When I look at Cleveland State, I see a University where Engaged Learning is redefining higher education for the 21st century. And people are taking notice.
This semester, we welcomed the largest freshman class in our history — more than 1,900 students. We also welcomed 73 new members to our outstanding faculty — men and women who firmly believe CSU is a career-enhancer.
Cleveland State is again one of fewer than 300 institutions on the latest U.S. News & World Report “Best National Universities” list.
And more than a dozen of our programs are featured in the recent U.S. News Best Graduate Schools guide.
While we’re proud of CSU’s growing and glowing reputation, the ultimate measure of the University’s success remains student success.

ENGAGE: The Campaign for Cleveland State University has raised nearly $92 million of its $100 million goal to support student success through scholarships, mentoring, experiential learning, internships and other initiatives. Radiance has raised $4.8 million over five years, providing some 1,500 scholarships to students who need just a bit of financial help to get them over the finish line to graduation.
With innovations such as multi-term registration and demand-driven enrollment, we’ve dedicated ourselves to helping students save time and money while earning degrees that prepare them for career success. In turn, we’ve seen dramatic increases in retention and graduation rates.
Our efforts to improve affordability and degree attainment will help ensure a larger pool of qualified graduates to meet the state’s workforce needs. That’s good news for Ohio, which faces a severe talent gap that threatens economic competitiveness and growth.
By 2020, 65 percent of all jobs will require postsecondary education. Yet less than 40 percent of Ohio’s current workforce has an associate’s degree or higher.
While this talent gap looms, concerns about college affordability persist, amid declining financial aid. Ohio ranks 45 out of 50 states for college affordability, based on the percentage of family income needed to pay for college. Ohio also falls well below the national average for state funding per student.
Closing the talent gap and funding higher education must become priorities for Ohio. State investment is critical if Ohio is to maintain one of the finest public university systems in the nation.
This summer, I began serving a two-year term as chair of the Inter-University Council of Ohio, a consortium of the state’s public universities. As chair, I will strongly advocate for increased state support for higher education and collaborate with my fellow university presidents to better inform our state leaders and the general public about the value of a college education as an engine for economic growth.
The message is clear. Higher education is a sound, essential, high-value investment — an investment that pays substantial economic and noneconomic dividends to individuals and the state.

Ronald M. Berkman
President

For the third consecutive year, generous donors helped Radiance: CSU Realizing the Promise achieve more than $1 million for scholarships.

The Second Annual Women’s Leadership Symposium drew some 800 women (and a few men) for a day of inspirational, thought-provoking talks; shared meals and conversations; and renewal of drive and spirit.

CSU alumni played vital roles in the 2016 RNC — from city leadership to safety, free speech, and visitor experience — showcasing Cleveland’s growth, unity, and success.

Cleveland State University again is among the best colleges and universities in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report.

CSU hosted RNC events — from online classes to TEDx — boosting national media coverage and spotlighting Cleveland’s resurgence.

Wally Morton, who coached CSU swimming and diving for 39 seasons, was in Rio de Janeiro for the Summer Olympics along with his wife, Carol, a faculty member at Baldwin Wallace University. It was their 10th Olympic adventure.

From Captain America and the Avengers to Ralphie, the Old Man and a pitcher known as Wild Thing — Cleveland has long been a fertile filming ground for the motion picture industry.

Homecoming 2016 brought hundreds of alumni back to campus to celebrate CSU.

Visiting Cleveland-area landmarks, hosting fun-filled family outings, touring the world, connecting with grads across the country — the CSU Alumni Association’s calendar of events has something for everyone.

In an era where barely half of the nation’s college students obtain a degree within six years, Cleveland State is all about student success — and innovative ways to help them graduate on time and with as little debt as possible.

First-gen and transfer learners thrive at CSU through TRIO, coaching, tutoring, and service pathways, proving engaged support leads to success.

The newest addition to the Department of Athletics is men’s lacrosse. The sport is the fastest growing in the nation among high school student-athletes, and CSU head coach Dylan Sheridan used the 2015-16 year to build his program.

This fall, CSU welcomed 73 new faculty members, many of whom come from flagship Association of American Universities (AAU) institutions. The group includes 47 tenure/tenure track faculty – by far the largest number to join Cleveland State.

CSU welcomed three expert deans: Dr. Roland Anglin in Urban Affairs, Dr. Timothy Gaspar in Nursing, and former Ohio AG Lee Fisher at Cleveland–Marshall Law — each bringing deep experience to elevate their respective colleges.

The Alumni Association welcomes American Greetings as its third corporate chapter. It joins the Forest City Enterprises chapter, which just celebrated its first anniversary, and Sherwin-Williams, which established a corporate chapter in 2014.

Keep up to date with the CSU Alumni Association by following us online. Our website, csualumni.com, is your starting point for all things alumni.

With the basketball court at Wolstein Center transformed into a sparkling ballroom, nearly 500 alumni and friends gathered to pay tribute to this year’s class of Distinguished Alumni.

CSU researchers secured a $1 million NSF grant to develop tools supporting veterans and their caregivers — enhancing resources, care strategies, and transitions from service to civilian life.

Cleveland State was one of just nine colleges and universities nationwide honored by University Business magazine with a 2016 Models of Excellence award, which recognizes innovative approaches to encouraging and nurturing student success.

For the third consecutive year, generous donors helped Radiance: CSU Realizing the Promise achieve more than $1 million for scholarships.

CSU alumni played vital roles in the 2016 RNC — from city leadership to safety, free speech, and visitor experience — showcasing Cleveland’s growth, unity, and success.

CSU hosted RNC events — from online classes to TEDx — boosting national media coverage and spotlighting Cleveland’s resurgence.

From Captain America and the Avengers to Ralphie, the Old Man and a pitcher known as Wild Thing — Cleveland has long been a fertile filming ground for the motion picture industry.

Visiting Cleveland-area landmarks, hosting fun-filled family outings, touring the world, connecting with grads across the country — the CSU Alumni Association’s calendar of events has something for everyone.

First-gen and transfer learners thrive at CSU through TRIO, coaching, tutoring, and service pathways, proving engaged support leads to success.

This fall, CSU welcomed 73 new faculty members, many of whom come from flagship Association of American Universities (AAU) institutions. The group includes 47 tenure/tenure track faculty – by far the largest number to join Cleveland State.

The Alumni Association welcomes American Greetings as its third corporate chapter. It joins the Forest City Enterprises chapter, which just celebrated its first anniversary, and Sherwin-Williams, which established a corporate chapter in 2014.

With the basketball court at Wolstein Center transformed into a sparkling ballroom, nearly 500 alumni and friends gathered to pay tribute to this year’s class of Distinguished Alumni.

Cleveland State was one of just nine colleges and universities nationwide honored by University Business magazine with a 2016 Models of Excellence award, which recognizes innovative approaches to encouraging and nurturing student success.

The Second Annual Women’s Leadership Symposium drew some 800 women (and a few men) for a day of inspirational, thought-provoking talks; shared meals and conversations; and renewal of drive and spirit.

Cleveland State University again is among the best colleges and universities in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Wally Morton, who coached CSU swimming and diving for 39 seasons, was in Rio de Janeiro for the Summer Olympics along with his wife, Carol, a faculty member at Baldwin Wallace University. It was their 10th Olympic adventure.

Homecoming 2016 brought hundreds of alumni back to campus to celebrate CSU.

In an era where barely half of the nation’s college students obtain a degree within six years, Cleveland State is all about student success — and innovative ways to help them graduate on time and with as little debt as possible.

The newest addition to the Department of Athletics is men’s lacrosse. The sport is the fastest growing in the nation among high school student-athletes, and CSU head coach Dylan Sheridan used the 2015-16 year to build his program.

CSU welcomed three expert deans: Dr. Roland Anglin in Urban Affairs, Dr. Timothy Gaspar in Nursing, and former Ohio AG Lee Fisher at Cleveland–Marshall Law — each bringing deep experience to elevate their respective colleges.

Keep up to date with the CSU Alumni Association by following us online. Our website, csualumni.com, is your starting point for all things alumni.

CSU researchers secured a $1 million NSF grant to develop tools supporting veterans and their caregivers — enhancing resources, care strategies, and transitions from service to civilian life.

For the third consecutive year, generous donors helped Radiance: CSU Realizing the Promise achieve more than $1 million for scholarships.

Cleveland State University again is among the best colleges and universities in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report.

From Captain America and the Avengers to Ralphie, the Old Man and a pitcher known as Wild Thing — Cleveland has long been a fertile filming ground for the motion picture industry.

In an era where barely half of the nation’s college students obtain a degree within six years, Cleveland State is all about student success — and innovative ways to help them graduate on time and with as little debt as possible.

This fall, CSU welcomed 73 new faculty members, many of whom come from flagship Association of American Universities (AAU) institutions. The group includes 47 tenure/tenure track faculty – by far the largest number to join Cleveland State.

Keep up to date with the CSU Alumni Association by following us online. Our website, csualumni.com, is your starting point for all things alumni.

Cleveland State was one of just nine colleges and universities nationwide honored by University Business magazine with a 2016 Models of Excellence award, which recognizes innovative approaches to encouraging and nurturing student success.

The Second Annual Women’s Leadership Symposium drew some 800 women (and a few men) for a day of inspirational, thought-provoking talks; shared meals and conversations; and renewal of drive and spirit.

CSU hosted RNC events — from online classes to TEDx — boosting national media coverage and spotlighting Cleveland’s resurgence.

Homecoming 2016 brought hundreds of alumni back to campus to celebrate CSU.

First-gen and transfer learners thrive at CSU through TRIO, coaching, tutoring, and service pathways, proving engaged support leads to success.

CSU welcomed three expert deans: Dr. Roland Anglin in Urban Affairs, Dr. Timothy Gaspar in Nursing, and former Ohio AG Lee Fisher at Cleveland–Marshall Law — each bringing deep experience to elevate their respective colleges.

With the basketball court at Wolstein Center transformed into a sparkling ballroom, nearly 500 alumni and friends gathered to pay tribute to this year’s class of Distinguished Alumni.

CSU alumni played vital roles in the 2016 RNC — from city leadership to safety, free speech, and visitor experience — showcasing Cleveland’s growth, unity, and success.

Wally Morton, who coached CSU swimming and diving for 39 seasons, was in Rio de Janeiro for the Summer Olympics along with his wife, Carol, a faculty member at Baldwin Wallace University. It was their 10th Olympic adventure.

Visiting Cleveland-area landmarks, hosting fun-filled family outings, touring the world, connecting with grads across the country — the CSU Alumni Association’s calendar of events has something for everyone.

The newest addition to the Department of Athletics is men’s lacrosse. The sport is the fastest growing in the nation among high school student-athletes, and CSU head coach Dylan Sheridan used the 2015-16 year to build his program.

The Alumni Association welcomes American Greetings as its third corporate chapter. It joins the Forest City Enterprises chapter, which just celebrated its first anniversary, and Sherwin-Williams, which established a corporate chapter in 2014.

CSU researchers secured a $1 million NSF grant to develop tools supporting veterans and their caregivers — enhancing resources, care strategies, and transitions from service to civilian life.