Humboldt State University (HSU) President Tom Jackson, Jr. announced on Monday that the Northern California campus would undertake a self-study assessment toward being designated the third polytechnic university in the California State University system. The self-study comes at the request of CSU Chancellor Timothy White.

In a letter to President Jackson explaining the reasoning for the request, Chancellor White cited HSU’s distinct strengths in the sciences and the potential to provide world-class programs in fire sciences, aquaculture, sustainable energy and Northern California agriculture, all aimed at meeting the workforce needs of the region and the state. He also predicted that formal designation as a polytechnic university would boost the campus’ outreach and recruitment efforts.

Jackson announced the self-study in a message to the HSU campus community.

“Building on the collective vision emerging from our academic and strategic planning, we can reimagine the polytechnic university for the 21st century — marked by a focus on sustainability, hands-on and career-focused programs, and a broad liberal arts education,” he wrote.

Jackson expects to complete the self-study assessment by the end of the Spring 2021 semester. A formal pronouncement would require approval by the CSU Board of Trustees.

In reference to the announcement, Cal Poly Pomona President Soraya M. Coley made the following statement:

“On behalf of the Cal Poly Pomona community, I applaud Chancellor White, President Jackson, and Humboldt State University for pursuing potential designation as a polytechnic institution. Our own 82-year history of polytechnic education at Cal Poly Pomona demonstrates the immense value of experiential learning, connecting theory to practice, commitment to solving real-world problems and an intense commitment to opportunity and inclusion. The polytechnic approach is integral in preparing students for a lifetime of success and has taken on even greater relevance in light of the workforce and community needs made apparent by the coronavirus pandemic. I offer the support and assistance of Cal Poly Pomona to our colleagues at HSU as they consider this transformative change.”

Located in Southern California — at the juncture of Los Angeles County, the San Gabriel Valley and the Inland Empire — Cal Poly Pomona enrolls a diverse cohort of nearly 30,000 students. The campus was recently rated the No. 1 polytechnic university in the nation for upward social mobility.