A college degree is ‘the very best gift’ to give, CSUSB President Morales says
Despite notions that a college degree no longer holds its value, Cal State San Bernardino President Tomás D. Morales countered that it is “the very best gift that you can give yourself and your family.”
Speaking at St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church in San Bernardino as part of the California State University’s Super Sunday, Morales said, 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.”
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He continued, “According to the latest estimates, a college degree has an average lifetime value of over $3 million. Even in tough economic times, degree holders have better access to health insurance and retirement plans, lower rates of unemployment – and they report higher levels of health and happiness. College graduates volunteer more, vote more and are more likely to assume leadership roles in their communities.”
Now in its 19th year, the California State University Super Sunday initiative joined this past weekend with Black and African American churches to talk about the transformational power of a college degree to an individual, their family and society, and especially for the African American community. More than 100 congregations throughout California participated in Super Sunday, with more than 1 million Black and African American families hearing the message that a CSU college degree is accessible, affordable, doable and life changing.
After the church services, outreach directors and staff provided information on the CSU application and admission process, as well as scholarships and financial aid available to Cal State University students.
Other CSUSB leaders brought that message when they visited Immanuel Praise Fellowship and Life Church of God in Christ, also on Feb. 25. Additionally, CSUSB leaders will visit New Hope Missionary Baptist Church and Greater Victory Church of God in Christ on March 10.
Morales, addressing the St. Paul AME congregation, said, “This is a region which has so much potential. Know that we believe in our young people and their futures and are committed to their success, right here in your backyard, at California State University, San Bernardino.”
A college education can be for anyone, regardless of “age or stage,” Morales said. “Whether you’re the first in your family to attend, looking to transfer from a community college, or an adult who wants more for yourself through a certificate or degree, the CSU offers the programs and support you need to reach your dreams.”
Achieving that dream is within reach financially, and students have support services available to them as they work their way toward completing their college degrees.
“I’m proud to report that a Cal State degree is the most affordable in the country,” Morales said. “The vast majority of our students receive financial aid, and nearly two-thirds have their full college tuition covered by non-loan aid. As a result, most CSU students graduate with zero debt.
“We make sure our students are connected with a range of support and experiences – from food and housing assistance, to tutoring, advising, internships, health and wellness services, and career centers – to help them thrive,” he said.
Morales encouraged the congregation to keep the idea of a college education within the vision of their families “by talking about college with your loved ones and assuring them – inspiring them – that they can earn a degree.”
Since its launch in 2005, more than a million people have participated in this signature awareness event for CSU’s African American communities. The CSU remains committed to closing equity gaps and ensuring all Californians have access to and support in achieving a high-quality college degree as part of Graduation Initiative 2025. In 2022-23, more than 3,800 African American students earned CSU bachelor’s degrees and more than 750 earned CSU graduate degrees.
The CSU’s Black and African American community engagement extends beyond Super Sunday. The university plans to hold additional faith-based outreach events in the spring and fall to continue to build upon the message of Super Sunday.
The CSU is creating a systemwide steering committee with faith-based leaders to provide support and share best practices to promote Black student success. It has made elevating Black excellence in its universities an urgent priority, developing a 13-point action plan, “Advancing Black Student Success and Elevating Black Excellence,” as part of its effort to increase Black student success. In addition, the university has committed $10 million over three years to advance these priorities.
With 23 universities across California, the CSU offers more access to diverse higher education pathways than any public university system in the United States. Nearly one-third of CSU students are the first in their family to earn a degree, more than half are from traditionally underrepresented communities and nearly half of undergraduates receive the Pell Grant. Remarkably, more than half of CSU bachelor’s recipients in 2022-23 graduated with zero student debt.
