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 delivered prestigious president-to-president address at the 2023 Annual AASCU Convening
President Morales was invited to deliver the prestigious president-to-president address at the annual American Association of State Colleges and Universities gathering in November.
“America’s prosperity is intrinsically tied to the ability of our collective work as public institutions of higher education to deliver on America’s promise,” he affirmed. “Because if ever there was a time for our collective voices to join with one another in the service of providing access to public higher education, that time is now.” He also stated that such access “is a core principle of promoting and strengthening democracy.”
The speech emphasized AASCU’s role in promoting civic engagement, international education, and the importance of public institutions as anchor institutions in their communities.
President Morales actively growing CSUSB's global connections
President Morales recently signed an MOU on behalf of CSUSB to confirm its collaborative relationship with India’s NIMS University. CSUSB hosted the signing on Dec. 6.
“This is a wonderful opportunity that will ultimately enrich the experiences of our students and the faculty and staff at both of our institutions,” he said. “We see this partnership as a catalyst for cultivating cross-cultural understanding and advancing academic excellence.”
NIMS University and CSUSB are members of the International Association of University Presidents, an association of higher education leaders worldwide, striving to advance global awareness, competencies and international understanding through education.
President Morales accepts San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation's Jim King Founders Award on behalf of CSUSB
The Jim King Founders Award honors organizations that have supported the Black community. President Morales accepted the award for CSUSB at San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation’s 31st annual Black Rose Awards gala on Feb. 23.
“On behalf of CSUSB’s 20,000 students and 125,000 alumni, we are honored to receive the Founders Award from the Black Culture Foundation,” he said. “We are proud of our partnership with the Black Rose Foundation and the African American community in the Inland Empire in advocating for educational opportunities to the residents of the Inland Empire.”
The Black Rose Awards are a complement to Black History Month.
President Morales honored with 2023 Larry Sharp Inland Empire Leadership Award
Citing his leadership not just in higher education, but also as a representative of the region, the Inland Empire Economic Partnership (IEEP) honored President Morales with its 2023 Larry Sharp Inland Empire Leadership Award.
President Morales accepted the award via video. “I speak a lot about student success — and we cannot build that student success if we are not firmly embedded in the community from which our students come,” he said.
This IEEP award recognizes individuals who go above and beyond their work in their profession and also display strong leadership in the two-county region of San Bernardino and Riverside.
President Morales participates in annual CSU 'Super Sunday' outreach
President Morales delivered remarks at St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church in San Bernardino as part of the California State University’s Super Sunday outreach on Feb. 25.
He shared that previous generations have been told “to find solid jobs, work hard and build a life without college. But times in California have changed. Today, college is the ticket to lifelong growth, security and opportunity.” He concluded that a college degree is “the very best gift that you can give yourself and your family.”
Now in its 19th year, the Super Sunday initiative links the CSU and its campuses with Black and African American churches up and down the state to talk about the transformational power of a college degree to an individual, their family and society, and especially for the African American community.
President Morales supports CSUSB student's civic engagement
President Morales is a strong supporter of CSUSB’s participation in the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ (AASCU) nonpartisan American Democracy Project©, now celebrating its 20th anniversary.
“This initiative has played a vital role in fostering civic and democratic engagement among our campus community, empowering our students to actively participate in shaping our society, helping to define its future,” he said.
Encouraging CSUSB students to become civically involved is one of the stated outcomes of the university’s Office of Community Engagement.
AASCU is a Washington, D.C.-based higher education association of 350 public colleges, universities, and systems.