More than half of Cal State San Marcos' Class of 2025 became the first in their families to earn a bachelor's degree as the university held its annual spring commencement ceremonies last weekend.
A total of 4,041 students graduated as part of this year’s class. Spring commencement follows on the heels of CSUSM holding its second-ever fall commencement in December. Those ceremonies drew more than 700 graduates.
CSUSM’s spring commencement took place on Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17 at Mangrum Track & Field on campus, with six different ceremonies stretched across the two days.
“When I think about our graduates' success, I also think about how many of them are first in their families to graduate college or earn a master’s degree,” CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said. "The significance of what that means not only for their own lives and social mobility, but their families and their communities, should never be underestimated. Commencement is such a proud day, because it is the culmination of the efforts of our entire campus community: our students, their loved ones, our faculty and staff, and our partners, all working together toward this major milestone and achievement. Congratulations, Class of 2025!"
In the Class of 2025, 54% of the graduates are the first in their families to earn a bachelor’s degree. More than 47% come from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds. Here are some other facts:
- 88% are graduating from bachelor’s degree programs, while 12% are completing master's degree programs.
- 62% of graduates are female and 37% are male.
- The ages of those graduating with a bachelor's degree range from 19 to 67.
For the Class of 2025, the top 10 bachelor’s degree majors are:
- business administration (642)
- psychology (321)
- nursing (273)
- kinesiology (244)
- sociology (214)
- criminology and justice studies (209)
- liberal studies (168)
- computer science (169)
- biology (162)
- communication (156)
- child and adolescent development (106)
CSUSM awarded two honorary degrees during commencement, with Allison Price and Mark Cafferty receiving Doctor of Humane Letters degrees.
Price serves on the board of directors of the Allison and Robert Price Family Foundation and the Price Philanthropies Foundation. It’s through the latter organization that she played a pivotal role in supporting an innovative, accelerated three-year bachelor’s program in the field of behavioral health at CSUSM. Price, a San Diego native and San Diego State graduate, also is on the board of the Aaron Price Fellows Program, which positively impacts San Diego public high school students. It was established in 1989 after Allison and her husband, Robert, lost their oldest of four children, Aaron, to an illness at age 15.
Cafferty is president and CEO of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation. He has spent over 25 years designing systems to support career advancement and economic opportunity for American workers. He has served in numerous public-sector leadership positions and has been sought as a consultant on workforce development efforts throughout the country.
CSUSM also awarded a Presidential Medal of Honor to Maj. Gen. Anthony (Tony) Jackson. This recognition celebrates individuals who exemplify the highest standards of leadership, service and unwavering commitment to the values of the university.
Jackson is a longtime Marine Corps officer whose military career ended in 2012, the same year he joined the CSUSM’s Foundation Board. He has served in a variety of capacities, including director, chair and adviser. A passionate advocate for veterans, he was the inaugural chair of President Ellen Neufeldt’s Military Advisory Council and established an endowed scholarship with his wife, Sue, to support veterans.
Visit the commencement live website to rewatch the 2025 commencement ceremonies.
Latest News Release
- In Memoriam: Josh Pack, ’97, A Life of Leadership, Generosity and HeartCalifornia State University San Marcos is mourning the passing of distinguished alumnus Joshua Pack ’97, who died on Sept. 29. A devoted husband and father, proud Cougar, and tireless advocate for veterans and students, Pack leaves behind a legacy defined not only by professional success but also by kindness, humility and a deep commitment to helping others. Pack’s path to CSUSM wasn’t straightforward. After beginning his higher-education journey at the U.S. Air Force Academy and transferring to another university, he eventually found his home at San Marcos, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in economics in 1997. He often credited an economics professor at CSUSM with transforming his academic trajectory and helping set the foundation for his career. Professionally, Pack rose to become co-CEO of Fortress Investment Group, one of the world’s leading investment firms. Over the course of more than two decades, he built a reputation as a leader in credit and real estate investing, overseeing billions of dollars in assets and guiding teams through complex financial markets. Pack’s connection to CSUSM remained strong long after graduation. He gave his time and expertise as a member of the CSUSM Foundation Board from 2011-16, including service on the Fundraising Committee, where his vision helped strengthen the university’s philanthropic efforts. He also supported the Finance Society by offering real-world insights to students preparing for their own careers. Pack’s passion for serving veterans was rooted in his upbringing as the son of Lt. Col. A.J. Pack, a U.S. Marine Corps officer who served for 22 years. Like Josh, Lt. Col. Pack served as a director of the CSUSM Foundation Board (2015-21). In his father’s honor, Josh established the Lt. Col. A.J. Pack Veterans Scholarship at CSUSM, supporting military-affiliated students in pursuing their educational and career goals. He also championed the creation of a veterans and military center on campus, which broke ground in 2013, calling the work “enormously gratifying for me and my family.” In 2014, he partnered with the Veterans Center and Associated Students, Inc., to host the campus premiere of “The Hornet’s Nest,” a documentary about American troops in Afghanistan. The event included a post-screening Q&A with military units and filmmakers, underscoring his belief in the importance of recognizing and supporting student veterans. In 2021, Pack reflected on his connection to CSUSM in an article on the Fortress website, noting how meaningful it was to help create a leading center for veterans and active-duty service members at the university. “The CSUSM veterans community has earned not just our thanks, but our commitment to support their dreams,” he said. Pack will be remembered for the generosity he showed to his alma mater and to the veteran community that meant so much to him. Through the Lt. Col. A.J. Pack Veterans Scholarship, his support of campus programs, and his advocacy for military-connected students, he built a legacy of service that will continue to impact lives for years to come. Pack is survived by his wife and their four children. “Josh was a true partner in our mission of student success,” CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said. “He had an unwavering belief in the power of education, and he never forgot where he came from. His impact on our students, and especially our student veterans, will endure for generations, and we will carry forward his spirit of service with gratitude.” Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- Civil Rights Office Offering Enhanced Reporting ToolsOur Title IX/DHR office is enhancing how cases of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation are managed. While your role in supporting students and colleagues remains unchanged, these improvements mean a better experience for those who seek help. What you need to know: Students and employees can continue to report concerns in the same way Confidentiality and support remain our top priorities Reports you refer will be handled faster and more consistently Our office can provide clearer updates and resources throughout the process Why This Matters: Case handling will be more efficient and less burdensome for staff Compliance and reporting are strengthened with automated workflows Secure sharing improves collaboration across the right stakeholders Real-time insights help resolve cases more quickly Reporting channels remain the same. If a student or colleague seeks guidance, please continue to refer them to https://www.csusm.edu/title9/.
- Civil Rights Office Offering Enhanced Reporting ToolsWe are enhancing how our Civil Rights office manages reports of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. While the way you submit a report will remain the same, our team will now have better tools to support you. What this means for you: Faster response times – cases will move more quickly through the process Consistency across CSU – you’ll receive the same high-quality support no matter your campus Confidentiality and trust – reports are handled securely and with care Clearer communication – our office can keep you better informed about resources and next steps Your voice matters, and we want to ensure you feel supported throughout the process. To learn more about reporting and resources, visit https://www.csusm.edu/title9/.
- Biology Professor Researching Breast CancerCarlos Luna Lopez’s typical day in the lab looks a little different from others. Dark, cool and full of machinery like 3D bio printers, the lab is home to petri dishes full of cancerous cells. Inspired by one of his students, his lab cohort is studying breast cancer. “Being in Dr. Luna’s lab has been such a great experience. He’s not only an amazing PI, but also a really great mentor,” said Oscar Loyola Torres, a molecular and cellular biology student. Dr. Luna, a biology professor at Cal State San Marcos, received his bachelor’s in physics from Universidad de Sonora in Mexico and his Ph.D. in bioengineering from the University of Maryland. He decided to pursue his postdoctoral research closer to his parents who live in Mexico, which brought him to the University of California San Diego. Dr. Luna always knew he wanted to pursue a career in the STEM field as his father is a mechanical engineer and his mother a nurse. During his Ph.D. studies, he joined the Summer Program in Neuroscience, Excellence and Success (SPINES) where he met a former CSUSM biology professor who further inspired his move to San Diego and his pursuit of a job at CSUSM. Dr. Luna believes that finding a good balance between research and teaching is important. He explained that one of his biophysics professors would play soccer with his students and invite them to important seminars, creating a meaningful relationship with the students beyond just the research. So when he was told of the community between faculty and students at CSUSM, it felt like the right choice to apply. Dr. Luna has taught upper division cellular and molecular biotechnology classes as well as bio statistics and bioengineering classes at CSUSM since 2017. He also occasionally teaches advanced molecular seminars, and currently he and his lab students are studying the effects of fat cells on breast cancer growth. The tests examine how lipid metabolism is driving parts of cancer growth. Lipid metabolism is the process of creating or breaking down lipids (fats) to help with energy storage, structural cell membrane support and cell signaling. Since breast tissue is full of lipids, it creates the perfect environment for cancer cells to thrive utilizing these functions to their advantage. Dr. Luna and his students monitor the interactions between cancer cells and two different types of fat cells, white and brown adipocytes. These cells work to store energy, produce hormones and regulate body temperature, all basic functions crucial to the success of the human body. Utilizing his background in engineering, Dr. Luna and his students built a device that creates spheroids, 3D circular clusters of cells. The spheroid is made of biomaterials replicating human tissue, allowing the students to get the most accurate results from their cancer research. “There are so many things I get to learn from him and the lab that are helping me grow as both a student and a future physician,” Loyola Torres said. Dr. Luna said this is only a portion of what their research encapsulates. Every time a new discovery is made it opens a door for further questioning, and the research continues. “When you have something in your mind, and you get the chance and the resources to be able to put that into the world it’s so exciting,” Dr. Luna said. Dr. Luna loves watching his students grow and be creative as it reminds him of when he was a kid. Not only does he get to exercise his own creativity, but he gets to bring his students along for the journey. Having watched some of them grow from first years to graduating Ph.D. students, the relationship Lopez has been able to create with his students makes his job all the more rewarding. Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- Aspiring Scholars Receives More Than $2.5M to Expand ProgramCal State San Marcos has received three grants totaling more than $2.5 million to support the continued development and expansion of a program that gives students with intellectual disabilities an inclusive college experience. The grant funding will build on the early success of the Aspiring Scholars program, which was launched in 2023 by CSUSM education professor Rebecca Brooks. Now in its third year, the program has grown from four students to 19, offering them an opportunity to learn and grow in the CSUSM community while earning a certificate in higher education academic and career studies. The largest of the grants is $2.44 million over five years from the Transition and Post-Secondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) in the U.S. Department of Education. Brooks is the principal investigator, with psychology professor Allison Jobin as the co-PI. The pair also secured grants of $75,000 from the California Center for Inclusive College and $50,000 from the CSU Commission on Professional and Continuing Education. “Seeing my dream for this program, and for our students, come to life through the collaborative efforts of our incredible CSUSM community has meant the world to me,” Brooks said. The new funding will enable Aspiring Scholars to hire its first full-time staff members, secure dedicated campus space, increase its support and training to peer mentors and professors, enhance student support, and obtain essential materials for daily operations, program orientations and events. The program is built on four core pillars: Academics: College courses aligned with students’ interests and career goals Internships: Career development and employment readiness Life skills: Fostering independence and self-advocacy Campus life and student engagement: Supporting full participation in campus life This semester, Aspiring Scholars welcomed its third cohort of 10 students, raising the total to 19. The program has collaborated with nearly 70 faculty members, and the number of peer mentors (CSUSM students who provide essential one-on-one support) has increased from a dozen in 2023 to an average of 60 per semester. The program recently launched on-campus internships for students. Among the internship sites are the Kellogg Library, Cougar Pantry, Center for Children and Families, Campus Recreation, Innovation Hub, and Office of Recruitment & Outreach. Additionally, Aspiring Scholars has been recognized as a Comprehensive Transition Postsecondary (CTP) Program, allowing participants to apply for federal student aid. “Our ultimate goal is to build a sustainable, long-term program that continues to evolve and thrive,” Brooks said. The application period for the fall 2026 cohort opened Oct. 1 and will close Nov. 30. The first class will graduate in May 2027. Media Contact Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306
- Women's Soccer Team Finishes Nonconference Play With WinDanielle Paulson's goal in the 78th minute was the difference as the Cal State San Marcos women's soccer team beat visiting Cal State San Bernardino 1-0 in its final nonconference game of the season Sunday. Paulson scored on an assist from her sister, Natalie Paulson. The Cougars, who finished nonconference play with a 3-1-2 record, open the California Collegiate Athletic Association portion of their schedule on Friday at Cal Poly Humboldt. Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
