Cal State San Bernardino President Tomás D. Morales will join California State University leaders, administrators and students to speak, both in-person and virtually, at African American churches across the state on the transformative power of higher education as part of the CSU Super Sunday on Feb. 27.

Now in its 17th year as part of Super Sunday, members of the CSU family will share personal stories and experiences, advice and college information with future students and their families to advance access, opportunity and success for African American students. This year more than 100 churches will participate.

Morales will speak at St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church in San Bernardino. The church service starts at 9:30 a.m.

Since it was launched in 2005, more than a million people have attended Super Sunday, the signature event of the CSU's African American Initiative, which aims to increase the preparation, support, retention and degree attainment of African American students.

“The goal of Super Sunday is to share with potential students and their families that a college degree from the CSU is possible, affordable, and transformative, and our commitment to partnering with them from admission to the day they earn their degree and beyond,” said Sylvia A. Alva, CSU’s executive vice chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs. “As part of the CSU’s Graduation Initiative 2025 we are laser focused on eliminating equity gaps and making a measurable difference in supporting African American students to earning their degrees. We will continue to work tirelessly with our faith-based partners throughout the Golden State to bring the lifelong and life-transforming benefits of higher education to every student who dreams of a CSU degree.”

Outreach directors and staff members will provide information on the application and admission process, as well as scholarships and financial aid available to CSU students.

Engaging underrepresented communities, strengthening community partnerships and encouraging a college-going culture is critical to eliminating equity gaps for students and is a priority of the CSU’s Graduation Initiative 2025. The university and its 23 campuses continue to set record completion rates, awarding nearly 113,000 bachelor’s degrees for the 2020-21 academic year.

In 2020-21, Black students in the CSU earned 4,303 bachelor’s degrees – an all-time high – with students earning 341 more bachelor’s degrees than the prior academic year.

While these are record-breaking achievements for students and their families, stubborn equity gaps – the difference in graduation rates between students from historically underserved backgrounds and their peers – remain, and in some cases are widening. In October, the CSU established five equity goals prioritizing success for all students: 1) re-engage and re-enroll underserved students, 2) expand credit opportunities with summer/intersession, 3) ensure equitable access to digital degree roadmaps, 4) eliminate administrative barriers to graduation, 5) promote equitable learning practices and reduce D, F, or withdrawal rates. The CSU is dedicated to equity and inclusivity for underserved students of color, first-generation college students and students from modest-income families.

To find a CSU Super Sunday church location near you, visit the CSU’s website.