A Message from the President

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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.

Berkman 1

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.

Signature

Ronald M. Berkman
President

Also in This Issue...

A Reason to Celebrate

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

Read On

Be Amazing Symposium is Amazing

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.

Read On

Making it Happen

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.

Read On

CSU Among Best in the Nation

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

Read On

CSU helps Cleveland shine during RNC

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

Read On

CSU’s man in Rio

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.

Read On

Lights, Cameras, Cleveland State

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.

Read On

O Hail the Green and White

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

Read On

On the road again

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.

Read On

Student Success Initiatives Drive CSU Growth and Recognition

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.

Read On

The Recipe for Student Success

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

Read On

Face-off! Lacrosse comes to CSU

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.

Read On

73 New Members Boost Expertise of Strong Faculty

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.

Read On

Deans bring expertise to colleges

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.

Read On

Corporate chapters engage alumni

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.

Read On

Stay Engaged!

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.

Read On

The 26th annual Distinguished Alumni Awards honors 10 graduates

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.

Read On

Research Aids Veterans, Caregivers

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.

Read On

Sullivan-Deckard Foster Program Lauded

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.

Read On

Class Notes – Fall 2016

Read On

A Reason to Celebrate

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

Read On

Making it Happen

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.

Read On

CSU helps Cleveland shine during RNC

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

Read On

Lights, Cameras, Cleveland State

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.

Read On

On the road again

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.

Read On

The Recipe for Student Success

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

Read On

73 New Members Boost Expertise of Strong Faculty

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.

Read On

Corporate chapters engage alumni

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.

Read On

The 26th annual Distinguished Alumni Awards honors 10 graduates

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.

Read On

Sullivan-Deckard Foster Program Lauded

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.

Read On

Be Amazing Symposium is Amazing

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.

Read On

CSU Among Best in the Nation

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

Read On

CSU’s man in Rio

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.

Read On

O Hail the Green and White

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

Read On

Student Success Initiatives Drive CSU Growth and Recognition

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.

Read On

Face-off! Lacrosse comes to CSU

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.

Read On

Deans bring expertise to colleges

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.

Read On

Stay Engaged!

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.

Read On

Research Aids Veterans, Caregivers

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.

Read On

Class Notes – Fall 2016

Read On

A Reason to Celebrate

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

Read On

CSU Among Best in the Nation

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

Read On

Lights, Cameras, Cleveland State

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.

Read On

Student Success Initiatives Drive CSU Growth and Recognition

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.

Read On

73 New Members Boost Expertise of Strong Faculty

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.

Read On

Stay Engaged!

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.

Read On

Sullivan-Deckard Foster Program Lauded

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.

Read On