Congressman Panetta Announces Federal Grant for Central Coast College Students

SALINAS, CA – Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-20) announced that the University Corporation at Monterey Bay received a federal grant totaling $4,998,980.00 from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The award will support high-achieving, low-income students with demonstrated financial need at California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB), Hartnell College, California State University Dominguez Hills, and El Camino College.

"By expanding access to opportunities in higher education, CSUMB and Hartnell can advance their goals of educating a diverse workforce of future computer scientists who will contribute to our communities along the Central Coast," said Congressman Panetta.

This award will fund 240 scholarships for students who are pursuing associate's and bachelor's degrees in computer science. This project's objective is to replicate a cohort-based pathway model developed by California State University Monterey Bay and Hartnell College within California State University Dominguez Hills and El Camino College, and to study both implementations to advance understanding of the elements of the cohort model that lead to student success. This project will study the impact of cohort supports, such as student learning communities and just-in-time academic support, on retention and transfer rates, bachelor's degree attainment, and employment success in computer science. In particular, this study will focus on first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students. It will generate knowledge about best practices for the design, structure, and implementation of these cohort programs. Specifically, the project will study the impact of cohort values such as identity, habits, and interrelationships on student success.