Christopher J. Steinhauser

Honorary Degrees
 
 

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Long Beach

An admired educator and administrator, Christopher J. Steinhauser has served as superintendent of the Long Beach Unified School District since 2002. During this period he has earned a national reputation for improving student achievement and closing achievement gaps.

The Long Beach Unified School District received the highly prestigious Broad Prize for Urban Education in recognition of improved outcomes, and in 2010 McKinsey & Company named the district one of the world’s 20 leading school systems and one of the country’s top three systems for sustained and significant improvements. This recognition of Steinhauser’s exceptional leadership was reiterated when the nonprofit Battelle for Kids organization listed Long Beach among the world’s top five school systems.

Steinhauser—in partnership with the presidents of California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach City College, and recently the mayor of Long Beach—leads the Long Beach College Promise. This innovative and highly regarded program provides seamless education for Long Beach students from preschool to graduate school. Due to the hard work and vision of Steinhauser and his partners, the Long Beach College Promise has received numerous honors, including recognition from the White House, which cited it for helping shape President Obama’s America’s College Promise initiative.

A product of Long Beach Unified schools and graduate of Long Beach City College, Steinhauser is a proud alumnus of CSULB, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies and a master’s degree in educational administration. His deep and personal experience in Long Beach gives him special insight regarding education in the city, and he is a valued mentor to students, teachers and administrators.
Passionate about education, Steinhauser understands California State University’s crucial role in partnering with the region and state for economic, civic, health, artistic, scientific, and educational enrichment. He has worked diligently and enthusiastically throughout his distinguished career to support and advance the CSU’s long tradition of excellence in teacher preparation.

In recognition of his many accomplishments and contributions to the university and the community, the Board of Trustees of the California State University and California State University, Long Beach are proud to confer upon Christopher J. Steinhauser the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.