Sacramento State’s enrollment continues to climb with record numbers

SACRAMENTO, CA — Sacramento State enrollment continues to climb with record numbers despite significant challenges at the state and federal levels.

In March, ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ announced it had reached its highest enrollment in the University's history for spring, at 30,164, exceeding enrollment goals set out by the ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ system. With a just-concluded enrollment census this fall, Sacramento State set another record with the largest fall enrollment post-COVID, at 31,307.

"These numbers mean we are offering an outstanding, world-class education,” said President Luke Wood. “We continue to grow our hive, our home.”

Over the last 10 years, Sacramento State has seen an enrollment increase of 6.7%. University officials attribute these increases to innovative and collaborative recruitment efforts that include:

• New academic programs, including the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Architecture Studies, a new concentration on practical applications of artificial intelligence, and one of the largest Criminal Justice programs in the country.
• Partnerships with high schools, community colleges, and community organizations offering guaranteed admissions.
• Historic initiatives like the Black Honors College, Combat U, Wileety Native American College, Guardian Scholars Promise, and more.
• Programming that reaffirms the University’s designations as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (ANNAPISI), and Black-Serving Institution (BSI).
• Providing pathways for academic revival and adult learners to complete their degrees.

With strong industry ties and hands on opportunities, students are choosing Sacramento State to access opportunities that will shape their future well after graduation.

Capital Fellows Programs to add new fellowships for former foster youth

SACRAMENTO, CA – Sacramento State’s nationally recognized Center for California Studies is expanding its Capital Fellows Programs through a new partnership with John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY). This collaboration allows the creation of three additional John Burton fellowship placements, specifically for all students who have experienced foster care.

is a nonprofit organization founded by the late John Burton, the longtime Democratic leader who was dedicated to improving the quality of life for foster youth. As someone who’s experienced foster care, Sacramento State President Luke Wood said ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ is always looking for ways to create pathways for student success, particularly for those who have faced barriers to opportunity.

“By welcoming former foster youth into the state’s most respected policy fellowship program, we ensure their voices and experiences are included at the highest levels of decision-making,” Wood said. “This partnership is a powerful statement about the value of equity, representation, and lived experience in shaping California’s future.”

Capital Fellows operate as full-time paid employees working in a Legislative, Executive or Judicial Branch office for 10-11 months. The Fellows engage in public service, are provided a mentor, and receive a graduate certificate in Applied Policy and Government as well as student loan deferment. The Fellows program continues to garner national attention for offering the country’s premier public policy fellowships.

In a stated letter of intent, Governor Gavin Newsom said, “As my office knows firsthand, the Fellows program offers talented college graduates the opportunity to pursue public policy at the highest level, while enhancing the quality of service we deliver to our constituents.”

For Sarah Pauter, Executive Director of JBAY, the fellowship initiative is personal. “As a former foster youth myself, I know how transformative it is to be given a seat at the table where policy decisions are made.

“These new fellowship opportunities don’t just open doors, they equip young people with the skills, networks, and confidence to influence the systems that impacted their lives. It’s about rewriting what’s possible for foster youth across California,” Pauter said.

“We have had former foster youth among our Fellows cohorts, and they always bring important insight to policymaking,” said Leonor Ehling, executive director of the Center for California Studies. “We look forward to working with all parties to ensure that this important population is at the table.”

Applications for the next Fellows program cohort are due by Dec. 8, 2025.

¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ approved to explore Cal Expo Grandstands for new stadium site

Sept. 3, 2025 - The Cal Expo Board of Directors on Thursday, Aug. 28, approved granting Sacramento State exclusive rights to explore building a new football stadium at the Grandstands.

Last year, Sacramento State announced plans to rebuild Hornet Stadium and improve the game-day experience for students and the community, but Cal Expo proposed a new opportunity to university leadership.

"In addition to being two state agencies, ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ is our neighbor, just over two miles down the road," said Tom Martinez, CEO of California Exposition & State Fair. “We are excited to collaborate on a project that benefits the broader Sacramento community by bringing Hornet football to Cal Expo.”

Sacramento State has seen a significant boost in enrollment following initiatives launched by President Luke Wood, including the nation’s first Black Honors College, the first Native American College in the ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ system, and Combat U — a public-private partnership providing a pathway to a degree and career in combat sports.

In addition, there’s been a growing interest in the Hornet football program since the hiring of head coach Brennan Marion. Marion has brought a new vision and excitement to the program that’s increasing ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ’s visibility across the country.

“We have been ambitious about trying to elevate the brand recognition of Sacramento State from a regional institution to a national institution with a regional commitment,” explained Dr. Luke Wood, president of Sacramento State. “We have the largest enrollment now that we’ve ever had face-to-face. We’re in a really healthy position.”

The University aims to transform the Grandstand into a football stadium with seating for 25,000 — expandable to 40,000 in the future — along with modular locker rooms and dedicated space to enhance the game-day experience.

At the board meeting, Wood outlined the benefits of a partnership:

• Sacramento State and Cal Expo are both state agencies with the ability to bond.
• Existing infrastructure will cut construction costs nearly in half.
• The University is approximately 2 miles from Cal Expo, with a bike path connecting the two locations for a 14-minute bike ride.
• Game-day parking will be eased by the nearly 15,000 available parking spaces at Cal Expo.

“There’s no reason that we can’t have big time college football here in Sacramento,” said Sacramento State Athletics Director Mark Orr. “What we need is a facility that can support the aspirations we have for football. The students and community deserve it.”

Cal Expo and ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ will continue conducting independent and joint environmental and seismic evaluations to determine necessary improvements to the 9.25 acres of land. While the University continues to explore the potential for moving the football program to the Cal Expo Grandstand, investments have recently been made to the on-campus Hornet Stadium with new lights, seating, and video boards among other game day experience enhancements."

CONTACT: Lanaya Lewis, lanaya.lewis@csus.edu, 916-217-8366

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