Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis Completes Visits to all California State University and University of California Campuses

For Immediate Release
Wednesday, May 21, 2025 
Contact: Press@ltg.ca.gov, (916) 445-8994

SACRAMENTO — Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis recently marked a major milestone with her visit to California State University, Bakersfield – completing her historic tour of all 23 California State University (CSU) campuses and all 10 University of California campuses. This achievement underscores her steadfast commitment to public higher education and to the 2.8 million students served across California’s public higher education systems.

As the only individual to serve on the governing boards of the UC, CSU, and California Community Colleges (CCC), Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis brings a unique and comprehensive perspective to the challenges and opportunities facing California’s public higher education systems.

“California’s public higher education system is the beating heart of our state’s future – they are educating the next generation of leaders, driving innovation, and lifting up communities through opportunity and equity. Visiting all 23 CSU and 10 UC campuses deepened my resolve to fight for the resources, affordability, and support our students deserve.

“While I recognize the need for fiscal responsibility during this budget year, I’m encouraged that the Governor and Legislature responded to our advocacy by scaling back proposed cuts to the CSU and UC from 8% to 3%. This gives us room to keep fighting for students. I will continue to champion public higher education because investing in our students is the smartest investment we can make in California’s future.”

Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis

📸 Photos from the Lieutenant Governor’s campus visits are available here: Lt. Governor Kounalakis – Statewide Higher Ed Campus Tours

CHAMPIONING STUDENTS ACROSS CAMPUSES

During her campus visits, the Lieutenant Governor elevated critical student-focused issues, including:

Touring and supporting state-funded investments in world-class educational facilities and affordable student housing
Fighting against tuition increases at both CSU and UC institutions
Advocating for the timely return of Native American ancestral remains and cultural items from California universities to tribal communities
Meeting directly with students, faculty, and campus leadership to understand challenges in real-time and amplify solutions

WORLD-CLASS INSTITUTIONS WITH GLOBAL IMPACT

Despite facing budget constraints, California’s CSUs and UCs continue to deliver world-class education and drive innovation across every region of the state.

The CSU system is the largest and most diverse four-year public university system in the nation, earning national and international recognition for its academic programs, faculty excellence, and research contributions.
CSU and UC campuses serve a student body that is around 40% first-generation students and consistently rank among the top universities in the nation for social mobility.
CSU produces over half of California’s bachelor’s degrees and a significant portion of its skilled workforce in education, engineering, agriculture, business, and health care.
Faculty and students at UCs and CSUs are leading research in climate resilience, wildfire mitigation, coastal protection, and renewable energy – helping California meet its ambitious climate goals.

KEY FOCUS AREAS IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Throughout her statewide campus tour and in her role on California’s higher education governing boards, Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis has centered her work around addressing the issues that matter most to students:

Student Housing

Approved nearly 50,000 new beds across the UC and CSU systems
UC now houses over 40% of its students – an all-time high
CSU housing capacity has increased at every campus since 2013

Transfer Pathways

Co-sponsored AB 928 (Berman) and AB 2057 (Berman) to streamline transfer from CCCs to four-year universities
Supported efforts to remove remedial courses that disproportionately affected Black and Latino students
Advocated for a common course numbering system across CCCs to improve clarity and access

Accessibility & Equity

Co-sponsored AB 1705 (Irwin, 2022), ensuring transfer-intending students at a CA Community College enroll directly into transfer-level English and math courses.
Supported SB 1348 (Bradford, 2024), establishing the California Black Serving Institutions designation
Backed 2024’s Title IX legislative package to improve campus safety and prevent sexual harassment
Supported AB 1540 (Fong) to streamline financial aid access for undocumented students

Tuition & Total Cost of Attendance

Fought tuition increases at both UC (2020) and CSU (2023)
Championed affordable student housing as the single biggest driver of total attendance cost

LOOKING AHEAD

As California faces budget challenges, Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis remains unwavering in her commitment to protecting students and preserving the core values of our public higher education system. At a time of ongoing federal attacks on immigrant and vulnerable communities, the Lieutenant Governor will continue to fight for inclusive, student-centered reforms that prioritize access, safety, affordability, and opportunity for all. Below is a list of education bills the Lieutenant Governor is co-sponsoring and supporting in this current bill cycle:

Co-Sponsor:

AB 727 (Gonzalez) — Provide additional resources for LGBTQ+ students to help address the mental health crisis currently affecting our queer youth.

Support:

SB 271 (Reyes) — Ensures student parents have information and access to existing childcare services, resources, and programs available both on their campuses and within their communities.
AB 893 (Fong) — Address the ongoing housing crisis that has left many students and Californians struggling with housing insecurity, rent burdens, and homelessness.

ABOUT THE OFFICE OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR:

Since taking office, Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis has championed California’s students, advocating for accessible, affordable, and quality higher education for all. She is the only person to serve on the governing boards of the University of California, the California State University, and the California Community Colleges. She also serves on the Calbright College Board of Trustees. California’s public higher education systems serve over 2.8 million students. In January 2025, Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis will begin her term as Chair of the board for the Designation of California Black Serving Institution program. The board is tasked with identifying California universities that excel in serving and providing academic resources for their Black students, a historically underrepresented population in higher education.

For more information about the Lieutenant Governor’s work on higher education, visit www.ltgov.ca.gov.