By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805
Frank X. Moraga
At a time when some political leaders in Congress are trying to outdo themselves by cutting programs to the bone, first-generation college students recently received a significant boost with the awarding of federal grants to help them complete their education.
The most significant announcement came in late July when Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria was awarded a five-year, $1.1 million grant for its TRIO/Student Support Services project by the U.S. Department of Education. The TRIO program, known as the College Achievement Now (CAN) program at the college, provides students motivation to complete their postsecondary education.
“This grant has been instrumental in changing the odds for more than 300 students already served by the project,” Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D., stated in a media release. “In a community where many high school graduates are not readily accepted into our local state universities, Hancock, and the continued support provided for the CAN program, are essential for our students to succeed and reach their educational and employment goals.”
The newly refunded grant will allow the TRIO-CAN program to serve 156 students each year. The previous federal grant allowed 140 students annually.
Hancock enrolls many economically and educationally challenged students, some of whom are veterans, foster youth, English language learners and/or students with a disability. TRIO-CAN provides personalized support to help them integrate into the academic and social life of the college.
“Our students develop an academic mindset and come to know they can succeed,” TRIO-CAN Director Petra Gomez stated in the release. “Students support and encourage each other to persevere and work through frustrating obstacles.”
TRIO-CAN students receive priority registration, academic and career counseling, mentoring, field trips to four-year universities, as well as a dedicated space for homework and group study.
“The CAN program has been great,” said Gerardo Atilano, who will transfer to California State University, Long Beach in the fall. “I learned what classes I needed to take and was encouraged to join several clubs, which I did. CAN helped me achieve my goal of transferring to a four-year university.”
The award follows an announcement by Rep. Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) that TRIO grants for student counseling in the 2015-2016 school year were awarded to CSU Channel Islands ($220,000) and California Lutheran University ($248,925).
“In Ventura County, TRIO programs help ensure that low-income and first-generation college students can pursue higher education and these grants also play a critical role in academic support and counseling,” Brownley stated in a release. “I have met many students who grew up believing a college education was out of reach before they became involved with TRIO, which helped them achieve their goal of attending college. I am thrilled that Cal State Channel Islands and Cal Lutheran have the funding they need to continue to help young people achieve their dreams.”
“This grant will enable Cal State Channel Islands to enrich the experience of low-income, first-generation, and students with disabilities and prepare them for a successful future,” stated CSUCI President Dr. Richard R. Rush.
“Cal Lutheran’s diverse student body has a great need for these programs and we are proud to have established a 25-year tradition of supporting our low-income and first-generation students as well as those with disabilities thanks to the TRIO grants,” stated Cal Lutheran President Chris Kimball.
Congratulations to all local institutions receiving the grants and to those enlightened souls in the nation’s capital who realize that an investment in our youth today will pay multiple economic dividends for the nation in years to come.
— Frank X. Moraga is editor/publisher of Amigos805. He has served as business editor, director of diversity and general manager of a bilingual publication at the Ventura County Star, and as a reporter in the community editions of the Orange County Register and Los Angeles Daily News. He can be reached at frank@amigos805.com