Cal State L.A. President, leaders reach out to local churches during CSU Super Sunday

PRLog (Press Release) - Feb. 25, 2013 - Renowned for his dedication to increasing access to higher education for all students, Cal State L.A. President James M. Rosser addressed parishioners during the annual CSU Super Sunday on Feb. 24 to educate African American students and families regarding how to prepare for college.

Each February, the CSU Chancellor, trustees, presidents and other higher education ambassadors visit more than 100 predominantly African American churches across the state to communicate the need for students to begin preparing for college as early as the sixth grade.

Rosser, who will retire in June after serving 34 years as president of Cal State L.A., was one of the founding presidents of the CSU African American Initiative (http://www.calstate.edu/supersunday/churches/southern.shtml). On Super Sunday, he spoke during the 10 a.m. service at Crenshaw Christian Center, located at 7901 South Vermont Avenue in Los Angeles.

“It is imperative that we push forward. The increasing demographic shift in California’s and the nation’s job market make it vital that African Americans, Latinos and the full spectrum of students, inclusive of other underrepresented student groups, obtain critical skills, particularly those in math, engineering, science and technology fields,” wrote Rosser in a recent blog post (http://blogs.calstate.edu/voicesviews/?p=1572) on the CSU Chancellor’s website. “We have come a long way, yet the CSU must work harder and remain unwavering in helping ensure all students of color become and remain competitive in a rapidly changing economy.”

In addition, Tony Ross, vice president for student affairs at CSULA, addressed Trinity Baptist Church, located at 2040 West Jefferson Boulevard in Los Angeles, at the 10:30 a.m. service during Super Sunday.

 Keith Moo-Young, dean of the College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology at CSULA, also addressed a congregation during the 9 a.m. service at Brookins AME Church, located at 4831 South Gramercy Place in Los Angeles.

During each Super Sunday event, churchgoers had the opportunity to pick up the award-winning How to Get to College poster, and other college application and financial aid-related materials as well as speak with CSU outreach experts.

As the main component in the African American Initiative, Super Sunday kicks off a yearlong commitment to education that includes Summer Algebra Institutes, counselor conferences, and training workshops. Super Sunday also led to the development of Super Saturday (http://www.calstate.edu/supersaturday/), the popular college fair that takes place each August.