Tomás D. Morales, president of California State University, San Bernardino, has been named as one of “The 2016 101 Most Influential Latinos” by Latino Leaders Magazine.
The article, in the magazine’s July/August 2016 edition, describes the listed Latino leaders as “exemplary individuals who embody the pinnacle of those in our society who have not only risen to the top, but have also dedicated their lives to education, culture and the success of generations to come.”
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Tomás D. Morales[/caption]
Now entering his fifth year as CSUSB’s leader, Morales is listed among Latino leaders who include: actress Jessica Alba; California Congressman Xavier Becerra; Julian Castro, U.S. secretary of Housing and Urban Development; Nely Galan, entrepreneur, producer and author; Eric Garcetti, mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Flores, president and CEO of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU); Maria Teresa Kumar, president and CEO of Voto Latino; Maria Hinojosa, journalist, radio and television producer; Rosie Rios, treasurer of the United States; Antonio Ramiro “Tony” Romo, quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys; and musician Carlos Santana.
“I’m deeply honored and touched to be listed among this group of outstanding and prominent Latinos who by their hard work, dedication and determination are making a difference in their communities, this great country and internationally, and also inspiring people of all ages to get involved,” Morales said.
As CSUSB president, Morales has focused his attention on increasing student retention and graduation rates. Morales was instrumental in the introduction of the award-winning Coyote First STEP (Student Transition Enhancement Program), an initiative to increase college readiness and graduation rates for incoming first-year students. Under CFS, incoming freshmen live on campus in university housing for the duration of the 3-4 week program while they complete courses and engage in activities designed to promote college success.
Under Morales’ leadership, CSUSB is working with school districts in San Bernardino and Riverside counties to increase high school graduation rates and college readiness.
President Morales and other educational and business partners lead the Southern California Initiative for Education and Prosperity, a collaborative consortium - consisting of two universities, 11 community colleges and 67 school districts, along with county and business leaders - to increase baccalaureate degree attainment. The consortium was the recipient of the governor’s $5 million Innovation in Higher Education grant.
During his more than 40-year career in higher education, Morales is one of the few higher education administrators in the United States who has held senior administrative positions at the three largest public university systems in the nation: The California State University, The State University of New York, and The City University of New York.
Morales served as president of the College of Staten Island, The City University of New York (CUNY). Prior to that he served in various capacities at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, including provost and vice president for academic affairs, vice president for student affairs and professor of education.
Prior to joining Pomona, Morales was vice president for student affairs and dean of students at The City College of New York/CUNY from 1994 to 2001. He provided strategic leadership, restructured the Student Services Corporation and implemented a new student-centered model for the division of Student Affairs. From 1992 to 1994, Morales was assistant dean of the School of Education at the State University of New York (SUNY), New Paltz.
He currently serves as chairman of HACU and chairman of the TIAA Hispanic Advisory Board, and had served as chairman of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.
He holds a B.A. in history from SUNY, New Paltz, and earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in educational administration and policy studies from SUNY, Albany.
Read the entire article at “101 Latino Leaders” in the online edition of Latino Leaders Magazine, or go directly to the entry for President Morales.
Set in the foothills of the beautiful San Bernardino Mountains, CSUSB is a preeminent center of intellectual and cultural activity in inland Southern California. CSUSB serves more than 20,000 students each year and graduates about 4,000 students annually. CSUSB is listed among the best colleges and universities in the western United States, according to The Princeton Review, Forbes and U.S. News and World Report.
For more information about Cal State San Bernardino, call the university’s Office of Strategic Communication at (909) 537-5007 and visit news.csusb.edu.