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California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) is a public, diverse, and accessible university in Carson, CA, founded in 1960 and part of the 23-campus CSU system. Known for its high social mobility and affordability, it serves over 14,000 students (largely first-generation) and focuses on education, research, and community engagement.
Key Academic and Campus Features
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Academics: Offers over 50 bachelor's and 25 master's degree programs through six colleges, including Business Administration, Nursing, and Arts and Humanities.
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Student Body: Highly diverse, with a significant population of African American and Hispanic students.
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Affordability: Ranked 1st in the West for affordability and offers high return on investment.
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Key Rankings and Recognition
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1st in the U.S. for economic mobility.
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No. 36 in Regional Universities West (2026 ranking).
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No. 13 in Top Performers on Social Mobility.
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1st among public universities in California in awarding bachelor's degrees to African Americans
A TRANSITION OF PRESIDENTIAL LEADERSHIP
Thank you for your steadfast leadership, Dr. Parham
and a warm welcome to Dr.Villarreal
Dr. Thomas A. Parham served as president of California State University, Dominguez Hills from 2018 to 2025. During his tenure, he transformed the campus by increasing student retention by 14.5% over two years and making meaningful progress in student graduation success. He launched CSUDH doctoral programs and established the Division of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice, further strengthening the university’s commitment to academic excellence and student support. Dr. Parham also supported the newly approved, first-of-its-kind five-year degree-seeking international partnership within the CSU system with Tanzania, set to begin in 2026, and welcomed the proposal submitted by the New Hope Academy of Change and the Tanzanian Tunu Initiative. Under his leadership, CSUDH elevated its national reputation, including earning top recognition for social mobility. New campus developments, including the Innovation and Instruction Building, Health and Wellness Recreation Center, Science and Innovation Building, Affordable Student Housing and Dining Commons, along with important campus accreditations, also stand as a point of pride in Dr. Parham’s legacy.
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Dr. Mary Ann Villarreal became the interim president of California State University, Dominguez Hills, on January 01. 2026.
Villarreal, who currently is the vice president of institutional excellence at the American Association of Colleges and Universities, was appointed to the position by California State University Chancellor Mildred García following the retirement of President Thomas A. Parham.
She will remain in the position until the CSU Board of Trustees completes a national search for the campus’s next president.
Villarreal formerly worked for CSU as a consultant to the CSU Office of the Chancellor, where she helped develop the university’s strategic plan. Before that, she spent five years at Cal State Fullerton, serving first as director of strategic initiatives and then as associate vice president of academic affairs, according to a press release from the university.
Contact
Dr. Salhi is a tenured professor with the Political Science Department. Currently, he is a tenured political science professor and the Associate Dean of International Education and Senior International Officer. He served as CSUDH Interim Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Associate Dean of the College of Natural and Behavioral Sciences. Prior to these positions, he chaired three departments across three colleges: the Political Science Department, Public Administration, and the Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, and Peacebuilding program. Prior to CSUDH, Dr. Salhi was a political analyst and senior writer for Gulf News, the leading English-language newspaper in the Arab World, and was a columnist for Algerian newspapers El-Khabar and Ech-Chaab. Dr. Salhi appears on Algerian national television, Algerian radio, the BBC, China Global Television, and Al-Jazeera. Currently, he writes a weekly column for Algeriediplomatique.comDr. Salhi’s academic research is in international politics and comparative politics with the Middle East and Northern Africa as his area of study.
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