Introducing the LEAF Center for College Success!
LEAF is thrilled to announce the launch of our Center for College Success! Established in 2021, the LCCS supports college enrollment, persistence, and completion for low-income students of color graduating each year from East San Jose high schools. Our programs work to ensure students successfully enroll in and complete a two or four-year course of study and enter the workforce prepared to begin their professional careers.
Less than 25% of socioeconomically disadvantaged Latinx students in East San Jose high schools enroll in a four-year university program and only 10% persist through community college to pursue a career or transfer to a four-year university.
It is LEAF’s position that the structure of the college-going system simply does not work for low-income students who are first in the family to attend college and whose parents have limited knowledge of the college system. High schools in East San Jose are focused primarily on students eligible to attend a four-year school, as are the non profit organizations that partner with these schools to support in the college and financial aid process. Colleges engage with students primarily for recruitment purposes. What is missing from the current system is a “warm handoff” of these students, which begins upon college acceptance and continues through the first two years of college.
LEAF’S CENTER FOR COLLEGE SUCCESS (LCCS) provides our students with SCHOLARSHIPS, PEER MENTORS, WORKSHOPS, COLLEGE PARTNERSHIPS, and PARENT ENGAGEMENT so they successfully enroll in college and stay on track to pursue a chosen career or transfer to a 4-year university.
THE LCCS PROGRAM GOALS
To increase the synergy between local high schools and post-secondary support systems and build a "warm handoff" community, supporting students from college acceptance to college enrollment and completion.
To increase community college attendance annually and reduce the number of students who either do not enroll or enroll but fail to attend.
To increase retention and completion rates at CSU schools by partnering with support centers on those campuses.
To increase the transfer rates from community colleges to CSU schools by partnering with academic support and retention programs on the community college campus.
To provide engagement, support, and guidance to parents & guardians of these students through the creation of a “Family Bridge to College Program” in partnership with the Parent Institute for Quality Engagement (PIQE).
To compile and disseminate all relevant data on an annual basis and compile an annual report to support the accomplishments and challenges encountered in a program year.
To collaborate with organizations, both institutional and community-based, that provide current support structures and develop best practices.
THE LEAF SCHOLARSHIP
In the initial year of the LCSS, 150 students from schools operated by The Foundation for Hispanic Education will participate in the LEAF Scholarship Program. Through the following 4 fundamental elements, we believe we can successfully support our scholars from college enrollment to transfer and/or degree completion.
Peer Mentorship
Student Success Workshops
Parent Education & Support
Collaboration with Local Community Colleges & Universities
LEAF Scholars will receive:
$2,000 to be used towards college expenses. This is a $500 award for each of the first 4 college semesters. Renewal requirements include attending monthly meetings with peer mentors and attending LEAF Student Success Workshops.
One-to-One Peer Mentorship to begin the Summer 2021. LEAF strongly believes one of the greatest supports a student can have is the guidance of a mentor as they navigate their first 2 years of college. LEAF mentors are familiar with the challenges of being a first-generation college student and are currently in college themselves. LEAF Mentors will be provided with a $500 stipend each semester, as well as trained and supported, so they can assist their mentees in navigating college. Mentors will support students and connect with the many on-campus resources available to them.
LEAF Student Success Workshops will be facilitated monthly by the LEAF team to provide recipients with information and guidance on four main elements of college success: Financial Aid, Academic Success, Social-Emotional Support, and Career and Transfer Planning.
Parent Support through The Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE). Parent/guardians of LEAF Scholarship recipients will be invited to enroll in a Family Bridge to College program, which will provide families with guidance and information on financial aid, on campus resources, social emotional support as their student transitions to college, academic success, and career readiness. Parents will receive a stipend for participation each of the first 4 semesters their student is enrolled in college
LEAF will also engage career professionals through their Volunteer component. Volunteers will serve as professional networking contacts and provide career support and guidance.
LCCS Key Partners our College Persistence and Completion Initiative
The Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE)
San Jose Promise - San José City College
METAS - San Jose City College
Chicanx/Latinx Student Success Center (CLSSC) - San Jose State University
Braven - San Jose State University
