This December, I was privileged to preside over our first Cleveland State University commencement ceremony during our time together. As I shook the hands of some 1,200 beaming graduates walking across the Wolstein Center stage to receive their diplomas, I reflected on the incredible opportunity to serve as president of one of the nation’s top universities.
I am truly honored and humbled by this opportunity, and eager to partner with you, our alumni and friends, to ensure continued success and advancement for our students, our University and Northeast Ohio. The more I discover about Cleveland, the more excited I am about CSU’s role as an urban research university in a dynamic urban setting.
CSU is — and always will be — about putting students first. Ensuring that students graduate with the knowledge and skills needed for successful careers right here in Northeast Ohio is one of our top priorities. Each year, more and more bright, talented students select CSU as their school of choice. And each year, some 4,000 students earn undergraduate degrees; 80 percent of them choose to remain in Northeast Ohio to pursue their careers, raise their families, and give back to the community.

Our graduates are CSU’s greatest success story and the engine for Northeast Ohio’s future growth. Our Viking network of 126,000-plus alumni provides a strong foundation for this great University to build upon. The many accomplishments of our CSU alumni speak to the value of a CSU education and the importance of CSU to this community.
I have had the opportunity to meet so many of you over the past few months at the openings of our School of Film & Media Arts and Dan T. Moore MakerSpace, the C|M|LAW Hall of Fame induction, Distinguished Alumni and Homecoming events, and alumni receptions in Detroit, Dallas, and Houston. You can read more about these events in this issue of Cleveland State.
On behalf of our entire family, thank you for your overwhelming support and for making us feel at home so quickly. I look forward to working alongside each of you as we take CSU and our students Forward Together.
Harlan M. Sands, J.D., M.B.A.
President, Cleveland State University

President Harlan M. Sands rose from humble beginnings through the Navy, law, and higher-ed leadership. Now at CSU, he champions urban education and community-focused student success.

Noting that he has “always liked challenges with big opportunities attached,” Harlan M. Sands officially took on the greatest challenge and opportunity of his academic career – serving as president of Cleveland State University.

The Forest City. Home of rock and roll. Hollywood of the Midwest? Cleveland may soon have a new nickname, thanks to CSU’s new School of Film & Media Arts.

CSU is one of the nation’s most environmentally responsible colleges, according to the 2018 edition of The Princeton Review’s Guide to 399 Green Colleges.

Marking its 11th straight year of enrollment growth, CSU welcomed more than 1,950 first-year students to campus fall semester, as well as 30 new faculty members.

A team of researchers led by CSU received a $1.69 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to improve treatment of type-2 diabetes.

Twenty-six leaders — including judges, alumni & public servants — were inducted into CSU's C|M|LAW Hall of Fame. A new legal tech lab also opened to prepare students for practice with hands-on tools.

CSU’s Cleveland-Marshall College of Law had the highest passage rate for first-time takers of the July Ohio Bar Exam. The school’s 93 percent passage rate was well above the state average of 79 percent.

David Abbott, executive director of the George Gund Foundation, was honored with the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs 2018 In Tribute to the Public Service Award.

CSU’s Dan T. Moore MakerSpace is officially open for business, enhancing Engaged Learning opportunities and helping produce “Ready-to-Go” engineers to meet industry needs.

The Bernie Moreno Center for Sales Excellence at Cleveland State University launched with an inaugural event featuring Robert Cialdini, widely regarded as the worldwide expert on influence and persuasion.

Roland V. Anglin, dean of the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, was elected to the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA).

Scientific breakthroughs and cutting-edge discoveries by CSU faculty researchers are helping cure disease, improve quality of life and even save lives.

Radiance, CSU’s annual fundraising event to support student scholarships, raised a record $1.7-plus million in 2018, bringing its seven-year total to over $7.8 million to help students who are a few dollars short graduate on time.

Mark Ross, managing partner at PwC, shares his thoughts on Radiance.

Were you one of the many alumni who came home to CSU for Homecoming 2018? For those that came from near and far, thank you. We enjoyed talking with you, sharing memories and showing you all that CSU has become.

From a law man to a scientist and a hoops star to a poetess, CSU’s 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients represent the wide-ranging power of a CSU education.

A CSU alumna helped to secure the release of a wrongfully convicted man, highlighting her dedication to justice and impactful advocacy in the fight against wrongful imprisonment.

Thinking of a new career, starting a business, or finding that meaningful volunteer role? Second Act, a new educational series explores lifestyle, health, finance and volunteerism issues to help you find your place in the changing seasons of life.

The CSU Alumni Association is on the road again, reconnecting with graduates near and far.

President Harlan M. Sands rose from humble beginnings through the Navy, law, and higher-ed leadership. Now at CSU, he champions urban education and community-focused student success.

The Forest City. Home of rock and roll. Hollywood of the Midwest? Cleveland may soon have a new nickname, thanks to CSU’s new School of Film & Media Arts.

Marking its 11th straight year of enrollment growth, CSU welcomed more than 1,950 first-year students to campus fall semester, as well as 30 new faculty members.

Twenty-six leaders — including judges, alumni & public servants — were inducted into CSU's C|M|LAW Hall of Fame. A new legal tech lab also opened to prepare students for practice with hands-on tools.

David Abbott, executive director of the George Gund Foundation, was honored with the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs 2018 In Tribute to the Public Service Award.

The Bernie Moreno Center for Sales Excellence at Cleveland State University launched with an inaugural event featuring Robert Cialdini, widely regarded as the worldwide expert on influence and persuasion.

Scientific breakthroughs and cutting-edge discoveries by CSU faculty researchers are helping cure disease, improve quality of life and even save lives.

Mark Ross, managing partner at PwC, shares his thoughts on Radiance.

From a law man to a scientist and a hoops star to a poetess, CSU’s 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients represent the wide-ranging power of a CSU education.

Thinking of a new career, starting a business, or finding that meaningful volunteer role? Second Act, a new educational series explores lifestyle, health, finance and volunteerism issues to help you find your place in the changing seasons of life.

Noting that he has “always liked challenges with big opportunities attached,” Harlan M. Sands officially took on the greatest challenge and opportunity of his academic career – serving as president of Cleveland State University.

CSU is one of the nation’s most environmentally responsible colleges, according to the 2018 edition of The Princeton Review’s Guide to 399 Green Colleges.

A team of researchers led by CSU received a $1.69 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to improve treatment of type-2 diabetes.

CSU’s Cleveland-Marshall College of Law had the highest passage rate for first-time takers of the July Ohio Bar Exam. The school’s 93 percent passage rate was well above the state average of 79 percent.

CSU’s Dan T. Moore MakerSpace is officially open for business, enhancing Engaged Learning opportunities and helping produce “Ready-to-Go” engineers to meet industry needs.

Roland V. Anglin, dean of the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, was elected to the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA).

Radiance, CSU’s annual fundraising event to support student scholarships, raised a record $1.7-plus million in 2018, bringing its seven-year total to over $7.8 million to help students who are a few dollars short graduate on time.

Were you one of the many alumni who came home to CSU for Homecoming 2018? For those that came from near and far, thank you. We enjoyed talking with you, sharing memories and showing you all that CSU has become.

A CSU alumna helped to secure the release of a wrongfully convicted man, highlighting her dedication to justice and impactful advocacy in the fight against wrongful imprisonment.

The CSU Alumni Association is on the road again, reconnecting with graduates near and far.

President Harlan M. Sands rose from humble beginnings through the Navy, law, and higher-ed leadership. Now at CSU, he champions urban education and community-focused student success.

CSU is one of the nation’s most environmentally responsible colleges, according to the 2018 edition of The Princeton Review’s Guide to 399 Green Colleges.

Twenty-six leaders — including judges, alumni & public servants — were inducted into CSU's C|M|LAW Hall of Fame. A new legal tech lab also opened to prepare students for practice with hands-on tools.

CSU’s Dan T. Moore MakerSpace is officially open for business, enhancing Engaged Learning opportunities and helping produce “Ready-to-Go” engineers to meet industry needs.

Scientific breakthroughs and cutting-edge discoveries by CSU faculty researchers are helping cure disease, improve quality of life and even save lives.

Were you one of the many alumni who came home to CSU for Homecoming 2018? For those that came from near and far, thank you. We enjoyed talking with you, sharing memories and showing you all that CSU has become.

Thinking of a new career, starting a business, or finding that meaningful volunteer role? Second Act, a new educational series explores lifestyle, health, finance and volunteerism issues to help you find your place in the changing seasons of life.

Noting that he has “always liked challenges with big opportunities attached,” Harlan M. Sands officially took on the greatest challenge and opportunity of his academic career – serving as president of Cleveland State University.

Marking its 11th straight year of enrollment growth, CSU welcomed more than 1,950 first-year students to campus fall semester, as well as 30 new faculty members.

CSU’s Cleveland-Marshall College of Law had the highest passage rate for first-time takers of the July Ohio Bar Exam. The school’s 93 percent passage rate was well above the state average of 79 percent.

The Bernie Moreno Center for Sales Excellence at Cleveland State University launched with an inaugural event featuring Robert Cialdini, widely regarded as the worldwide expert on influence and persuasion.

Radiance, CSU’s annual fundraising event to support student scholarships, raised a record $1.7-plus million in 2018, bringing its seven-year total to over $7.8 million to help students who are a few dollars short graduate on time.

From a law man to a scientist and a hoops star to a poetess, CSU’s 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients represent the wide-ranging power of a CSU education.

The CSU Alumni Association is on the road again, reconnecting with graduates near and far.

The Forest City. Home of rock and roll. Hollywood of the Midwest? Cleveland may soon have a new nickname, thanks to CSU’s new School of Film & Media Arts.

A team of researchers led by CSU received a $1.69 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to improve treatment of type-2 diabetes.

David Abbott, executive director of the George Gund Foundation, was honored with the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs 2018 In Tribute to the Public Service Award.

Roland V. Anglin, dean of the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, was elected to the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA).

Mark Ross, managing partner at PwC, shares his thoughts on Radiance.

A CSU alumna helped to secure the release of a wrongfully convicted man, highlighting her dedication to justice and impactful advocacy in the fight against wrongful imprisonment.