First-generation students campaign to keep Stanislaus State program

Grant funding is running out for a first-generation college student-support program at California State University, Stanislaus. But students are campaigning to keep the program and have the campus pick up the tab.

The Program for Academic and Career Excellence, known as PACE, serves 600 students out of more than 9,000 attending the Turlock university. It groups freshmen in a yearlong, intensive English writing class and provides extra counseling, tutoring and study skills workshops. Its open office gives members a place to hang out or do homework, and even has free printing.

“They know my name. They know what I’m going through,” said student Samuel Mendoza, a student leader in the campaign to save the program. “College isn’t as intimidating because of PACE.” Mendoza is not a fan of expanding the program, saying that would end its close-knit community feel.

The $3 million, nonrenewable federal grant has lasted six years, one year longer than anticipated, thanks to careful budgeting. Using a program-provided cost per student, it would take about $400,000 a year to keep PACE going.

Raising hopes among its students is an extra $809,000 allocated to the Turlock campus next year for improving student retention and completion. The Academic Senate proposed using most of that for hiring more faculty and advisers, but at it Nov. 10 meeting PACE students urged members to earmark dollars instead to replace their federal grant.

“PACE is making all the right moves,” Mendoza told Senate members. “We want to stay a community. Unity as first-generation students is what makes us stronger, against all the odds we face.”

But administrators said a wide array of what they called affinity groups, from athletes to veterans to former foster children, also need to be considered.

“PACE is a good program – there’s no doubt about it. There are a lot of good outcomes. But that’s also true of a number of other programs,” responded Suzanne Espinoza, university vice president of enrollment and student affairs.

Speaking after the meeting, Provost James Strong said there are other strong competitors for those funds, including a sciences and math grant helping students excel in those disciplines.

“There are other programs and other students that will be impacted by the decisions we make regarding PACE,” Strong said.

The fate of PACE staff does not depend on the program. They will continue as university employees, said Espinoza, speaking by phone Wednesday.

The campus has applied for a different grant that, if successful, could continue similar services, she said, adding the campus is exploring several avenues to better serve all its first-generation and low-income students.

“We’re trying to find a way to scale up those practices,” Espinoza said.

In fall 2014, three-fourths of Stanislaus State’s 1,232 first-time freshmen were first generation – 931 students. Of those, 400 applied to PACE and 120 were selected to receive their services. The program’s eight-page application form asks for academic status and parents’ education, but also quizzes applicants on time-management skills, self-discipline and study habits.

“We looked for those who need the help the most,” said PACE Director Jill Tiemann-Gonzalez on Wednesday.

Those challenging students are more likely to stay on track and finish college with PACE support. Program statistics show 79 percent of PACE students stuck it out into the fourth year, compared to 61 percent of students without the support.

The support includes nine peer mentors and three staff advisers. Students outside of the program have to compete for time of faculty advisers, Mendoza said.

PACE mandates at least two in-person meetings with an adviser each semester and regular attendance in classes. It lays out clear expectations, even giving a script for voicemail messages and a freshman checkoff list with deadlines for enrollment tasks, financial aid and placement testing.

At least one key PACE component, the yearlong freshman English course, will continue as a way to help students form networks, Espinoza said.

“We know students do better who make a social connection on campus,” she said. “We know that makes a difference.”

This story was originally published November 18, 2015 at 5:47 PM with the headline "First-generation students campaign to keep Stanislaus State program."