Cal State LA honored at 2025 Eddy Awards for leadership in regional economic development – Cal State LA Newsroom

Report on California State University, Los Angeles’s Recognition for Contributions to Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Eddy Awards Acknowledge University’s Role in Regional Sustainability

On November 5, California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA) was honored at the 30th annual Eddy Awards for its significant contributions toward achieving key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the Los Angeles region. The award, presented by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), recognizes the university’s leadership in fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth, developing a skilled workforce, and driving innovation. This recognition highlights the institution’s alignment with global sustainability targets, particularly those concerning education, economic growth, and inequality reduction.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Cal State LA’s efforts directly support the objectives of SDG 8 by promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

• Inclusive Growth: The university was commended for initiatives that drive inclusive economic growth, ensuring that prosperity is shared across all communities. This aligns with Target 8.1, which aims to sustain per capita economic growth.
• Workforce Development: By aligning academic programs with industry needs, Cal State LA strengthens the regional workforce, contributing to Target 8.5 (full and productive employment) and Target 8.6 (reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training).
• Innovation: The recognition for igniting innovation supports Target 8.2, which calls for achieving higher levels of economic productivity through diversification and technological upgrading.

SDG 4: Quality Education & SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The university’s core mission and its recognition as a leader in social mobility underscore its commitment to SDG 4 and SDG 10.

1. Ensuring Inclusive and Equitable Quality Education (SDG 4): Cal State LA provides accessible higher education that links classroom learning with real-world experience, directly contributing to Target 4.4, which aims to increase the number of adults with relevant skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
2. Reducing Inequality Within and Among Countries (SDG 10): As the No. 1 university in the nation for upward mobility, Cal State LA serves as a powerful engine for reducing inequalities (Target 10.2). It empowers students from diverse backgrounds, transforming their lives and strengthening their communities.

President Berenecea Johnson Eanes stated, “Cal State LA stands as a catalyst for transformation—driving inclusive growth, cultivating a skilled and diverse workforce, and igniting innovation that uplifts every community across the Los Angeles region.” This vision directly reflects the interconnected goals of quality education and reduced inequality.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The Eddy Awards ceremony exemplified the power of multi-stakeholder partnerships, a cornerstone of SDG 17, in achieving sustainable development.

• Multi-Campus Collaboration: The Strategic Engagement Award was presented not only to Cal State LA but also to five other California State University (CSU) campuses, demonstrating a system-wide commitment to regional prosperity. CSU Chancellor Mildred García accepted the award on behalf of the campuses, highlighting a unified approach to community engagement and innovation.
• Public-Private-Academic Partnership: The event brought together leaders from business, government, and education, showcasing the collaborative framework necessary to advance the LAEDC’s mission of reinventing the regional economy for shared growth.
• Alumni Impact: The recognition of Porto’s Bakery and Cafe, a business run by Cal State LA alumni, with the 2025 Small Business Award serves as a tangible example of how the university’s educational mission translates into successful, community-focused entrepreneurship, furthering the goals of SDG 8.

Conclusion

The recognition of Cal State LA at the Eddy Awards validates the university’s integral role as an anchor institution committed to sustainable development. Through its focus on quality education (SDG 4), fostering decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), reducing inequalities through upward mobility (SDG 10), and building strong partnerships (SDG 17), Cal State LA is actively contributing to a more prosperous, equitable, and sustainable future for the Los Angeles region.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   SDG 4: Quality Education

   • The article focuses on California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA), an educational institution. It highlights its role in “expanding access to higher education,” linking “classroom learning with real-world experience,” and aligning “academic programs with industry needs.” This directly relates to providing inclusive and equitable quality education.

   SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • The core theme of the article is the university’s recognition for advancing “inclusive economic growth, workforce development, and innovation.” The LAEDC’s mission is to “reinvent the regional economy and advance growth and prosperity for all,” which aligns perfectly with the goal of promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth.

   SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • The article repeatedly emphasizes inclusivity and equity. Phrases like “inclusive growth,” “diverse workforce,” “equitable economic growth,” and “opportunity, creativity, and prosperity are shared by all” point to efforts to reduce inequalities. The university’s recognition as the “No. 1 university in the nation for upward mobility” is a direct testament to its role in reducing economic and social disparities.

   SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • The article showcases multi-stakeholder collaboration. The Eddy Awards event brought together “leaders from the region’s top business, government, education, and community organizations.” The award was given to six CSU campuses for their “shared commitment,” and the LAEDC itself collaborates with educational institutions and government officials, exemplifying the spirit of partnership to achieve sustainable development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university. The article mentions the CSU system’s commitment to “expanding access to higher education” and Cal State LA’s role in providing “inclusive opportunity.”
   • Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship. This is supported by the university’s focus on “workforce development,” “cultivating a skilled and diverse workforce,” and aligning “academic programs with industry needs.” The success of the alumni-run Porto’s Bakery also points to fostering entrepreneurship.

   SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value. The article’s emphasis on “inclusive economic growth” and developing a “skilled and diverse workforce” directly supports this target by preparing students for productive employment.
   • Target 8.6: By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training. By linking “classroom learning with real-world experience” and empowering students, the university directly addresses this target by ensuring its graduates are prepared to enter the workforce.

   SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status. The article highlights Cal State LA as a driver of “inclusive growth” and an “anchor of economic mobility,” which “uplifts every community” and ensures “prosperity are shared by all.”

   SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships. The collaboration between the six public CSU campuses, the LAEDC (a nonprofit), and leaders from “business, government, education, and community organizations” is a direct example of this target in action.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   Implied and Mentioned Indicators:

   • Indicator for SDG 4 & 8: The success of alumni in the business world, such as the recognition of Porto’s Bakery, run by Cal State LA alumni, serves as an indicator of the quality of education and its relevance to entrepreneurship and employment.
   • Indicator for SDG 10: The article explicitly mentions a key indicator: Cal State LA’s ranking as the “No. 1 university in the nation for upward mobility.” This directly measures the university’s impact on reducing economic inequality for its students.
   • Indicator for SDG 17: The existence of the Eddy Awards, presented by the LAEDC, and the joint recognition of six CSU campuses are indicators of successful and active partnerships between educational institutions and economic development organizations. The event itself, which convenes leaders from business, government, and education, is an indicator of a functioning multi-stakeholder collaboration.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article. In this table, list the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators identified in the article.

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators (Mentioned or Implied)
   SDG 4: Quality Education	4.3: Ensure equal access for all to affordable and quality tertiary education. 4.4: Increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills for employment and entrepreneurship.	Commitment to “expanding access to higher education.” Success of alumni-run businesses (e.g., Porto’s Bakery).
   SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth	8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all. 8.6: Reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training.	Initiatives for “workforce development.” Alignment of academic programs with industry needs. Advancement of “inclusive economic growth” in the region.
   SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities	10.2: Empower and promote the social and economic inclusion of all.	University’s ranking as “No. 1 university in the nation for upward mobility.” Focus on “equitable economic growth” and ensuring prosperity is “shared by all.”
   SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals	17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.	Collaboration among six public CSU campuses. Partnership between LAEDC and educational, business, and government organizations. The Eddy Awards event as a platform for collaboration.

Source: news.calstatela.edu