On April 5th, 2000, HCOM 350S and Educational Talent Search hosted a College Day for seniors from Alisal High School in Salinas and Gonzales High School in Gonzales. Students had an opportunity to attend a class, see the entire campus, and have lunch at the Black Box Cabaret. They also met with the HCOM 350S class where in small groups they shared their excitements and concerns about attending college.
Students also attended a workshop where they completed their CSUMB admissions and financial aid applications. After the workshop, CSUMB faculty, administrators, and students came together to share their life stories and experiences of how they got to college. Dr. Armando Arias of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Dr. Bert Rivas of Student Affairs, Dr. Ray Gonzales of Academic Skills Achievement Program, José Martinez-Saldaña of Educational Talent Search, and others shared their personal challenges and triumphs of pursuing a college education. After they shared their testimony, many CSUMB and high school students felt prompted to share their own stories, echoing the challenges they have encountered but staying determined to pursue higher education for their own success and for the benefit of their communities.
Following the presentation, the students were invited to fill out evaluations regarding their day at CSUMB. Here are some of their thoughts and comments:
- Very influential and it gave me an idea of what a college day is like.
- It is a small college that is what I was looking for and it is close to home.
- I am not sure because still am kind of scared to make a commitment.
- Because it has what I want to major in and I like the faculty and campus.
- Answered all my doubts about attending CSUMB. Staff were very motivating. Thanks!
- I am still waiting for colleges to accept me.
- I already knew I was going to attend CSUMB but wasn't too thrilled. This experience raised my interest in attending. I want to come here. I'm looking forward to it.
- Because I like CSUMB but I really want to go away from home a little more further. . . get the experience of being very, very independent.
- . . . all of the thoughts and fears about attending CSUMB were all cleared today.
- I need to see what the other universities have to offer.
- I am not sure if I will be accepted. Otherwise yes, I am planning to attend.
- I found out there are many ways in which I can get help and succeed.
- I will evaluate other schools before I make my decision.
- I was already planning on coming here.
- Because it seems like I will get a lot of help.
- Attending CSUMB was one of my college choices, and I wasn't sure of attending here, but now I've made up my mind and decided to attend after all. I will be majoring in Liberal Studies.
- Small class sizes, culturally open, close to home campus, and has my major.
- I strongly believe this is where I will find the most attentive and helpful professors. It's close to home and it simply feels like the right place to be.
- Will attend . . . (why?) . . . the stories the students told us.
- There is a lack of support in high school.
- AP, Honors students get all the attention and support.
- Majority of teachers are white.
- Paisitas are tracked into ESL classes and not seen as moving on to college; ESL students are tracked into junior colleges.
- Undocumented students have challenges with language, financial aid.
- Students need preparation with reading and writing. They don't feel prepared.
- Teachers do not reflect confidence in students that they can attend a university.
- Lack of counselors in high school; ETS discouraged as a "waste of time".
- High school students want more information on academic majors, Summer Bridge, and overnight programs.
- Empowering to hear other peoples' stories and connect to them. Realized how similar we are and also how separated, different we think we are. We think we have nothing in common, but through stories we realize that there is much in common.
- Need more opportunity to share.
- The sandwich bread at lunchtime was too dry.
- I heard part of my story in others' voices.
- Match the HS students with classes they are interested in.
Using the information from their secondary readings, personal interviews, and observations of College Day, HCOM 350S students then drafted analyses of their findings and presented those findings at their final presentation.