Cal State LA named Pathway Champion for advancing equitable transfer pathways for Latinx and Black community college students

Cal State LA has been named a Pathway Champion for its work in strengthening the transfer process between community colleges and the university.

Cal State LA was among 40 California State University (CSU) campuses and California community colleges to receive the honor from the nonprofit Campaign for College Opportunity, as announced on Thursday, Oct. 2.

The Pathway Champions designation recognizes campuses for their efforts in implementing two landmark policies: equitable placement (AB 705 and AB 1705), which maximizes student success in transfer-level courses at community colleges, and the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) implementation, which has simplified transfer between community colleges and CSUs.

The Pathway Champions honorees are divided into four categories-Pathway Champion of Placement and Pathway Champion of Placement Equity for community colleges; and Pathway Champion of Transfer and Pathway Champion of Transfer Equity for CSUs.

The nonprofit recognized Cal State LA as a Pathway Champion of Transfer for campuswide ADT implementation, and as a Pathway Champion of Transfer Equity for ADT implementation for Latinx students and ADT implementation for Black students.

"At Cal State LA, we value our strong connections with California community college students," President Berenecea Johnson Eanes said. "Simplifying the transfer process is a responsibility we take seriously. It's an essential first step in helping these innovative and determined students complete their four-year degrees in a timely manner."

The Campaign for College Opportunity is a California-based nonprofit that champions student-centered higher education policy transformation and the dismantling of inequitable systems to eliminate educational, income, and wealth inequities, and achieve racial equity and economic justice for the state's students.

The equitable placement and ADT reforms, according to the nonprofit, have been pivotal, as students are increasingly being supported to succeed in courses that count towards their transfer goals and are placed on an expedited, guaranteed path to a four-year degree, especially for Latinx and Black students, who face disproportionate obstacles in completing degrees.

Nearly two-thirds of California students begin at community colleges, and transferring to a four-year university has historically been difficult. Prior to 2015, only 7% of transfer-intending students were able to transfer within two years.

Over the past 10 years, the reforms have improved the transfer rate to 10% within two years and 19% after four years. The Campaign for College Opportunity credits the work of its Pathway Champions honorees for the improvement, but acknowledges more work is needed.

"Our multiracial democracy and economy require us to support the growing majority of diverse students to complete college and earn a degree," said Jessie Ryan, president of the nonprofit. "At a time when students are increasingly questioning their place in higher education due to mounting attacks on their ability to thrive, we applaud the colleges that are courageously meeting the moment to implement the policies and practices we know transform student success and transfer in California."

Cal State LA was named among the top three CSU campuses in the following:

Pathway Champion of Transfer

CSU Campuswide ADT Implementation: Successfully ensuring that more than half of the 2024 incoming undergraduate transfer students were ADT earners, and more than half of those ADT earners were on a guaranteed pathway.

Pathway Champion of Transfer Equity

CSU ADT Implementation for Latinx Students: Ensuring that half of the 2024 incoming Latinx undergraduate students were ADT earners, and more than half of those ADT earners were on a guaranteed pathway.

CSU ADT Implementation for Black Students: Ensuring that half of the 2024 incoming Black undergraduate students were ADT earners, and more than half of those ADT earners were on a guaranteed pathway.

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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 22,000 students and has more than 270,000 distinguished alumni.