Helping minority youth set a course for college is event goal
| Sunday, Feb 28 2010 09:02 PM
Last Updated Sunday, Feb 28 2010 09:02 PM
Super Sunday: www.calstate.edu/supersunday
* Includes resources: "How to Get to College" handout, mentor cards, response cards, African American alumni information.
Preparing early, taking and passing the right courses and having parental support are keys to getting more black students in college classrooms, Cal State Bakersfield Provost Soraya M. Coley told a congregation of dozens Sunday at St. Peter Restoration Community Christian Ministries.
"We in the (California State University) system are bringing word to young people ... that they have a brighter and better future," Coley said.
Coley's speech at the local predominantly black church was part of Super Sunday, a CSU program to connect with and inform black students and their families about what it takes to get into college.
Systemwide, officials have spoken at more than 100 churches, and reached more than 100,000 families as part of the program held throughout February -- Black History Month. Locally, officials have visited Church of Christ Ministries, Compassion Christian Center and St. John Baptist Church.
"We want to provide for our attendees every opportunity to find out the advantage of going to college," St. Peter Assistant Pastor Ralph Anthony said. "Our enrollment is smaller than what it should be. We're committed to changing that."
During fall 2009, CSUB had 591 African-American students, or 7.4 percent of total enrollment. CSUB saw a 26 percent increase in the number of applications among black students this past year, Coley said.
And one in 15 CSU students is black, which matches the state population, she said.
"The numbers are encouraging," Coley said.
Super Sunday is one way to help increase numbers, school leaders and community members say. A CSUB information booth sat outside of church for those interested in learning about CSU and its 23 campuses.
Coley told church members it's important for students to use academic planners, take and pass all the necessary course work, and take advanced math courses. At the same time, she said, parents must be supportive and involved in their student's education.
Super Sunday began five years ago as part of a CSU African-American initiative. School, church and community leaders developed it as a new way to educate students, parents and families about the value of a college degree for a stable future.
This year's Super Sunday comes at a time when the CSU system is facing drastic budget cuts. At CSUB, tuition has been increased and enrollment is being decreased by 6 percent. But CSU aims to maintain access for minorities, Coley said.
On Sunday at St. Peter, students made up a bulk of the congregations -- it was "Youth Sunday" at the church.
Maq Brown, a junior at East High School, perused through college information at the CSUB information table.
Brown said he hopes to go to college to study in the medical field in San Diego and become a plastic surgeon.
"I always had a dream of helping people," Brown said.
It's important to go to college, he said, to "better yourself, and especially the community," who struggle these days, he said.
"I think it's important we do more to go to college, and pursue our goals."
