Helping Hispanic Students Transition From Community College To A University

06/22/2007 (KFSN) -- A new study shows many Hispanic Community College students want to attend a four-year college, but never transfer.

This summer, programs at both Fresno City College and Fresno State are working to make that transition easier.

After just one year at Bakersfield College, Inez Portillo is ready to transfer to Fresno State. Ines Portillo, transfer student, says "I just know it's a better education, a higher education. I'll have better opportunities than at a community college where I can just get my AA degree; I just want something more."

But Ines is among a "small" group of Hispanic students actually making the move to a four-year University.

Results of a new study in the Latino policy and issues brief shows that of every 100 first-time Latino students, 75 enter community colleges, 17 enter California State University campuses and 8 enter University of California Schools.

Of those 75 who go to community colleges, only about 7 will transfer to a 4-year University. "Some of my friends have dropped out. It's pretty easy to get sidetracked when you're in college. You either get a job, and just like the money more..." says Portillo.

At Fresno State, programs like upward bound try to make college less intimidating for high school students. And orientations like this one for freshman and transfer students hope to give students the help and information they need to stay on track.

Frances Peña, University Outreach CSUF, says "all community colleges have transfer centers, so we work closely with them to identify with students who may be interested in transferring we also advise them and give the general education courses that they need to transfer over."

Programs at Fresno City College offer academic counseling and mentors and workshops. Sonia Hildreth, Dean Of Counseling FCC, says "the most important piece of that are the counselors who meet individually with students to help them develop a transfer plan."

The Puente Program is specifically designed to make the transition easier for Hispanic students, like Jaime Andrade.

Andrade, FCC student, says "one of the reasons I decided to come was the incomes; 4 year colleges are more expensive, so I want to do 2 years here and then save up some money for 4 year college."

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