Publish Date: Apr 21, 2016
SALINAS, Calif. – The Hartnell Community College District welcomed University of California President Janet Napolitano today Thursday, April 21, 2016 at its main campus. This marked the college’s first visit by a UC President.
“The historic visit from UC President Napolitano was a proud moment for Hartnell College,” said Superintendent/President, Dr. Willard Lewallen. “Our students were shining stars during their meeting with her and President Napolitano was impressed with their passion, commitment, and dedication in pursuing transfer to a UC campus.”
In the President’s first visit to a Central Coast community college, she met with over 30 students who are MESA program participants or have received letters of acceptance from a UC campus. Included in this roundtable was Dr. George R. Blumenthal, Chancellor at UC Santa Cruz who provided insight into the services and student support at his campus and UC-wide resources available. The students asked questions about admissions, the best choices for them, financial aid, diversity on campus, support for transfer students and more.
A roundtable discussion with regional college and high school superintendents, presidents and UC Santa Cruz Chancellor Blumenthal followed in which President Napolitano began by saying “The Hartnell students are one of the most special I have met while visiting colleges, and I have been to a lot of campuses.”
Board of Trustees President, Erica Padilla-Chavez asked for transition support for students who transfer from a community college and for the UC System to make an extra effort to include the family unit in their ads and workshops.
UC is increasing enrollment by 5,000 California undergraduates this fall and an additional 5,000 by 2018, while bolstering its outreach efforts to high schools and community colleges across the state. The University is proactively engaging students and their families to highlight the affordability and accessibility of a UC education, and providing information about financial aid and other resources.
“I am thrilled that President Napolitano has made community college transfer a priority of her administration,” added Dr. Lewallen. Hartnell College is committed to providing all the tools and guidance to students to transfer to a University through MESA, TRiO, and the college’s Transfer and Career Center.
Using the systemwide Achieve UC Initiative as the springboard, UC campuses and outreach staff will intensify their efforts to prepare thousands of K-12 students to become competitive college applicants. This spring, UC staff are expanding the program at community events, career fairs and other venues to reach tens of thousands of additional students.
Hartnell Community College District – established in 1920
The Hartnell CCD serves over 16,000 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 proud to be the winners of the Innovation Award for CSin3 – a Computer Science degree in three years. We are growing leaders through opportunity, engagement, and achievement. For more about Hartnell CCD, visit www.hartnell.edu.
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