EDUCATE. ELEVATE. podcast

Join College Corps: Serve Your Community, Earn Money, and Pay for College

Hear how a groundbreaking program is changing lives for California college students who want to make a difference in the world around them. Through College Corps, students can earn up to $10,000 for their education and gain hands-on work experience that makes a difference.These students are tackling the biggest issues facing our state by working in their communities to tutor and mentor low-income students, distributing meals to those facing food insecurity and taking on climate action across California. Hear from Josh Fryday, California’s Chief Service Officer, and a participating College Corps student talk about how this civic minded pathway allows students to serve their communities without sacrificing their education or income. With College Corps, you don’t have to choose between school and earning a paycheck—you can have both. Your dreams are closer than you think. Community college is just the beginning! Learn more at ICanGoToCollege.com.

Embrace the Welcoming Community and Sense of Belonging at HBCUs

Are you curious about Historically Black Colleges and Universities and how they could be part of your journey? Picture a place where you’re embraced by a powerful sense of community, where your dreams are nurtured with care, and where you have your own support team. That is the essence of HBCUs. Known for their small class sizes, dedicated mentors, and vibrant alumni networks, HBCUs open doors to lifelong connections and opportunities across the country. In this episode, we toured with the annual HBCU Caravan, a series of events at 11 community colleges in California where students could receive personal access to transfer admissions counselors and HBCU representatives. Some students even get accepted on the spot. With the California Community Colleges’ guaranteed transfer agreements, you have a direct route to dozens of HBCUs across the nation. Your dreams are closer than you think—community college is just the beginning! Learn more at ICanGoToCollege.com.

Save Money, Transfer Easier: How to transfer to a 4-year university

Ready to unlock your future? In this episode, discover two life-changing programs that are reshaping the path to a 4-year university for community college students like you. With the ADT program “Associate Degree for Transfer”, you can seamlessly transfer to a CSU, HBCU, or private university in California. And with TAG, “Transfer Admission Guarantee”, you can secure admission to several UC campuses. Why wait? Save time, money, get guaranteed spots, and start building the future you deserve. Your dreams are closer than you think—community college is just the beginning! Learn more at ICanGoToCollege.com.

Empowerment Your Way: How Nandi is Leading the Way for Black Women to Succeed

Hear how one organization is making a significant impact in the lives of Black community college students. The Nandi Organization provides mentorship, scholarships, and professional development to help Black females succeed academically and beyond. Nandi is a powerful force for change and is dedicated to helping women achieve their goals. You CAN accomplish your dreams; you just need to know where to start. Learn more at ICanGoToCollege.com.

A Brighter Future for Foster Youth

For students raised in the foster care system, the inaccessibility of basic needs like food and housing, lack of support, financial instability, and academic challenges too often can stand in the way of students achieving their dreams through a positive higher education journey. The California Community Colleges system is facing this challenge head-on and is giving hope to foster students across the state. We’ll explore the impact of the NextUp program and how it helps foster students rise above. You CAN accomplish your dreams; you just need to know where to start. Learn how and enroll today at ICanGoToCollege.com.

Episode 10: EDUCATE. ELEVATE. podcast

Part three of the season one finale focuses on the unique lens of this generation's students and how they view the Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court case, which ended legal segregation in public schools in 1954, and what is being done today to continue the work of empowering and uplifting all students regardless of their race or ethnicity. Hear an honest and powerful discussion between current and former community college students about how they have used on-campus support systems and other experiences to fuel their ability to overcome challenges and chase their dreams. There is still much work to be done, but the California Community Colleges system provides hope and a foundation for student success to all in pursuit of their goals. Listen now to learn from these inspiring students about how California's community colleges are working to support Black and African American student success and how you CAN enroll and get the support you need at ICanGoToCollege.com

Episode 09: EDUCATE. ELEVATE. podcast

Part two of the three-episode, season one finale focuses on the Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court case, which ended legal segregation in public schools in 1954, and what is being done today to continue the work of empowering and uplifting all students, regardless of their race or ethnicity. In this episode, hear a powerful discussion among some of California's highest-ranking officials and foremost education experts in the state as they share their wisdom and highlight how the California Community Colleges and others play an integral role in cultivating equity in higher education. Now, 70 years later, there are more opportunities than ever for students of all ages and all backgrounds to succeed, and the California Community Colleges system is specifically committed to closing the equity gap for Black students so they too can achieve their goals. Listen now to learn from these inspiring leaders about how California community colleges are working to support Black and African American students. Learn more about how you CAN enroll and get the support you need to succeed at ICanGoToCollege.com.

Episode 08: EDUCATE. ELEVATE. podcast

The season one finale is comprised of a series of three episodes focused on the 70th anniversary of the Brown vs Board of Education Supreme Court decision, which declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional, breaking down barriers and opening doors for a new standard in American education. 
 
In part one of the series, hear a powerful discussion among some of California's highest-ranking officials and foremost education experts in the state and why the work of empowering and ensuring equity for today’s Black students is far from done. 
California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office Visiting Executive of Educational Excellence Dr. Abdimalik Buul guides this important conversation with Dr. Shirley Weber, California's first Black Secretary of State and the fifth African American to serve as a state constitutional officer in California's history; Dr. Luke Wood, president of California State University, Sacramento and the youngest permanent president of a four-year public college or university in the nation; Pam Haynes, Board of Governor’s member of the California Community Colleges, and Dr. Adam Clark, the President of the California Association of African American Superintendents and Administrators, and Mount Diablo Unified School District Superintendent.  Listen now to learn from these inspiring leaders about how California community colleges are working to support Black and African American students and help them reach their higher education goals. Learn more about how you CAN enroll and get the support you need to succeed at ICanGoToCollege.com.

Episode 07: EDUCATE. ELEVATE. podcast

More than 200 Career Education degree and certificate programs offered at California's community colleges provide real-life, hands-on training with industry experts, in many fields that can offer opportunities to nearly double your earnings within three years. Learn how one expert inspires Black and African American students to find their passion and land the good-paying career of their dreams. And, you'll also hear an amazing story from a current student who is getting the skills needed to help her become an entrepreneur and small business owner. You CAN turn your passion into a career - it's never too late - you just need to know where to start. Learn more at ICanGoToCollege.com.

Episode 06: EDUCATE. ELEVATE. podcast

Unlock your potential with dual enrollment! If you are still in high school or earning your GED, dual enrollment offers a golden opportunity to earn college credits while still in high school or at an adult education school. In this episode, you'll hear from one of California's leading dual enrollment experts about how dual enrollment programs are creating new opportunities for Black students statewide. You'll also hear from another guest, a junior in high school who is already making waves in both academics and athletics thanks to dual enrollment. Her advice to others? Believe in yourself and pursue your dreams fearlessly. You CAN accomplish your dreams - it's never too late - you just need to know where to start. Learn more at ICanGoToCollege.com.