As Stanislaus State kicks off the 2025-26 school year, President Britt Rios-Ellis welcomed Warriors back with a message that highlighted both challenges and aspirations for the year ahead. In her annual Welcome address, she acknowledged the university’s ongoing budget deficit while encouraging the campus community to remain united.
“While these are certainly challenging times, and as we witness drastic changes in higher education and other sectors, please know that we stand together as Warriors ready to ensure a positive impact,” Rios-Ellis said.
Before outlining her goals, Rios-Ellis took time to recognize the Staff Council and university employees for their dedication.
“To our staff council and all staff members: Thank you for your hard work, your kindness and your enthusiasm, and everything you do to foster a collaborative and welcoming environment that enhances campus welfare” Rios-Ellis stated.
She also introduced the leadership team that will work alongside her, showing that each cabinet member brings experience, wisdom, and a strong commitment to the university’s mission.
A central theme of her address was cariño, a Spanish word she described as more than kindness or affection.
“Cariño is a powerful value and practice because it is deeply felt and reinforced. It represents one of the highest forms of emotional intelligence, and it is truly a reflection of love and justice in action,” Rios-Ellis explained. “Cariño is accountable, it is encouraging and it is reflective of the deepest forms of community and desire for better… and guess what, our students and our community have cariño in spades.”
She pledged to lead Stan State with cariño, placing student well-being and success at the center of her vision.
“Leading with cariño means that we have our students’ well-being and future at the center of our intention at all times. I want you to know it is with cariño that I pledge to lead Stan State,” Rios-Ellis stated.
After pledging to lead Stanislaus State with cariño she announced more national recognition that the campus has received. With money.com awarding Stan State a five-star rating for the second consecutive year. Placing us among the top 50 colleges nationwide for value, affordability, and student outcomes.
For the first time, Stanislaus State also earned a spot on The Princeton Review’s “Best Value Colleges”. The Best Value Colleges recognize the high return on investment, affordability, and academic strength that the school offers students.
Stanislaus State was also the only CSU and university in the Central Valley to achieve this honor.
After pointing out the success of the campus, President Rios-Ellis moved on to talk about what is going on to enrich the school.
One example she gave was the new $31 million Residential Life Village IV construction is set to begin later this year, with the expectation of it being completed in summer 2027.
This new residential life village will be a 27,000-square-foot housing facility that will provide 120 student beds with collaborative student and lounge spaces along with many more amenities.
She also announced that the school is currently pursuing the Seal of Excelencia, a national certification from Excelencia in Education.
“Pursuing this certification challenges us to think about how we support and serve students throughout their journey,” Rios-Ellis stated.
President Rios-Ellis also alluded to some possible new expansion going on in San Joaquin County. After talking about celebrating the opening of the new academic building in the Stockton Campus she talked about the growth of San Joaquin County and what comes with that.
“As San Joaquin County grows at a rapid pace, so does the need for public higher education. We are looking forward to exploring additional opportunities in San Joaquin. We’ll talk more about these in the months to come…” Rios-Ellis stated.
Towards the end of her speech, President Rios-Ellis addressed the elephant in the room of the school budget and deficit.
“This summer Governor Newsom signed California’s Budget Act of 2025. While we were spared the most severe cuts, the CSU is still navigating a challenging financial environment,” Rios-Ellis Stated.
Although the most severe cuts were spared, the CSU is still facing a deferred allocation of $144 million, which will equate to an additional $3.1 million added to the current deficit of $13.65 million.
Although worries about the deficit continue to loom over the campus, President Rios-Ellis did share some important information that can help offset the deficit. With the last school year, Stanislaus State saw a 3% increase in new undergraduate enrollment across the fall and spring.
“Based on the current project we are targeting nearly 5.6% higher in new undergraduates compared to this same time last year,” Rios-Ellis stated.
To end her speech and close out the welcome address, she gave some words of encouragement.
“With the pulse of possibility and the power of cariño we will keep the ever more elusive American dream or sueño Americano alive and well at Stan State”.
