Publish Date: May 7, 2015
SALINAS, Calif. – The Hartnell Community College District is proud to announce an analysis by the University of California showing Hartnell College as the leader in transfers of underrepresented minority (URM) students to the University of California.
The top three Community Colleges in the state to transfer URMs to UCs are: Hartnell College (85.5%), Rio Hondo College (77.5%), and West Los Angeles College (64.9%).
“Hartnell College is proud to be recognized as a leader for its success in transferring underrepresented minority students to the University of California. We are being asked by other colleges about our successful practices,” said Superintendent/President, Dr. Willard Lewallen. “We have many, but the first thing I tell them is this: at Hartnell College we believe that our students are UC material. We lift them up in small and large ways.”
Superintendent/President, Dr. Willard Lewallen was invited to be the moderator in a panel this week at the CCLC’s Equity2015 Summit in Los Angeles to talk about best practices Hartnell has implemented throughout the years to have higher percentages of URMs transferring to UCs. Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Mark Sanchez was a member of the panel along with Dr. Lewallen.
“Our students have what we call "grit"- an inspiring determination to succeed against enormous social and economic inequities,” added Dr. Lewallen. “We channel that grit into achievement by setting high expectations and providing excellent instruction and student support.”
The Equity2015 Summit’s theme Implement, Integrate, and Institutionalize Student Equity focuses on two major initiatives: dual/concurrent enrollment through AB 288 and Student Equity. Each college president/chancellor was invited by the CCLC to send a delegation of three.
Hartnell Community College District
The Hartnell CCD serves over 15,000 students annually through its main campus in Salinas, the Alisal Campus in East Salinas, the King City Education Center, and various outreach learning centers throughout the Salinas Valley. Hartnell College, a Hispanic Serving Institution, provides workforce training, basic skills courses, and prepares students for transfer to four-year colleges and universities. Hartnell College is recognized for its innovative public and private partnerships that support world class STEM education, career technical education, fine and performing arts, humanities, and athletics. We are growing leaders through opportunity, engagement, and achievement. For more about Hartnell CCD, visit www.hartnell.edu.