How Azusa Students Succeed at Citrus College

By Dr. Barbara R. Dickerson, Citrus College Governing Board Member

Humboldt State University is Azusa High School alumna Ari Cristobal's dream college. She loves the outdoors, wants to explore northern California and would like to pay for her education without student loans. Currently a freshman at Citrus College, Ari commutes from Azusa to her job in Pasadena several times a week so that she can save for tuition and other costs once she transfers.

Although juggling education and work can be taxing, Ari is all smiles. She's thrilled that, after helping her mother with rent, her leftover income is not used toward her degree at Citrus College. Instead, it goes into savings.

How is she able to pull this off?

Ari is a participant in the incredible Citrus College Promise, a program designed to cover enrollment fees and other college costs for first-time students for up to two years. To be eligible, high school seniors must participate in Citrus College's Early Decision program at a district high school, such as Azusa High School. In addition to having their enrollment fees covered, students like Ari also benefit from the Citrus College Promise in other ways. A variety of additional costs, including the student health fee, the student representation fee and a book grant, are covered, and students receive a Class Pass, which provides unlimited transportation on Foothill Transit buses.

Ari makes sure to utilize the Class Pass, saving money on transportation, fuel and time. Instead of fighting rush hour traffic every morning, she uses her commute to read or study for upcoming exams. At this point in her academic career, with a perfect 4.0 GPA, Ari is confident and excited about her future; however, she did not initially enroll at Citrus College with such assurance.

After filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid form, Ari positioned herself to receive financial assistance but was still unsure of how to navigate the complexities of higher education. The idea of stepping onto a new college campus without any idea of what she wanted to pursue was overwhelming. Ari credits yet another program at Citrus College with helping her understand how to pick classes and eventually choose an academic pathway: Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOP&S).

At Citrus College, the EOP&S office has one goal in mind: to provide educationally under-prepared and economically disadvantaged students with the tools needed to get the most out of college. Since joining EOP&S, Ari has received academic counseling, textbook assistance, free peer-to-peer tutoring and priority registration, which allows her, among other select students, to enroll in classes early.

Ari believes that others with similar backgrounds can achieve the same amount of success: "There are so many kind people at this college who are willing to guide you and locate resources that will support you as you prepare for your future. A lack of finances should not discourage anyone from seeking a higher degree – certainly not at Citrus College."

As Azusa's representative on the Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees, I am especially proud of students from our community who are pursuing higher education with clarity and resolve. I have full confidence that, next year, Ari Cristobal will be a proud student of Humboldt State University. As more students like Ari continue to step onto our beautiful campus, I want this message to ring loud and clear: enrolling at Citrus College is a viable and affordable path to success for any high school student in the San Gabriel Valley.