President Tomás D. Morales regularly engages with the local community, university partners, legislative representatives and educational leaders worldwide to champion CSUSB and its mission.
President Morales interviewed on ‘IE Latino Voices’
President Morales was a guest on KVCR radio’s weekly show, “IE Latino Voices,” in September, where he shared what makes Cal State San Bernardino unique.
“This is my 11th year as president, and I am most proud on commencement day,” he said during the program. “We are transforming the lives of our graduates. Eighty percent of our graduates are the very first in their family to earn a baccalaureate or master’s degree. And so, to see the parents, the abuelo or the abuela, the tio, the tia, the siblings, just so proud of their family member earning a baccalaureate degree, it truly transforms their family, and they go back and transform our communities.”
IE Latino Voices invites representatives from Latino-led and Latino-serving organizations to share their stories and their impact in the region.
President Morales appointed CSU Presidential Advisor for Native American initiatives
In August, President Morales was appointed as the California State University Presidential Advisor to the chancellor and Board of Trustees for Native American Initiatives by interim Chancellor Jolene Koester.
“It is an honor, and a great responsibility, to serve as the CSU Presidential Advisor for Native American Initiatives,” Morales said. “We, as the nation’s largest public university, need to do the very best we can in advancing tribal relations, enhancing the education of Native American students, expanding the academic knowledge of indigenous communities, and preserving their cultural heritage.”
In this role, Morales advises fellow CSU presidents and university system leadership to further develop respectful and culturally competent relationships with sovereign tribal nations.
One of Morales’ priorities is to complete the repatriation to California’s tribes of the remains of Native Americans and artifacts that are currently held by CSU campuses, which complies with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (CalNAGPRA).
Business leader Dorene C. Dominguez kicks off Presidential Distinguished Lecture Series
Notable business leader Dorene C. Dominguez kicked off the inaugural presentation of the Presidential Distinguished Lecture Series discussing “The Impact of Women Entrepreneurs.”
Dominguez, chairwoman and CEO of Vanir Construction Management and the Vanir Group of Companies Inc., shared her thoughts on women in business, her career and other topics on Oct. 2 in the Santos Manuel Student Union Theater with President Morales.
Morales described Dominguez as “a daughter of San Bernardino. Her love for the city of San Bernardino is unquestioned. And anytime I speak with Dorene, it’s all about San Bernardino, it’s about Cal State San Bernardino, it’s about the children of San Bernardino.”
When first announcing the series, which will take place every October, Morales said, “The Distinguished Lecture Series aims to showcase visionary leaders and influential voices from diverse fields who are redefining the boundaries of knowledge and inspiring generations to come.”
CSUSB chooses 2023 recipient of President’s Medal, community leader Terrance L. Stone
Terrance L. Stone, the founder and CEO of Young Visionaries Youth Leadership Academy (YVYLA), was named the 2023 recipient of Cal State San Bernardino’s President’s Medal, the highest honor bestowed by the campus upon a non-alumna/us of the university. Stone is also the president of Terrance Stone School and Community Consulting and president of The Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce High Desert Chapter.
The award was presented by President Morales at the university’s annual President’s Dinner on Nov. 30 at the Mission Inn in Riverside.
Stone is a national- and state-certified gang intervention and prevention specialist who has reached more than 185,000 at-risk youth through YVYLA. He has helped defuse conflicts between gangs and has created an award-winning workforce development program that provides training and jobs for young people.
“Terrance Stone is an inspirational and strategic leader who has dedicated his talent and life experience to empowering young people and helping them discover their true purpose. He is truly deserving of the President’s Medal, which recognizes the extraordinary service and outstanding contributions he has made to enhance the well-being of others,” said Morales.
Growing Inland Achievement awards President Morales
President Morales was a 2023 recipient of a Toward a Shared Vision award from Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) in the area of Student-Centered Excellence.
Robert J. Nava, CSUSB vice president for University Advancement, accepted the award on Morales’ behalf at the Oct. 26 ceremony, which was held at the Riverside Convention Center.
“I am deeply grateful for this award and am honored by the opportunity to work at CSUSB and with all of our community partners to build student success, right here and now,” Morales stated.
He expressed his gratitude for this recognition and his regret that he could not be present in person. “I believe strongly that CSUSB is an anchor institution here in the Inland Empire. We are part of the community where we are planted,” said Morales, who sees student success as core to the university’s mission.
CSUSB and Indian Institute of Technology Madras sign academic exchange agreement
Cal State San Bernardino and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) signed an agreement in October aimed at fostering educational and cultural ties, promoting research collaboration, and strengthening ties between the two institutions.
The agreement, in the form of a memorandum of understanding, outlines cooperation in several areas, including study abroad programs for students, partnerships in academic programs, short-term academic and language programs, exchange of faculty members and joint research activities. Specific terms, conditions and arrangements for each activity will be determined in writing and executed by authorized representatives of both institutions.
“This partnership with IIT Madras marks a significant milestone in our commitment to global education,” said President Morales. “We look forward to welcoming their students and faculty members to our campus, enriching our academic community, and providing our students with the opportunity to explore the vibrant culture and academic excellence of India.”
The agreement commenced upon its mutual signing and will be effective for an initial period of five years. It may be renewed for an additional five years, subject to review, with discussions for renewal to take place at least six months prior to the termination of the current memorandum of understanding.
Both institutions also emphasized their commitment to flexibility, with the ability to modify the agreement upon mutual agreement between academic and administrative representatives.
President Morales shared CSUSB’s achievements and contributions at Riverside Chambers of Commerce event
The Riverside-area business community learned about Cal State San Bernardino’s latest achievements and contributions to the Inland Empire when university President Tomás D. Morales spoke at the Riverside Chambers of Commerce’s Good Morning event in December.
More than 150 business leaders learned from Morales about CSUSB’s programs and how they are making an impact in the region, as well as his vision for the university that serves many students who are the first in their families to attend college.
He noted that CSUSB maintains a close partnership with 12 community colleges in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. This alliance has helped in the establishment of programs such as the pipeline that allows nursing students graduating from Riverside City College to seamlessly transfer to CSUSB for the completion of their bachelor’s degree in nursing.
In research, CSUSB has been designated an R2 research university, which has elevated its status from a “regional university” to a “national university.” The university is also working toward launching a Master of Science in Physician Assistant program by fall 2025. This program will prepare students to fill healthcare jobs that are needed in the region. Additionally, CSUSB’s Cybersecurity Center participates in the Inland Empire Cybersecurity Initiative, a collaboration with workforce and community college partners that contributes to the development of skilled professionals in this rapidly growing industry.
Morales also shared CSUSB’s international partnerships that promote academic exchanges between faculty and students, including recent agreements to work with Lviv Polytechnic University in Ukraine, and two institutions in India: the India Institute of Technology and Madras Christian College.
And, the president said, CSUSB’s alumni are contributing to the region’s development. Sixty-six percent of the university’s graduates live in the region, working as business owners and entrepreneurs, public and elected officials and in careers such as news media. Joined by faculty and staff, the university has a major role in helping define the future of the Inland Empire.