”

Bill Mangrum said Trudy and he are proud that the track their parents made possible isn’t just for student-athletes but a place for the entire campus community.

“The Mangrum Track & Field is not for elites, the people with the fastest times,” Bill Mangrum said. “The Mangrum Track & Field is for everybody who believes they can do better, that they can improve. It is for everyone who wants to be better today than they were yesterday.”

Bob Mangrum was an outstanding athlete in his own right. He competed in races across the country, including iconic events like the Boston and New York City marathons.

Long before Nichols was recruited to serve as athletic director, Ernest and Leslie Zomalt, who worked at the university in the 1990s and later established an endowment to recognize contributions made by CSUSM staff and administrators, kept telling Nichols that he needed to meet Mangrum. An avid runner himself, Nichols finally met Mangrum for a run after months of putting off the Zomalts’ request.

“He’s got to be 25 years older than me,” Nichols said, “and he ran me into the ground. That was my first meeting with Bob.”

Their relationship expanded when Nichols later became the university’s AD, and he credits Mangrum for keeping the department afloat at a difficult time.

“Athletics was very much just dying on the vine, and without Bob and his support during that time, I don't think we would have survived,” Nichols said. “And these are the things that I can talk about. I probably only know a small fraction of what he actually did. He didn't like a lot of fanfare. He didn't do it for recognition. In addition to being one of the nicest, kindest people I've ever met, he was very humble.”

Mangrum remained a steadfast supporter of CSUSM throughout his life. From attending the annual president’s gala to the scholar-athlete luncheon, the Mangrums were frequent visitors to campus.

While the Mangrums’ philanthropy went well beyond athletics – among their numerous contributions was joining the de Jong family in making a reality what has become one of the most prominent landmarks on campus, the Academic Hall clock tower – Bob Mangrum continues to have a special place in the hearts of those in the department.

“Bob left an incredible imprint on CSUSM athletics,” said Jennifer Milo, athletic director since 2012. “We are so honored and fortunate to have known Bob and been the recipient of his love of running and our track and field programs. His legacy in CSUSM athletics will never be forgotten and will be celebrated and recognized always.”

Memoriams may be directed to the Mangrum Track & Field Fund, which is used for the maintenance of the facility, by visiting this link and selecting "Mangrum Track & Field Fund" or by contacting Associate Director of Philanthropy Nick Burchfield at nburchfield@csusm.edu.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

It was 2017, and Keifer-Wheals was driving to the annual Cougar Night at Petco Park. His passenger was Michelle Romans, Cal State San Marcos' director of alumni engagement, who had become increasingly impressed by Keifer-Wheals’ relentless enthusiasm for trying to keep graduates connected to the university. 

“Why do you love CSUSM so much? Why do you do this?” Romans asked Keifer-Wheals while en route to the home of the San Diego Padres.  

Keifer-Wheals thought for a moment, then replied: “I don’t know. Why do I do this?” 

So, over the next few months, he pondered a question that he had never really bothered asking himself. He thought about visiting the CSUSM campus area as a child with his grandparents who lived nearby, back when it wasn’t a thriving university but a chicken farm that sold eggs. He thought about being the first person in his family to attend college. He thought about his identity as a gay man and how CSUSM has long been a home to traditionally underserved populations – not only LGBTQ students but veterans, former foster youth and many others.  

The next time Romans asked him the question, Keifer-Wheals was ready with an answer, the essence of which he summed up during an interview last month. 

“If the university were to disappear tomorrow, if it went bankrupt and the chancellor pulled the plug on CSUSM, our community would be worse for it,” he said. “It does something for not only North County, but all of San Diego. To me, it became apparent that I want to do good for our community.” 

These days, Keifer-Wheals is doing a lot of good in a lot of different ways. After serving two terms as president of the CSUSM Alumni Association, for which he helped reinvigorate engagement, he was named in early 2018 as one of the youngest directors of the CSUSM Foundation Board (he's now 34). In that role, he has contributed to the runaway growth of the university’s annual Giving Day by funding various challenges, and he has supported multiple campus initiatives, including the LGBTQA Pride Center and the whispering bench that was dedicated to former President Karen Haynes and her husband, Jim Mickelson. 

Keifer-Wheals also is the CSUSM alumni liaison to the CSU Alumni Council, the representative voice of the CSU's 3.8 million alumni.

“Nathaniel is an alumni leader,” said Jack Raymond, the Escondido businessman and philanthropist who served three terms as an elected director of the Foundation Board and was recently named the board’s inaugural emeritus director. “He can talk convincingly about the importance of university financial support at any level. He sets an example. All of it encourages and sustains a culture of philanthropy at Cal State San Marcos. Alumni are a critical component.”    

Earlier in his life, Keifer-Wheals would have seemed like an improbable candidate to champion the virtues of CSUSM to fellow alumni or donors. Raised mostly in Escondido, he was home-schooled in high school, during which he decided he wanted to blaze the family trail into college. But earning a business degree – his parents owned an electrical contracting company – was more important to him than experiencing campus life.

After fulfilling all of the pre-business requirements at Palomar College, Keifer-Wheals transferred to CSUSM in 2007. During his two years at the university, he worked full-time and was otherwise laser-focused on the finish line – he consistently took more than a full load of classes and tacked on summer and winter courses as well. He graduated in 2009 with a bachelor’s in management information systems.

“I wanted to be done in exactly four years. And I was done in four years, but man, it was hard,” Keifer-Wheals said. “I was not a really involved student, either. I didn’t live on campus because my family lived really close by. One reason why I’m a super-involved alumnus is because I’m making up for my lack of involvement as a student. In my head, that’s the way it works.”

Keifer-Wheals started compensating for lost time soon after graduating, though his path to young alumni leader wasn’t without some life-altering detours. In 2010, he helped found the Alumni Association chapter for the College of Business Administration. Sandwiching that feat, though, were a three-week vacation to Australia, where he met the English man who would become his husband, and a three-year period in which he lived in England with his future husband, Dean.

While in England, Keifer-Wheals planned to stay connected to the alumni chapter, but it proved too difficult in the era before Zoom or even FaceTime was ubiquitous. He was able to work remotely for a publishing company, at least until he was laid off early in 2014, at which point he was recruited for a contract job as a systems analyst for Historic Royal Palaces, an independent charity that manages some of the United Kingdom’s unoccupied royal palaces.

A job, in other words, working for the Queen of England.

“I had an office above the crown jewels in the Tower of London, which for me, for most Americans, is the coolest thing ever,” he said.

Keifer-Wheals and his husband moved back to San Diego County after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the groundbreaking case that made same-sex marriage a legal right, and Keifer-Wheals immediately reconnected with the CSUSM alumni team. He revived the CoBA chapter that had stagnated in his absence, and in 2016 he was asked to join the alumni board in the role of events chair.

It was the perfect position for a self-described “idea machine” who kept the Alumni Association staff busy with his constant suggestions of ways to engage graduates after they leave the university. One of his most fruitful ones, Romans said, was a reimagining of Cougar Night, an event that has been held for more than 15 years and switched locations multiple times, from the Western Metal Supply Co. building inside Petco Park to a pregame tailgate in a parking lot outside the ballpark.

“Nathaniel isn’t much of a sports fan, so he thought it would be fun to change it up a bit and have the pregame event at a local brewery because that is something he would actually attend,” Romans said with a laugh. “We made the change, had the pregame at the Stone Brewing Tap Room right outside the gates of Petco Park, and it ended up being a huge success.”

Keifer-Wheals went on to serve for two years as board president of the Alumni Association, ending last summer.

“What sticks out the most to me is how sincere Nathaniel is about wanting to do great things for fellow alums, CSUSM, our students and this region,” Romans said. “He attributes much of his success to the education he got at CSUSM, so the passion you see in him is honest, and it shows in the ways he has given back as a volunteer and a donor.”

As Keifer-Wheals became more established in his career – last month he began a new job as director of client strategy for Optum, a Minnesota-based company that’s part of UnitedHealth Group, one of the world’s largest health-care corporations – he broadened his focus from alumni relations to philanthropy. Now in his third year on the CSUSM Foundation Board, he has taken a particular interest in Giving Day each November. Inspired by the example of major university donors Steve and Laura Wagner, Keifer-Wheals has thrilled to the notion of “gamifying” Giving Day by funding challenges that drive alumni and others to compete to win money for their favorite causes.

Also inspired by Raymond’s philanthropic leadership, Keifer-Wheals downplays the suggestion that he, in turn, is inspiring the next generation of CSUSM donors.

“Although I’m happy to play an inspirational role if it actually works,” Keifer-Wheals added. “When I was interviewing for the Foundation Board, Jack said, ‘We need alumni who help foster that culture of philanthropy, and I think you’re one of those alumni.’ That was neat to hear.”

This is a time of transition for Keifer-Wheals. In addition to his new position at Optum, he’s two months into the Fully Employed MBA program at CSUSM, which he’s due to complete in December 2021. He hopes to use the master’s degree to teach business someday, perhaps even at his alma mater.

Keifer-Wheals’ long-term philanthropic goals are no less grand. Perhaps the most eye-catching is that he wants to donate enough to have CSUSM’s business college named in his honor. Not a bad legacy for someone who, after some soul-searching, knows precisely why the university means so much to him.

“One person can’t make a big difference, generally speaking, but a bunch of ones put together can do something together,” he said. “That’s what I see CSUSM as – it’s my ability to give back to my community. I love North County – I don’t ever want to leave again – and the university is at the heart of it. Equal opportunity to education is what CSUSM represents, and that’s something to be protected and fostered.”

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

This was in 1990, long before Google alerts and online aggregation services, and Baur’s job responsibilities included combing daily newspapers to compile education-related story clippings.

In February of that year, Baur came across a front-page story in the San Diego Tribune (a precursor to the merger that formed the San Diego Union-Tribune) about the opening of the state’s first new public university in two decades.

The headline that drew her attention? “CSU In San Marcos: 21st century school.”

“I remember reading it, saying, ‘You know, someday I want to work there,’ ” Baur said.

Nearly two decades later, in 2008, Baur’s wish came true. And next month, after 12 years at Cal State San Marcos, Baur will enter the next chapter of her life when she retires as the university’s vice president of University Advancement.

Baur’s path to becoming a vice president at CSUSM was not something she ever imagined when she arrived to lead the university’s Office of Communications, but it likely came as little surprise to one of the people who hired her.

“In 2008, along with Vice President Neal Hoss, I had the pleasure of serving on the search committee to hire a new director of communications, a very critical position at any time in an institution’s development, but especially at that time as the university was going through unprecedented and exponential growth spurts,” said Jan Jackson, CSUSM’s founding vice president of Community Engagement who retired in 2015.

“I will never forget that particular hiring experience because our decision was one of the best and smartest of my career. Most always we hope we’re hiring the right individual, but in Cathy’s case, we absolutely knew she was right for the job. And Cathy has continued to reinforce that decision throughout her entire tenure at CSUSM.”

Hoss was the vice president for University Advancement when Baur was hired, and his move to vice president of Finance and Administrative Services in 2016 created the opening that Baur filled.

“To understand Cathy, it’s important to understand three things – tells, passion, competition,” Hoss said. “People who have spent much time with Cathy know that she has ‘tells.’ This means that Cathy gives non-verbal clues as to how she feels about an issue. One of Cathy’s other traits that stands out the most is that she is passionate about issues of importance to her. This means that Cathy will not hesitate to express her views. Finally, Cathy’s most dominant trait – by far – is competition. Cathy is competitive. This means she is going to win, so her opponents may as well accept it and move on.

“Looking at all of these traits together, it’s no wonder that Cathy has had a long, successful career and has been an outstanding contributor to the success of CSUSM in multiple roles. And having tells just makes Cathy fun to work with.

“We will miss Cathy, and we know with her retirement coming before some others of us, she wins … again!”

Baur’s arrival at CSUSM in 2008 as the associate vice president for communications completed a circle of sorts. She got her first taste of higher education communications while working in Fresno State’s public information office as an undergraduate student. That internship opportunity made a lasting impression, and one of Baur’s initial goals at CSUSM was creating a similar opportunity for other students.

Each semester, the Office of Communications’ internship program provides students a chance to gain hands-on experience in graphic design, photography and videography under the guidance of staff in the department. Two members of the Office of Communications team even got their start as department interns.

“As we started to grow the communications office, it really was an obligation for us to serve as a learning ground for our students,” Baur said. “And the internship program is certainly one of the things that I'm most proud that the office has been able to do. When you look at the number of students who have come through – and gone on to some great careers – I feel really good about that.”

As associate vice president of communications, Baur helped the university build a brand in the region while also, when necessary, navigate challenging circumstances. One of those instances occurred in May 2014 as the Cocos Fire burned nearly 2,000 acres and destroyed 40 structures in communities surrounding CSUSM. Campus had to be evacuated, and commencement ceremonies were postponed.

Bridget Blanshan, associate vice president for Student Development Services/Title IX coordinator, was the dean of students at the time and collaborated often with Baur. Blanshan recalls the difficult conversations that were necessary and the work that went into ensuring that the rescheduled commencement would serve the best interests of students and the campus.

“Those are the kinds of situations where I really value the team of people that we are so fortunate to work with on campus, and Cathy has always been right up there,” Blanshan said. “She is able to wrap her arms around a difficult set of circumstances and articulate why this is part and parcel of being a university campus in the 21st century.

“We've negotiated really difficult issues together and we've also had time to laugh a lot. And I think those often go hand in hand. Not that you're laughing when you're dealing with the difficult things, but it creates a shared experience where there's just such goodwill. That's something that I'll miss with Cathy.”

Scott Gross, associate vice president of community partnerships, has similar memories of working on large campus events with Baur, including the annual gala and milestone university anniversaries.

“At the end of the day, Cathy always put her heart in the work,” Gross said. “She wanted Cal State San Marcos to be seen for the exemplar that she knows it to be. CSUSM is indeed a better and stronger university because of her contributions.”
 

Baur never had aspirations of moving into a vice presidential role because she loved the work she was doing in communications. But when the opportunity emerged in November 2016 to serve in an interim capacity as vice president of University Advancement, it only took a week for her to realize how much she loved having an opportunity to work closely with donors and help them fulfill their goals of supporting CSUSM students and the university.

Six months later, Baur was named the permanent vice president. Among her notable accomplishments was guiding the university to the successful completion of its first comprehensive fundraising campaign. Dubbed Forward Together, the campaign raised $55 million to support the university’s commitment to preparing tomorrow’s leaders, building great communities and solving critical issues.

“The fundraising success at CSUSM under Cathy’s leadership has been extraordinary for a young university,” said Jack Raymond, past board chair of CSUSM’s Foundation Board, which played an integral role in the campaign. “It has surpassed many CSU institutions far older and larger. She established, and now leaves, a grand tradition of philanthropy at our university.

“Cathy is leaving a long-lasting legacy at Cal State San Marcos.”

CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt echoed Raymond’s sentiments.

“From the moment I met Cathy when she picked me up from the airport during my first campus visit in the spring of 2019, I knew that she was deeply passionate about CSUSM,” Neufeldt said.

“We spent a lot of time in my early months at CSUSM traveling to events together, and I came to understand the key role that Cathy has played over the years in connecting our university to so many external friends and community partners. From university anniversary celebrations to the tremendous success of the Forward Together campaign, Giving Day and so much more, she should feel extremely proud to know her impact will be felt for years to come. Cathy has been a trusted adviser and colleague, and I wish her all the best as she embarks on her next great adventure. I have no doubt she will stay very busy, even in retirement!”

From the moment Baur arrived at CSUSM, she knew it would be the capstone to her career.

“It was an opportunity that was almost 20 years in the making to get to be part of the campus,” Baur said. “I knew that this was where and how I wanted to conclude my career because I felt so good about the mission.

“It’s been so wonderful to be part of something so positive and uplifting, to know in some little way your efforts have helped transform a life, a family, a region. Being part of CSUSM, you have that opportunity – and it is so rewarding.”

Beginning July 13, Baur will be succeeded on an interim basis by Tere Mendoza, who will step in as interim vice president of University Advancement. Mendoza is a California State University (CSU) retired annuitant with nearly two decades of experience in the CSU system, including time working as a senior adviser related to philanthropy for the CSU Office of the Chancellor. Previously, she also served in the roles of vice president of University Advancement at San Diego State and interim vice president of University Advancement at Cal Poly Pomona, CSU Fullerton and San Jose State.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314