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As part of the University’s efforts to expand educational opportunity, a number of access and equity programs have been developed. These programs include cooperative efforts between the offices of the Vice Presidents for Academic Affairs and Student Affairs.
Educational Opportunity Program
A major program of Student Support and Equity Services, the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) is Cal Poly Pomona’s first and most comprehensive postsecondary access and equity program. Established in 1969, the program serves low-income California residents who demonstrate the motivation and potential to succeed in college. Although 98 percent of EOP students entering Cal Poly Pomona meet the University’s regular admission requirements, the program may provide access for a limited number of first-time freshmen who do not qualify for regular admission, depending upon enrollment restrictions. EOP promotes equity (“leveling the playing field”) by providing participants with a broad range of support services throughout their undergraduate enrollment, as long as they maintain full-time status, make satisfactory academic progress, and fulfill program requirements.
Among the services provided by EOP are primary advising for our undeclared students and supplemental academic advising for our declared students, academic success seminars to develop effective study skills and enhance academic performance, no cost tutoring and GWT preparation, peer mentoring, personal development services, and student activities to build community and an appreciation for EOP’s rich history.
To apply for admission to the Educational Opportunity Program, prospective first-time freshmen and/or transfer students must complete and submit the online undergraduate CSU application at www.csumentor.edu. The priority filing period for Fall quarter is February 1. In addition to those forms, all applicants must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 2. All applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible during the application filing period.
Once an EOP applicant’s file is complete, it will be carefully reviewed by the EOP Admissions and Enrollment Committee. The committee will not consider an applicant unless documents and forms required by the University’s Admissions Office have been received and the applicant’s file is complete.
The Admissions and Enrollment Committee will consider such factors as the applicant’s background, previous academic performance, cocurricular activities, work experience, motivation, and potential for success at Cal Poly Pomona. The committee may also look for any contributions that the applicant has made or intends to make to his or her community. It is important that applicants complete all forms completely and accurately in order to assist the committee in evaluating their application. Some applicants may be required to come to campus for a personal interview, if an inerview is required the student will be notified.
After an applicant’s file has been reviewed and a decision has been reached, the Executive Director of Student Support and Equity Programs will notify the applicant of the decision in writing via e-mail. An offer of acceptance and an EOP Acceptance Agreement will be mailed electronically to applicants who have been recommended for program acceptance. The EOP Acceptance Agreement must be electronically signed and submitted to the EOP Admissions and Enrollment Services Office. If it is not signed and returned on or before the specified date, the offer of acceptance to the Educational Opportunity Program will be canceled.
For additional information on the Educational Opportunity Program, send an e-mail message to eopadmin@csupomona.edu or call (909) 869-3362.
Summer Bridge Program
Initiated at Cal Poly Pomona in the summer of 1985, the Summer Bridge Program is a five-week residential program that assists students in making the transition from high school to the more challenging environment of the University. The program provides a preview of the college experience and helps students build the academic skills needed to be successful at Cal Poly Pomona.
The Summer Bridge Program offers credit-bearing courses that help sharpen skills in math, reading, writing, and critical thinking. In addition, tutorials, workshops, and other activities are included in the Summer Bridge experience. Students participating in the program receive academic advising, registration assistance, and opportunities to socialize and network with other students and campus resource people. The University covers all direct costs, including registration fees, room, board, and books.
All EOP first-time freshmen admitted as exceptions to the University’s admission requirements or as undeclared majors are required to successfully complete the Summer Bridge Program. Other EOP first-time freshmen are also eligible to participate in the Summer Bridge Program. A response form is mailed out to prospective students with an offer of admission to the Educational Opportunity Program and an EOP Acceptance Agreement. The Summer Bridge Program response form must be signed and returned with the EOP Acceptance Agreement before the specified deadline in order to be considered for admission to the Summer Bridge Program.
For additional information, please call the Summer Bridge Coordinator at (909) 869-3369.
McNair Scholars Program
The McNair Scholars Program is a federally funded TRIO program that provides numerous opportunities to Cal Poly Pomona juniors and seniors who will engage in hands-on, multi-disciplinary training designed to introduce the rigors of study, research, and writing needed to be successful at the doctoral level. Scholars will work closely with faculty mentors and a faculty coordinator throughout the academic year and during the five week summer residential component to strengthen critical thinking, report and technical writing, statistics and research methods, and to design and conduct a specific research project. Scholars will present their research findings at the Cal Poly Pomona Summer Research Symposium. Students who are accepted into the program and complete quarterly requirements will receive an annual stipend.
The goal of the McNair Scholars Program is to increase the number of low income, first generation, and traditionally underrepresented students gaining admission to graduate school, completing doctoral level study, and pursuing careers in college teaching.
Eligible students must meet the following requirements:
Junior status and one or more of the following criteria:
- Underrepresented at the doctoral level (African American, Latino American, Native American, and individuals underrepresented in science and technical fields).
- First generation student (neither parent graduated from a four year institution).
- Low income student (receiving financial aid).
In addition to the above criteria, we are also seeking students who are majoring in the following colleges: Agriculture, Engineering, Environmental Design, and Science; or the following departments: Behavioral Science, Political Science, and Social Science.
For more information about the McNair Scholars Program, please contact Dr. Winny Dong at (909) 869-2634.
California Pre-Doctoral Program
Through a CSU system-wide competition, students underrepresented in their academic disciplines may apply for a California Pre-Doctoral Award through the Office of Academic Programs. The California Pre-doctoral Program is designed to increase the pool of potential faculty by supporting the doctoral aspirations of CSU students who have experienced economic and educational disadvantages. Students granted one of the 75 annual awards will receive a $2,000 stipend that may be used for travel to doctoral-granting universities, attendance at professional conferences and seminars, subscriptions to professional journals, and fees for applying to graduate schools. Students applying for the award must be sponsored by a faculty member who acts as advisor and mentor to the student. Awarded faculty sponsors may receive a travel stipend of up to $1,000 to accompany the student to universities and professional conferences or seminars.
Coordinator: Charlene Saunders, Extension 2955
CSU Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program
Funded centrally by the Chancellor’s Office, the CSU Forgivable Loan Program encourages underrepresented students to pursue doctorate degrees by loaning a maximum of $30,000 to defray educational expenses. After completing the doctorate degree, students may have 1/5 of the loan balance waived for each year they are employed as a faculty member within the CSU system.
Coordinator: Pablo Arreola, Extension 2225
Educational Enhancement Programs
Agriculture Educational Enhancement Services – AGREES
Coordinator: Rhonda Ostrowski, Extension 3718
Maximizing Engineering Potential – MEP
Director: Milton Randle, Extension 2482
Science Educational Enhancement Services – SEES
Faculty Coordinator: Barbara Burke, Extension 3676
Educational Enhancement Programs reflect the university’s commitment to providing educational services for Cal Poly Pomona students who are first-generation college students, unfamiliar with a university environment, or who for other reasons can benefit from working with faculty and other students to strengthen their connection to the University and enhance their ability to succeed academically. Recognizing the significance of a supportive academic climate, the programs have been established in each of the nine colleges to deliver challenging educational opportunities to students majoring in the respective disciplines. The programs have an academic focus that constructs a community-based model of education which encourages learning through collaboration and ties together all facets of students’ college experiences including personal development, academic achievement, social and civic responsibility, cultural enjoyment, and continued learning related to graduate school and careers.
In each of the programs, entering students join a community of scholars within the college or school and engage in academic domain-specific activities with university faculty, staff, peers, and industry and community representatives. Student participants benefit from the personalized attention of caring faculty who strive to create a healthy and connected learning environment. Program offerings vary and are intentionally designed to promote academic achievement, college persistence, and improve graduation rates of student members.
Specifically, services and activities may include intensive academic advising, specialized orientations, instructional workshops, academic seminars, identified rooms for group study and technical computer support, a resource information clearing-house, collaborative study groups with peer leaders, referrals for tutorial support, linked clubs for pre-professional students from target ethnic groups, exploration of graduate schools and career opportunities, networking with industry professionals, financial aid and scholarship information, organized field trips, co-registration in sections of difficult core courses with adjunct tutorial support, and graduation/recognition celebrations. |
