Looking to the Future
The California State University has asked HSU to conduct a self-study, including an academic and a business plan, to become designated the state’s third polytechnic university. This momentous opportunity reflects on HSU’s excellence. As a polytechnic, HSU would be able to leverage its strengths and help meet important needs for the North Coast and California.
Why Humboldt and Why Now?
A polytechnic university in the northern part of the state would help California provide access to high-demand programs, while improving education and career opportunities on the North Coast. Graduates from STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and applied sciences like health and agriculture are in high demand, as are graduates with hands-on experience, an education grounded in the liberal arts, and a strong understanding of sustainability.
California and the nation are facing a huge workforce need that will only grow over the next 10 years. With the CSU’s existing Polytechnics impacted, and HSU under-enrolled, this designation would allow us to provide access to the education that students and employers alike are seeking.
HSU is a natural choice for this opportunity. It is an acknowledgment of our strengths in sustainability and hands-on learning, our highly regarded academic programs and interdisciplinary studies, our unique location, our commitment to social justice and equity, and our relationships with local tribes. As a polytechnic, our institution would become increasingly attractive to students from California and beyond, raise our national profile, increase the amount of grants for research, and inspire additional donations from individuals.
This request comes at an opportune time. It syncs well with our strategic planning process, academic road map planning process, preparation for upcoming WSCUC accreditation visits, expansion of outreach and student recruitment efforts, our Memo of Understanding with the College of the Redwoods, planning for the University's first capital campaign, and our ongoing budget realignment and reorganization.
