Moorpark College Honored for Improving Latino and Low-Income Student Success Rates in STEM Fields

Moorpark, Calif. (November 25, 2019) – 
Moorpark College received the 2019 Examples of Excelencia award for its partnership with California State University, Northridge and three additional community colleges to close the achievement gap for Latino and low-income students. The goals are to improve these students’ transfer and graduation rates in the fields of engineering and computer science. Excelencia in Education is regarded as the nation’s premier authority in driving change to accelerate Latino success in higher education.

Moorpark College was honored by the nonprofit organization for its work with CSUN, Glendale Community College, College of the Canyons and Los Angeles Pierce College on a grant associated with the Attract, Inspire, Mentor, and Support Students program (AIMS2). The program’s students receive biannual stipends and are supported by mentors and faculty. Additionally, the cohort benefits from tutoring and peer mentoring as well as field trips and research internship opportunities.

“It was an honor for Moorpark College to be a recipient of the prestigious Examples of Excelencia award,” said Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs Mary Rees, who accepted the award at the Accelerating Latino Student Success (ALASS) conference in Washington, D.C. “We will continue advocating for our Latino students and ensuring they are given the resources they need to succeed.”

This year, four programs were selected for the award out of 166 nominations. Members from organizations such as Strada Education Network, the Association of American Colleges and Universities, and the American Council on Education reviewed the applications.

About Moorpark College
Moorpark College is one of three colleges in the Ventura County Community College District and annually serves more than 14,000 students. Founded in 1967, Moorpark College is fully accredited and has the highest six-year completion rate within the California Community College System. The Campaign for College Opportunity named Moorpark College a 2019 Champion of Higher Education for the Associate Degree for Transfer Pathway. It is also a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution. The college’s signature career/technical programs include nursing, radiologic technology, biotechnology and journalism. The college’s America’s Teaching Zoo is the only associate’s degree exotic animal training program in California. To learn more, visit MoorparkCollege.edu or follow @MoorparkCollege on social media.