The City Council Friday honored Cal State Los Angeles President Berenecea Johnson Eanes, who serves as the ninth president of the university and the first woman to lead it since its founding in 1947.
City Councilwoman Ysabel Jurado, who said she often studied at Cal State LA ahead of her Bar exam, led Friday’s presentation, which she described as historic. Eanes brings decades of experience in higher education learning, having previously served as president of York College in New York and leading Student Affairs at Cal State Fullerton, according to the councilwoman.
“But what truly sets her apart is her relentless commitment to student success, especially for first-gen historically underserved students,” Jurado said.
She said that under Eanes’ leadership, the school was recognized as the No. 1 university in the nation for social mobility. With more than 22,000 students, Jurado emphasized that achievement is important because “what we’ve seen is that the American dream is not a promise, it’s earned.”
Eanes began her tenure as president of Cal State LA in January 2024. Earlier this week, the university held joint investiture and convocation ceremonies to formally install Eanes and celebrate the new academic year.
Cal State officials previously noted that events, including January’s wildfires, delayed Eanes’ installation ceremony.
“We transform not just the lives of students, but lives of their families, communities and generations to follow,” Eanes said during Friday’s celebration at City Hall.
Eanes also spoke on what she called “stewardship of place.”
“This idea is at the heart of our gathering today because Cal State LA does not just occupy a campus on the hilltop,” Eanes said. “We are part of neighborhoods and the city and civic life of Los Angeles. Our partnerships, clinics and classrooms, from neighborhood to nonprofits and City Hall itself must be reciprocal, resistant and lifting of the entire community.”
Eanes received a doctorate in social work from Clark Atlanta University.