Children of Migrant Farm Workers Gain First-Hand College Experience at Cal State Channel Islands
For the sons and daughters of migrant agricultural workers, getting a quality education can seem like a distant dream. These families move frequently for seasonal or temporary jobs. Often the children must help with the seasonal harvests, causing them to miss a great deal of schooling. It can be a challenge for these children just to complete their primary schooling.
Cal State Channel Islands and Oxnard Union High School have partnered for the second year to bring high school students to the University. These students are exposed to college-level classes and are encouraged to begin preparing for a future that will include higher education through a federally funded program called Migrant Education.
On August 1, 32 local high school students received certificates of completion - many obtaining the highest level of certificates of excellence - and family members watched with pride as students took their place on the "graduation" stage. For the young men and women present, the Summer College for high school children of migrant workers awards ceremony was a sign of their first step toward a lifetime of success. The month-long experience taught the students that everyone can uncover limitless potential if only given access.
That's what the Board and faculty of Cal State Channel Islands believe, and it was the impetus to launch this innovative program last year that was organized by adjunct faculty member Rosalind Raby, Professor of Anthropology Bill Adams, and Professor of Chemistry Philip Hampton. Director of Extended Education Gary Berg explained the idea to open the campus to students who "probably would not have access to higher education" is at the core of our mission - to provide access and academic excellence to the entire community.
In this program, during the morning section led by Raby, students were exposed to various career options as they listened to mini-lectures from CSUCI faculty and members from the community. In the afternoon, students took an innovative cross-disciplinary college credit course in forensics led by Adams and Hampton, and co-developed with Renee Artman, Forensic Sciences Laboratory Manager at the Ventura County Sheriff's Department Forensic Laboratory. Students learned about topics such as the analysis of DNA, fingerprints, bomb fragments, trace evidence, and human remains from experts in the county.
For many of the attendees, programs like the Summer College for high school students becomes a life-changing experience as young adults, and their families gain a richer understanding of the tremendous value of a college education.
The experience was summed up enthusiastically by Hueneme High school junior Diana Gonzalez, "If you want something you go for it. Opportunities like this don't come 'like' every time and as long as you take advantage of those opportunities, they'll help you get to your goals."
Alma D. González, Vice President for University Advancement, stressed that this is just part of the support the University wants to provide for these leaders of tomorrow. "While we are delighted to have introduced these bright students to the possibilities ahead of them, we also want to continue to do all that we can to support them on the journeys that lie ahead of them. We are interested in hearing from anyone who would like to contribute to the University's scholarship fund so that we can continue to help dreams become reality."
These 32 students were selected from a pool of 70 students who applied. To have been eligible for this program, these students must have moved in the previous three years due to parents seeking seasonal agricultural work. Each student must also have met a 3.0 GPA requirement and be on schedule to graduate on time.
For more information, please call 805-437-8580.