New Partnership Between College Track and UC Davis Enhances Access to Higher Education for Students in Need

New Partnership to Enhance Educational Access

In a bold step towards improving educational opportunities, College Track has officially partnered with the University of California, Davis (UC Davis). This collaboration marks a crucial milestone in College Track's mission to ensure that every student has access to a college education, particularly those from under-resourced backgrounds. The partnership underscores the shared objective of increasing access and equity in higher education for first-generation students throughout California.

This initiative builds upon College Track's established network of academic partnerships, further reinforcing their commitment to opening doors to higher education for individuals who face significant barriers. UC Davis has consistently been a preferred destination for students from College Track each year, and formalizing this partnership serves to deepen the relationship between the two organizations. The collective belief that access to higher education should not be limited by socioeconomic circumstances is central to this collaboration.

Dr. Shirley M. Collado, President and CEO of College Track, has expressed enthusiasm about the partnership's potential. “This partnership demonstrates the powerful impact that a nonprofit and a research university can have when they come together to support first-generation students,” she stated. “UC Davis has been a pivotal destination for our scholars, and by formalizing our partnership, we can enhance our efforts in supporting students both academically and personally.”

The relationship between College Track and UC Davis reflects a significant shift in higher education towards providing necessary support for first-generation students. This partnership not only highlights the importance of institutional commitment to student success but also promotes a broader dialogue around access and equity being at the heart of higher education initiatives.

As UC Davis Chancellor Gary S. May pointed out, earning a degree can dramatically transform a student's life, paving the way for new opportunities and economic mobility across generations. “At UC Davis, we are dedicated to ensuring that these opportunities are available to talented students from diverse backgrounds. Partnering with College Track allows us to further our goal of helping more students realize their college aspirations,” he remarked.

The collaboration with UC Davis is a part of College Track’s expanding alliance with various colleges and universities aimed at providing students with robust support systems. By aligning long-term mentorship and academic resources with influential institutional partnerships, College Track aims to create a supportive pipeline for first-generation and under-resourced students. This strategy not only encourages these students to apply to college but also instills a sense of belonging that increases their chances of graduation.

About College Track

Founded with the mission of equipping first-generation students to obtain a bachelor's degree, College Track serves over 4,800 scholars across California and several other states. These students often hail from under-resourced communities, and it is through the sustained support offered by College Track that they aim to transform their future.

The statistics are telling; approximately 90% of the scholars are the first in their families to pursue higher education, and they graduate at a rate significantly above the national average for first-generation students. This success reflects what is attainable when dedicated support and pathways to higher education are made available.

For more information about how College Track is reimagining opportunities for the next generation, please visit collegetrack.org.

About UC Davis

The University of California, Davis stands out as a premier institution in the United States, ranked highly in various fields such as agriculture, forestry, and veterinary medicine. It's a vibrant campus with approximately 40,000 undergraduate students situated in a quintessential California college town. This strategic location places UC Davis within easy reach of key destinations like the San Francisco Bay Area, Napa Valley, and Lake Tahoe.

In summary, the partnership between College Track and UC Davis signifies a vital commitment to addressing educational disparities and championing the cause of first-generation college students, setting a precedent for future collaborations in the educational sector.