The College of Humanities and Social Sciences welcomes new and returning students to Cal State Fullerton with its upcoming opportunities and programming for the fall 2026 semester.
Cal State DC Scholars is expanding
The Cal State DC Scholars program, which provides students the opportunity to live, work and learn in Washington, D.C., is expanding beyond the spring and summer.
This fall, the program welcomed its first-ever fall cohort, giving students another opportunity to spend a semester in Washington, D.C. These semesters allow students to gain hands-on experience and learn about what a career in the nation’s capital can look like.
Open to students from all majors and across the California State University system, Cal State DC Scholars combines academic courses with internships at government agencies, nonprofits, think tanks, cultural institutions and more. Throughout the program’s history, students have interned with such organizations as the U.S. House of Representatives, The Smithsonian Museum and National Geographic.
“We are excited about the expansion of this high-visibility, high-impact program, which honors the CSU’s commitment to preparing diverse students for careers and civic leadership at the highest levels,” said Kathryn Buechel, director of Cal State DC Scholars. “Students placed in internships on Capitol Hill, nonprofit, public, and private sector internships represent a direct way CSUF serves students for tomorrow’s workforce.”
Visit the Cal State DC Scholars website to learn more.
A new way to study sustainability
The Department of Geography and the Environment has introduced a new sustainability minor for students who are interested in studying ecological resilience.
The 12-unit minor includes courses across environmental science; politics and economics of sustainability; social and cultural perspectives on sustainability; and an applied capstone experience.
What makes this minor a top option for students is that many of the courses eligible for the minor fall within general education and elective categories. This means that students can work toward their degree while gaining more knowledge in a growing field with a minor.
Students must earn a C (2.0 GPA) or better in all courses counted toward the minor. Units used for the minor must be applied exclusively to the minor and may not be used to satisfy other program requirements, except for general education. Visit the Department of Geography and the Environment website for more information about the sustainability minor.
‘Lowkey Confused?’ is back for season 3
“Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!” is back for its third season, with HSS faculty experts and Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences Jessica Stern taking on some of the topics shaping the world.
This season, the series talks about data centers, animals, race, online mobbing attacks, body manipulation and more. The goal of the series is to approach topics with curiosity and ask the college’s faculty experts to help make sense of trending issues and topics. Full episodes can be found on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Visit the “Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!” website to find the latest episodes, learn about faculty experts, read about current topics and catch up on news related to the series.
Pub Fest is back
The third annual HSS Pub Fest will take place Nov. 19, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., in the quad outside of the Humanities-Social Sciences Building. Attendees will have opportunities to learn about the topics that faculty are researching. The day will be filled with author interviews and talks, free food, and more. Visit the HSS Pub Fest 2026 website for additional information.