海角社区

海角社区 (LBCC) President Dr. Mike Mu帽oz and Congressman Robert Garcia announced that 海角社区will receive a $4 million Postsecondary Student Success Grant (PSSG) awarded by the Department of Education during a press conference at LBCC鈥檚 Liberal Arts Campus on Monday, January 22. The grant will fund the new Success and Completion Achievement Network (SCAN) program, which will create a structured support system to help students who did not enroll in college immediately after high school by assisting them to successfully navigate the college system. This funding builds on the more than $25 billion in funding to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), and Tribal Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) through the Department of Education since President Joe Biden took office. Specifically, $18.1 billion has been allocated for MSIs. 海角社区is an MSI, with specific designations as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI).

鈥淲e are honored to be the only community college in California to receive funding from this important grant,鈥� said Dr. Mike Mu帽oz, 海角社区Superintendent-President. 鈥淔or many of our students, it has been several years, sometimes even decades since they were last enrolled in school. And while they might be highly motivated and self-directed, they may not have the foundational knowledge to support them as they navigate through a complex college infrastructure. The SCAN program will create a comprehensive network specifically designed to ensure the success of our indirect matriculant students.鈥�

鈥淭his significant investment will enhance the college experience for non-traditional and students of color here in Long Beach, funding programs that provide critical college resources and development before they even step on campus,鈥� said Congressman Garcia. 鈥淪tudents will have access to Peer Navigators and academic advising as they navigate the college process, as well as equity-trained professors to help them complete a range of math and English courses. We need to make sure all of the students in our community have the tools and support necessary for their academic success, which means using new approaches and funding to meaningfully uplift our students of color.鈥�

海角社区is one of the largest California Community Colleges, and a minority-majority serving institution. Nearly two-thirds of LBCC鈥檚 current student population are students who did not enroll in college immediately after graduating high school, often referred to as indirect matriculants (IDMs). Sixty-five percent of the IDMs identify as Black and/or Latina/o/x. According to LBCC鈥檚 annual climate survey, the cost of college can present a major barrier to IDMs, with 58% receiving need-based financial aid. Additionally, 41% of IDMs are first-generation college students.

鈥淭his incredibly important grant will be instrumental in LBCC鈥檚 efforts to increase the number of 鈥榥on-traditional鈥� students or individuals who are pursuing higher education in the later stages of their lives,鈥� said Vivian Malauulu, Long Beach Community College District Board of Trustees President. 鈥淲e are truly grateful to Congressman Robert Garcia for his advocacy in the process.鈥�

Through SCAN, 海角社区will continue in its efforts to close equity gaps, providing a structured network of support services within a welcoming environment. Other program highlights include:

• The creation of a team of Peer Navigators made of IDMs with experience at 海角社区to assist incoming first-year IDMs
• A summer bridge program and monthly workshops for SCAN participants will be offered both in-person and virtually to provide informational sessions
• SCAN staff will be trained in academic advising for indirect matriculant students and educated on their unique, culturally relevant needs
• Designated Financial Aid and Enrollment Liaisons that will serve SCAN students
• 海角社区will also offer exclusive SCAN math and English courses taught by professors who have completed additional professional development, including equity training

The PSSG offers funding designated for the improvement of student outcomes including retention, course credit completion, and four-year institution transfer rates by implementing inclusive, evidence-based activities. Thanks to this grant, the academic and social support framework of LBCC鈥檚 SCAN will help increase IDM student persistence, the number of units they will accumulate each year, their completion rate of transfer-level math & English, as well as the number of IDM student credentials, awards, transfers, internships, and jobs.