#United States #Sacramento #California Community Colleges #Mainstay #Rural Students

Bridging the Gap: California Community Colleges and Mainstay

In a significant step forward for educational equity, the California Community Colleges Digital Center for Innovation, Transformation, and Equity (Digital Center) has partnered with Mainstay to launch a pioneering pilot program aimed at expanding access to higher education for rural students. This initiative is particularly designed to simplify the often complex financial aid processes that can deter students from pursuing college education.

The Initiative

The core of the project involves introducing Cali, a smart, bilingual digital coach powered by Mainstay’s trusted engagement platform, which will operate at several community colleges including Butte College, College of the Redwoods, and Lassen College. Cali is available 24/7 and assists students in navigating the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and California Dream Act Application (CADAA), ensuring they complete their applications accurately and access vital campus resources.

Goals of the Partnership

This partnership is built around three primary objectives:

1. Enhancing Enrollment and Retention: The program aims to increase student enrollment and retention by guiding them at every stage of the application process through personalized support.

2. Automating Routine Queries: By automating frequently asked questions and concerns, college staff can dedicate their time to providing more personalized, impactful support to students.

3. Gathering Student Feedback: The initiative allows for real-time insights into student needs and experiences, enabling colleges to make necessary adjustments and improvements to enhance the equity and sense of belonging among students.

With this pilot program, Jory Hadsell, Executive in Residence of Strategic Technology Initiatives at the California Community College Chancellor's Office, emphasized that it will help rural colleges serve a larger number of students using the same resources, effectively breaking down barriers that traditionally hamper access to education.

The Technology Behind Cali

Mainstay’s founder, Andrew Magliozzi, highlighted that the core mission of the platform is to empower students by helping them build social capital through meaningful interactions. This partnership is a demonstration of how technology can create more equitable educational pathways when it is thoughtfully designed with the learner’s needs at its heart.

The pilot is strategically aligned with the spring 2026 enrollment phase and is supported by research-backed conversational design. Cali aims to assist students in avoiding common mistakes in their FAFSA and CADAA applications, thereby reducing the rates of verification issues that often impede timely enrollment.

Strategic Selection of Colleges

The selected colleges for this initiative are recognized for their leadership in serving rural communities and their commitment to innovative educational practices. The pilot will closely examine how incorporating human-centered AI can lead to significant improvements in financial aid completion, first-term student persistence, and proactive help-seeking behaviors that foster a sense of belonging.

Moreover, by analyzing thousands of interactions with Cali, the project is poised to equip institutions with valuable insights regarding student needs, which can significantly contribute to statewide efforts aimed at closing California's persistent college access gap.

Funding and Support

The advancement of this pilot is possible through funding from the College Futures Foundation in collaboration with the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). This alignment underscores a collective effort to revolutionize how rural students access financial support and education opportunities.

About the Organizations

The California Community Colleges Digital Center for Innovation, Transformation, and Equity, launched in 2024, signifies a forward-thinking framework aimed at supporting the Vision 2030 for California Community Colleges by leveraging innovation and technology.

On the other hand, Mainstay, initially known for its AdmitHub platform, is dedicated to using behavioral science and technology to connect students with necessary support systems effectively. It represents a transformative approach in the landscape of student engagement and success in higher education.

In conclusion, this collaborative effort between the California Community Colleges and Mainstay epitomizes a significant step towards bridging the access gap for rural students, making education more attainable, and fostering a future where every student has the opportunity to thrive.