On three Sundays this fall, SDSU President Stephen L. Weber was in church.

But praying wasn’t his primary motivation; motivating was.

As part of the CSU’s Super Sunday program, Weber visited three predominantly African-American churches in San Diego to talk to families about the importance of a college education and the road to getting there.

“For us to do our work of human growth and development — that’s what a university does — we need you to support and challenge your young people in school,” Weber said during one of his addresses.

“We need you to encourage them to aim high and we need you to educate yourselves about college choices and about financial aid.”

A system-wide effort

Each year, CSU leaders, including the chancellor, trustees, presidents and others, speak at various churches across the state. During the Super Sunday events, they share information about preparing for college, applying to the CSU's 23 campuses and obtaining financial aid with congregants.

Following Super Sunday services, CSU outreach staff and church education counselors provide information about college applications and financial aid. Students are also introduced to CSU Mentor, the online application website for prospective students, and the "How to Get to College" poster, which provides middle and high school students and their parents with step-by-step information on required classes for admission, the importance of good grades and more.

This September and October, SDSU visited the Bayview Baptist Church, New Creation Church and St. Stephen’s Cathedral in San Diego.

EOP’s 40th Anniversary

“This year the CSU is proudly celebrating the 40th anniversary of EOP, the Educational Opportunities Program. It’s a critical tool to increase access to higher education for California’s educationally and economically disadvantaged students,” Weber said.

“I’m proud to say that nearly 4,000 of those EOP students are at San Diego State University. San Diego State has the largest Educational Opportunity Program in California.”

For more information about SDSU’s efforts to increase diversity on its campus, visit www.sdsu.edu/diversity.