“Hope.” This overworked noun can read like a blasé greeting card shorthand to those who have no need of it. […more…]

California State University, Northridge (CSUN) has long distinguished itself as a leader in public higher education by combining academic excellence with pioneering support services to help students from diverse, largely disadvantaged, backgrounds achieve life-changing success in the classroom and then the workplace. Two major investments underscore CSUN President Erika D. Beck’s vision for enhancing both educational opportunity and student well-being far into the future: A state-of-the-art technology facility that will be a hub of equity education and student innovation and a $20 million center that consolidates services for basic needs like food aid, clothing, and emergency housing. Sites have already [...more...]

Miguel A. Santana, a lifelong Angeleno and self-described “generalist,” has dedicated decades of his life to addressing some of the most critical issues facing Southern California. His career has spanned across sectors – public and private, nonprofit and philanthropy – all in pursuit of advancing social justice, economic equity, and racial equality in Los Angeles.  From responding to the homeless crisis to overseeing financial matters at City Hall to championing infrastructure for arts and culture, Santana’s efforts have touched upon the many significant issues that define the social challenges of Southern California. After running the Weingart Foundation since 2021, Santana [...more...]

As a kid, Nilda Palacios was sexually abused at home and at school. She tried to escape into a relationship, […more…]

The line grew steadily outside the unassuming building on the north side of campus. It was almost closing time on a Thursday afternoon, and the students knew it was their last chance before the weekend to pick up supplies they needed to keep their studies on track. The supplies they received in red California State University, Northridge-branded bags were not textbooks, pens, or calculators, but rather something more basic: food. “Let’s see, today I got canned beans and pineapple, pasta, and tomato sauce,” said Swapnil Doshi, a first-year graduate engineering student, peering into his bag. He goes to the CSUN [...more...]

In addition to her innate style and fashion sense, Elizabeth Faraut is perhaps best known for two things: Her Los […more…]

Andy Candelaria was so determined to go to California State University, Northridge that as a freshman, he commuted for two […more…]

The Social Justice Learning Institute (SJLI), based in Inglewood, has taken a three-pronged approach to fighting the inequity since it […more…]