The university was one of 16 California State University (CSU) campuses recognized for leading the state, and working with intentionality, to support Latinx students through the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) program.
“Your campus ensured that a high proportion of transfer-seeking Latinx students enrolled on a guaranteed pathway to a bachelor’s degree in the 2019-20 academic year. This is a real tremendous achievement and real work of equity,” said Michele Siqueiros, president of the Campaign for College Opportunity, in a congratulatory letter to Cal State LA. “With your leadership and commitment, the Associate Degree for Transfer pathway is making college dreams a reality for thousands of California students.”
An Associate Degree for Transfer, sometimes called a “Degree with a Guarantee,” is a degree offered at all California Community Colleges that guarantees transfer to any of the CSU four-year universities throughout the state.
The goal of the partnership is to provide a clear pathway for students to transfer under the same program of study as their ADT to ensure timely and cost-effective completion of their bachelor’s degree program.
“The ADT transfer program really made me believe in myself. It made me believe that I too can make it at a four-year university,” said Andy Aleman-Alvarez, a Cal State LA transfer student who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sociology this past spring. “Being able to see the courses I needed to transfer really allowed me to envision myself pursuing a bachelor’s degree.”
Aleman-Alvarez spent two and a half years at East Los Angeles College (ELAC) and earned an associate degree in sociology with the goal of transferring to Cal State LA. In 2018, he transferred to Cal State LA as a sociology major.
“The transfer center at ELAC is amazing and they really helped me with the process,” he added. “Now, at Cal State LA, it feels like I have always been here. Faculty most of all have supported my growth at Cal State LA. Their dedication to help students with research is something that I really experienced firsthand.”
Aleman-Alvarez is now working on his master’s degree in Latin American studies.
In fall 2019, 32.6% of Cal State LA’s transfer students were ADT students on a guaranteed pathway in their program of study, according to the Campaign for College Opportunity.
“Cal State LA is honored to be recognized by the Campaign for College Opportunity,” said Cal State LA Provost and Executive Vice President Jose A. Gomez. “They are an amazing partner in our work to promote degree completion and eliminate equity gaps. Cal State LA has made it a priority to increase our ADT attainment and we are excited to see more students earning degrees in a timely manner as a result.”
Cal State LA received the Champion of Higher Education for Excellence in Transfer designation in 2018 and 2019.
This week Cal State LA was among 60 community colleges and universities honored as Equity Champions for Excellence in Transfer for Latinx Students during the annual Champions of Higher Education Celebration. California State Senator Steve Glazer provided remarks at the virtual awards ceremony.
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California State University, Los Angeles is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles. Cal State LA is ranked number one in the United States for the upward mobility of its students. Cal State LA is dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good, offering nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education, and the humanities. Founded in 1947, the University serves more than 27,000 students and has more than 250,000 distinguished alumni.
Cal State LA is home to the critically-acclaimed Luckman Fine Arts Complex, Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs, Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center, Hydrogen Research and Fueling Facility, Billie Jean King Sports Complex and the TV, Film and Media Center. For more information, visit www.CalStateLA.edu.
