Educational Talent Search Annual Report 2019-2020

I. Mission Statement

Educational Talent Search (ETS) is committed to academically prepare and motivate low-income, first-generation college students for success in postsecondary education. 

The Educational Talent Search program is aligned with CSU, Chico’s Mission, Values and Vision statements and the first strategic priority to “recruit, enroll, support, and graduate a diverse and high-quality student population.”

History at California State University, Chico

Educational Talent Search I (Funded in 1990 to serve 825 scholars) - the target population is comprised of scholars in grades 6 -12 who attend 15 target schools (Anna McKenney Intermediate, Bidwell Junior, Central Middle, CK Price Intermediate, Gray Avenue Middle, Las Plumas High, Live Oak High, Live Oak Middle, Marsh Junior High, Marysville High, Orland High, Oroville High, Pleasant Valley High, Willows High and Yuba City High) in four counties (Butte, Glenn, Sutter and Yuba). 

Educational Talent Search II (Funded in 2006 to serve 503 scholars) - the target population is comprised of scholars in grades 6 -12 who attend 8 target schools (Chico Junior, Chico High Gridley High, Hamilton Elementary, Hamilton Union High, Los Molinos High, Paradise High, and Williams Junior/Senior High) in five counties (Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Sutter and Tehama).

1. ETS ACCOMPLISHMENTS

New Advisors – Karla Guzman Mohedano and Osvaldo Jaramillo joined the ETS family in September ready to fulfill their responsibilities and grateful for the opportunity to serve scholars.   Karla is a graduate of CSU, Chico with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/Multicultural and Gender Studies and Osvaldo is a graduate of Sacramento State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies. 

Successfully recruited and served 1,243 students in grades 6^th-12^th at 23 target schools – low-income, first generation college scholars are motivated and prepared to attend college starting in 6^th grade!  On the average, approximately 70-90 ETS scholars enroll at CSU, Chico each fall.  Due to COVID19 and scholars struggling with virtual education, this year we expect 40 scholars to enroll at CSU, Chico.

Monthly Workshops in person and virtual – ETS advisors visited their assigned schools each month to present workshops according to grade level on topics such as college requirements, transcript review, career/major awareness, personal growth, ACT/SAT preparation, scholarships, personal statements, and financial literacy.  In addition, advisors guided seniors step-by-step through the college, financial aid, and educational support programs (EOP, SSS, EOPS and REACH) processes and applications.  Workshops and advising sessions were presented at student’s school sites September-March, and virtually via Zoom April-August. 

Senior Admissions Seminar hosted at CSU, Chico (98 scholars)– representatives from UC Davis, CSU Chico, and Butte College presented to scholars about admissions, EOP/EOP&S, financial aid, scholarships and studying abroad. Krystle Tonga, assistant director of the Cross-Cultural Leadership Center at CSU, Chico, spoke to scholars about her journey to college, struggles she overcame and also facilitated a high energy ice breaker to get the day started with positive energy!

Pictured left: ETS scholars attending Senior Admissions Seminar

Pictured center:  Krystle Tonga, keynote speaker, at Senior Admissions Seminar

Pictured right: Krystle engaging scholars as she facilitated an ice breaker            

College Visits (46 scholars) – 11^th and 12^th graders toured Sacramento State and University of the Pacific in the fall. Scholars also participated in virtual college visits of UC Davis, Stanford University and San Francisco State in the summer.

Pictured above: ETS scholars touring Sacramento State and University of the Pacific

Virtual Summer Seminars for Juniors (26 scholars) – three sessions were hosted utilizing Zoom to prepare ETS scholars for their senior year.  Sessions included; UC Personal insight questions and scholarship essay writing tips, presented by Sam Blanco III, UC Davis Director or Pre-College TRIO and College Opportunity programs.  During the second session Ken Naas from the CSU, Chico Career Center focused on major and career exploration. The culminating session was facilitated by ETS advisors as they offered a safe space for scholars to build community and share how they were doing and feeling.

Virtual Jumpstart to College (18 scholars) – two-day event hosted utilizing Zoom to combat summer melt for first time freshman attending college this fall. Dr. Sara Cooper, Chair of Multicultural and Gender Studies at CSU, Chico shared her journey to college and inspired scholars to “look inside yourself” to get through these tough times. Presenters included; Dr. Stephanie Chervinko and Tao Xiong-Thao from the CSU, Chico WellCat Counseling Center and Pepe Villaseñor, financial aid advisor who all presented information from their area of expertise. ETS staff and ETS Alumni shared resources on college campuses to promote academic success, tips to navigate virtual learning and what they wish they had known before going to college.  Scholars wrapped up the conference by writing a letter to their future self, which will be mailed to them in a year.

Support of ETS scholars that participated in Upward Bound Math/Science Programs (62 scholars):  six-week long summer academic programs designed to give scholars a college experience, develop academic skills, and excel in the fields of math and science. ETS staff delivered backpacks with school supplies and snacks to ETS scholars that participated in the UC Berkeley Upward Bound Math/Science program.

• • CSU, Chico Upward Bound Math/Science – 48 scholars
  • UC, Berkeley Upward Bound Math/Science – 14 scholars

Pictured left: ETS scholar Emily Ruiz (UC Berkeley UBMS participant) and her Mom

Support of Paradise High (24 Scholars) – Continued to support Paradise scholars as they transitioned back to Paradise High School and their community that was devastated by the Camp Fire.

Cash for College – in collaboration with our target high schools, CSU Chico, Butte College and Yuba College Financial Aid, we co-hosted ten Cash for College events where over 400 scholars and parents received information on financial aid.  Most scholars submitted their FAFSA applications on the spot after their questions were answered.    

Scholarships – ETS staff fundraised to award four $300 scholarships that were awarded to scholars who will attend various institutions across California.  The four awardees were:

• Monica Corona Cervantes, Live Oak High School
• Madison McCallough, Las Plumas High School
• Hannah Wetz, Orland High School
• Simranpreet Butter, Live Oak High School

Support of CSU, Chico ETS Alumni – ETS staff welcome scholars into the ETS office where they can use computers, print, get school supplies, grab a snack and talk to staff about how they are doing academically and emotionally.  Virtual Zooms were hosted in April and May for ETS Alumni where resources were shared and scholars shared how they were doing. 

Social Media – to continue communication of ETS services and foster a sense of belonging with our scholars and families, social media (Instagram and Facebook) was utilized. 

• Senior Spotlight – seniors were highlighted with what high school they graduated from and where they are going to enroll in college this fall. 
• Summer Challenge – to promote social/emotional well-being, scholars were challenged to participate in healthy activities and post a photo or video. Activities included expressing feelings, random acts of kindness, cooking, reading, learning, cleaning and sharing what they are grateful for. 

• Support of Black Lives Matter Movement – the CSU, Chico Educational Talent Search program has empowered underrepresented scholars to access higher education for 30 years. We seek justice and equity by providing an inclusive educational experience for our scholars and families. Resources to watch, read, Podcasts to listen to and ways scholars can take action were shared to help build a more equitable and just world. 

Leadership Positions held by ETS Staff –

• Kelsey Dixon – 1^st Gen & Proud member, Student Affairs Professional Development Committee member
• Karla Guzman Mohedano – Presented for Women of Excellence cohort; presented TOONE difficult conversations training to AS Representatives
• Sandra Jauregui – 1^st Gen & Proud Secretary
• Diana Parra-Villaseñor – Chicano Latino Council Vice Chair; Bienvenida planning committee member; NorCal WESTOP Professional Development Conference Chair
• Aurora Ruvalcaba – Presented to Women of Excellence cohort; Chicano Latino Council Social Chair; Bienvenida Planning Committee Chair; NorCal WESTOP Professional Development Conference committee member
• Yolanda Salazar-Garcia – 1^st Gen & Proud member; NorCal WESTOP scholarship committee member & Professional Development Conference committee member

Diversity Efforts:

• Assure hiring practices and current staff reflect diverse student population in program and on campus – our professional staff is comprised of five female Latinas, one Caucasian female, and a Latinx male which is representative of both our program and campus population.
• Develop and implement diversity awareness curriculum for ETS scholars – staff is creating diversity awareness curriculum and activities to share/celebrate various cultures.
• Recruit more male ETS scholars

III. Changes in Policies and Procedures

All ETS services became virtual mid-March due to the COVID19 pandemic.  ETS staff transitioned to work remotely from home and quickly developed a plan to disseminate ETS services utilizing phone calls, emails, text messages, Zoom, Google Survey and Remind.

IV. Resources Summary 

Resource Allocation – ETS completed the fourth year of a five-year 2016-2021 grant cycle.  For 2019-2020, both CSU, Chico ETS grants were funded $711,797 annually to serve 1,328 scholars ($536 a student).  We are able to successfully serve scholars on a very limited budget. 

Human Resources – Karla Guzman Mohedano and Osvaldo Jaramillo were hired as ETS advisors in September 2019. Larly Lee, ETS advisor accepted a position with UC Davis School of Medicine, Office of Student and Resident Diversity.

V. Program Assessment of Past Year

The following Annual Objectives data corresponds to the 2018-2019 academic year.  Due to the U.S. Department of Education reporting requirements, Educational Talent Search grantees complete annual reports in November, therefore 2019-2020 data is not yet available.  All other information included in this report corresponds to the 2019-2020 academic year.

Program Objectives:

1. Secondary School Persistence: 90% of non-senior participants served each project year will complete the current academic year and continue in school for the next academic year, at the next grade level.

Exceeded – 100% of non-senior participants completed the current academic year and continued in school the next academic year, at the next grade level.

2. Secondary School Graduation:

• 85% of seniors served during the project year will graduate during the project year with a regular secondary school diploma within the standard number of years.

Exceeded – 100% of seniors graduated with a regular secondary school diploma 

• 40% of seniors served during the project year will complete a rigorous secondary school program of study and will graduate during the project year with a regular secondary school diploma within the standard number of years.

Exceeded – 73% of seniors that graduated completed a rigorous secondary school program of study

3. Postsecondary Education Enrollment: 75% of participants, who have graduated with a regular secondary school diploma, during the project year, will enroll in an institution of higher education by the fall term immediately following high school graduation or will have received notification, by the fall term immediately following high school, from an institution of higher education, of acceptance but deferred enrollment until the next academic term (e.g., spring term).

Exceeded – 95% of participants, who have graduated with a regular secondary school diploma, enrolled in an institution of higher education the fall term immediately following high school graduation. 

4. Postsecondary Attainment: 40% of participants served during the project year who enrolled in an institution of higher education by the fall term immediately following high school graduation or by the next academic term (e.g., spring term) as a result of acceptance but deferred enrollment will complete a program of postsecondary education within six years.

Exceeded – 58% of participants served in the 2012-13 postsecondary enrollment cohort earned a credential.

Ongoing Assessment Efforts:

Annual Objectives for 2019-2020 –

Demographic Reporting

For the 2019-2020 academic year, 1,243 scholars were served by two ETS grants.  Below is a demographic snapshot of the ethnicity of our student population, which is reflective of the schools we serve. 

Analysis

Our program’s goals are to academically prepare and motivate low-income, first generation youth for success in post-secondary education.  We constantly evaluate our program to best serve our student’s needs.  Our ongoing assessment efforts include; an annual performance report to the U.S. Department of Education, evaluations from scholars on every event they attend, and an overall program evaluation before scholars’ graduate.  After closely assessing the program, we meet in June to plan for the following year.

• A successful Annual Performance Report was submitted to the Department of Education where all program objectives were met! The six-year postsecondary completion for the 2012-2013 cohort of 248 scholars was 58%.
• The past couple years have been extremely difficult for the community due to the devastating Camp Fire, Oroville Dam Spillway Failure and the COVID19 pandemic. We are proud of the fact that we were able to support our scholars, families, schools, campus, community, and staff despite the tremendous adversity.

VII. Program Objectives for Next Academic Year

• Submit a successful ETS proposal to the Department of Education, which will allow us to continue serving low-income, first generation college scholars for another five years.

• Continue to survey the needs of our scholars and schools during COVID19 and provide much needed support of low-income, first generation college scholars.

• Utilize text, phone calls, emails, Zoom, Google Classroom, and Remind to provide ETS services, including college, career and financial aid awareness, and social/emotional well-being.

VIII. ETS Staff

Diana Parra-Villaseñor, Director
Yolanda Salazar-Garcia, Assistant Director
Aurora Ruvalcaba, Administrative Assistant
Sandra Jauregui, Academic Coordinator
Kelsey Dixon, Advisor
Karla Guzman Mohedano, Advisor
Osvaldo Jaramillo, Advisor

 Not Pictured: Gabriela Gonzalez, Student Assistant and Mariana Gonzalez, Student Assistant