Our Crowdfunding Groups
The Center on Race, Immigration and Social Justice (CRISJ) at Sacramento State works to structure academic success and social empowerment for historically marginalized students and their communities. We seek to transform the educational culture into an exciting and empowering one that reflects the strengths and needs of our local and diversified communities.
CRISJ produces critical scholarships, community engagement, research mentorship, and academic programming for the university and broader community. We engage faculty, students, and community members in a concerted and collaborative manner to improve the campus/community climate for equity and create a stimulating intellectual environment and sense of belonging for students and faculty from historically underrepresented backgrounds.
CRISJ offers students:
Uniquely, CRISJ integrates all these components to amplify understandings, empathies, and motivation for social change in the areas of race, immigration, and intersectional social justice in the region and beyond.
CRISJ is instrumental in creating a diverse and inclusive culture of equity, access, and success for the university and Sacramento communities. We connect the university with underserved and marginalized communities, building a network of faculty, university centers, institutes, and community leaders who work as collaborative partners to address issues of equity and social justice.
CRISJ associates and partners organize academic forums and conferences—with regional and global experts and artists—that attract hundreds of students, faculty/staff, and community members. Seeking praxis, we produce academic knowledge and activities that challenge systemic discrimination in employment, education, policing, immigration, and more.
The CRISJ Research Mentorship Program provides students an opportunity to participate in collaborative research and creative activity. This program aims to provide undergraduate students with access to high-quality research experiences, faculty mentorship, and preparation for graduate school. The student-faculty research and student peer-to-peer support and collaboration provide critical skills for both non-academic and academic careers.
The Empowerment Scholarship, chaired by Dr. Brenda Romero (Department of World Languages and Literatures), recognizes students who exemplify the CRISJ mission while demonstrating academic excellence, civic engagement, and community service.
CRISJ came into existence as an organic center right after the Great Recession, in response to university downsizing and restructuring that disproportionately reduced the representation of historically underrepresented faculty. In 2014, Professors Stan Oden and Manuel Barajas conceptualized an academic space to welcome and empower marginalized students, faculty, staff, and their communities. After many efforts, CRISJ succeeded in becoming a university center in the fall of 2020 during the George Floyd/pandemic contexts.
Your donation will help us amplify our academic and community empowerment projects, supporting students and the broader community. With your help, we can continue to offer:
CRISJ welcomes all members of the Sacramento State community to join us in making the University a leader in addressing issues of race, immigration, and intersectional social justice. Every contribution makes a difference in our mission to create a more equitable and just society.
Thank you for supporting the Center on Race, Immigration & Social Justice. Together, we can build a brighter future!
Make checks payable to: The University Foundation at Sacramento State
In the memo, please write: CRISJ or Center on Race, Immigration, and Social Justice
Please mail to:
Sacramento State | Development Office | 6000 J Street MS 6030 | Sacramento | CA | 95819
