College Access and Success Professionals Gather for Regional Meeting in Santa Barbara
The theme of the meeting is “Advancing Equity” and the gathering features a keynote speech from a leader in the field, along with a panelist of college access practitioners, roundtable discussions, and a how-to session on effective use of data.
The keynote speaker for the meeting will be Dr. Eloy Ortiz Oakley, Superintendent-President of Long Beach City College. Oakley is best known throughout California and the nation for implementing innovative programs and policies that help students succeed in college. Partnering with the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) and CSU Long Beach (CSULB), Oakley helped form the Long Beach College Promise.
Through the College Promise, LBUSD administrators and high school teachers work with college faculty and staff to create clear pathways for students to follow as they move from one education institution to another. These pathways prepare LBUSD high school graduates to succeed in college and College Promise students are guaranteed a tuition-free semester at LBCCD and preferred admission status to CSULB after completing the transfer requirements.
Preliminary reports suggest the College Promise measurably reduces demand for college level remediation, increases student persistence rates and creates financial efficiencies so LBCCD can educate more students for less money. The College Promise has been replicated by numerous colleges and universities throughout California and is cited as a model education partnership by several
education organizations and foundations, including the Washington DC based Business Higher Education Forum and the White House Initiative on Education Excellence for Hispanics.
Roundtable topics at the NCAN Regional Meeting will include discussions on Collective Impact models, Cultural Competency issues, Family Engagement programs, and Undocumented Student issues. There will be a networking lunch included to allow college access and success professionals to learn from one another and exchange best practice ideas.
The Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara is acting as the local host for the NCAN Western Regional Meeting, which will be held from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on March 29 at the Santa Barbara County Education Office Auditorium, 4400 Cathedral Oaks Road in Santa Barbara. The meeting includes lunch and is free for NCAN members and $50 for non-members. Seating is limited. For more information and to register, visit www.collegeaccess.org.
