Leon Wyden, Cal State San Marcos' vice president of Finance and Administrative Services and chief financial officer, has received the highest annual honor from the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO). Wyden was named the winner of the 2025 Distinguished Business Officer Award as NACUBO recognized six business and finance leaders and one university during its annual meeting, which started Saturday in Washington, D.C. “This recognition holds profound meaning for me – not only as a personal milestone, but as a testament to the collective efforts, encouragement and wisdom I have been fortunate to receive throughout my career,” Wyden said at the awards ceremony. “This award is more than a professional achievement; it is a reflection of the values and community that NACUBO represents. To be recognized by peers and leaders whom I so deeply respect is both inspiring and humbling. It reaffirms my belief in the transformative power of collaboration and service in higher education.” Wyden was honored for his significant positive impact on advancing business and finance administration in higher education and on the association. Since joining CSUSM in 2021, he has had wide-ranging impacts on campus, from expanded student housing and dining facilities to sustainable energy practices and streamlined business operations. Wyden is active in NACUBO, has served as a board member for regional affiliate EACUBO and has been a peer evaluator for the Middle States Commission for Higher Education, among many other volunteer engagements. “Throughout his four-year tenure at CSUSM, Leon has accomplished what would take many others decades to achieve,” CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said. “He exemplifies the very essence of strategic leadership, fiscal stewardship and innovative thinking, significantly advancing the financial and administrative excellence of our institution and the broader higher education landscape. Leon has been instrumental in transforming CSUSM’s financial operations, leading with integrity, vision and a steadfast commitment to student success.” CSUSM is the latest stop for Wyden in a distinguished career spanning institutions such as Howard University, Upper Iowa University, Tiffin University, the University of Findlay and Frostburg State University. NACUBO, founded in 1962, is a nonprofit professional organization representing chief administrative and financial officers at more than 1,700 colleges and universities across the country. Media Contact Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

Cal State San Marcos has announced the appointment of Edward Mills as interim chief enrollment officer. Mills’ first day on the job is July 28. He is replacing Kathryn McFarland, who in August will conclude her one-year term as CSUSM’s interim associate vice president of Enrollment Management Services. The interim chief enrollment officer position will report to the office of President Ellen Neufeldt. “I’m excited to join President Neufeldt and the team at CSUSM,” Mills said. “I’m honored for the opportunity to build upon the institution’s track record of success.” Mills brings to CSUSM nearly 40 years of experience in enrollment management and student affairs. His career includes serving as vice president for student affairs and chief enrollment officer at Sacramento State, where he led transformative initiatives to enhance student success and institutional growth. Most recently, he was brought on at Sonoma State on a special two-year assignment to support the university with its enrollment turnaround. Under his leadership, enrollment grew for the first time in a decade. Before his time at Sacramento State, he served as the vice provost for enrollment and student services at Cleveland State University.  “We are excited to welcome Dr. Mills, a national expert in enrollment, to our team,” Neufeldt said. “As a first-generation college graduate, Dr. Mills embodies a deep commitment to access and student achievement, values that resonate with our mission at CSUSM. His extensive experience and leadership will be instrumental as we continue to advance our enrollment objectives and support student success.” Mills will serve in an interim role only. A national search will be conducted for any permanent enrollment leadership position at CSUSM. Mills holds a bachelor’s degree in health science from Kansas State, a master’s in counselor education and student personnel from Penn State and a Ph.D. in educational leadership and human resources studies from Colorado State.

An event showcasing two first-generation UCLA students who share their struggles in navigating medical school highlights the fall lineup of the longstanding Arts & Lectures series at Cal State San Marcos.   This season boasts a diverse selection of five events as the university hosts renowned guest speakers and performances.   Attendees can reserve tickets online via the Arts & Lectures website now.     Mestizaje: Interwoven Identities Among Mexico, Philippines and Spain Sept. 19, 7-9 p.m., Arts 111 This riveting 90-minute dance performance will delve deep into the heart of cultural convergence, narrating a story of unity, diversity and shared history. The spectacle is an homage to the intricate tapestry of identities that emerged from nearly four centuries of Spanish colonization, weaving together the distinct but interconnected cultures of Mexico, the Philippines and Spain. At the core of "Mestizaje" is the celebration of mestizaje itself – a term that historically signifies the process of cultural and racial mixing between Indigenous peoples of the Americas and Europeans. This performance, however, expands the concept to encapsulate the rich exchange among the three regions, highlighting how each culture has been indelibly shaped by the others. CSUSM students: Free Faculty/staff/alumni: $5 Community: $10   Nuestro Camino: First-Gen Success Beyond Imposter Syndrome Oct. 1, 6-8 p.m., USU Ballroom (faculty and staff session, noon-1 p.m.) This powerful and affirming event will honor the resilience, wisdom and lived experiences of first-generation students, staff and faculty. Led by Yanira Hernandez – a first-gen Latina therapist, educator and advocate – the two-part experience invites the CSUSM community into courageous conversations about the imposter phenomenon and how it impacts those who are navigating intersectional identities. The event includes a working session for faculty and staff, a student panel, and an interactive workshop that will guide participants in reclaiming their stories and identities as sources of strength. Food and refreshments will be provided. CSUSM students: Free Faculty/staff/alumni: $5 Community: $10   Foos in Medicine Oct. 8, 7-9 p.m., USU Ballroom Join us for an evening with Irvin Garcia Real and Alexis Aleman, two UCLA medical students who founded Foos in Medicine, a social media community with more than half a million followers and mission of inspiring people from disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue their dreams. Real and Aleman have faced their share of obstacles on the path to medicine, from growing up in low-income, immigrant households to struggling with institutional barriers that underrepresented minorities often face in higher education. Through their signature humor and their advocacy work, these “foos” (short for “fools”) are committed to inspiring others and increasing representation in medicine, STEM and health care. CSUSM students: Free Faculty/staff/alumni: $5 Community: $10   Valley to Coast Speaker Series: Protecting and Restoring Regional Waterways Oct. 28, 5:30-7:30 p.m., USU Ballroom This public panel discussion is aimed at educating and connecting the campus and North County communities around the protection and restoration of local water bodies. Co-hosted by CSUSM's new Climate Action and Sustainability Center, the event reflects the center’s mission to foster climate action and sustainability through community partnerships and student engagement. San Diego Coastkeeper, a key partner in this effort, will contribute regional expertise in water quality and climate resilience, with Executive Director Phillip Musegaas joining faculty experts to explore collaborative solutions. CSUSM students: Free Faculty/staff/alumni: $5 Community: $10   ‘The Cigarette Surfboard’: An Environmental Surf Documentary Nov. 19, 2-6 p.m., USU Ballroom In this film, Taylor Lane, an impassioned surfer, creates a functional surfboard with 10,000 littered cigarette butts collected from California beaches. “The Cigarette Surfboard” takes Lane around the world to learn from professional surfers who are working to protect and restore the health of the oceans through science, education, art, business and political activism. Inspired by this global cast of characters, Lane returns home to California and uses the board to generate uproar on the environmental, human health and economic impacts of cigarette butts. This immersive documentary gives viewers an up-close experience of the ocean through surfers' eyes to amplify a message of urgency and possibility regarding the well-being of our oceans. A moderated Q&A with Lane and filmmaker Ben Judkins will follow the screening. CSUSM students: Free Faculty/staff/alumni: Free Community: Free Media Contact Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

The QUAD, one of Cal State San Marcos’ three housing communities, is undergoing improvements this summer in preparation for the new academic year. Upgrades include painting, new carpeting and updated bathroom flooring. The work is expected to be complete before students move in for the fall semester. The QUAD, which houses more than 850 students, opened in fall 2012 after CSUSM collaborated with a private partner to build suite-style units. Other CSUSM housing communities include University Village Apartments, which opened in 2003 and houses nearly 700 students, and North Commons, which opened in fall 2022 and houses more than 350 residents. Construction is underway on a fourth housing community that is expected to open in time for the fall 2026 semester. The 137,000-square-foot project includes Black Oak Hall for more than 550 residents and Kwilla Dining, a 10,000-square-foot dining facility.  Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Cal State San Marcos' University Advancement division earned international recognition from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) with two honors in the 2025 Circle of Excellence Awards:  A silver award for the Inaugural Social Mobility Donor Impact Report in the “Donor Relations & Stewardship Initiatives” category — led by Kris Vasquez, director of donor relations and stewardship, and Shaymaa Abusalih, donor relations and stewardship coordinator. A bronze award in Student Org Crowdfunding Month 2024 in the “Fundraising: Student-led Initiatives category” — led by Sean Briner, director of annual giving, and Alejandra Perkins, digital giving specialist. Judges commended the report’s “compelling storytelling, placing the voices and experiences of recipients at the center of the narrative. Achieved by a small, resourceful team, it’s a testament to how authentic, student-led stories can deeply connect with alumni and elevate impact reporting.”  For the crowdfunding honor, judges said, “the results are impressive” and it is “a great way to get various organizations on campus involved.”  The Circle of Excellence Awards drew 4,460 entries from 640 institutions across 33 countries. CASE selected 477 entries for recognition, honoring work that exemplifies the best in advancement across marketing, alumni relations, fundraising, publications and leadership.    Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

As a child growing up in Ohio, Jessica Berger’s parents always instilled in her the power of education. They never had the opportunity to attend college, but they knew that it could serve as a key to open any door for their daughter.  That upbringing made it especially meaningful to Berger when she was hired to be Cal State San Marcos’ vice president of University Advancement in 2021. Berger brought extensive higher education experience from Harvey Mudd College, a private liberal arts school about 90 miles north of San Marcos. But as a first-generation college graduate herself, it resonated deeply with Berger seeing CSUSM’s commitment to social mobility and knowing that more than half of its graduates are, like her, the first in their families to earn a college degree.  “I have so much gratitude to my parents,” Berger said. “They gave me the opportunity to do something that they didn't have the chance to do. My dad passed away last year, and I was able to establish a scholarship in their name that supports first-generation students. My parents’ support is really embedded in me, and to be able to give back in that way to students who were like me, it means the world.  “It’s so special to be a part of a place where you get to see the dreams of our students and how those dreams are able to come to life because of the work of all the people here.”  Those moments are what make this such a bittersweet time for Berger. She will start a new chapter in her life later this month as the executive vice president and chief advancement officer at Chapman University in Orange County. Berger’s last day at CSUSM will be July 24. An interim vice president of University Advancement is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.  “It is bittersweet, because I love this place,” Berger said. “I love the people and it's been such a privilege and honor to be a part of this university.”  Berger credits success and achievements during her tenure to the meaningful collaboration with the CSUSM community and partners to dream big and create transformational pathways for the future.   At CSUSM, Berger’s leadership has been defined by vision, integrity and a strong belief in the power of philanthropy to change lives.  Over the last four years, University Advancement surpassed goals every year, raised the highest amount of funds in a single evening at the Blue & Silver fundraising dinner, broke CSUSM Giving Day records, and headed efforts to raise private support through philanthropy and government agencies toward the first state-funded academic building at CSUSM in over a decade—the Integrated Science & Engineering Building that will break ground this summer.   In 2023-24, CSUSM raised more than $26 million — a university record that more than doubled the previous high. Two landmark commitments, the university's first eight-figure gifts totaling $20 million, reflected the trust Berger helped build between the university and its supporters. They were also testaments to CSUSM’s commitment to student success.  “Jessica has been an extraordinary partner and leader, and we are so grateful for the passion and expertise she brought to the university,” CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said. “Her commitment to building meaningful relationships, elevating our philanthropy efforts and guiding a strong, collaborative team will have a lasting legacy. I am grateful to Jessica for her transformational leadership — and the impact she and the entire advancement team have had and will continue to have on advancing our mission as we move forward.”  Under Berger’s guidance, University Advancement grew not just in dollars, but in depth by engaging more alumni, connecting more with regional leaders, and laying the foundation for the largest fundraising campaign in the university’s history — a $200 million campaign that is nearly 70% toward its goal.   Berger also worked closely with the CSUSM Foundation Board to ensure that philanthropic goals aligned with the university’s strategic priorities, including development of the nation’s first case statement of support for social mobility upon CSUSM ranking No. 1 in CollegeNet’s Social Mobility Index in 2022. The results have included more scholarships, more support for faculty research, and a deeper sense of shared purpose across campus.  “I’m so grateful to everyone at Cal State San Marcos,” Berger said. “President Neufeldt really touched my life professionally and personally. She’s been incredibly influential in shaping the leader that I am today.  “And I’ve been so fortunate to work alongside the President's Administrative Team, the Advancement team – I call them the ‘A Team’ because they are really such a strong team – and the Foundation Board, a group of volunteers who truly give their time, talent and treasure in numerous ways. And then our campus partners, all of the success and achievements that we've seen have been in collaboration with so many people. I know the strong momentum will continue, and I look forward to cheering on CSUSM’s continued success as a friend and supporter.”  Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314