WSU CAMP recognized as nation’s best baccalaureate support program for Latine students

Washington State University Pullman's College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) has been named as an Example of Excelencia, the highest recognition given by one of the nation's leading Latine education organizations.

CAMP Director Michael Heim accepted the honor during Excelencia in Education's conference in Washington, D.C., Sept 29-30, and participated in the lead panel discussion focused on elevating what is working to support the nation's Latine students.

"We always believed this to be true, but now can say with confidence that what we are doing in CAMP is of the caliber to be nationally recognized among all programs serving Latinx students, and that is big," said Heim.

CAMP is a federally funded program that helps 50 first-year students from migrant and seasonal farm working backgrounds transition to college each year. The program provides academic advising, team building, financial planning, and social activities as part of a comprehensive strategy to promote student success.

The 2024 Examples were selected from 345 nominations from 40 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, 103 program submissions, and 18 finalists.

"The 2024 Examples of Excelencia are proof there is good work implemented around the country," said Adriana Rodriguez, COO and vice president for institutional programs at Excelencia in Education. "These programs model what other institutions and organizations can implement in their own communities."

Providing a blueprint for success

Heim said the hard work of his staff, and the program's students, has led to 90% of CAMP participants completing the program, 98% returning for their second year of school, and their graduation rate is 13% higher than that of the general Latine student population.

Evidence of the program's success is seen in students like Inez Juárez, who last year saw his GPA rise during his first year of college rather than decline, as many students experience.

"I give credit to my CAMP mentors and tutors who never hesitated to stay later in the day to help me succeed," Juárez said. "Whenever I needed something, they were always there to help me out."

Esmerelda Anguiano was terrified when she arrived at WSU last fall, feeling like her small-town school lacked the resources to properly prepare her for college.

"I came with little knowledge about how college works, how to be successful, if I would feel welcomed or alone," Anguiano said. "CAMP staff always checked up on me to see how I was doing and reassured me they would be there if I encountered any problems."

Expanding the program's impact

Heim said these students, and the hundreds of others that have participated in WSU's CAMP since it began in 2006, demonstrate that when students receive the assistance they need, they will be successful.

The challenge, said Heim, is that there are five times more students with migrant and seasonal farm working backgrounds at WSU than CAMP can serve. Additionally, according to statistics provided by Excelencia in Education for 2021-2022, WSU enrolled the highest number of Hispanic undergraduates (3,843) and awarded them the most bachelor's degrees (924) of any college or university in the State of Washington.

"What we need to do, and I think WSU is already moving in this direction, is look at what we are doing in CAMP and adopt those practices more broadly across the university, and our state" Heim said.

CAMP was named a finalist by Excelencia in Education in 2019, 2022, and 2024. Lucila Loera, executive director for the Office for Access & Opportunity, is thrilled the program has been selected for the organization's highest honor.

"This recognition is the culmination of many people coming together for many years to serve amazing students," Loera said. "We are committed to continuing our work serving and empowering students from migrant and seasonal farm working backgrounds and look forward to expanding our impact."

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