California State University, San Bernardino announced that Yolanda T. Moses will receive an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.) at its Spring Commencement ceremonies, scheduled for May 15-16.

Moses is a well-known and widely respected CSUSB alumna, national leader in higher education and renowned anthropologist. She retired from the University of California, Riverside in 2023, after 25 years as professor of anthropology and 10 years as associate vice chancellor for diversity, equity, and excellence. Before joining UCR, she served as president of The City College of New York/CUNY (1993–99) and the American Association for Higher Education (2000–03), and she held a senior research appointment at George Washington University. Her distinguished career continues to inspire generations of scholars and leaders who share her vision of equity through education.

An acclaimed anthropologist, her research has explored the roots of social inequality and the intersections of race, gender and class across the Caribbean, East Africa, India, South Africa, Australia and the United States, as well as diversity and change in global higher education. Her books include “Race: Are We So Different? (2019, 2026)” and “How Real Is Race? (2007, 2012, 2025).”

A national leader in higher education and anthropology, Moses has served as president of the American Anthropological Association, chair of the American Association of Colleges and Universities and advisor to major national and international diversity initiatives. Her achievements have earned widespread recognition, including the Franz Boas Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Anthropological Association (2016), election as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2009) and a Fulbright Distinguished Chair Fellowship at the University of Sydney (2017). She currently serves as vice chair of the Board of Trustees of the Keck Graduate Institute, and vice chair of the Board of the Global Citizenship Alliance.

A steadfast advocate for her alma mater, Moses has served on the CSUSB Philanthropic Foundation Board and Community-University Partnership, and she established the Yolanda T. Moses Scholarship Endowment supporting graduate students in CSUSB’s College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

“Being named a recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Cal State San Bernardino is deeply meaningful to me as a proud alumna,” Moses said. “CSUSB provided the foundation for my lifelong commitment to inquiry, learning and scholarship. I was in the second graduating class of this new university in 1968, and little did I know that the knowledge I learned both inside and outside of the classroom would prepare me for my wonderful life, my profession as an anthropologist, and my higher education leadership journey. I am honored to be recognized by an institution that continues to inspire new generations of students. I share this honor with the mentors, colleagues, students and family who have shaped my journey.”

“Conferring an honorary doctorate upon Dr. Moses, in recognition of her profound impact and dedicated service to California, will be a great honor for CSUSB this May,” said university President Tomás D. Morales. “As a dedicated alumna, prominent anthropologist and outstanding leader in higher education, she serves as an exemplar for our students and graduates to emulate.”

Moses earned her B.A. in sociology (1968) from CSUSB before completing her M.S. (1974) and Ph.D. (1976) in anthropology at UC Riverside. She has also been a fellow with the Andrew Mellon Foundation, Harvard University and the Salzburg Global Seminar.