Six in 10 California community college students give up transfer plans, never making it to universities

By Lisa M. Krieger

lkrieger@mercurynews.com

As California's universities cut back slots for incoming freshman, they are still touting one route to a bachelor's degree that remains wide open: Start off at a community college and then transfer to UC or CSU.

But a new analysis shows that fewer than half the students who undertake that path ever reach their goal, waylaid by financial, personal and procedural potholes.

Only 40 percent of California's degree-seeking students are ready to transfer to universities after community college, according to the state's latest annual accountability report for community colleges. Silicon Valley schools do somewhat better — with success rates that range from 48 percent at San Jose City College to 68 percent at De Anza and Foothill colleges.

While students overcome daunting obstacles to enroll in community college, many don't move on. Transfer requirements are a confusing target for many students. There's reduced state funding for programs to help them. Parental job loss means students need to work more hours. Even students who successfully transfer describe the process as inefficient or puzzling, citing mismatched standards that mean that course work at one school doesn't always transfer to another.

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An Exclusive Interview with Patricia Spakes, Chancellor of the University of Washington Tacoma

The Journey Begins, radio for the engaged parent and dedicated educator presents An Exclusive Interview with Patricia Spakes, Chancellor of the University of Washington Tacoma.

Dr. Patricia Spakes has served as Chancellor of the University of Washington Tacoma, since April 2005.
Dr. Spakes has over 25 years of experience as a faculty member and administrator in higher education. Prior to obtaining a Ph.D. in Social Welfare from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, she was a practicing family therapist. Her doctoral work focused on family theory, policy and research. Dr. Spakes also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and in English from Winthrop University in South Carolina and an M.S.W. from the University of South Carolina.

Dr. Spakes has held tenured faculty positions as Associate Professor of Social Work at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro from 1980 to 1990 (where she also served as Chair of Women’s Studies) and as Professor and Chair of Women’s Studies at Arizona State University West from 1990-1997. She has also held senior level administrative positions as Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at Arizona State University West, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Fitchburg State College in Massachusetts, and as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. She has written extensively on family policy and family impact analysis, both from a national policy and from an international comparative perspective.

During her career, Dr. Spakes has been involved in many community and civic activities including work with the Mental Health Association, Family Services of America, several state and local Commissions on the Status of Women. Current activities including serving on the Board of the Pierce County Reading Foundation, the Executive Council for a Greater Tacoma, the Urban Waters Advisory Board, and the Executive Board of Pierce County Careers Connections. Dr. Spakes has been a frequent conference presenter and community speaker on topics that range from higher education issues to issues related to leadership.

An Exclusive Interview with Dr. Ken Canfield, author of The 5 Needs of Daughters

The Journey Begins discusses the role of fathers in the lives of their daughters with Dr. Ken Canfield, author of The 5 Needs of Daughters.

BIO

Dr. Ken Canfield, is the founder of the National Center for Fathering, and served as NCF’s president and CEO from 1990 through 2005. His work has been recognized in a variety of ways: He has been a consultant to state and community officials on ways to engage and equip fathers in local programming; served as one of the founding members of former Vice President Al Gore’s private-sector “Father to Father” Initiative; and was awarded the 1993 Father of the Year by the National Congress for Men and Children

An Exclusive Interview with Carey Casey Chief Executive Officer National Center for Fathering

The eFocus Series discusses the Role of Fathers in the Lives of Their Children with Carey Casey, CEO of The National Center for Fathering on the Journey Begins, radio for the engaged parent and dedicated educator.

BIO

Carey Casey is Chief Executive Officer of the Kansas City-based National Center for Fathering, joining the Center in March, 2006.

Through his work across the country, Casey has earned a reputation as a dynamic communicator, especially on the topic of men being good fathers, and as a compassionate ambassador, especially within the American sports community. He is also author of the book, Championship Fathering (2009).

In 2009, Carey was asked to serve on the White House Task Force on Fatherhood and Healthy Families. He also serves as a member of the National Fatherhood Leaders Group, which promotes responsible fatherhood policy, research, advocacy and practice.

Casey joins the Center after 18 years in various roles with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, where most recently he was president of the FCA Foundation, gaining significant leadership experience with a large, successful, national nonprofit organization. His career has also included serving as chaplain at the 1988 Summer Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea, chaplain for the Dallas Cowboys under Hall of Fame Coach Tom Landry, and chaplain for the Kansas City Chiefs. He continues to speak on life issues for numerous professional and college sports teams across America.