Community Scholars Program

Introducing College Education to the community
  • The Community Scholars (CS) program is for junior and senior-level students.
  • Students are required to complete both an application and an interview.

The Community Scholars (CS) program involves CSULB students group mentoring inner-city high school students. The CS has required training(s) for its CSULB students at CSULB, and mentoring sessions will occur in the spring semester with the high school students at the high schools. The CS program is a great opportunity to give back, while simultaneously developing leadership, teamwork, and presentation skills.

 

The Community Scholars program started in 1999, in a partnership between SCPD and Jordan High School, when faculty members at Jordan noticed the sophomores in their International Baccalaureate (IB) program leaving the academic accelerated program in large numbers after that year. Faculty realized that Jordan High School students did not have a real understanding of college and all that it entailed, nor were students clear on the benefits of a college education. The vast majority of IB students would be the first in their families to attend college; they lacked the understanding of what a college education could mean for them in terms of opportunities. In a meeting of local educators this topic came up in a discussion and the Community Scholars program was born.

Due to much success with Jordan High School, the Community Scholars program has expanded and evolved over the years. In 2016, we welcomed a partnership between SCPD and Poly High School. In 2017, we welcome a partnership with SCPD and McBride High School.

Enrollment in Community Scholars is limited to students who meet the following requirements:

  • Junior & Senior Level Status
  • COB Major/Minor
  • GPA Requirement: 2.5
  • Must be available on Fridays from 8:00AM-2:00PM
  • Complete an Application
  • Submit a Resume
  • Attend an Interview

After acceptance to the Community Scholars (CS) program, CSULB students will be assigned to only one high school. Before meeting with the high school students, Scholars (CSULB students serving as mentors) are required to attend a training session.

Scholars will begin mentoring at their assigned high school in the spring semester only. Prior to each meeting, scholars will create topics focused on college readiness.

The program culminates when the high school students are brought to the CSULB campus for a day long tour. This experience helps motivate them to succeed in high school and pursue a higher education.

Accepted participants are expected to attend a training session
 

Reminder: CSULB Students are only assigned to one high school.

Accepted participants are assigned to a specific High School and are expected to be at that specific High School for all mentoring sessions.

Mentoring Session dates will occur on up to five (5) Fridays 

The time requested to be available is 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Official timeframe is TBD by the high schools.

High School (Poly, McBride, Lakewood, & Sato Academy)
DATES WORKSHOP NAME
TBD Meet and Greet
TBD Workshop #1
TBD Workshop #2
TBD Workshop #3
TBD Workshop #4
TBD CSULB Campus Visit

Accepted participants are expected to be at the CSULB Campus Visit; leading the high school students on a tour.

CSULB Campus Visit will occur on Friday.

The time requested to be available is 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Official timeframe is TBD based on when the high schools can attend.