Students in Vista Unified School District can now enroll in college while still in high school. The district, in partnership with Cal State San Marcos, is rolling out a new dual enrollment program through which students can take college courses that earn credits toward two new undergraduate degrees at CSUSM.  As part of a unique program in the College of Education, Health and Human Services at CSUSM – Scholars in Wellness and Innovation Fast-Track (SWIFT) Health Programs – students at Rancho Buena Vista High School can earn college credit, giving them an early start toward a bachelor’s degree. Courses completed count toward two specialized undergraduate degrees in health and wellness designed to allow students to obtain a degree in as little as three years.  One is in public health and the other in human development with a concentration in counseling. “This program allows students to accelerate their career journey in mental and behavioral health through an innovative three-year degree pathway. Starting in high school, students begin earning college credit and will finish with a bachelor’s degree and embedded professional certificates to give them a competitive advantage in the workplace,” CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said. “CSUSM is focused on social mobility and empowering students to transform their lives, their families and their communities through the power of higher education. This program is our newest effort to fulfill this mission.” To kick off the program, Neufeldt and other campus leaders from CSUSM and the Vista Unified School District will participate in a welcoming ceremony for the students on Friday at noon. "We are thrilled to partner with Cal State San Marcos in order to expand educational pathways for students so that they reach for our vision to become resilient, agile learners and creative problem-solvers who navigate the world with confidence and kindness and eagerly embrace local and global challenges,” said Dr. Matt Doyle, superintendent of Vista Unified. The degrees are focused on careers and preparing students for the workforce in health and wellness. In addition to a degree, students will graduate with the requirements to obtain in-demand professional certification. Public health students will complete the requirements for a Community Health Education Specialist (CHES) certificate to work as community health educators in various settings. Human development students will complete the requirements to become a wellness coach, which qualifies them in California to provide mental health and wellness support for children and young adults. These certificates set graduates up for advanced work and higher salaries after graduation. The degrees are also designed to be highly supportive of students. For example, students can receive funding in the summer to complete internships that prepare them for careers in health and wellness when they graduate. Students also progress through their courses with a cohort of fellow students, within a supportive community of expert faculty. As part of this program, CSUSM also offers specialized career advising, employer networking and guest speakers to help students find a position and start their careers upon graduation.   According to a recent San Diego Workforce Partnership report, the San Diego region needs an additional 18,500 behavioral health professionals to meet industry demands. The dual enrollment program will provide a direct pipeline to support the much-needed workforce. What: Student welcoming ceremony When: Friday, Sept. 6, noon-12:30 p.m. Where: Rancho Buena Vista High School, 1601 Longhorn Drive, Vista, CA 92081 Parking: Available at the school  More information: All visitors should check in at the front desk.

Cal State San Marcos is ranked 97th in the nation in the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse “2025 Best Colleges in the U.S.,” which ranks the top 500 universities. The Wall Street Journal determined the rankings based on data collected in three main categories: student outcomes, learning environment and diversity. The newspaper notes that the rankings measure “how well each college sets graduates up for financial success.” They examine how much a university improves students’ chances of graduating and their future earnings, balancing those outcomes with feedback from students on college life. There are additional categories in which universities are ranked based on student experience, best salaries, social mobility and overall best value. CSUSM placed highly in those categories, including:  19th in social mobility 51st in student experience 57th in best value 83rd in best salaries Over the summer, CSUSM received four out of a possible five stars on Money magazine's list of “Best Colleges in America" for 2024. Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Three programs in Cal State San Marcos’ College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (CSTEM) have received accreditation from a worldwide agency, giving them a stamp of approval that will benefit both the college and its students. The programs of computer science, electrical engineering and software engineering recently learned that they have been accredited by ABET, which originally stood for the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology but has used just the acronym since 2005. ABET, based in Baltimore, accredits college and university programs in the disciplines of applied and natural science, computing, engineering and engineering technology at the associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree levels. It has accredited more than 4,500 programs at 920 colleges and universities in 42 countries. “This validation that we have built programs worthy of ABET accreditation reinforces our commitment to student success and to preparing our students for high-demand fulfilling careers in our region,” said Jackie Trischman, dean of CSTEM.  The accreditation is retroactive to CSUSM’s first graduating classes for software engineering and electrical engineering, and to the class of 2021 for computer science.  Trischman said the application process took years, and included hiring of a consultant for one of the programs and hosting ABET officials for a three-day campus visit last fall. ABET accreditation assures that programs meet standards to produce graduates who are ready to enter critical technical fields that are leading the way in innovation and emerging technologies, and anticipating the welfare and safety needs of the public. ABET reviews examine program curricula, faculty, facilities and institutional support, and are conducted by teams of highly skilled professionals from industry, academia and government, with expertise in the appropriate disciplines. Many jobs with government-sponsored agencies and certain types of companies only hire students who graduated from ABET-accredited programs. “This will help us to show our community that we have high-quality programs,” Trischman said. “It will help with recruitment and with securing positions for internships and jobs for our graduates.” The accreditation process for CSUSM was led by Dr. Simon Fan for B.S. in Computer Science and B.S. in Software Engineering, and Dr. Reza Kamali for B.S. in Electrical Engineering. Dr. Ali Ahmadinia, then the chair of the Department of Computer Science and Information Systems (where computer science and software engineering are offered), assisted in organizing the faculty for those programs and securing the necessary resources. Dr. Ricardo Fierro, former associate dean of CSTEM, did crucial coordination and administrative work along with Dana Edstrom, administrative coordinator; Courtney Dow, contract specialist in the College; and Jessica Faulkner, assistant to the dean. Trischman emphasized, however, that it was a team effort involving students, staff, the faculty in each program, administration and industry partners. This fall, CSUSM has almost 300 electrical engineering students, 170 software engineering students and more than 1,000 computer science students. Media Contact Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, Cal State San Marcos’ Latinx Center is partnering with campus organizations to present an exciting lineup of events. The month, which runs Sept. 15-Oct. 15, is an opportunity to celebrate the rich culture and diverse backgrounds of Hispanic-identifying people. Everyone is invited to participate in Hispanic Heritage Month events.   Latinx Heritage Month Reception Tuesday, Sept. 10, 5-8:30 p.m., Forum Plaza Kick off Latinx Heritage Month with cultural music, a speaker, games, student org tabling, food and performances.   Chingona Fest Tuesday, Sept. 17, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. brunch event, 5-8 p.m. festival event, USU Ballroom Join the Latinx Center and Women and Gender Equity Center for Chingona Fest to celebrate Latinx Heritage Month.   My Culture is not a Trend  Tuesday, Sept. 24, noon-1 p.m., USU 3300 (Latinx Center) Learn about problematic stigmas that society creates and the inappropriate portrayal of members in the Latinx community.    Shared Roots (in collaboration with APIDA) Wednesday, Oct. 2, noon-1 p.m., USU 3300 (Latinx Center) APIDA and Latinx communities will explore shared roots.   Cafecito Con Pan Tuesday, Oct. 8, noon-1 p.m., USU 3300 (Latinx Center) Students will hear from success coaches Samantha Bosch and Elizabeth Hernandez.   Joteria Night (in collaboration with PRIDE) Thursday, Oct. 10, noon- 1 p.m., USU 3100 (Pride Center)   Feminism in Latin America (in collaboration with WGEC) Tuesday, Oct. 15, noon-1 p.m., USU 3200 (WGEC)  Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Dear campus community, On behalf of the University Library Dean Search Committee, we are pleased to announce the finalist schedule for the upcoming campus visits.  Candidate A – Sept. 9-10 Meeting with students: Sept. 9, 3:15-3:45 p.m., KEL 4400 Campus open forum: Sept. 10, 9-9:45 a.m., KEL 5400 and Zoom Candidate B – Sept. 10-11 Campus open forum: Sept. 11, 9-9:45 a.m., KEL 5400 and Zoom Meeting with students: Sept. 11, 11-11:30 a.m., KEL 5207 Candidate C – Sept. 16-17 Meeting with students: Sept. 16, 3:30-4 p.m., KEL 5207 Campus open forum: Sept. 17, 9-9:45 a.m., KEL 5400 and Zoom The candidates’ CVs, brief bios, campus visit dates and confidential feedback survey and open forum Zoom links will be published on the University Library Dean Search page. The recordings of the open forums will be available on Sept. 17. The feedback link will open on Sept. 9 at 9 a.m. and close on Sept. 20 at 8 a.m. The search committee values your input, so please be sure to attend the campus open forum and complete the feedback survey for each candidate. Thank you, Charles De Leone Chair, Search Committee for University Library Dean Dean, Graduate Studies and Research

It is with deep sadness that I share the news of the passing of Dr. Steven C. Welch, renowned chemist and dedicated educator, on Aug. 9 at the age of 84. Known for groundbreaking work in the synthesis of natural products with significant biochemical and medical applications in his early career at the University of Houston, Dr. Welch went on to become the founding faculty of the Chemistry & Biochemistry Department and Professor Emeritus at Cal State San Marcos. Dr. Welch began his illustrious career after earning a Ph.D. from UCLA and completing a postdoctoral fellowship at the California Institute of Technology. In 1970, he joined the faculty of the University of Houston's Department of Chemistry, where he quickly established a pioneering research program. His work focused on the synthesis of complex natural products, many of which were previously only obtainable through laborious extraction from natural sources. His innovative research not only advanced the field but also attracted significant funding and talented students. In 1990, Dr. Welch joined California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) as a professor and the founding faculty member of the Department of Chemistry. He played a pivotal role in designing the chemistry major and developing a curriculum that has endured and met the highest standards of the American Chemical Society. Dr. Welch’s foresight in integrating undergraduate research into the degree program enriched the educational experiences of countless students, ensuring they were well-prepared for both industry roles and graduate studies. During his tenure at CSUSM, Dr. Welch served as the department chair for more than 12 years, where he was instrumental in hiring additional faculty and staff members, mentoring and supporting colleagues, and leading the design and outfitting of the Science Hall 1. His contributions to the department and the university community were vast, including serving as the first Academic Senate Chair and fostering strong relationships with colleagues at regional community colleges. Beyond his academic and professional achievements, Dr. Welch was deeply committed to his students. Known for his high standards and compassionate support, he constantly sought to improve his teaching methods to enhance student success. His passion for organic chemistry and dedication to his students left an indelible mark on the university and the many lives he touched. He will be remembered for always planning thoughtfully and leading with kindness. Dr. Welch was an exceptional mentor to new faculty; providing advice but letting them find their own way. In addition, his soft spoken and kindly nature was essential to his promoting a sense of collegiality in the department. His foresight in designing microscale laboratory experiments resulted in a program that was both more affordable and more environmentally responsible than the vast majority of chemistry programs at the time. Dr. Welch is survived by his loving wife, Elizabeth, and his daughter, Melody Welch Vander Straten and her husband, David, and their two daughters. He is also survived by his first wife, Elaine, and his brother, Dennis Welch. His legacy will continue through the countless students and colleagues he mentored, the research he inspired, and the programs he established. A memorial service will be held on Oct. 10 at 1:30 p.m. at Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Steven C. Welch Outstanding Graduate in Chemistry Award Fund at give.csusm.edu/stevencwelch . Together, we honor Dr. Welch’s profound impact on both his field and the academic communities he served. Sincerely, Jackie Trischman Dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics