OXNARD, Calif. - s4story -- Oxnard College has received a $3 million federal Title V grant to boost enrollment and provide support for equitable student outcomes among Latino and low-income students as they pursue their college and transfer goals.

Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) throughout the country applied for the competitive grant, which will be distributed over a five-year period. The grant is directed by the U.S. Department of Education's Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program (DHSI).

"Over the last decade, the U.S. Department of Education has placed its faith in Oxnard College by awarding our institution seven competitive grants totaling nearly $30 million to better serve our community's Latino and underrepresented students," shared Oxnard College's Acting President Oscar Cobian. "This most recent grant will transform our students' lives by helping them thrive academically and transfer to four-year institutions."

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The Department of Education's grant will enable Oxnard College to achieve higher levels of success among its primarily Latino student population through enhanced college access, retention and transfer activities. Employee professional development initiatives will be incorporated as well.

Under the grant's project title "Proyecto Puentes*," Oxnard College will use the funding to support the following efforts:

●      Placing an Oxnard College counselor in local high schools to assist students with college and financial aid applications.

●      Offering summer bridge programs to provide information, support services and skills development for students matriculating from high school to Oxnard College, as well as students transitioning from their first year at Oxnard College to their second.

●      Hosting and participating in conferences and other collaborations with four-year universities to improve transfer success.

●      Partnering with CSU Channel Islands to hire an Oxnard College transfer liaison who will work closely with Oxnard College students transferring to CSUCI. The liaison will help students navigate the four-year university setting so they can graduate with a bachelor's degree.

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●      Providing professional development activities for employees who will be instrumental in building a culture of belonging, student success, and transfer readiness throughout the college.

"We are excited to partner with Oxnard College on the implementation of this new grant," said Michelle Hasendonckx, assistant vice president of student academic success and equity initiatives at CSUCI. "Ensuring Oxnard College transfer students have a smooth transition to CSUCI is essential and is sure to improve student success outcomes for both institutions."

Oxnard College has been a proud Hispanic-Serving Institution since its inception in 1975, and approximately 73% of the college's students identify as Latino or Hispanic.

*Oxnard College Proyecto Puentes is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program. In 2022-2023 federal funding totals $600,000.