Over the past four years, California Career Pathways (CCP) grants allowed for stronger pathway articulation with high schools, leading to greater community college enrollment. Grants were intended to help high school students make seamless transitions to community colleges and prepare them for high-skill, high-wage jobs in emerging and growing industry sectors in the local or regional economy.
Among the most successful was LA-HITECH, a $15 million program administered over multiple community colleges, namely LA Valley College, LA Pierce College, LA Mission College, LA City College, Pasadena City College, LA Southwest College, West LA College, Santa Monica College and their partner high schools.
Community colleges, high schools and employers worked together to create new articulated pathways in digital media, design, production and ICT areas through dual and concurrent enrollment classes. During LA HITECH, LA Valley College (LAVC) which ran the “Northern Hub” that included Pierce, launched three classes with direct articulation, in addition to ten other classes that were previously articulated. LAVC offered four classes with dual enrollment.
Ultimately, over 600 students, many from impacted communities, attempted at least two for-credit classes. The other colleges had similar results.
The grant concluded with an enormous event held at the Pasadena Convention Center and featured over 800 students. Attendees enjoyed panel discussions, workshops, and industry exhibitions all dedicated to showcasing the digital media future.
So, even though the CCP is now sunset, its sustainability through articulated classes, new partnerships with industry, and engagement between campuses remain to help provide for a more digitally adept future.
