The California Higher Education Student Summit (CHESS), currently in its twenty-ninth year, is an annual conference hosted by the Cal State Student Association (CSSA) that empowers students to become change agents in advocating for an accessible, affordable, and quality system of public higher education for all Californians.

During a two-day conference held in the state capital, California State University (CSU) students participate in various training sessions on state governance, higher education and public policy, and conduct lobby visits in preparation for Advocacy Day at the Capitol. In addition, students are provided the unique opportunity to collaborate and network with state legislators and student leaders from all of CSU’s 23 campuses.