Neufeldt, Ellen

Scope Note: Dr. Ellen Neufeldt is the fourth president of California State University San Marcos, where she has led transformational progress to position the university as a national model for student success, social mobility, and regional impact. Since her appointment in 2019, she has guided CSUSM through unprecedented forward momentum—launching a new strategic plan, expanding high-demand academic programs, transforming the physical campus, and achieving record-setting gains in enrollment, research, and philanthropy.

As a national trailblazer in social mobility, President Neufeldt hosts the National Social Mobility Symposium, bringing together policymakers, experts, and higher education leaders from across the country to share ideas and innovations around redefining and advancing social mobility. CSUSM ranks #1 in the nation on CollegeNET’s Social Mobility Index, which measures how well universities graduate students into well-paying careers and leadership opportunities to improve their social and economic situations compared to previous generations.

Under President Neufeldt’s leadership, Cal State San Marcos launched its first institutional strategic plan in 15 years, centered on social mobility, academic excellence, and student success. She established a university-wide student success and retention committee and oversaw the highest year-over-year enrollment growth in the CSU system. Faculty-sponsored research reached a record $20 million for the second consecutive year, while philanthropic support soared doubling year- over-year results and set a university philanthropic record with the most funds raised in a single fiscal year. CSUSM secured its first 8-figure level gifts totaling $20 million—one to launch an accelerated behavioral and mental health program and another to provide unrestricted campaign matching opportunities across campus. She also secured $5.6 million for degree expansion in Temecula and led the university’s most successful fundraising efforts focused on social mobility. CSUSM’s comprehensive blended campaign has raised more than $130 million in just three years.

During President Neufeldt’s tenure, CSUSM has experienced remarkable growth, both physically and programmatically. The California State University Board of Trustees has approved the Hunter Hall of Science and Engineering building, which broke ground in summer 2025 and is set to open its doors to faculty, staff and students in late 2027. This state-of-the-art facility will provide much-needed collaboration, research and learning spaces, allowing CSUSM to respond to the critical need to accommodate future enrollment growth and expanding programs across campus. Additionally, the construction of a new Student Recreation and Wellness Center, through an innovative public-private partnership, as well as affordable student housing which more than doubles on-campus housing to 3,300 beds, allow CSUSM to better serve students and meet their needs.

A champion of innovation and entrepreneurship, President Neufeldt launched CSUSM’s Innovation Hub less than a year into her tenure, creating an on-campus nexus for solving societal challenges. Her vision extends beyond physical spaces—she has fostered an ecosystem of social innovation and regional collaboration, positioning CSUSM as a driver of economic development and workforce readiness. Demonstrating her commitment to high-demand, workforce-aligned education, President Neufeldt has expanded academic offerings across disciplines to meet regional and statewide needs. She launched a computer engineering degree to complement CSUSM’s existing strengths in software and electrical engineering, supported by a $5 million Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) grant aimed at building a diverse regional engineering pipeline. In collaboration with the Cities of Chula Vista and Southwestern College as well as Temecula and Mt. San Jacinto College, she broadened access to four-year degrees, helping to meet the evolving workforce needs of Southwest Riverside and South San Diego Countues. Under her leadership, CSUSM also introduced an undergraduate cybersecurity degree and SWIFT, an innovative 3-year accelerated degree pathway in public health or human development —designed to prepare students for in-demand careers in growing sectors.

President Neufeldt is also firmly committed to ensuring that Cal State San Marcos is a diverse, inclusive and welcome home for students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members. Each day she works toward making CSUSM a model for guiding students throughout the student life cycle so that they become engaged and active alumni in the community while fueling the needs of the region. Underscoring her commitment to Cal State San Marcos’ role in cultivating partnerships that create opportunities for students and enrich the communities served by the university, President Neufeldt serves on the boards of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation, LEAD California, Commission on International Education, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, and on the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities.

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