Monterey, CA — The Monterey and CSU Monterey Bay communities are mourning the heartbreaking loss of Dr. Seth Pollack, a cherished educator, mentor, and longtime Director of CSUMB’s Service Learning Institute, who tragically passed away following a bicycle accident. His sudden death has left colleagues, students, friends, and community partners devastated, struggling to grasp the loss of a man whose life was defined by compassion and service.

For more than two decades, Dr. Pollack was the heart of CSUMB’s nationally recognized service-learning program, guiding thousands of students toward meaningful community engagement. His work bridged the university with countless local organizations, ensuring that education extended far beyond the classroom and into the lives of those who needed support the most.

Known for his gentle leadership, warm smile, and unwavering belief in the power of community, Seth inspired generations of students to see service not as a requirement, but as a responsibility. Colleagues describe him as a visionary—someone who worked tirelessly to empower others and uplift voices that too often went unheard.

Friends say Seth approached life with humility and joy, equally at home in deep conversations about equity as he was mentoring a student or biking along the coast he loved so dearly. His passing has created a profound void in a community he helped shape.

As tributes pour in from educators, civic leaders, and former students across the region, one message remains constant: Seth Pollack changed lives. His commitment to justice, education, and human connection will continue to guide CSUMB and the Monterey community for years to come.

Funeral arrangements and memorial details will be shared by the family in the coming days. For now, those who knew him hold tightly to the legacy he leaves behind—a legacy of service, kindness, and unwavering belief in a better world.