California State Student Association

Student Nonprofit Board Development - CSSA's board is comprised of students from across the California State University (CSU) system. Through monthly conferences of approximately fifty student leaders in roles of directors, officers, and committee members, students are trained on how to effectively carry out the mission of a nonprofit organization. Training is centered on instilling nonprofit principles; duty of care, duty of loyalty, and duty of obedience. Students learn how to determine program priorities, set agendas, parliamentary procedure, budget development, and fiduciary/legal responsibilities for a nonprofit organization. The program adheres to a 1-year cycle with new students installed every fiscal year. Students gain valuable skills and knowledge directly applicable to future professional careers in public policy and nonprofit service after college.

The California Higher Education Student Summit - the California State Student Association's (CSSA) annual conference that engages 250 students in public higher education policy making. During a two-day conference held at the state capital, students attend various speaker sessions and participate in workshop trainings on leadership, governance, higher education topics, public policy, the legislative process, and advocacy. Students are equipped with the knowledge and tools to communicate their perspective pertaining to higher education issues. Student leave the conference prepared to effectively participate in the policy making process as advocates. Participants are provided the unique opportunity to collaborate and network with their peers to learn about the diverse issues affecting students across the state of California.

California Public Policy Engagement- CSSA maintains ongoing student engagement with public policy advocacy as a crucial aspect of its mission. CSSA provides policy analysis training to students by facilitating engagement with various stakeholders including research institutions, legislators, institutional administrators, and advocacy organizations. Students are provided with legislative analysis, travel to participate in/observe governmental policy processes, and communication materials to advocate student policy positions to policymakers. Students are trained to represent themselves and advocate their perspectives in regular meetings with stakeholders. As a result of their involvement in these activities, students learn how to navigate the policy-making process, how to determine policy priorities, and ultimately how to advocate on behalf of students on relevant student issues.