The California State University system reports that applications from African Americans have increased for the third year in a row. Systemwide, 17,663 African Americans have applied for admission to a CalState campus for the fall of 2013. This is up from 16,588 a year ago, an increase of 6 percent. Overall freshman applications are up 4.8 percent from 2012, so the increase in applications from Black students is outpacing that of the general population.
Officials at the university believe that their “Super Sunday” campaign, where university officials go out to Black churches in the state to recruit potential African American students, is paying big dividends. The first Super Sunday campaign was held in 2006. This year university officials will address congregations at more than 100 predominantly Black churches during February and March. After the service, prospective students and their parents can talk with university officials and receive printed materials to help them navigate the college selection process.
James A. Rosser, president of California State University at Los Angeles, and a long-time participant in the Super Sunday outreach program, states, “When I again stand in front of a congregation to discuss the road to college and the life-enriching benefits of a college degree, I look forward to making meaningful connections with the young people and those for whom this information is so critical. For some, shedding a little more light on the path is all that is needed. For others, the information is a call to action.”
