The CSUSB Palm Desert Campus celebrated its seventh annual Convocation on Aug. 27 to welcome students, faculty, staff and community members to the 2020-21 academic year. This year, the ceremony was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales, now entering his ninth year leading the university, delivered the keynote address, sharing the campus’ achievements during the past year along with the goals and challenges for the 2020-2021 school year. Other speakers included Shari McMahan, provost and vice president for academic affairs; Paz Olivérez, vice president for student affairs; Jake Zhu, dean of the Palm Desert Campus; and Graciela Moran, president of Associated Students, Inc.

The California State University system and its 23 campuses, including Cal State San Bernardino, was forced to stop face-to-face classes in March and move to a virtual format, which is expected to continue through December 2020. Fall semester classes began Aug. 24.

The CSUSB Palm Desert Campus offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees, a doctorate in educational leadership, and teaching credentials and certificates. With more than 1,600 students, it is the Coachella Valley’s four-year public university and plays a vital role in educating and training the region’s growing population.

For more information about the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus, contact Mike Singer in the Office of Strategic Communication at msinger@csusb.edu or (760) 341-2883, ext. 78107, or visit the Palm Desert Campus website.