Cal State San Bernardino’s College Corps initiative, located in the university’s Office of Pre-College Programs, recently received confirmation that they have been selected as a 2024-26 College Corps campus. 

The new round of funding is nearly $2.5 million, which equals 150 more “fellows,” or program participants, over the course of the next two years. This means CSUSB’s College Corps will continue to support eligible college students, including AB 540-eligible California Dream Act students, to serve their communities. 

CSUSB was originally selected as one of 45 initial partner campuses in the academic year 2022-23 to participate in the statewide #CaliforniansforAll College Corps program that combines academic and hands-on work experience. This initiative is the first-of-its-kind state service and career development program that provides students with financial support and professional experience while engaging in meaningful community action around education, climate and food insecurity. 

#CaliforniansForAll College Corps is administered by California Volunteers, Office of the Governor, in partnership with California colleges and universities. California Volunteers is the state office tasked with engaging Californians in service, volunteerism and civic action to tackle the state’s most pressing challenges.  

In its first year, more than 3,000 California College Corps fellows served over 1.15 million hours in their communities tutoring and mentoring students, addressing hunger and taking climate action, while learning new skills and earning money to help pay for college. 

Veronica Guzman, CSUSB’s program director, was involved in the application to extend the university’s participation in the program and is delighted that it will continue. 

“More students are returning. And more students are getting involved,” said Guzman. “And it’s not just the financial benefit of being able to meet the costs of college. It’s also building their skills and connections to lead to future employment.” 

CSUSB’s office serves the entire region where its students come from, including the High Desert and the Coachella Valley. The university’s current partners are largely involved in K-12 education. The fellows have the goal of helping younger generations not only see the value of an education, but also connect with a college mentor who demonstrates to them that attending college is an attainable goal. 

Becoming a fellow requires completing 450 hours of service with College Corps. This translates into 10-15 hours per week for the academic year. CSUSB fellows must be enrolled as an undergraduate at the university, be able to provide documentation of resident status as a U.S. citizen, national or lawful permanent resident. AB 540 Dreamer students are also eligible if they meet DSIG eligibility.  

Upon completion of the program, participants can earn a financial benefit valued up to $10,000. Additional benefits include the real-world job experience and skills to build their resumes, as well as access to training, networking and professional development opportunities. Building ties with the other fellows, while knowing that they are giving back to their communities, are some of the intangible benefits. 

For an organization to become a community partner, it must be a non-profit or governmental organization; work in K-12 education, climate action or food insecurity; and able to host at least two fellows along with providing on-site effective training, mentoring and supervision for them. 

In return, that organization will receive 15 hours per week of direct support from fellows for the academic year, build connections with area higher education institutions, and gain access to training and networking opportunities provided by partner campuses and the California Volunteers state office. 

“College Corps aims to encourage the next generation of leaders to make positive change in their local communities. Each and every one of our fellows has the potential to be a changemaker and they get to explore that potential with this program,” concluded Guzman.  

For more information about CSUSB’s College Corps Office, visit the College Corps Office website. 

For more information about CSUSB’s Office of Pre-College Programs, visit the Office of Pre-College Programs webpage. 

For more information about California Governor’s Office of Volunteers and the state-wide College Corps program, you can visit the California Governor’s Office of Volunteers website.