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YUCAIPA, CA— Crafton Hills College (CHC) is a 2021 Equity Champion for Excellence in Transfer for Latinx students, an award conferred by the Campaign for College Opportunity, for California institutions of higher education that lead the state in Latinx students earning Associate Degrees for Transfer (ADT).
This agency will recognize CHC for its achievement during a virtual ceremony on Tuesday, November 16, at 10 a.m. This non-profit organization is devoted to ensuring that the next generation of college-age students in California has the chance to go to college and succeed. ??The Campaign for College Opportunity selected colleges for the award by comparing the number of ADTs awarded to Latinx students to their total number of ADTs.
CHC graduates, including those who earn ADTs, are well-received by universities. They have some of the highest admission acceptance rates to the University of California system among all Inland Empire colleges, with an average acceptance rate of between 70 and 80 percent for Latinx students who apply to UC campuses.
CHC President Dr. Kevin Horan said that ensuring student success and working toward academic equity for all students is what the College has always striven to achieve.
“This recognition is critical because it signals to students, both current and future, that Crafton Hills College is here to support you and wants you to succeed,” Horan said. “We want to see our students thrive while they’re here and set them up to be able to transfer to a four-year college or university where they can continue to work toward their dreams.”
CHC bolstered Latinx student transfer in recent years by creating many new ADT degrees and fully supporting a variety of student services across campus, according to University Transfer Center Coordinator Mariana Macamay. She described a cross-departmental effort to stay updated on legislative changes, transfer policy, collaboration, and best practices.
“The transfer center is not solely responsible for this achievement. It started with (CHC Communications Professor) Rick Hogrefe, who was instrumental in championing the creation of so many ADTs and the faculty who supported it,” she said. “Many of our students utilize a variety of CHC’s student services, including counseling services, EOPS (Extended Opportunity Programs and Services).”
Additionally, CHC has reached out to students nearing completion and created ADTs for programs with high Latinx enrollment. Macamay said CHC’s approach is unique because the various student support departments work collaboratively.
Since its creation in 2001, CHC’s University Transfer Center has focused on its mission: to advance the education of all students, particularly Latinx and other disproportionately impacted students.
