Las Positas College (LPC) has been awarded a $2.998 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (DHSI) Program. This five-year grant will fund the college’s project, Guided Pathways Implementation as a Catalyst for Institutional Transformation, aimed at improving support for Hispanic/Latinx and low-income students.
Starting on November 1, 2024, the project will focus on recruiting students from high schools and the local community, providing comprehensive academic and personal support throughout their time at LPC. The initiative will offer orientation, personalized educational plans, and dedicated success teams to guide students through their first year and beyond.
"This grant represents a critical investment in the future of our college and our students," said Dr. Dyrell Foster, president of Las Positas College. "By enhancing our Guided Pathways program, we’re not only creating a more inclusive, supportive environment for our Hispanic/Latinx and low-income students but also ensuring that every student has a clear path to success."
LPC, which serves a diverse student body with 31% identifying as Hispanic/Latinx, has adopted the Guided Pathways framework to help students clarify, enter, and complete their academic and career paths. The initiative aims to increase retention, degree completion, and transfer rates among Hispanic/Latinx and low-income students. Over the five-year period, the grant will help LPC increase fall-to-fall retention rates for Hispanic/Latinx students while also working toward increasing the number of associate degrees and certificates conferred, and increasing transfer rates to four-year institutions. LPC joins Chabot College, its sister college, in securing both the HSI designation and HSI federal funding.
The Guided Pathways framework, which the college has adopted, offers students a structured yet flexible path through their academic careers. Students are placed in Academic and Career Pathways based on their interests and career goals, and they are supported by dedicated Pathway Student Success Teams. These teams—comprised of advisors, tutors, and counselors—will work closely with students to ensure they stay on track, develop comprehensive student educational plans, and receive the support they need both academically and personally.
"Our mission is to empower students to succeed in their academic and career goals, and this grant will provide the resources needed to support them every step of the way," added Dr. Foster. "We’re excited about the transformative impact this initiative will have, not only for our Hispanic/Latinx and low-income students but for the entire LPC community."
The $2.998 million grant will be distributed over five years, with annual funding tied to performance, and will further enhance LPC’s ongoing efforts to foster equity, access, and student success. News of the grant comes as President Biden recently signed Executive Order 14124 which establishes the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity Through Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs).
For more information about the Guided Pathways initiative at Las Positas College, please visit https://laspositascollege.edu/gpas/index.php
About Las Positas College
Las Positas College currently enrolls nearly 8,500 day and evening students. The College offers a curriculum for students seeking career preparation, transfer to a four-year college or university, or personal enrichment. The College provides university transfer classes, retraining classes for those in need of employment or career advancement, a first-time educational opportunity for many adults, enrichment classes for those seeking a broader perspective, and career and technical training for those entering the technical and paraprofessional workforce. Las Positas College excels in helping students transfer to the University of California system, the California State University system, and other four-year institutions. Las Positas College is a learning-centered institution focused on excellence and student success and is fully committed to supporting all Tri-Valley residents in their quest for education and advancement.
