California State University has been awarded $1.5 million from the Mellon Foundation to help bolster existing ethnic studies programs and support the development of new courses, it was announced Thursday.
CSU is among five public universities receiving select larger grants as part of the foundation’s Affirming Multivocal Humanities initiative. In all, the foundation is awarding more than $18 million to 95 curricular programs across the nation.
“The CSU is grateful to the Mellon Foundation for this generous funding, which is an important step to expand pathways and enhance classroom experiences in ways that intentionally link race and ethnicity and gender and sexuality concepts into the course content,” Laura Massa, interim associate vice chancellor of Academic and Faculty Programs at the CSU Chancellor’s Office, said in a statement.
“These disciplines are critical for creating a shared language and understanding of our students’ diverse histories, backgrounds and experiences — and ultimately a more equitable society.”
Support for existing programs could include adding new degree concentrations, establishing transfer pathways and creating blended bachelor’s-master’s degree programs.
The CSU Chancellor’s Office said it also plans to host a convening of ethnic studies and gender and sexuality studies faculty from across the system to gather collective input, which will inform grant distribution.