Cal State Fullerton Philanthropic Foundation
PROGRAMS
Veterans Resource Center
The Veterans Resource Center (VRC) at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) provides comprehensive services and resources that promote the academic, personal, and professional success of student veterans and military-connected students. Utilizing a strengths-based approach, the VRC engages with students through meaningful programs and the delivery of effective services that support their growth and success. Serving nearly 500 student veterans and more than 1,200 military-connected students annually, the VRC seeks to foster a sense of community that assists student veterans with the transition into civilian life and supports them in their pursuit of obtaining a college degree. The financial needs of student veterans and military families have unfortunately increased in recent years due to the lagging economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, amplified inflation rates, and the ever-growing cost of living.
The long-term goal of the VRC is to increase the number of student veterans and military-connected students who graduate from CSUF. We continuously strive to become a greater presence on campus and in the community through face-to-face engagement, creating a more dynamic communication platform, and by diversifying our outreach methods to connect with as many students as possible. We continuously engage with our students to meet them wherever they are and to guide them along their path toward success. We believe that only through unity can we hope to meet the varied needs of our students, which is why our center is and will continue to be an inclusive space for all. The VRC continues to provide support and relief to student veterans who face economic, personal, and/or professional challenges that affect their ability to persist and succeed.
Male Success Initiative
The Male Success Initiative-Fullerton (MSI-Fullerton) is a California State University-Fullerton (CSUF) department “Where Undergraduate Men of Color Achieve the Fullness of Their Potential”. The purpose of MSI-Fullerton is to address the underrepresentation of undergraduate men of color in higher education. MSI-Fullerton is open to all CSUF students with an interest in supporting and advancing the potential of undergraduate men of color. Participants in MSI-Fullerton will gain skills and knowledge needed to foster academic success; establish a support network of mentors; increase their graduation and retention rates; and strengthen the sense of community among all CSUF students.
The long-term goal of MSI is to promote the academic excellence of students who self-identify as men of color at Cal State Fullerton through their sustained persistence and ultimate graduation from CSUF with a college degree. Through established baselines, MSI works toward a long-term goal of increasing the graduation rates of males of color at CSUF. Beyond impacting CSUF men of color, MSI-Fullerton is also focused on engaging with students in secondary education, in order to increase the college-going culture amongst middle and high school men of color in Los Angeles and Orange counties. To support their college-going aspirations, MSI-Fullerton annually hosts the Male Youth Empowerment Conference, a one-day, immersive experience for 9th and 10th grade students. Bringing 300+ young men of color to the CSUF campus, MSI-Fullerton promotes a college-going culture by allowing students to visualize themselves as college students and provides them with activities that help them to better understand the path to higher education. In addition, the conference advances the career development of students by offering workshops and presentations led by men of color from myriad career fields where men of color representation are scarce. Through engagement, young men of color are immersed in activities that validate their college-going aspirations and provide tools and resources that enable them to pursue higher education.
Guardian Scholars Program
Cal State Fullerton’s Guardian Scholars Program is committed to support ambitious, college-bound students exiting the foster care system. We provide a comprehensive wide-ranging program that contributes to the quality and depth of the student’s university experience. We serve as a resource for young adults by assisting in their development and equipping them with the educational and interpersonal skills necessary to become self-supporting, community leaders, role models, and competent professionals in their selected fields. Since its founding in 1998, the program has expanded, both in size and scope, now providing programmatic support and access to financial resources to any enrolled former foster youth. The success of the program model is evidenced by retention, persistence, and graduation rates above 80%, which is remarkably high – not just for former foster youth but for higher education (and the CSUF campus).
The gap between the cost of attending college and available financial aid has increased dramatically over the last several years. One of the biggest causes is the rising cost of basic living expenses, such as food, housing, and transportation. Local studies have found that basic needs insecurity is particularly present in California, where the cost of living is dramatically higher than elsewhere in the county. Adding to the issues are effects stemming from COVID-19, which forced students into survival mode, a pattern of behavior that has not yet resolved itself despite an official end to the pandemic. Providing scholarship support to former foster youth is fundamental to the Guardian Scholars program and essential to its strong program efficacy. Although most Guardian Scholars receive the maximum amount of state and federal financial aid, the amount granted is not enough to cover the total cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, academic supplies, housing, and transportation. For the last several years, the gap per student has averaged around $12,000. However, given the state of the economy and rising rental expenses, we anticipate the funding gap per student will increase.
School of Music Faculty Chamber Music Series
A series of three concerts held on Sunday afternoons in Meng Concert Hall at CSUF’s Clayes Performing Arts Center. The concerts feature a range of faculty ensembles performing audience-accessible works. Select guest artists are invited to perform alongside faculty musicians, based on repertoire and ensemble instrumentation needs. Pre-concert talks for audiences help to deepen their engagement as well. Chamber music is a vital component of the classical music field, and there are few local opportunities for audiences to hear and learn about it. CSUF has optimal conditions for this series spotlighting chamber music: talented faculty and connections to other leading musicians; a strong following of music patrons and dedicated music students; and an exceptional concert hall. The series leverages these strengths to build the audience and interest in chamber – and classical – music.
A broader range of performing arts opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and Orange County residents; greater awareness and engagement by the public with Meng Concert Hall, Clayes Performing Arts Center, and Cal State Fullerton; graduating music students with a deeper knowledge of chamber music. The string program at CSUF offers a variety of opportunities for the developing string student at both the bachelor’s and master’s levels, and students receive a specialized yet comprehensive education while participating in numerous chamber ensembles and the University's Orchestra.
CONTACT
Cal State Fullerton Philanthropic Foundation
2600 NUTWOOD AVE STE 850
FULLERTON, CA 92831
Phone: 657-278-4320