Living the Mission

Another example is the Milestones Along the Path program that was created through collaboration between CSUF, Santa Ana College and Fullerton College. As part of the program, Latino students at Fullerton and Santa Ana colleges who are preparing to transfer to Cal State Fullerton and become teachers are supported with mentoring, counseling, test preparation and other services.

“Our students are 51 percent Hispanic and most of them are struggling financially,” said Steven Bautista, a Santa Ana College counselor and coordinator of the Center for Teacher Education. “We make them aware of all the financial aid options they have and encourage them to apply to Cal State Fullerton, where diversity is welcomed.”

Bautista, a Filipino American who received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from CSUF, said his own university experience was positive and that the partnership with Cal State Fullerton “is not about creating a separate lane for minority students. It’s about creating a culture that is supportive of first-generation, low-income students who want access to higher education. And Cal State Fullerton is doing its job in creating that culture.”

In that vein, CSUF’s Office of Public Affairs and Government Relations is creating a campaign to increase awareness of the university’s HSI designation and its commitment to serving the Latino community.

“In California, fewer than one-third of Latinos go to college,” said Frances Teves, director of state relations and advocacy. “Because the Latino population is the fastest-growing in the state, this will undoubtedly impact the California workforce and economy. That’s why it’s important for us to serve this underrepresented Latino community.”

By doing so, everyone benefits, said Alexandro Gradilla, assistant professor of Chicana and Chicano studies.

“We really have to look long-term,” he said. “We need professionals of all backgrounds because they are needed at all levels of society.” end of story

 

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