Fresno State officials will speak at five local churches on Sunday, Feb. 12, and an additional church on Sunday, Feb 26, as part of CSU Super Sunday — the flagship event of the CSU African-American Initiative project that focuses on college achievement for African-American students.

Fresno State President Joseph I. Castro will lead the delegation Sunday when he speaks at Saint Rest Missionary Baptist Church (1550 E. Reverend Chester Riggins Ave.) during the 10:45 a.m. service.

The six churches are part of the 100-plus predominately African-American congregations statewide that are participating in CSU Super Sunday. During the event, CSU leaders visit these congregations and speak directly from the pulpit to encourage future students to pursue higher education.

Launched in 2005, CSU Super Sunday is an annual event held every February and allows leaders throughout the 23 CSU campuses to help underrepresented students access the tools they need to enter college. More than 100,000 congregants participate in the event each year.

The other four churches Fresno State leaders will visit Feb. 12 include:

  • Bethesda Apostolic Church (11 a.m.): Dr. Frank Lamas, vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Fresno State

The sixth church later in the month is Saints Community Church of God in Christ where Lawrence E. Salinas, executive director

Super Sunday

Super Sunday

of governmental relations, will speak during the 10:30 a.m. service Sunday, Feb. 26.

After the services, parents and students meet with the CSU speakers and University outreach counselors when they can obtain informational posters on how to get to college and navigate CSUMentor.edu — a website to help students explore campuses and majors as well as apply to the CSU, said Martina Granados, director of outreach and special programs at Fresno State.

The CSU African-American Initiative is a partnership between CSU campuses and leaders in the African-American community dedicated to increasing the number of African-American students who attend and graduate from college. The CSU has formed many other partnerships focused on increasing college opportunities, including initiatives for the Asian-American and Pacific Islander, Latino and Native American communities.

For more information, contact Granados at martinag@csufresno.edu, 559.321.3533 or 559.278.5374.