Strengthening North State Student Pathways

As we near the end of a great semester and close in on Commencement, I want to share two important developments that will enhance our position as the university of choice for students in the North State.

Our goal is to ensure that every prospective student in the North State knows they have a clear and affordable path to a college degree. We are committed to strengthening our relationships with our educational partners, both at the K-12 and community college levels.

To advance this goal, Chico State recently hosted a California College Guidance Initiative (CCGI) event attended by 40 educators from 17 Northern California school districts, from high school counselors to county superintendents. Participants learned about a program designed to cultivate a “college-going culture” in the North State and ensure that any student who aspires to earn a college degree has that opportunity at Chico State.

Our guests learned about the benefits of partnering with Chico State through CCGI to create a streamlined admissions process that we call the Wildcat Guarantee.

High school administrators received a critical message: There is a clear path to your students’ career goals through the CaliforniaColleges.edu platform, and if that path involves a bachelor’s degree, there is a place waiting for them at Chico State.

Our team from Enrollment and Admissions introduced plans for a streamlined process through which students can be identified as early as the end of 11th grade and offered a seat as a future Wildcat. But our goal is broader than just admission. Both CCGI and Chico State want to engage with students, and their families, beginning in 9th grade about the breadth of post-high school options available. Every participant will receive a hands-on experience with CaliforniaColleges.edu, the state of California’s cradle-to-career planning tool for students, families, educators, and school districts.

By engaging with students and their families throughout the high school years, we believe students will build confidence in themselves and their aspirations, and Chico State will be prepared to provide access and support for those interested in pursuing that journey with us.   

Another effort I’d like to highlight is Impact Day on April 29. Chico State will sign agreements with the presidents from seven North State community colleges, paving the way for students to streamline their transfer to Chico State. The colleges are Butte College, Feather River College, Lassen Community College, College of the Siskiyous, Shasta College, Woodland Community College, and Yuba College. The signing will take place at 2 p.m. in Selvester’s Café and is open to the campus community. These agreements and accompanying support mechanisms lay the groundwork to simplify and ease transfer students’ pathways to pursue four-year degrees, credentials, and further education within their region.

We don’t intend to stop there. These are the latest in our efforts to tell the Chico State story and share it in ways that can impact young people in the North State and their families and communities. This is part of continued collaborations to support the educational and workforce needs of our region. Chico State will continue to connect with the leaders of additional community colleges to make sure every high school student and community college transfer student knows they have a clear and affordable path to a college degree.

Thank you for all you do to make this all possible.