An honorary degree, which is conferred jointly by the California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees and California State University Channel Islands (CI), is the highest honor the University can bestow. Such degrees are conferred upon individuals who are highly accomplished in their chosen fields and have consistently demonstrated exceptional moral character as well as intellectual and humane values that are consistent with CSU’s ideals.
Hannah Beth Jackson
Doctor of Humane Letters
May 20, 2023
Carmen Ramirez
Doctor of Humane Letters
May 20, 2023
Jeffrey T. Green
Doctorate of Humane Letters
May 21, 2022
Peter J. Taylor
Doctorate of Humane Letters
May 22, 2022
Raudel Bañuelos
Doctor of Humane Letters
May 21, 2021
Irene Pinkard
Doctor of Humane Letters
May 21, 2021
Esther Wachtell
Doctor of Humane Letters
May 21, 2021
Sarita E. Brown
Doctorate of Humane Letters
May 18, 2019
Deborah A. Santiago
Doctorate of Humane Letters
May 18, 2019
Laurence K. Gould Jr
Doctorate of Laws
May 18, 2019
Janice Bryant Howroyd
Doctorate of Humane Letters
May 18, 2019
Michele Marie Castillo
Doctorate of Laws
May 19, 2018
Mary Elizabeth “Tipper” Gore
Doctorate of Humane Letters
May 19, 2018
Joe I. Mendoza
Doctorate of Humane Letters
May 20, 2017
Mark Lisagor
Doctorate of Humane Letters
May 21, 2016
Sara Miller McCune
Doctorate of Humane Letters
May 21, 2016
William "Bill" Kearney
Doctorate of Humane Letters
May 16, 2015
Lou Cannon
Doctorate of Humane Letters
May 18, 2013
Henry L. “Hank” Lacayo
Doctorate of Humane Letters
May 19, 2012
Kathy Marie Ireland
Doctorate of Humane Letters
May 19, 2012
Jack O’Connell
Doctorate of Humane Letters
May 21, 2011
Robert J. Lagomarsino
Doctorate of Laws
May 21, 2005
John Spoor Broome
Doctorate of Humane Letters
May 21, 2005