The California State University (CSU) system is creating a program that allows community college students to enter a dual-admission agreement with one of CSU’s campuses—a program that the system is also hoping will boost its community college transfer enrollment numbers.
The so-called Transfer Success Pathway program guarantees students’ admission to a CSU campus once they complete general education requirements at the community college and grants students early access to university resources such as academic advisors and libraries.
Students in the program must have an intent to transfer to a CSU campus within three years—either by successfully completing an associate degree or enrolling in a course of study for CSU transfer.
Some officials said during the meeting they hoped the program would streamline the transfer process for community college students.
“The Transfer Success Pathway is the CSU’s promise and commitment to those who don’t take a direct route to a four-year degree, particularly those who face academic, geographic, or financial barriers,” said April Grommo, CSU’s assistant vice chancellor of strategic enrollment management.
Officials also said they anticipated the program giving the system a boost in enrollment numbers, which have declined in recent years—particularly among community college transfer students.
“Our transfer population faces unique challenges, including a steep decrease in the number of students attending California’s community colleges. This enrollment decline is having a domino effect on transfer student applications and admissions rates across the CSU,” said Laura Massa, the interim associate vice chancellor of CSU’s Academic and Faculty Programs.
The first cohort of students in the program will be announced after all freshman admission decisions are out at the end of this month, a spokesperson for UC told the Epoch Times in an email.
Participating UC campuses include Davis, Irvine, Merced, Riverside, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz.
The governor has made efforts to boost enrollment for CSU and UC in recent years.
In 2022, Newsom’s state budget pledged to give both systems five percent annual budget increases for the next five years if they agreed to work toward improving graduation and enrollment rates, particularly among California residents.