Our program this week was presented by Dr. Kevin Walthers, President/Superintendent of Allan Hancock College. He has been a part of the college for four and a half years. At Allan Hancock College they have identified the following success factors: connected, engaged, nurtured, focused, directed, and valued - when students are all of these, they are successful!
Student Success Factors - connected, engaged, nurtured, focused, directed, and valued - when students are all of these, they are successful!
Dr. Walthers cited several statistics for Hancock College:
· 59% first generation college students
· 76% on Board of Governor’s waiver
· Approximately 35% of local graduates enroll immediately at AHC
Dr. Walthers described a new program – the Hancock Promise. Through this program, the college puts funds together with other sources to promise every student in the district who attends Allan Hancock College that they can attend their freshman year for free. There are 47 Promise programs in CA colleges, but many of these are very limited.
The program recently started at 5th grade, when 217 5th graders attended a Hancock Football Game and BBQ received information on what it means to go to college. The idea behind this event was to bring in our parents that are not able to attend events during the workweek because they are working, not because they don’t care. It costs $56,000 a year for a family of four to live in our community; this is for just the basics. The Bulldog Bound program will be critical for these kids
Another component that is also occurring is the Path to the Promise; every high school in our area has a concurrent enrollment program. Students get college credits for their high school classes.
If a part of the Promise Program, students get their first year in college for free. Students must take 12 units, and a math and English class. We know that when a student leaves high school and goes directly to college, they are more likely to graduate - particularly when they go full time. After they have used the Hancock dollars they will use their Santa Barbara Foundation scholarships, and other scholarships to help the with books, and other expenses
These opportunities can help transform a community, what a great opportunity for our student!