August 25, 2023
In his first campus address, new Sacramento State President Luke Wood vowed to "turn plans into action," implementing programs to improve campus safety, ensure student success and promote research, among other priorities.
Addressing an audience in the College's Union Ballroom on Aug. 24, Wood said in his fall address that he "wouldn't want to be president anywhere" except Sac State, where he earned two degrees, serving in student government and dating. . His future wife, Idara Essien-Wood.
“I have worked my whole life to get to this point,” he said. “I came home to finish what I started 20 years ago as a student leader and give back to the community that has given me so much. »
In addition to formally introducing the campus community, Wood outlined his vision and priorities for Sac State.
"We need to have a planned and intentional strategy for every student to be successful." - President Luke Wood
His main concern, he says, is increasing student success, especially among groups that are left behind because of the injustices inherent in the education system. Everyone on campus, from parents to teachers to administrators, must take responsibility for helping all students succeed,” he said.
“We all have the opportunity to become educators,” said Wood.
He lists athletics and research as two areas where participating students can learn leadership, gain self-confidence, and enhance their overall development. To that end, he announced, the university will provide $1 million in "research design time" to faculty working on projects involving students.
Wood also emphasized the importance of safety and health to student success.
Recalling his years in college, during which he said he struggled with food and housing insecurity, Wood said the university needed to “make sure every student knows where they are going to sleep at night and where they are going to have their next meal. .
Wood said he will prioritize improving campus security, including setting up a security task force, installing more digital monitors in key locations and increasing the number of duty officers, mental health counselors in the community and on campus.
One of the first agenda is to listen. Starting August 25, Wood will begin a series of conversations with students, faculty and staff, alumni and community members about "where we want to be in five years and what specific steps we need to take to be successful." He called the project "100 days of listening".
"We should hope for a better future because this institution belongs to all of us," said Wood. “But hoping and listening is not enough. We must have a planned and intentional strategy for each student to succeed.
After his speech, Wood answered questions asked by campus residents. Sitting on stage with his wife answering questions, Wood was serious and playful as they discussed such matters as his early start in a small Northern California town, his three children, his sneaker collection, and his trip to Sac State.
When asked what he loved most about returning to college as president, he said, "the warm welcome."
“Sac State is my home, where I spent the formative years of my life,” said Wood. "Sac State invested in me, and now I have the opportunity and honor to invest again."
