Craig School of Business
Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education
Fresno State's mission, as defined in the 2016-2020 Strategic Plan, is to "boldly educate and empower students for success." This mission, along with our vision statement, "students prepared to become our next generation of leaders," and our values of Discovery, Diversity and Distinction fold into the campus Strategic Plan priorities, which state that Fresno State will implement bold, focused strategies designed to maximize success for our diverse student body. By collaborating with community partners, we will provide a transformative educational experience that prepares students to serve and to lead in the Central Valley, the state and beyond while improving the overall graduation rate.
Fresno State Education Initiatives
The Fresno State Food Security Project was launched in 2014 to support students who may be experiencing food insecurity or other challenges that could inhibit their academic success. Initiatives included in the Project are the Amendola Family Student Cupboard, CalFresh nutrition assistance program application assistance, and nutrition education and budgeting workshops. The Student Cupboard is a free food and hygiene pantry (including diapers) for current Fresno State students and is funded by monetary as well as food and hygiene donations.
The Cross Cultural and Gender Center is a student support service dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The Center provides educational programs and services through a social justice lens,
including affinity rooms for African American, American Indian, Asian Pacific Islander,
Cross Cultural, Gender, Latino/a and LGBTQ+ and campus-wide workshops for employees
and students through the President's Council for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
and diversity training through the National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) Leading
for Diversity workshops.
Originally established at one of our sister campuses and implemented at Fresno State,
Project Rebound provides support for students and potential students who were formerly incarcerated.
The program focuses on reducing recidivism and victimization by helping establish
pro-social pathways.
The Veterans Resource Center assists veterans, reservists, National Guard, active-duty service members and dependents
to receive their educational benefits and academic and wraparound support throughout
the college experience.
The Renaissance Scholars program is dedicated to being a one-stop shop offering services and referrals for
current or former foster youth, unaccompanied homeless youth, orphan youth, and other
independent youth attending Fresno State.
TRIO Student Suport Services provide undergraduates (i.e. resilient first-generation students, students from low-income
backgrounds, and students with disabilities) with academic support, financial aid
literacy/education, and graduate school preparation support to ensure every individual's
successful retention and graduation.
The Good Samaritan Grant provides financial support to meet basic needs of students who have unanticipated
financial roadblocks that can impact degree completion and well-being.
The President's Council on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (PCEDI) supports acceptance and fairness at all levels of the University. The Council developed
a comprehensive Diversity Plan to make sure this commitment is understood across our
campus. PCEDI hosts a number of workshops throughout the academic year as well Conversations
That Matter (i.e., weekly conversations that focus on issues of social justice, diversity,
inclusion, and other current and relevant issues facing our campus and society).
Initiated in 1994, with support from the National Science Foundation, the California
State University Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (CSULSAMP) Program is a comprehensive statewide project dedicated to increasing the
graduation rate among students who have faced or face social, educational or economic
barriers, attending Fresno State and the other 22 campuses within the CSU System,
studying for baccalaureate degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
(STEM) disciplines.
The Educational Opportunity Program and Special Support Programs provide an array of services to support firstgeneration and economically disadvantaged
college students. These services are designed to create an environment that fosters
a sense of community, promotes integration into the university, encourages use of
campus resources, and guides students to achieve their academic, career, and personal
goals.
The Office of Black Student Success (OBSS) is committed to providing supportive services that foster the transition and integration
of Black students into the University as they achieve academic and personal success.
The Dream Success Center is dedicated to serving our Dream students by offering services designed to foster
a sense of belonging as they navigate and thrive at Fresno State. The center provides
orientations, academic advising, and monitoring.
Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) provides academic accommodations for students with disabilities. Students work with
an Access Specialist to identify resources for their academic success, including reading/alternate
media course materials, assistive technology, testing services, interpreting and captioning
services, as well as note-taking services.
Established in March 2021, the Alegria Mental Health Task Force is charged with examining current mental health services available to students from
the Student Health and Counseling Center, as well as other external resources, in
order to develop recommendations on how we can improve the mental health and well-being
of our campus community.
The Student Health and Counseling Center (SHCC) promotes academic and personal success of Fresno State students by encouraging the
maintenance of healthy lifestyles and providing affordable and accessible health and
psychological care. Services include medical and counseling services; Wellness Services
such as the PAWdcast, a weekly conversation on health and wellness led by student
peer ambassadors of wellness; and YOU, an app for tips and tools students can use
for mental and physical health, friendships and finding balance. The Wellness program
offers a variety of workshops and events for students to promote health and well-being.
The Campus Assessment, Response and Evaluation (CARE) Team is a multidisciplinary group that works collaboratively to identify students who are
facing significant personal struggles, are in distress, or are students of concern
who may benefit from additional support or resources. By using a community approach
to foster the well-being of every student, the Fresno State community can collectively
build a strong and healthy environment.
All California State University, Fresno employees are able to participate in its Employee Fee Waiver Program. The program allows employees to continue their education or transfer the fee waiver
to a dependent. The fee waiver may be used to fully waive a maximum of two (2) courses
or six (6) units, whichever is greater per term.
The Center for Faculty Excellence gives faculty access to tools and resources related to professional development and
technology. With resources like Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) Certificate Program, faculty are able to further their education and gain new insights that they can
introduce into their classroom.
The Health Careers Opportunity Progam (HCOP) was established to assist and support students who have the desire to become doctors,
dentists, pharmacists and other health care professions. Student participants also
share a goal to give back to the communities in which they grew up.
The California Mini-Corps program provides undergraduate Liberal Studies students the opportunity to work as
tutors in public school sites throughout Fresno County. The Mini-Corps Tutors work
directly with certificated classroom teachers, and they provide direct instructional
services to migrant students.
The California State University Connectivity Contributing to Equity and Student Success
(CSUCCESS) program provides first-year and transfer students a free Apple iPad bundle to help
with their studies. This CSU system-wide initiative aims to improve technology equity
and enhance student achievement.
The CSU system-wide Graduation Initiative 2025 organizes system-level work to improve student success. By eliminating/minimizing
equality gaps among students, GI 2025 is designed to improve degree-completion rates
which will in turn lead to a diverse workforce in California.
Across Fresno State's campus, students have the opportunity to choose from many different job options in department offices, campus centers, farm enterprises, and other locations. Students
can work up to a maximum of 20 hours per week during the academic year and up to 40
hours during the summers. California State University, Fresno has found that students
employees are more engaged with campus activities, excel in their academic endeavors,
and have a higher graduation rate.