Sacramento State President Luke Wood delivered the university’s 2026 Spring Address on January 22, outlining a positive outlook for the coming year. Wood announced that Sacramento State is on track for another record-breaking enrollment year and highlighted plans for major projects, including a new downtown campus and a forensic science laboratory in Placer County.
During his address, Wood declared 2026 as the “year of the arts” at Sacramento State. He emphasized progress toward four main goals set for the academic year: improving students’ economic mobility, achieving financial sustainability, building Sac State’s national brand, and fostering an environment of hope and dignity for all members of the university community.
“We have navigated difficult times and more challenges lie ahead,” Wood said. “But I can tell you, we’re doing well. We’re growing, we’re thriving… We’re the North Star of the West for many reasons. While other universities across the nation and in our own state turned away from the principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, we remain steadfast.”
Earlier this month, Sacramento State received the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification for 2026—the fourth time since 2010—recognizing its ongoing commitment to community-based learning experiences. Each year, students participate in over 914,000 hours of research and service projects that benefit the region.
“Our community engagement practices not only contribute to improved retention and graduation rates, but they regularly pave the way for employment post graduation,” Wood said.
Wood also acknowledged efforts by the Career Center to support more than 13,700 students despite reductions in federal funding. He reaffirmed Sacramento State’s intention to find alternative ways to finance these services.
The upcoming Placer Center campus will include a state-of-the-art forensic lab funded with $2.5 million approved by Placer County supervisors in December. Once completed, students will gain hands-on experience working alongside professionals in an active crime lab setting.
“Our students will learn from the front row, simultaneously building career-ready skills and life-changing relationships with influential professionals in the field,” Wood said.
On budget matters, Wood reported that Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed state budget includes $366 million earmarked for California State University campuses statewide. “If approved, this funding strengthens our ability to do what we do best. Drive economic mobility, fuel regional growth, and prepare our workforce, particularly for the first generation, low-income, and historically underserved students who are the heart of our mission,” he said. However, he noted that changes could still occur before final approval.
Guest speaker Eric Guerra—Sacramento Mayor Pro Tem and Sac State alumnus—called on attendees to advocate for higher education: “Higher education is under attack nationally… It’s time for us to pull together to remind people so close to our state capital… that higher education is critical to not only creating hope and opportunity but to moving our state forward.”
Wood pointed out that enrollment at Sacramento State continues to grow despite declines at other Northern California universities. “We are on track once again to break records for enrollment,” he said. “We are meeting and exceeding our enrollment goals… which is wonderful since enrollment growth is an indicator of institutional health and progress towards our financial sustainability.”
He stressed that increased name recognition helps attract resources needed to support student programs: “Name recognition matters,” Wood said. “It translates into support for the funding sources that allow us to offer our students our very best across all measures.”
Plans are progressing on establishing a Downtown Sacramento campus featuring educational spaces as well as housing and workforce development opportunities.
Highlighting achievements in film by alumni such as Joe Carnahan (‘94) with his movie The Rip topping Netflix charts—and Ryan Coogler (‘07), whose film Sinners earned a record-breaking 16 Oscar nominations—Wood called attention to how arts shape creative thinking at Sac State: “Art supercharges creative and critical thinking,” he said during his remarks.
“These are the characteristics we want in our graduates. If we want to create an environment of hope and dignity, we must embrace the arts…” he added.
Wood concluded by announcing completion of his permanent cabinet team since taking office in July 2023.
Later that day at Spring Convocation—a ceremony marking new beginnings—transfer student Jasmyne Bradford reflected on her experience: “I’m the first person in my family to go to university… I also have a younger brother; I think it’s important that he sees that I’m pursuing my education.”
