2025 -2026 Branch Meetings

September 6, 2025 Branch Meeting
Program:  “Today’s Undergrads and CSULB/LBCC Scholarship Recipients” 

This program will explore a topic that touches the heart of our mission: Today’s college undergraduates — the students who shape the future of our communities, workforce, and civic life. We will also welcome CSULB and LBCC scholarship recipients.

We’re used to picturing the traditional college student as 18–22 years old, living on campus, and attending full-time. But at institutions like Long Beach City College (LBCC), California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), and across the country, that image no longer fits the majority. In fact, more than 60% of LBCC students attend part-time, and a large portion are over the age of 25. Nationally, undergraduates are more likely than ever to be first-generation college students, financially independent, and juggling work or caregiving responsibilities. 

This year’s incoming class — the Class of 2029 — is also the most ethnically diverse in American history. At LBCC, nearly 60% of students identify as Latinx, and African American/Black and Asian American students also make up significant portions of the student body. At CSULB, more than 70% of students identify as students of color, reflecting the diversity of the region and the shifting demographics of higher education. Nationally, fewer undergrads than ever identify as White and middle-class. Locally and nationally, most college students are female. 

Many undergrads today face high levels of financial stress, mental health concerns, and uncertainty about the return on their college investment. We’ll dive into: 

  • What college looks like today — demographically, financially, and culturally 
  • What makes Gen Z students unique in how they learn, communicate, and organize
  • Impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on their studies and the job market
  •  How institutions like CSULB and LBCC are adapting to better serve these evolving needs

As AAUW members committed to education equity and women’s advancement, understanding this transformation is essential. This discussion promises insight into the challenges and resilience of today’s students.