UCSD - University of California - San Diego

01/21/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/21/2025 04:13

Joint $3M Grant Strengthens Pathway for Transfer Students to Study and Work in the Arts and Humanities

Published Date

January 21, 2025

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A multiyear collaboration between UC San Diego's School of Arts and Humanities and the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) to increase the number of students studying and embarking on successful careers in the arts and humanities is receiving a $3 million grant from the Mellon Foundation, the third grant garnered since the program's inception in 2016.

The latest four-year grant strengthens and expands the Preparing Accomplished Transfers to the Humanities (PATH) program, which serves undergraduate transfers and doctoral students in the arts and humanities while cultivating connections between faculty at both institutions. In particular, the latest funding focuses on faculty professional development, curriculum innovation and career preparation with a focus on social justice.

"We are thrilled to be able to continue strengthening our institutional partnership with additional support from the Mellon Foundation," said School of Arts and Humanities Dean Cristina Della Coletta. "The PATH program invites faculty and students to reflect upon personal and collective values while working together to advance the common good. Students will emerge fully prepared to succeed in diverse career fields ranging from public service and education to health and policy."

The program is constantly evolving to meet the needs of students. The latest iteration will include establishing a Humanities4Careers paid internship program; continuing the doctoral fellowship program; mentoring students in a year-long, social-justice research project; providing workshops and panel discussions focused on equity practices and career options; and more.

"Our mission at SDCCD has always been to empower students through inclusive and forward-thinking educational programs," said Susan Topham, SDCCD vice chancellor of Educational Services. "PATH 3.0 exemplifies this mission by fostering collaboration between institutions, bridging education and career opportunity gaps, and embedding a strong foundation of social justice principles into the humanities."

Dreaming of Broadway

"The PATH program invites faculty and students to reflect upon personal and collective values while working together to advance the common good. Students will emerge fully prepared to succeed in diverse career fields ranging from public service and education to health and policy." School of Arts and Humanities Dean Cristina Della Coletta
Enrique Escobar

If you had told Enrique Escobar that he would be living in New York City in 2025, auditioning for parts in some of his favorite musicals, he may not have believed you. "I'm living the life that I dared to dream about back when I was 18 and applying to community college," said Escobar, who graduated from UC San Diego in 2020 with a degree in theatre. "Just last month I had the incredible opportunity and honor to audition for 'Wicked' on Broadway!"

Escobar learned about the PATH program while studying acting at San Diego City College, and it became the deciding factor when it was time to choose a university to attend. After being accepted to UC San Diego, he participated in the PATH Summer Academy, a free five-week academic transition program that includes up to two academic courses, campus resource workshops, peer mentorship, social activities and more.

"I loved that I always got to learn something new during my experience at PATH through the many events, forums and classes we were exposed to," said Escobar, who also became a program intern. "The academy provided me with the tools, the time, the connections and so much more for me to succeed and stand out at a four-year university as a transfer student. It was a tremendous opportunity. I don't think I came across something quite like it during my time scouting for schools."

For alumna Allison Santana, having a peer mentor was one of the most significant parts of the program. "As a first-generation student, it was very helpful to have a mentor who shared the same experience as me and explained what worked for them," said Santana, who took part in PATH in the summer of 2019 after transferring from San Diego City College. "My biggest fear was that I would start my first fall quarter feeling secluded, but people I met in PATH made me feel like I belonged. I made lifelong friends."

After graduating with a degree in literature, Santana applied for and took over leadership of the PATH Summer Academy. "I feel fulfilled knowing I'm paying it forward. I want to help other transfer students discover ways to enhance their experience on campus and expose them to career paths they might not have considered. It makes me happy to see them graduate confidently."

The Summer Academy is a foundational part of the PATH program for transfer students. In addition to Mellon Foundation funding, philanthropists Chris and Pat Weil have ensured the summer transition program continues to thrive. Their support has also helped build the PATH Pantry, a collection of basic needs items for students in the program to access throughout their tenure, a laptop lending library and more. Likewise, the Rodeki Foundation has generously supported PATH scholarships, the basic needs pantry and emergency funds.

Allison Santana (left) with her community college mentee Alice X at the 2023 PATH Gallery Exhibition at UC San Diego Park and Market. Photo by Farshid Bazmandegan.

Start with the end in mind

While guiding students through the tricky transition between community college and university through the Summer Academy is a key goal, PATH takes a holistic approach by introducing students to career opportunities as well. The vision is to enhance career readiness and nurture a new generation of leaders who can enrich both the academic landscape and social justice discourse.

According to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the number of humanities degrees conferred by four-year colleges and universities has dropped every year since 2012. That has not been the case locally. For the past eight years, UC San Diego and SDCCD have demonstrated tangible success in Mellon-funded collaborative efforts. Since 2015 applications to the university from SDCCD arts and humanities transfer students have increased by 64%, while enrollment has increased by 12.5%.

"This work is both needed and urgent," said Dean Della Coletta. "As we face unprecedented local and global challenges, the values that underpin a humanistic education have become even more critical to foster. Arts and humanities education addresses the whole individual by building resilience, growing empathy and developing a shared sense of purpose."

While academic programs in the arts and humanities abound at UC San Diego and SDCCD, faculty will be uniting to design new curriculums that integrate clear career pathways and cultivate a foundation in social justice principles. This will encompass team-teaching modules, interdisciplinary reading lists, project-based and service learning, career field trips and networking with community-based organizations.

Several faculty members from both institutions will collaborate to lead professional development for peers, curriculum innovation and student engagement. UC San Diego Professor of History Danny Widener serves as the university's faculty director of the PATH program. At SDCCD, faculty members Kelly Mayhew (City College, English), Pegah Motaleb (Mesa College, English) and Carmen Carrasquillo (Miramar College, English) serve as program leads at their respective campuses.

The first step will involve inviting faculty to brainstorm new approaches to their teaching through a Community of Inquiry. To stimulate these discussions, faculty will also take part in a Faculty Professional Development Collaborative where they will receive ongoing training on curriculum development and resources to enhance teaching practices. And to bring it all together, a Community of Practice will be established for faculty to apply their learnings.

"Our goals are to help students reflect on their values, discover career paths and learn practical ways to bring about social change," said Widener. "This approach supports faculty in enriching their teaching practices while creating more purposeful and engaging learning experiences for students with the aim of increasing well-being and belonging for all." (DRAFT)

The PATH program is open to undergraduate transfer students who have been accepted to UC San Diego and will major in the arts and humanities. The Mellon Foundation grant in particular supports students transferring from City, Mesa and Miramar Colleges. Additionally, multiple graduate fellowships will continue to be offered to UC San Diego doctoral students in the arts and humanities. Graduate students will have the opportunity to explore teaching roles and curriculum development at SDCCD as well as mentor undergraduates in a year-long social justice research project. Learn more about the PATH Program.

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Students from the 2017 PATH cohort with Professor Danny Widener (second from left). Photo by Farshid Bazmandegan.

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