In 2015, the city hosted a series of community forums to gauge San Bernardino residents’ ideas of what they envisioned for the city’s future. Armed with those thoughts and desires, the city’s strategic planning team created a plan with seven directed goals, which were adopted in 2015.

Strategic planning for the city’s future

Preparing high school students for college

CSUSB’s commitment to student success starts long before the college years. Working with local school districts and community colleges, the university works hard to help K-12 students and their families get ready for college, increase the rates of college-going students, enhance student retention in college, and ultimately raise the number of degrees awarded to students in the city.  “As a community, we have come together and developed a strong common agenda with mutually reinforcing activities,” said Dale Marsden (’92 BA liberal studies, ’98 MA educational administration), superintendent of the San Bernardino City Unified School District. “Without a doubt, we’re making exceptional progress and seeing great outcomes.”  Two years ago, the College Board recognized San Bernardino as the only large urban city school district to receive the Gaston Caperton Award for the most growth in students taking A-G (more rigorous college-ready) coursework. Marsden credits this accomplishment to the strong partnership with CSUSB and the growing number of students participating in AVID (Advancement Via Individualized Determination), a college preparedness program that boasts college attainment for 90 percent of participating students. Due to the enormous success, the school district is now introducing the AVID program at the elementary and middle school levels.   Another strong collaboration with CSUSB has been through the GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) grant, designed to get students into college. In 2014, Cal State San Bernardino became the state’s largest recipient (and the only recipient in the Inland Empire) of a $14.2 million federal grant to run GEAR UP in the San Bernardino school district.  The grant covers the entire six years it will take for the seventh-graders to work their way through middle and high schools. The funds provide additional staff members in the form of mentors, tutors and program administrators who guide low-income high school students on a college-bound course, with CSUSB overseeing the program. “We’re already starting to see the outcomes of this program,” said Marsden. “Six years ago, we had a 66.6 percent graduation rate, and now we have an 89.9 percent graduation rate. We’re seeing the greatest growth with our African-American students, demonstrating a 4.6 percent gain just this past year.” These results are just the tip of the iceberg, and Marsden is excited about what lies ahead. “When I think about our district’s collaboration with CSUSB, I’m most proud of the fact that we’re getting real work done,” he said. 

CSUSB is committed to improving student success far beyond the city limits of San Bernardino — the university wants to make a difference county-wide. According to recent data from College Futures Foundation, for every 1,000 high school freshmen in the Inland Empire, only 151 will complete an undergraduate degree. That’s far below the state average and surrounding regions. “Confronting these realities is a bigger challenge than K-12 or higher education can solve on their own,” said Ted Alejandre (’88 BA public administration, ’93 MA educational administration), superintendent of San Bernardino County Schools. “Our teams at county schools, CSUSB, our K-12 school districts and like-minded community, civic and business partners recognize that aligning initiatives, resources and policy regionally creates success for all of our students, from the time they enter kindergarten through degree and career attainment.” Initiatives such as the Cradle to Career Roadmap and Growing Inland Achievement are innovative examples of a countywide collective impact approach to instill lifelong learning and college and career readiness in San Bernardino County students. These programs are aimed to grow the educational attainment and workforce readiness of local youth, but they also result in powerful partnerships between education, government, business, and local faith- and community-based organizations that work collectively to build strong schools, safe communities and a vibrant economy that boasts opportunities for all its residents. “The Inland Empire region is unique in its efforts to work collaboratively among public and private sectors to bring about long-term systemic change, which is why the programs and initiatives we are working on with CSUSB are having tremendous impact and continue to grow momentum for our county’s residents,” said Alejandre. “We are all committed to success for all students, regardless of their background. When we work toward the common goal of preparing our students for college and career, we are preparing our students to lead successful productive lives, contributing to the economic prosperity and quality of life for our region, state, nation and a global society.”

Driving long-term systemic change throughout the Inland Empire

Increasing baccalaureate attainment in a region of 4.6 million

Among U.S. regions with over a million people, the Inland Empire has the lowest baccalaureate attainment rate at about 21 percent (out of 4.6 million people). Compared to San Francisco and the Silicon Valley, where baccalaureate attainment is about 46 percent, the Inland Empire is less than half. This fact has a direct impact on the Inland Empire’s ability to participate in the Innovation Economy. Therefore, increasing baccalaureate attainment is a top priority for the Inland Empire Economic Partnership (IEEP), a coalition of business, public sector, nonprofits and educational institutions focused on jobs and quality of life in the region. By increasing the number of people achieving a baccalaureate degree, the Inland Empire will attract more sectors of business, thus increasing economic strength. CSUSB continues to be a strong partner in this mission. The university works closely with the IEEP on workforce issues, economic development issues and ways to address critical trends.  Several years ago, an education collaborative formed by CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales and UCR Chancellor Kim A. Wilcox — consisting of the IEEP, the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership, community colleges, school districts, local governments and businesses across San Bernardino and Riverside Counties — worked together to apply for the Governor’s Innovation Award.  The outcome? The collaborative received one of three $5 million Governor’s Awards for Innovation in Higher Education. Since then, the collaborative has created a cradle-to-career collective impact model for addressing college readiness, and ultimately increasing college graduation rates. The vision is to promote and improve education for all students, significantly benefitting the local economy through preparation of a well-trained workforce. “As president and CEO of the IEEP — and also an alumnus of CSUSB — it makes me proud to see how involved the university is in educating the future workforce in our region,” said Paul Granillo (’91 BA history), IEEP president and CEO. “CSUSB is a great partner and is doing a great service for the Inland Empire.” 

Improving quality of life in the local community

“CSUSB has a long history of working with partners and residents to improve our local communities, and I think our efforts in the community have intensified since the December 2015 event,” said Diane Podolske, director of the CSUSB Office of Community Engagement. “The #SanBernardinoStrong campaign and the annual anniversary of the tragedy are recommitment points for ourselves, both individually and collectively, to improve the quality of life for local residents.”   Each year, CSUSB students and athletes consistently contribute over 95,000 hours of volunteer and community service, and they’re voting at rates that are higher than comparable institutions across the United States. The university’s community engagement efforts include on-campus and off-site volunteer activities, community service and civic involvement, through annual programs like CSUSB Coyote Cares Day and Make a Difference Day. Both days are an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to volunteer their time at local nonprofits, community centers and other locations that serve needy families, or seek help with environmental clean-up, beautification and restoration projects.   The university is also making a difference in civic involvement and voter registration. CSUSB was recognized at the first-ever ALL IN Challenge Awards Ceremony, held last October, to recognize colleges and universities committed to increasing college student voting rates. The university was awarded a bronze seal for achieving a student rate between 50 and 59 percent. CSUSB was one of four CSU campuses to be honored in the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge.  In 2016, 77.3 percent of CSUSB students were registered voters and 54.2 percent of these eligible students voted in the presidential election. Also, 14.7 percent of CSUSB student voters sent a mail-in ballot in 2012, while 54.3 percent mailed their vote in 2016 — a dramatic difference in voting behavior.  CSUSB’s commitment to community engagement is no passing fancy. In fact, community engagement plays a central role in the university’s strategic plan, emphasizing the importance of this work for CSUSB. The commitment to this goal is woven into the university’s DNA — representing what CSUSB stands for, and carrying the complete support of President Morales and the upper administration, as well as from the faculty, staff and students.  At the end of the day, it’s all about making a stronger San Bernardino.  “We are striving to not only to be known as a city that experienced a terrorist attack, but also and more importantly, a city that is committed to creating a positive future for all,” said Podolske. “I think many of us at CSUSB are working hard to have the legacy of our alumni who lost their lives on that terrible day be one of community strength and resiliency.”

Improving the region’s educational priorities and increasing college-going rates

When it comes to strengthening a community from the inside out — and changing perceptions about attending college — funding can play a large role. Fortunately, CSUSB is the beneficiary of three federal grants that help local students and their families become more prepared for college.   The newest grant, awarded in fall 2016, is the U.S. Department of Education Talent Search grant. It awards $3.2 million over five years to promote college education and preparedness in middle school and high school students in Colton, Rialto and San Bernardino school districts.  Another grant is the aforementioned GEAR UP grant, the six-year, $14.2 million grant that started in 2014 and applies only to a cohort of middle school students from disadvantaged backgrounds in the San Bernardino school district. As part of the grant, CSUSB provides mentors and tutors for the students, following them for six years until they graduate from high school.  Finally, CSUSB benefits from Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math Science funding, which starts in 2018 and provides over $4 million over five years to help students in Rialto and San Bernardino school districts graduate from high school, and enroll and graduate from college.  “These grants help strengthen our community by engaging students and parents and providing them all with college awareness tools — ultimately, trying to create a college-going culture for students,” said Olivia Rosas (’95 MA counseling and guidance), associate vice president of Student Success and Educational Equity.  “We provide educational sessions for parents, so they can help empower their students and expose them to different college options. We also take students on field trips — both educational and social — so they can better navigate their lives when they get to college. “By providing kids with options, we can enhance our community,” she added. “We are proud to be in San Bernardino, and proud that our students have access to multiple colleges in the area — not just our campus, but any other college they may be interested in. We are very proud of our efforts, and the joy that comes from seeing more and more students become excited about college.”

“Cal State San Bernardino is a collaborative partner and committed leader working in unison with our local communities, school partners, businesses and entrepreneurs to achieve success throughout the Inland Empire,” said President Morales. “Whether it is helping young people excel in their studies to ultimately prepare them for college and beyond, teaming with civic and business leaders to expand and enhance the local workforce and promote our vibrant, growing region, or improving the quality of life through our many volunteer activities, we are proud to serve the people and communities of San Bernardino.”