Citrus College Increases Success Through K-12 Collaborations

By Dr. Patricia A. Rasmussen, Citrus College Governing Board Member

Three years ago, Citrus College launched its 2016-2021 Strategic Plan. This ambitious document outlines 11 focus areas and 18 college-wide objectives designed to assist the institution in reaching one over-arching goal: increase student success and college completion. Recognizing that effective coordination with the K-12 system is critical to fulfilling this goal, one of the many strategies included in the plan has been the development of mutually beneficial relationships with our K-12 partners.

Studies have shown that the path to college completion begins long before a student actually enrolls in college. In fact, important completion factors, such as readiness, enrollment and persistence, can be determined at the high school level. For this reason, Citrus College works closely with high schools to facilitate a seamless transition between the two systems. At the same time, the college has developed and enhanced support programs and services aimed at preparing high school students to meet their educational goals.

One such support program is dual enrollment. First introduced at Citrus College in 2009, dual enrollment provides high school students with the opportunity to complete college-level coursework without leaving their home campuses. The program expanded in January 2016 when Assembly Bill 288 was added to the California Education Code. Since that time, the number of dual enrollment classes offered through Citrus College has significantly increased.

There are currently 33 Citrus College dual enrollment courses at eight area high schools, with topics ranging from Strategies for College Success and Introductory Statistics to Motion Picture Appreciation and Basic Photography. Depending on which high school they attend, students can earn anywhere from three to 40 units of college credit prior to their graduation, free of charge. These units are then transferable to community colleges, as well as four-year colleges and universities. Ultimately, dual enrollment can save students both time and money.

Another program available to local high school students is Early Decision. Offered to graduating high school seniors within the college's feeder districts, Early Decision provides a structured onboarding process that guides students through the matriculation and enrollment process. Participants receive individualized assistance with their college applications, assessment and student education planning. They also receive priority registration.

Once high school students are ready to enroll in college, a third Citrus College program enables them to do so for little to no cost. The Citrus College Promise, a new initiative that debuted during the fall 2018 semester, is designed to cover enrollment fees and other college expenses for first-time students.

Of course, additional collaborative activities occur between Citrus College and its K-12 partners, many of which are made possible by the college's outreach office. Outreach staff makes presentations and holds application workshops at local high schools, conducts campus tours for prospective students, and conducts individualized and group follow-up meetings. They also actively communicate with the parents of high school students.

In addition to providing services for local students and their parents, Citrus College also hosts an annual forum for representatives from school districts throughout the region. This year's K-14 Education Forum will be held at the college on Friday, April 12. Local board of education members, superintendents and school officials will join college administrators, deans and faculty for an informative morning of collaboration and discussion.

As Glendora's representative on the Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees, I am proud of the college's efforts to nurture relationships with its K-12 partners. This hard work has proven to be a game changer, setting students on a path to succeed in higher education and beyond. With the 2016-2021 Strategic Plan and its outlined strategy to build upon K-12 partnerships, Citrus College remains on the edge of innovation in higher education. This plan will continue to guide the college's efforts to shape the future of thousands of students for years to come