Cal Poly Pomona students will be able to play a larger role in tackling major issues in eastern Los Angeles County such as food insecurity, education equity and climate change.
The university has joined Cal State LA, Rio Hondo Community College and East LA Community College to form a regional consortium as part of the new statewide Californians for All College Corps program.
Each student enrolled will receive $10,000 — a $7,000 stipend/living allowance and a $3,000 education award — for participating in the College Corps, which has three goals: engaging college students in meaningful service opportunities to build leadership skills and civic responsibility; helping students from diverse backgrounds graduate college on time with less debt; and supporting the work of community-based organizations focused on local priorities. Applications are expected to be available in March.
“We are thrilled to support our students with meaningful opportunities to amplify the work of local community partners in areas of climate, food insecurity, and educational equity and to offset the cost of attendance,” said Bryant Fairley, director of the Center for Community Engagement. “We are excited by the outpouring of support, encouragement, and overall interest in the College Corps we have received thus far. We look forward to working with the state to serve our students, partners, and fulfill the promise of the College Corps program to enrich the quality of life in Pomona and the San Gabriel Valley.”
Participants must complete 450 service hours per year.
Cal Poly Pomona is one of 16 CSU campuses selected as College Corps partners, which Gov. Gavin Newsom announced this week. Up to 1,355 CSU students will benefit from the opportunity for the 2022-23 academic year. A total of 45 colleges and universities across the state have been chosen for the first round of funding, a $146 million investment in California’s future leaders that is part of Newsom’s California Comeback Plan.
Cal State LA will serve as the lead partner for the East Los Angeles and San Gabriel Valley Regional Consortium, which includes Cal Poly Pomona. Under the fellowship program, each participating institution will enroll between 50 and 150 students per year to join College Corps.