The College of Natural Sciences hosted the Community College Discovery Science Fair, an event designed to inspire and empower students pursuing careers in STEM and allied health fields. Organized by Guillermo Escalante, interim associate dean of student success, the fair welcomed more than 40 students from regional community colleges.

“We are committed to our partnerships with our community colleges and learn from each other how our transfer students are successful and reach their full potential,” said Sastry G. Pantula, dean for the College of Natural Sciences.

The Community College Discovery Science Fair, held Nov. 8, featured information sessions on the transfer application process, offering participants the opportunity to have their transcripts reviewed and to receive conditional admission to CSUSB if they qualified. Students engaged with Science Success Center advisors, department chairs, and faculty from the College of Natural Sciences. Additionally, they visited labs and explored resources available to support their academic success, including academic advising, tutoring and financial aid.

"This event was a fantastic opportunity for aspiring science students to explore their educational pathways and gain valuable insights into transferring to CSUSB,” said Escalante. “We are dedicated to supporting all our students, especially first-generation, low income and underrepresented students, to help them succeed in their academic pursuits."

Attendees enjoyed interacting with the campus community, learning about CSUSB’s resources, and viewing the university’s facilities firsthand.

"On behalf of the Kinesiology Student Association at Norco College, I wanted to express our gratitude for including us in the College of Natural Sciences’ Discovery Science Fair on Nov. 8. Our students thoroughly enjoyed the event and found it incredibly informative and inspiring,” said Ruben D. Aguilar, associate professor in the kinesiology department at Norco College. “The opportunity to meet and engage with department chairs, faculty and current students offered insight into what life as a Coyote could be like, and we appreciated the view of your facilities and resources.

 “Thank you again for your warm welcome,” he added. “We look forward to future collaborations with CSUSB and wish you continued success in empowering students to reach their highest potential."

A student panel discussion provided insights from current transfer students, fostering a sense of community and collaboration among participants.

"I enjoyed attending. As an older student, it was great to have access to information about the science programs and the transfer process,” said Leticia Godoy, a Chaffey College student. “Thank you for sending out that notice about the event.… I stayed after the presentation. I am excited that I was able to obtain instant admission to CSUSB. I have the option to start spring or fall 2025."

Elaine Martinez, an associate professor at Chaffey College, shared the positive impact the event had on her students.

“It's great for my students to be on campus to see and hear from their future faculty members, dean, and transfer students that are just like them. It allows them to connect, see themselves in current students and in their faculty,” said Martinez. “Hearing from transfer students that attended the college they go to now was a huge plus.

 “I was excited to learn that some of my students were able to get guaranteed admission, one for the next semester,” she continued. “This is what it is all about. I feel confident my students will be taken care of at CSUSB. Thank you for a great event for our transfer students.”

CNS held the event to recognize the pivotal role that community colleges play in the educational journey of many students. By establishing strong partnerships with these institutions, the College of Natural Sciences aims to:

  • Facilitate seamless transfers: Collaborating with community colleges enables CNS to create clear pathways for students to transition smoothly into CSUSB, ensuring they receive the support needed to succeed in their academic pursuits.
  • Enhance educational opportunities: Through joint initiatives, the College of Natural Sciences can offer enriched learning experiences that cater to the diverse needs of students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds.
  • Address regional workforce needs: By aligning its programs with the demands of the local job market, CNS prepares students for careers that contribute to the economic growth and development of the Inland Empire region.

In addition, CNS organized a Community College Advisory Committee and Learning Community meeting with faculty, advisors and leaders from numerous local community colleges on Oct. 25, which further strengthened its partnerships in the region.

“Through this Discovery Science Fair, future transfer students gained hands-on experience with our labs and faculty, and learned about various career opportunities,” said Pantula. “Also, the advice and suggestions we received from our community college partners through the learning community have been very valuable — priceless!”

These collaborations reflect the College of Natural Sciences’ commitment to fostering educational excellence and community engagement, ensuring that all students have access to quality higher education and the resources needed to thrive.

The Community College Discovery Science Fair exemplifies CSUSB's commitment to providing pathways for underrepresented students to succeed in science. For more information about the College of Natural Sciences and its programs, visit the CNS website.