Long Beach College Promise Alumni Return from First Lady Michelle Obama’s Reach Higher Summit in Washington, D.C.

Two Long Beach College Promise alumni who participated in the “Reach Higher: Beating the Odds” Summit hosted by First Lady Michelle Obama on Thursday, March 17 in Washington, D. C. have returned to Southern California. Keyon Anderson and Dominique Vera, both of whom attended Long Beach Unified schools and graduated from California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), spoke to summit attendees about the challenges they faced pursuing their education and how the city-wide initiative helped them to succeed.

The Long Beach College Promise, established in 2008, is a partnership among the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD), Long Beach City College (LBCC), CSULB and the City of Long Beach to provide guidance and services to area students so they can move seamlessly from high quality early childhood education through high school, on to college and into the workforce. Support comes in the form of expanded access to preschool programs; college visits and college planning for elementary, middle and high school students; fee-free SAT testing; a tuition-free year at LBCC; guaranteed admission to CSULB for those who meet the eligibility requirements and more.

After a welcome by the First Lady and the Under Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, Ted Mitchell, Anderson participated on a panel moderated by Cecilia Muñoz, director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, titled, “Beating the Odds, Changing the Odds - Life Stories”. He shared how his struggle to identify and then cope with his dyslexia severely affected his ability to achieve academically. It was through the attention of a caring teacher and the resources granted through the College Promise that Anderson gained the confidence and learning strategies he needed to go from feeling “disabled” to “abled” and earn a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from CSULB.

“National education leaders wanted to learn about how the Long Beach College Promise helped me and the importance of bringing similar initiatives to other cities and states,” said Anderson. “I’m hopeful that we are now not just talking about students beating the odds, but changing the odds.”

Later in the day, Anderson and Vera discussed their experiences during a breakout session titled, “The Principles in Practice: Case Studies”. Vera explained that as the daughter of hard working Ecuadorian immigrants raising two more daughters, paying for college was difficult. She believes the Long Beach College Promise gave her the first and second chances she needed to create a pathway toward a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – International Business from CSULB.

"The cost of a college education is a barrier many Americans face,” said Vera. “Speaking to the White House about how this initiative should be offered in every town is my way of helping every student achieve his or her dreams.”

Vera now works as a marketing and events specialist for Workbridge Associates in Los Angeles, while Anderson is the assistant director for the Long Beach California Student Opportunity and Access Program (CalSOAP). Anderson is graduating CSULB in May with a Masters in Social Work and will begin pursuing his doctoral degree in Education at the Rossier School of Education at USC in the fall.

Terri M. Carbaugh, who was tapped to lead a public engagement campaign for the Long Beach College Promise and serves as CSULB’s lead spokesperson and governmental relations representative, accompanied the two College Promise alumni on their trip to the nation’s capital.

“Keyon and Dominique are just two examples of the hundreds of students who have successfully moved through the Long Beach College Promise program,” said Carbaugh. “They were able to explain to education leaders in a way that others cannot just what bringing this initiative to other parts of the country can do for future students.”

You can find out more information about the Long Beach College Promise at: www.longbeachcollegepromise.org.

###

NOTE: Photos and broll are available upon request.

About California State University, Long Beach

California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) is a teaching-intensive, research-driven university committed to providing highly-valued undergraduate and graduate degrees critical for success in the globally-minded 21st century. Annually ranked among the best universities in the West and among the best values in the entire nation, the university’s eight colleges serve more than 37,500 students. CSULB values and is recognized for rich educational opportunities provided by excellent faculty and staff, exceptional degree programs, diversity of its student body, fiduciary and administrative responsibility and the positive contributions faculty, staff, students and more than 300,000 alumni make on society.