SAN FRANCISCO, March 20, 2015 -- The State of California has awarded $3 million in support to the Metro College Success Program, which helps underrepresented students at San Francisco State University and City College of San Francisco (CCSF) navigate their first two years of college. The funding, announced today, is part of $50 million allocated to state colleges and universities for innovative programs with a track record of boosting student success.
Founded in 2007 as a partnership between SF State and CCSF, the Metro program redesigns the first two years of the college experience, serving first-generation, low-income students by grouping them into "academies" of up to 140 peers who study together. By creating a supportive academic home, Metro helps students confront the challenges typically faced by college newcomers, such as juggling deadlines, managing an unstructured schedule, and keeping up in tough courses. The Metro curriculum focuses on establishing a strong baseline of math, writing, and critical-thinking skills and fostering a passion for learning.
"We have a lot of capable young people who, with a small additional investment, can successfully graduate from our public education system and go on to do great things for society," said Mary Beth Love, Metro co-director and chair of SF State's Department of Health Education. "At Metro, our mission is to increase equity in higher education and make sure that young people have the skills they need during college and after they graduate."
Studies show that nearly 40 percent of underrepresented students in the California State University system drop out before their junior year, and more than 60 percent of underrepresented students drop out of California community colleges before they graduate or transfer. “Metro is working to remedy a major problem with retention," said Vicki Legion, Metro's co-director at CCSF. "Our state's higher education system is clearly not supporting all our young people."
The Metro program has proven an effective aid to student success. A 2013 study found that, compared with students who did not participate, Metro students had higher GPAs, graduated faster, and were more engaged in academics. They were twice as likely to have a faculty mentor, received more advice, and more frequently formed study groups with peers.
The program also lowers costs to its home institutions. According to another 2013 study, Metro participation requires an initial investment of $944 per SF State student and $1,484 per CCSF student. But, since most Metro students graduate faster than their peers, costs per graduate are reduced by an average of $17,879 for an SF State student and $22,714 for a CCSF student.
Out of 58 applicants for the state funding, 14 programs were selected to receive "Awards for Innovation in Higher Education." The one-time $50 million allocations support programs that modify existing practices and systems to help more students graduate and do so within four years. Metro's partner program, Bridge to Success, a collaboration between CCSF and the San Francisco Unified School District, also received an award. The funding is contingent on the awardees submitting implementation plans for the approval of the award committee.
"The Metro program has created a more welcoming and equitable environment for many of our students, paving the way for their academic success," said President Les Wong. "SF State's Metro program not only helps students graduate faster, but it also changes their lives. We are thrilled that the state has recognized the importance of this innovative work."
SF State's Metro program was already slated to expand, ramping up from seven to 10 academies to serve approximately 25 percent of freshmen in the next academic year. With this new funding, the program will expand even further, Love said, with the goal of serving a greater number of low-income students by 2018. The CCSF Metro program, which currently has two academies, is expected to grow to six within the same timeframe. In addition, the funding will allow Metro leaders to work with local community colleges and other California State University campuses to help implement programs based on the Metro model.
