Recently, Blair Search Partners CEO, Trevor Blair, went live with Ellen Neufeldt, Ed.D., President of California State University San Marcos, as part of our Building a Winning Teams LinkedIn Live series.
Dr. Neufeldt and Trevor’s conversation revolved around the topic of social mobility and the transformative role universities play in leveling the playing field and preparing tomorrow’s leaders.
Join us as we dive into the topics they discussed.
Meet Dr. Ellen Neufeldt
Born into a family with roots in immigrant communities and a legacy of hard work, Dr. Neufeldt’s path was shaped by her father’s access to higher education—a privilege that transformed not just his life, but hers as well.
Her grandparents, German-Russian Mennonites, fled the Soviet Union and worked on other people’s farms in North America. However, her father broke through those barriers by earning a college degree, which set the stage for Dr. Neufeldt to rise to leadership in higher education.
“Because he went to college, one generation later, I’m a college president,” she reflects, mindful of the opportunity that education has afforded her.
Driven by her powerful personal experience, Dr. Neufeldt’s career has been dedicated to advancing student success and promoting social mobility for students from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds. Her work primarily focuses on supporting first-generation students and ensuring that anyone who dreams of earning a college degree has that chance. Since becoming president of CSUSM, she has championed this mission and is positioning the university as a national leader in social mobility.
As Dr. Neufeldt says, “Education changed my life. Now, it’s my turn to help change the lives of others.”
Defining and Living Social Mobility at CSUSM
For Dr. Neufeldt, social mobility is about much more than just financial advancement. “It’s not just about moving from one economic quintile to the next,” she says. “It’s about improving outcomes, leadership in the community, and long-term career success.” The ripple effect is undeniable. When one student earns a degree, it often sets off a chain reaction, encouraging siblings, cousins, even parents to pursue higher education themselves.
Dr. Neufeldt stressed that this isn’t just speculation. At CSUSM, nearly 80 percent of graduates stay in the region, and they contribute to the local economy and fill critical roles in healthcare, education, business, and public service. These graduates are shaping the future of their communities, making social mobility not only a personal journey but a regional movement.
Removing Barriers to Higher Education
For many first-generation and low-income students, financial obstacles, lack of guidance, and limited access to experiential learning opportunities can derail even the most determined.
Dr. Neufeldt and her team at CSUSM are breaking down those barriers with a number of innovative programs and partnerships. One such initiative is the 23 memorandums of understanding (MOUs) the university has established with school systems, tribal nations, and the Coalition of Black and African American Education focused on guaranteed admission and long-term support for students as early as the third grade.
Another standout effort is the Summer Scholars program, which allows students from low-income backgrounds to work in research labs over the summer with full financial support, including stipends and housing. “Historically, the students who get these kinds of opportunities are those who can afford to work for free in a lab,” Neufeldt explains. “We’re changing that.”
These hands-on experiences not only make students more competitive in their fields but also show them what’s possible when they’re not held back by financial constraints. As Neufeldt often says, “We’re not just opening doors; we’re making sure students can walk through them.”
Empowering Future Leaders
Beyond the classroom, Dr. Neufeldt is deeply committed to cultivating the next generation of leaders. At CSUSM, leadership isn’t defined by traditional paths or expectations—it’s about empowering students to take charge of their own journeys, no matter how unconventional.
Dr. Neufeldt’s own story illustrates this perfectly. Her path to becoming a university president wasn’t typical. She started in business, moved into counseling, and eventually found her way to higher education administration through a series of unexpected opportunities. “The journey to leadership is rarely a straight line,” she says. “You can’t be afraid to fail or try something new.”
This mindset is embedded in the university’s approach to career preparation. Programs like The Senior Experience in CSUSM’s School of Business pair students with local businesses and nonprofits, giving them the chance to solve real-world problems before they even graduate.
Resilience and Grit: Key Ingredients for Success
If there’s one lesson Dr. Neufeldt hopes all students take away from their time at CSUSM, it’s that resilience and grit are just as important as any degree.
“By the time our students arrive here, many of them have already overcome enormous obstacles,” she says. “They’re working jobs, supporting their families, and still finding a way to pursue their education. That kind of determination is what sets them apart.”
Looking Ahead: The Future of Social Mobility
As Dr. Neufeldt looks toward the future, her vision for social mobility continues to expand. From building a more diverse engineering program—where 50 percent of students are Latino—to piloting new pathways for high school students to earn college credit, CSUSM is constantly innovating to meet the needs of its students and its region.
In a time when questions about the value of a college degree are more prevalent than ever, for Dr. Neufeldt, the answer is clear: “A degree isn’t just worth it. It’s life-changing.”
And at CSUSM, under her visionary leadership, that change is already happening—one student, one family, one community at a time.
What’s Next
A huge thank you to Dr. Ellen Neufeldt for sharing her inspiring vision of how education can drive social mobility and transform communities. Her commitment to creating opportunities for students from all walks of life offers valuable lessons for leaders in nonprofit organizations, the public sector and beyond.
If you’re looking to strengthen your organization’s leadership or if you’re on the hunt for a new role, Blair Search Partners can help. Schedule a call with our team to learn more about our services, explore current opportunities, and discover how we can partner with you to build a winning team!