Large grants highlight a stellar academic year

By Mark Muckenfuss

With Commencement around the corner, it’s a good time to look back at Cal State Monterey Bay’s 2025-26 academic year. It was an eventful one, marked by the university receiving some large grants and a major national award, a continued increase in the student population, and the announced departure of President Vanya Quiñones. 

The California State University Chancellor’s Office announced on March 11 that Quiñones would become the new president of Cal Poly Pomona. She will depart CSUMB on June 30, after a four-year tenure. 

Many of this year’s notable events were directly influenced by or the result of Quiñones’s leadership. Here’s a quick look back.

August, 2025:

Students are welcomed back to campus with Welcome Week activities and first-year students are invited to the second-annual Convocation address at Cardinale Stadium. One of the week’s highlights is the annual Otter Plunge, which draws hundreds of students, staff and faculty to the beach in Monterey.

October

Monte’s 5K anchors the third-annual RAFT Weekend, a chance for families and alumni to visit the campus and take part in a host of activities and events both on and off campus. 

Leaders from across the CSU system gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of the Graduation Initiative 2025, an ambitious 10-year plan to increase graduation rates and eliminate equity gaps. Cal State Monterey Bay was recognized for achieving all six of its targets.

November

“Moving California Forward: The economic power of the CSU,” a report that looks at the impact of the California State University system on both the state and its regions, shows how much CSUMB influences its region's economy. The report looks at four dimensions: economic, student, industry workforce and societal impacts. 

December

A renovation launch marks the start of work on Gavilan Hall in response to an increase in student enrollment numbers The office building, which also housed KAZU radio and its studios, is being converted into residential space for students and will house more than 200 starting in Fall 2026.

January, 2026

CSUMB was one of only 237 colleges and universities to receive the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, nationwide, and only one of 38 institutions to maintain that original classification, which began in 2006. The designation is awarded to institutions that meet a standard of commitment in partnering with local agencies and the community at large.  

February

The College Corps program received $9 million from the state and Americorps to nearly triple its existing internship program and to further partner with Hartnell and Monterey Peninsula colleges. The service-oriented program makes college more affordable while helping students develop skills, grow professional networks and serve the community. 

The university was one of two universities with fewer than 12,000 students to be honored with the American Council on Education/Fidelity Investments Award for Institutional Transformation. The nationwide award is given for institutions that achieve significant institutional change over a relatively short time.

March

Plans are announced to establish the Montage Health Helen Baszucki School of Nursing with the help of a $15 million grant from Montage Health. The school will allow CSUMB to expand its nursing program, adding a pre-licensure bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree. 

CSUMB established the Otter Promise program, which covers tuition and fees for qualifying students who don’t receive financial aid, or whose aid doesn’t cover the entire cost of tuition and fees. Part of the university’s ongoing efforts to make college affordable, the program begins in Fall 2026.

April

The annual Admitted Otter Day draws about 3,000 students and their families and friends to learn more about the campus.  The event is a chance for students who have received a letter confirming their acceptance to the university to engage with the campus community, get more information on academic programs, financial aid and housing, and to make a final decision about attending CSUMB. 

May

The anticipation of Commencement lies at the end of every academic year. This year, nearly 2,400 students will be graduating. The May 16 event is expected to draw a crowd of about 12,000 family members and supporters who will fill the stands at the Salinas Sports Complex main arena.