Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 

First Day On The Job For New Sacramento State President

  •  Steve Milne 
Wednesday, July 1, 2015 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
download audio
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.

Robert S. Nelsen is Sacramento State's eighth permanent president. Today is his first day on the job.

 

The new president of Sacramento State, Robert S. Nelsen, is getting an introduction to the region's triple-digit summer weather during his first day on the job.

"That hot weather was a surprise," says Nelsen. "But I'm bringing on the heat, baby."

Nelsen was president of University of Texas Pan American from 2010 to 2014. He comes to Sacramento with his wife Jody.

"I was a finalist at a bunch of places," says Nelsen. "And Jody and I kept saying to each other 'Sac State call, Sac State call,' because we want to be here. We want to be part of this community. We want to create jobs for our students."

Nelsen says his top goals are to improve graduation and retention rates and reduce the amount of time it takes students to get a degree.

"I met a young woman who served me coffee the other morning," says Nelsen. "She's been here six years trying to take two courses and she hasn't been able to get the two courses. We need to find out what those courses are."

He says that includes analyzing which courses are the most in-demand.

"We've got to get into the high schools and work with the high schools," says Nelsen. "We have a pathways project that we will be working on with the community colleges and high schools. We've got to be active."

Nelsen's experience in higher education spans nearly three decades, most of it spent in the University of Texas system.

The 63-year-old Nelsen takes over for Alexander Gonzalez who retired.


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    Related Stories

  • Wikipedia / Creative Commons

    Sacramento State Gets Grant To Help Migrant Farmworker Students

    Monday, August 1, 2016
    A $2.3 million federal grant will be used to help migrant farmworker students at Sacramento State.
  • Sacramento State/Jessica Vernone

    Sacramento State Makes Downtown Sac Move

    Tuesday, May 17, 2016
    Sacramento State has bought a building in downtown Sacramento to use for the planned School of Public Affairs. And, it has 75 parking spaces.
  • Sacramento State / Courtesy

    Sacramento State President Robert Nelsen Updates 'Work Plan'

    Thursday, January 21, 2016
    California State University, Sacramento President Robert Nelsen plans to talk about the progress made to improve graduation rates at the school during his first spring address.
  • Courtesy of Sacramento State

    Sac State Winter Grads Entering Better Job Market

    Friday, December 18, 2015
    Sleep Train Arena will be filled with pomp and circumstance Friday and Saturday for Sacramento State's Winter Commencement ceremonies. Nearly 3,500 students are graduating. And many of them already have jobs lined up.
  • Sacramento State Continues Expansion With $91 Million State-Of-The-Art Science Facility

    Thursday, November 19, 2015
    Sacramento State has announced plans to build a state-of-the-art education building that will include high tech teaching labs for the Biology and Chemistry departments.
  • Ed Joyce / Capital Public Radio

    Sacramento State Finds More Parking For Students

    Monday, August 31, 2015
    A record Fall enrollment of 30,023 students means more people are driving to Sacramento State this week than a year ago.
  • Nelsen: Record Fall Enrollment Of 30,023 At Sacramento State

    Thursday, August 27, 2015
    Sacramento State University President Robert S. Nelsen delivered his Fall Address Thursday, outlining his priorities and announcing a record fall enrollment for the school.
  • Record Fall Enrollment At Sacramento State

    Monday, August 24, 2015
    Sacramento State will start its Fall semester with a record number of incoming first-year students. But that's not the only record.
  • Sac State's New President: Robert S. Nelsen

    Thursday, July 2, 2015
    Sacramento State's new president, Robert S. Nelsen, will talk about his vision for the university. He started the job Wednesday.

 educationsacramento state

Steve Milne

Morning Edition Anchor & Reporter

Steve is the Morning Edition anchor for Capital Public Radio. He covers stories on a wide range of topics including: business, education, real estate, agriculture and music.  Read Full Bio 

Coronavirus Newsletter

Get answers to your questions, the latest updates and easy access to the resources you need, delivered to your inbox.

 

Want to know what to expect? Here's a recent newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

We'll send you weekly emails so you can stay informed about the coronavirus in California.

Browse all newsletters

More Stories

Benjamin Hanson / Calmatters

In California for years, but still can’t qualify for in-state tuition

May 22, 2022

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

Triple-digit temperatures, strong winds bring increased fire risk to Sacramento Valley through Tuesday

May 23, 2022

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

Much of the Sacramento Valley is under red flag warning starting Thursday

May 18, 2022

Most Viewed

'SNL' sends off longtime cast members

1 killed, 8 wounded in shooting at Southern California party

Top California Democrats in a stalemate over gas rebates

Dear Life Kit: Is a recital really more important than my wedding?

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla will appear on California’s June primary ballot twice. Here’s why.

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

'SNL' sends off longtime cast members

1 killed, 8 wounded in shooting at Southern California party

Top California Democrats in a stalemate over gas rebates

Dear Life Kit: Is a recital really more important than my wedding?

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla will appear on California’s June primary ballot twice. Here’s why.

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.