By Vanya Quiñones

Cal State Monterey Bay has been riding a wave of good news recently, and it continued on Thursday when the American Council on Education released a new classification category — Student Access and Earnings. Cal State Monterey Bay earned the highest distinction as an Opportunity College and University within that classification.

The new classification rates schools on how well they provide access to students within the communities they serve and whether graduates go on to earn competitive wages compared to peers in their areas.

This marks a noteworthy recognition for Cal State Monterey Bay. Social mobility rankings provide an important measure of how effectively universities support students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Unlike traditional rankings focused on selectivity and prestige, these rankings emphasize outcomes such as graduation rates, early-career earnings and affordability. We also rank high using other tools like the Social Mobility Index (CollegeNET) and the California Mobility Index (The HEA Group) — tools used to assess institutions based on their ability to foster upward mobility. This reflects a university’s success in offering opportunities based on merit and effort rather than background. In a society with strong social mobility, people from all walks of life have equal opportunities to access higher education and pursue meaningful careers. This leads to a more diverse, skilled workforce and a more innovative, resilient economy — one that thrives by unlocking the potential of every individual, regardless of where they start.

The classification is no surprise to us as we have been ranked as a leader in social mobility by the U.S. News and World Report, Money Magazine and other national organizations. We view the success of our institution as a direct reflection of our graduates, whether they pursue advanced degrees or begin their careers, making an impact in our communities. For us, social mobility means that we provide access to higher education for students across our region, including those from historically underrepresented groups, and that when they arrive at Cal State Monterey Bay they find an inclusive and supportive environment where they can thrive. We are the only CSU campus to eliminate the equity gap, and have had steady increases in our graduation rates, assuring that our students graduate on time ready to engage in meaningful and fulfilling careers that offer a lifetime of growth.

Cal State Monterey Bay stands at the forefront of social mobility because we have long been focused on providing students with community-based and career-aligned experiential learning opportunities that allow them to put into practice what they learn in the classroom while also building a resume and portfolio for the future.

The new classification follows our recent recognition by Carnegie of their new classification of Research Colleges and Universities and the notable rise in our other campus rankings, including being ranked among the top 11 mid-sized public institutions in the U.S. This achievement further solidifies our rapid progression toward becoming a top-tier university. It also serves as a testament to the accessibility of a world-class education for students from the Central Coast region, providing them with opportunities to pursue careers that will positively impact the economic workforce of Monterey County.

We are committed to continuously enhancing our educational offerings to ensure that students have the opportunities and resources they need for future success. Recently, the university added an agriculture degree, has worked to secure funding for a greenhouse and a teaching and research farm complex, elevated our accounting concentration to a degree program, and expanded our nursing program to four years. Equally important is our partnership with local community colleges such as Hartnell and Monterey Peninsula College, to ensure that all regional students have a clear degree path and access to opportunities that promote upward mobility.

Great things are happening at Cal State Monterey Bay, and our progress reflects not only the growth of our university but also the strength and future of our entire community. We are deeply committed to providing the highest quality education to support the success of our students and the advancement of the Monterey Bay region. With the community by our side, we move forward together — because our greatest strength is all of us, united in opportunity and possibility.

Vanya Quiñones is the president of Cal State Monterey Bay. The Herald has three Cal State Monterey Bay graduates on its editorial/advertising staff.