More than 4,000 students are expected to graduate this month as Cal State San Marcos hosts its annual commencement ceremonies.
A total of 4,236 students will graduate as part of the Class of 2023, and more than 25,000 people are expected to be in attendance to celebrate the graduates.
CSUSM’s commencement will take place on Friday, May 19 and Saturday, May 20 at Mangrum Track and Field on campus, with six different ceremonies stretched across the two days.
In the Class of 2023, 57% of the graduates are the first in their families to earn a bachelor’s degree, and 32% are the first to attend college. More than 45% come from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, and 58% are non-white. The ages of the graduates range from 19 to 75.
Each of the commencement ceremonies will be streamed live on the CSUSM website and mobile app to allow viewing by family members and friends who can’t attend.
CSUSM will award three honorary degrees during commencement:
Satia O. Austin will receive a Doctor of Humane Letters degree during the College of Education, Health and Human Services ceremony on May 20 at 1:30 p.m.
Simon Kuo will receive a Doctor of Science degree in the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics ceremony on May 19 at 9 a.m.
Nancy Sasaki will receive a Doctor of Humane Letters degree in the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences ceremony on May 19 at 1:30 p.m.
Austin is president of the North San Diego County branch of the NAACP, for which she also has served in numerous capacities. She’s also an adjunct professor of history at Central Texas College while pursuing a doctorate in education at National University. She has given countless hours to improve programs, promote policy change, eliminate disparities for people of color and coordinate events that benefit North San Diego County and its residents.
Kuo is vice president of corporate quality at Carlsbad-based Viasat, Inc., a longtime CSUSM supporter that collaborated with the university and other industry partners to bring engineering to campus. Kuo also is a member of the CSUSM Foundation Board. Before that, he served on the board of CSUSM’s College of Science and Mathematics (now the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), where he participated in the initial task force to study the feasibility of making engineering a reality at CSUSM.
Sasaki has served as the president and CEO of United Way of San Diego County since 2018. Her long history in the nonprofit world includes serving as the former executive director of Alliance Healthcare Foundation and the ACLU of San Diego and Imperial counties, and a 30-year career with Planned Parenthood in Austin, San Diego, Hawaii and Los Angeles.
More information on CSUSM’s commencement ceremonies is available online.
What: CSUSM hosts commencement for the Class of 2023
When:
Friday, May 19
9 a.m. – College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
1:30 p.m. – College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences
6 p.m. – College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences
Saturday, May 20
9 a.m. – College of Business Administration
1:30 p.m. – College of Education, Health and Human Services
6 p.m. – College of Education, Health and Human Services
Where: Mangrum Track and Field, Cal State San Marcos, 333 South Twin Oaks Valley Road, San Marcos
Media: Members of the media who wish to attend any of the commencement ceremonies are asked to contact communications specialist Brian Hiro in advance at bhiro@csusm.edu or 760-759-0564. For easy access to the ceremony site, media are asked to park in Lot Z, which is located at South Twin Oaks Valley Road and Campus Marketplace.
About California State University San Marcos
Building on a 33-year history, California State University San Marcos is a forward-focused institution, dedicated to student success fueled by innovation, education and community partnerships. Located on a 306-acre hillside overlooking the City of San Marcos, it is the only public four-year comprehensive university serving North San Diego, Southwest Riverside and South Orange counties.
The university enrolls more than 16,000 students. It ranks among the national leaders in social mobility, increasing the opportunities and improving the life trajectories of underrepresented students. As a recipient of the annual HEED Award since 2014 — a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion — CSUSM is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment.
