Andrew Alonzo
Staff Writer
The University of La Verne has expanded its Partnership for Access to College Education by welcoming 10 new educational organizations to the agreement.
PACE guarantees admission and financial aid for qualified high school seniors from several local school districts.
The new PACE partners are Bishop Amat High School, Glendora Unified School District, Rowland Unified School District, Hesperia Unified School District, Breakthrough San Juan Capistrano, Lynwood Unified School District, Ramona Convent High School, Redlands Unified School District, Rolling Hills Preparatory School and Temple City Unified School District.
“Glendora entered it because our philosophy is that we want all students to have the opportunity to go to college,” said Michelle Hunter, assistant superintendent of educational services of Glendora Unified.
“Our goal is to make sure that all the students have the ability upon graduation to attend college if that’s the path they want to take.”
Todd Eckel, associate dean of admissions, said he knows how intimating it can be transitioning into the college atmosphere.
“There are options. You don’t have to limit yourself in what you think you can achieve based on misconceptions out in the world about higher education,” he said.
Jared Olalde, a student athlete at Bishop Amat High School, said he feels that more programs should be formed in order to guide his fellow classmates.
“Some seniors now probably have no idea what they want in life and it gives them a vision of what they should be doing, not just get to college and have to figure out ‘What am I going to do for the next four years?’” Olalde said.
The PACE program was launched in January 2017 with the goal to provide high school seniors an opportunity to receive quality college education at an affordable price.
“When our universities, our high schools, our school districts have a commitment to our students, to help them see a pathway for success, that I think is transformative,” said Frank Chang, director of Secondary Education at Rowland Unified School District.
Andrew Alonzo can be reached at andrew.alonzo@laverne.edu.
