Still No. 1

Cal State Fullerton remains first in California and fifth in the nation for the number of bachelor’s degrees awarded to Hispanic students, as reported in Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education’s “Top 100.”

The annual rankings, published in the magazine’s May 2 issue, are based on 2009-10 data from the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics. The university has been ranked first or second in the state since 2005.

Cal State Fullerton’s Class of 2010 included 1,680 Hispanics who earned bachelor’s degrees and 203 who earned master’s degrees. The magazine ranks Cal State Fullerton 32nd in the nation for the number of master’s degrees awarded to Hispanics. In the April 4 issue announcing top 25 — 2009 graduate schools, the university is ranked 21st for enrolling Hispanics —17 percent of CSUF students enrolled that year in postbaccalaureate programs.

The magazine also tracks institutions by degrees awarded in specific academic programs. For bachelor’s degrees awarded to Hispanics in specific majors, Cal State Fullerton ranks:

• first in communications, public administration and public service
• third in parks-recreation-leisure and fitness
• fourth in health services/sciences
• sixth in business and marketing, and education
• eighth in psychology
• ninth in visual and performing arts
• 10th in homeland security 

Overall, Hispanics currently constitute 30 percent of Cal State Fullerton’s student population of about 35,000.

Since 2004, Cal State Fullerton has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution. Last year, Cal State Fullerton President Milton A. Gordon was honored with the President’s Award of Excellence from the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities; he served as the organization’s chairman in 2008-09.

As part of this year’s commencement season, Cal State Fullerton will host its annual Chicano/Latino Graduation Celebration Saturday, May 14, from 5:30-8 p.m. in Portola Pavilion of the Titan Student Union. The campuswide commencement ceremonies are May 21-22.

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Media Contacts:
Paula Selleck, Public Affairs, 657-278-4856 or pselleck@fullerton.edu

Pamela McLaren, Public Affairs, 657-278-4852 or pmclaren@fullerton.edu