Cal Poly Pomona has been named a 2021 Equity Champion for its work in supporting Hispanic students through the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) program. The Campaign for College Opportunity, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring all Californians have an equal opportunity to attend and succeed in college, honored the university.
According to Michele Siquerios, president of The Campaign for College Opportunity, the Equity Champion for Higher Education designation is awarded in recognition of CPP’s outstanding work in enrolling Hispanic Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) earners on a guaranteed pathway to a bachelor’s degree at the university for the 2019-2020 academic school year.
Nearly 50 percent of the more than 27,000 students at Cal Poly Pomona transferred from another college or university. Of the 3,791 transfer students enrolled during the 2019-2020, 1,913 identified as Hispanic.
“It is an honor to be recognized for our work promoting the success of transfer students,” said President Soraya M. Coley. “We have no more pressing challenge than to address issues of equity in student success. And fundamental to this effort is ensuring clear and robust pathways for community college students to succeed at four-year institutions.”
The Campaign for College Opportunity ranked California State University campuses based on the equity gap between the enrollment of Hispanic students with an ADT on a guaranteed pathway relative to the collegewide average. CPP’s Hispanic percent gap from the collegewide average is -2.61 percent, qualifying the university as an equity distinction recipient.
President Coley attended the virtual Champions of Higher Education for Excellence Transfer Awards ceremony, which was held via Zoom, on Nov. 16. The virtual celebration brought together 200-400 attendees representing California’s higher education leadership, elected officials, corporate sponsors, and civic and business leaders.