Cal State San Marcos celebrated the completion of the structural phase of its University Village Housing and Dining (UVHD) project with a topping-out ceremony on Thursday, March 20.   A topping-out ceremony typically marks the placement of the last or highest steel beam.   Construction on the 2.5-acre site began in January 2024 and is expected to be complete in fall 2026. The 137,000-square-foot UVHD is being built on what was formerly Parking Lot O. It features a three-wing configuration to create gathering spaces and student life areas.   The seven-story residence hall – which includes a 10,000-square-foot, two-story dining facility – will have 555 beds, providing affordable housing for underserved, low-income students.  “We are breaking down barriers to higher education and making it possible for more students to stay focused on their studies and thrive,” CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said at the event. “From pod-style communities that foster belonging to all-gender restrooms, study and social spaces, and secure, modern designs, this is more than just a place to live – it’s a place to grow, connect and succeed.”  Leon Wyden, CSUSM’s vice president for Finance and Administrative Services and chief financial officer, served as the event emcee and welcomed San Marcos councilmembers Danielle LeBlang and Ed Musgrove, who presented a certificate of recognition from the City of San Marcos.   The UVHD project is being funded in part by $91 million received from Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California Legislature.   “Today, as we celebrate reaching the highest point of construction, we pause to recognize the incredible teamwork and dedication that got us here,” Wyden said.   Partners on the project include McCarthy Building Companies and Gensler. Wyden also thanked the trades teams and contractors, including Nevell Group Inc. (framing), Critchfield Mechanical Inc. (mechanical), Bergelectric Corp. (electrical), A.O. Reed & Co. (plumbing), Kimble and Company (fire protection) and Sunset Glazing (glazing systems).  Wyden also credited university partners, including Planning, Design and Construction, Student Affairs, Housing and CSUSM Corporation.  “Today’s topping-out ceremony isn’t just about celebrating a structure that has reached its highest point,” Neufeldt said. “It’s about the heights we are helping our students reach because of this project.” Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Looking to get ahead, catch up or explore new subjects this summer?  Cal State San Marcos is offering nearly 200 courses this summer in online, in-person and hybrid formats, open to CSUSM students, visiting students from other institutions and community members. With flexible scheduling and accelerated timelines, many courses can be completed in just five weeks. Summer Session at CSUSM runs from June 2 to Aug. 9, providing students with varied course options to quickly advance their academic progress while accommodating busy summer schedules.   2025 Summer Class Sessions Full session: June 2-Aug. 9 First block: June 2-July 3 Second block: July 7-Aug. 9   Registration Information Priority registration for current CSUSM students begins March 25. Community members and students from other institutions are also welcome to enroll without formal admission to CSUSM, beginning April 30. Credits earned during summer session are fully transferable to other colleges and universities.   Wide Range of Courses Available This year's summer session schedule includes popular courses from more than 40 academic departments, such as biology, chemistry, mathematics, economics, history, communication and many more. Most classes follow an accelerated five-week or 10-week format designed to help you maximize your summer productivity.   Financial Aid Opportunities CSUSM students enrolled in summer courses may be eligible for financial aid, including grants or tuition discounts, depending on the number of units taken. To make summer classes more accessible, a flexible payment plan is also available, allowing students to pay tuition in manageable installments.   Campus Housing Options Students enrolled in summer classes may have the option to live on campus, providing a convenient and distraction-free environment to help you stay focused and succeed during the summer term. For specific housing dates, availability and details about potential discounts or promotions for summer residents, please contact CSUSM Housing directly.   Learn More and Get Started! For detailed information about Summer Session – including course listings, registration instructions, financial aid eligibility and housing options – please visit csusm.edu/summer. Have questions? Reach out to us at 760-750-4020 or summer@csusm.edu.   Make this summer count – enroll today!

Cal State San Marcos biology professor Erika Díaz-Almeyda is featured in a new PBS documentary for her research on microbial ecology. The documentary, “Good Natured” by filmmaker Ashley Stokes, takes viewers on a journey through Florida’s wild spaces, introducing individuals dedicated to conservation, innovation and “striking a balance between human progress and environmental stewardship.” Díaz-Almeyda attended the premiere at the Tampa Theatre on Feb. 19. The documentary aired on PBS on Feb. 27 and can now be watched on its website. Díaz-Almeyda was connected with Stokes through a former colleague in Florida, and she says she bonded with the filmmaker instantly through a shared vision of how to confront climate change. Díaz-Almeyda’s portion of the documentary focuses on her work at Triangle Ranch, which features a permanent conservation easement just north of Myakka River State Park. She collected three years of data and observed high microbial diversity. “Microbial ecology means that I study small, invisible microbes,” Díaz-Almeyda said. “I want to know which microbes are where and what are they doing. Most microbes are beneficial and are needed for ecosystem health. My goal is to support decision-makers to document how their practices have an impact at microbial level.” Díaz-Almeyda came to CSUSM in 2023 from New College of Florida because she wanted to be closer to family. At CSUSM, besides teaching in the biology department, she is a faculty fellow through the Innovation Hub. In that role, she created the Milpa Hub, a project that aims to promote the growth of milpas – traditional agricultural systems – to promote environmental and community resilience. Díaz-Almeyda says the experience with the documentary motivated her to seek training in science communication. As a result, she was awarded a National Science Foundation-funded science communications fellowship for pre-tenure faculty of color through the SciComm Identities Project, a joint venture of the University of Rhode Island’s Metcalf Institute, Michigan State University’s Knight Center for Environmental Journalism and the URI Science and Story Lab. Media Contact Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

The CSU Shiley Haynes Institute for Palliative Care is offering discounted rates for students who attend the 2025 National Symposium for Academic Palliative Care Education and Research, which is in June at Cal State San Marcos. The main symposium is June 2-3 with a post-symposium workshop on June 4 The cost for students is $50 for the June 4 post-symposium workshop, $175 for the main symposium June 2-3 or $225 for both the workshop and main symposium. Breakfast and lunch are included each day. Early-bird registration rates are also available for faculty and professionals until April 1. The early-bird rates are $100 for the workshop, $425 for the main symposium or $525 for both. The symposium is a unique and interactive multidisciplinary conference designed to highlight the latest in academic palliative care research, teaching and practice. It is the only event of its kind in the country designed for university faculty, practitioners and researchers focused on advancing palliative care. Visit the CSU Shiley Haynes Institute for Palliative Care website to register or for more information. Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Cal State San Marcos is ranked 31st in the nation on Research.com's list of the “50 Safest College Towns in America for 2025.” CSUSM is ranked second in California behind Saint Mary's, which is 29th overall. Research.com compiled its rankings using the most recent data from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program and the latest population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. The website calculated the violent crime rate, property crime rate and total crime rate per 1,000 residents. Northwest Florida State College in Niceville, Fla., is ranked No. 1. Research.com is an educational platform that helps students find the best schools, academic opportunities and career paths.  Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

The fastest NCAA Division II women's 400-meter runner in the country is home after sailing to victory at the National NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships in Indianapolis on Saturday.  Cal State San Marcos student-athlete Rasha Badrani won with a time of 52.92 seconds, a .28-second edge against her closest competitor, Peace Nwaelehia of West Texas A&M.  Badrani said she’s been running track and field since junior high school, but the championship was the culmination of years of hard work.   “I just went out there telling myself that I was the strongest one out there and I know I can finish,” Badrani said.   It’s this mindset that her coach said that makes her a winner.  “She has an intrinsic motivation that I’ve never seen before," said Anthony Heredia, assistant coach of sprints and hurdles. “Rasha is always one who will do the things no matter who is watching. She has an insanely strong will, and I think that’s what carries in her races. When she wants something, she is going to take it. And she’s not going to let anyone else dictate that.”  Badrani, a 2022 graduate of San Pasqual High School in Escondido, is a junior at CSUSM majoring in business administration management.   Badrani’s win is the first NCAA national championship for CSUSM's track and field program. She is also the second athlete from CSUSM to win an NCAA national title. The first was Jaime Jacob, who won the 2019 women's golf individual championship.  Badrani said next she wants to win the same race but outdoors at the end of May.  Media Contact Jerry McCormick, Director of Strategic Comms jmccormick@csusm.edu