Lt. Governor Kounalakis’s Statement on National Transfer Week & Efforts to Improve Transfer Pathways in CA Higher Ed

Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis'sStatement on National Transfer Week and Efforts to Improve Transfer Pathways in California Higher Education

For Immediate Release
Monday, October 28, 2024
Contact:[email protected], (916) 445-8994

SACRAMENTO - Last week, California recognized National Student Transfer Week, an annual event dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the unique experiences, achievements, and challenges faced by transfer students. California has recently enacted historic reforms to improve transfer pathways from California Community Colleges (CCC) to four-year institutions.

When students are presented with clear paths to transfer, can access the classes they need, and have the support necessary to succeed in those courses, they can save time and money and are put on a path to better wages and earning power - a win for California students, families, and the future of our state.

Here's a look at Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis's ongoing efforts to improve the transfer process for California students.

WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?

• Only 10%of CCC students who want to transfer do so within two years; only 19%of CCC students who want to transfer do so within four years.

• Equity gaps persist:More than 50% of students who declare a transfer goal are Latino, but only 35% of those who transfer within four years are Latino; African American students represent 7% and 5%, respectively.

WHY DOES THIS MATTER?

• California's community colleges serve over 2 million students and are the gateway to a four-year degree for many, especially those from traditionally underrepresented groups, first-generation college students, and low-income students.

• Students who go on to earn a bachelor's degree have 62% higher wages, greater job security, lower unemployment, and increased socioeconomic mobility.

WHAT HAVE WE DONE?

Since 2019, Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis has sponsored and supported historic legislation to help streamline the transfer process from California's community colleges to a four-year institution, eliminate equity gaps, and promote student success. These efforts include:

• AB 928(Berman, 2021) establishes a general education pathway for transfer admission, strengthens the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) pathway and establishes the ADT Intersegmental Implementation Committee.

• AB 1111(Berman, 2021) simplifies the transfer process by establishing a common course numbering system across all California Community Colleges.

• AB 1705(Irwin, 2022) builds on the work of AB 705 (Irwin, 2017) to remove remedial courses that disproportionally affected Black and Latino students. AB 1705 automatically guarantees students access to transfer-level English and math courses.

• AB 2057(Berman, 2024) strengthens the Associate Degree for Transfer pathway by increasing access to STEM fields. Extends the AB 928 Committee by two years.

• SB 1348(Bradford, 2024) establishes the Designation of California Black-Serving Institution, recognizing institutions that support Black students, a critical step towards addressing equity gaps.

Under Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis's leadership and in partnership with the legislature and Newsom Administration, California has enacted transformative reforms prioritizing equity, access, and student success. By simplifying and streamlining the transfer process, we create stronger pathways to four-year degrees, foster a more inclusive higher education system, and secure a brighter future for California's workforce.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING:

Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis:

"These legislative victories are a huge step forward in breaking down the barriers holding our students back, especially Black, Latino, first-generation, and low-income students. Our state thrives when all students have a fair shot at success. I am grateful to Assemblymembers Berman and Irwin, Senator Bradford, and the Campaign for College Opportunity for their unwavering commitment to student success."

Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin:

"I am thrilled to see AB 705 and AB 1705 helping so many more students get on track to transfer to four-year institutions. For students aiming for a degree, spending years in remedial courses often crushed their dreams. Now, with direct placement into transfer-level coursework and support services like tutoring, we're seeing students prove-even to themselves-that they have what it takes to succeed in college-level work."

Assemblymember Marc Berman:

"Last week's National Student Transfer Week was a great opportunity to reflect on all the transformational changes we have made in California to make it easier for students to transfer and achieve their higher education dreams. I am proud to have partnered with Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis and other transfer champions to advance historic reforms that put students first."

Senator Steven Bradford:

"In honor of National Transfer Student Week, we recognized and celebrated the unique experiences and challenges faced by transfer students throughout California. Around two-thirds of Black students who attend postsecondary education in California start in community colleges, but few transfer within two years and do so at a lower percentage than their white peers. California has a responsibility to ensure transfer students are able to transfer in a timely manner and succeed in their higher education, regardless of their path."

Jessie Ryan, President of the Campaign for College Opportunity:

"Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis has courageously partnered to strengthen transfer pathways, taking on the necessary reforms to remove higher education barriers that have long prevented California's students from reaching their college dreams. She has unwaveringly championed and co-sponsored transformational policies with the Campaign for College Opportunity to dramatically improve transfer student success. We look forward to our continued partnership to make more racially just and student-centered transfer pathways a reality for California students."

BACKGROUND:

Since taking office, Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis has championed California's students, fighting for an accessible, affordable, and quality higher education for all. She is the only person to serve on the governing boards of all three public higher education segments in California. She is a voting member of the University of California Board of Regents, the California State University Board of Trustees, and the California Community College Board of Governors. Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis also sits on the Calbright College Board of Trustees.

In addition, in January 2025, Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis will begin her term as the Chair of the governing board for the Designation of California Black Serving Institutionprogram. This Designation will recognize California schools that excel at serving and providing academic resources for their Black students, a historically underrepresented population in higher education.

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