|
WELCOME TO INSTITUTE FOR STUDENT EXCELLENCE
Formerly known on campus and in the community as West Los Angeles College’s Workforce Development Center the Institute for Student Success (ISE) has emerged as a result of its track-record of inspiring students to succeed. Through a variety of innovative programs funded through the TRiO grant, the ISE simultaneously meets the needs of an ever-changing student population and the demands of today’s competitive employment landscape. ISE operates under the notion that long-term career success and quality of life are directly linked to academic achievement, community-college cooperation and strong ties with employers. This three-pronged approach integrates ingredients of an effective, long-term, results-oriented, personal transformation strategy.
The ISE houses numerous programs that develop intellectual capital in its participants and provide a multitude of innovative strategies to guide individuals along career paths. The ISE takes a multi-level approach – with programs that meet learners from middle school through adults returning to post-secondary education after having spent many years away from school.
To assist students in achieving their goals, ISE coordinates activities with the resources of the college to provide: individual counseling and advisement, child-care services, financial aid, tutoring, student support groups, work-study and internships, referral to community resources, job fairs, referrals to student health and mental health services, and basic education. For more detailed information about the programs housed in the ISE, please click on a link below or to the left.
Institute for Student Excellence, A-4 Building
West Los Angeles College
9000 Overland Avenue | Culver City, CA 90230
Phone: 310.287.4261 | Fax: 310.287.4355
Kathy Walton
Associate Dean, Academics Affairs
waltonks@wlac.edu
The Trio Programs are funded by the U.S. Department of Education.
CalWORKs/GAIN are categorically funded by the State of California.
|
CalWORKs / GAIN
|
 |
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Mary Anne Gavarra-Oh, Director
310.287.4421 | gavarrm@wlac.edu
FAX: 310.287.4355
Cecelia Schumake, Program Coordinator
310.287.4582 | schumacm@wlac.edu
|
|
CalWORKs/GAIN (California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids / Greater Avenues to Independence) is a state-funded program that offers training and support services to students receiving TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families), previously AFDC. The program assists students in transitioning from welfare to long-term self-sufficiency and gainful employment through coordinated academic (skill certificates, certificates of completion, and Associate Degrees) and student services (academic counseling, tutoring, workshops, childcare, transportation, coordination of services for persons with learning disabilities, and on and off campus work study)
At WLAC, CalWORKs/GAIN participants have successfully completed their course of studies and received Associate degrees, as well as, transferred to major universities and completed their Bachelor’s degree. Others have completed job preparation in Child Care, Paralegal, Dental Hygiene, Computer Science, Administration of Justice, Pharmacy Technician, Accounting, Real Estate, Media Arts, Management, and Aviation Technology.
If you are enrolled at WLAC and are currently receiving cash aid from the CalWORKs program, you may be eligible for the CalWORKs/GAIN program.
Useful Links:
BACK TO TOP
|
Educational Opportunity Center
|
 |
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Zakia Foster
310.287.4476
fosterz@wlac.edu
Lachell Tillett
310.287.4256
tilletl@wlac.edu
|
|
The provides academic advisement and admission information for qualified adults who want to enter college or continue their college. Sometimes, the greatest catalyst to change and achievement is information and guidance. Especially for adults who may have never navigated through the higher educational system, simply informing one about getting an education is a critical step towards meeting one's own personal education and career goals. The motto of the Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) Program is to "bring community college back to the community."
The EOC is a federally-funded program that provides participants with:
- Basic skills and GED preparation in Math and English which will prepare for further study in all disciplines and sets the foundation for learning success.
- Career workshops that focus on which careers have the greatest future demands, salary and workplace environments and is helpful for steering individuals towards careers that match interests and aptitudes.
- Academic coaching and mentoring to further support efforts in higher education and build confidence in the ability to overcome any obstacles which may have prevented the achievement of goals in the past.
- Information on Financial Aid including when and how to apply and what types of need-based aid are available if accessed early and appropriately.
- Information and advisement on college enrollment and the transfer process to a 4-year institution including assistance with developing an educational plan, college credit, transfer, and the application process itself.
The EOC works with a number of high schools, continuation schools, community-based organizations and workforce development centers in Los Angeles County. Including:
- Walt Whitman High School
- Lou Dantzler Prep Charter High School
- Dorsey High School
- Los Angeles Opportunities Industrialization Center
- Educating Young Minds
- Young Black Scholars/100 Black Men
ALL PROGRAM SERVICES ARE FREE
If you do not have a high school diploma, you can still qualify for this program. We can help you get your GED and get ready for college!
Qualifications
- Meet low-income family guidelines
- Entering College Student
- Be focused on completing a college education.
- Be a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S
BACK TO TOP
|
Educational Talent Search
|
 |
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Olga Hernandez
310.287.4518
hernano@wlac.edu
Lachell Tillett
310.287.4256
tilletl@wlac.edu
|
|
The ISE knows that the college "mindset" starts long before a student enters college. Middle school and high school students alike should already be thinking about college and honing their skills early on so that they can be successful once they leave secondary education and pursue their educational goals. The Educational Talent Search (ETS) Program is federally-funded, early intervention program that targets students from Marina del Rey Middle School, Webster Middle School, and Dorsey High School who are college bound but lack the knowledge and experience to reach that goal.
ETS takes a holistic approach to engaging students and getting them excited about learning, college and future careers that they may already demonstrate an interest in. Much of the work done through ETS takes place right at their respective schools through after-school programs and further supported at Saturday academies planned throughout the school year and the summer. Among these activities are:
- Math and science tutoring, which takes place regularly and is facilitated by college and university students assigned to schools on various days of the week.
- Writing workshops to develop the skills necessary for school, work and life itself!
- Study skills and time management workshops that will enhance students' academic success by developing their organizational skills and helping them create efficiencies that will improve their comprehension of complex subject matter and take more effective notes in class.
- Effective test taking seminars and test preparation workshops to continually challenge students and enhance their skills for future success on such standardized tests as the CAHSEE exam, the SAT and the ACT.
- Field trips and cultural events to inspire and enlighten students on their educational journey.
- Career exploration and mentoring that will hopefully plant a seed and truly give education a purpose.
ALL PROGRAM SERVICES ARE FREE.
To qualify for the program, participants must:
- Be at least 11 years of age or currently in grades 6-11.
- Meet eligibility guidelines.
- Be interested in a career and want to go to college.
- Complete an application.
BACK TO TOP
|
TRiO Student Support Services
|
 |
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Mary Anne Gavarra-Oh, Director
310.287.4421 | gavarrm@wlac.edu
Andrew Toney, Advisor
310.287.4303 | toneyad@wlac.edu
Claudia Velasco, Coordinator
310.287.4304 | velasccn@wlac.edu
Fax: (310) 287-4355
|
|
Being a successful college student is not solely the result of enrolling in college – that’s the easy part – the greatest difficulty is staying in college and transferring to a four-year university. The TRiO Student Support Services Program (SSS) is a federally funded program located in the Institute of Student Excellence focused on increasing student retention, graduation, and transfer rates for West Los Angeles College students.
Furthermore, navigating the complex process of transfer to a four-year college or university, understanding financial aid application processes and following educational plans are daunting tasks even to the most successful student. TRiO SSS provides students with access to competent student affairs professionals who are well-versed in these areas.
For those students planning on transferring to a four-year college or university, the TRiO SSS gives them a significant advantage over others by providing them with:
- Academic, financial, or personal advising to relieve concerns that may be hindering goal pursuit and attainment.
- Assistance in transferring to four-year college or universities including assistance with the application process and personal statement.
- Tutorial services that will enhance their academic achievement, their ability to be successful in the classroom and their overall learning experience.
- Stipends to qualified TRiO SSS participants who fulfill program requirements. Information about career options that will be helpful in students selecting a major program of study.
- Mentors which role model successful behaviors. Academic enrichment workshops that will be helpful in developing such important skills as fulfilling transfer requirements, financial literacy, math anxiety, career planning, university application preparation
- Exposure to cultural events and university visits.
To qualify for the program, participants must:
- Be enrolled full-time at West Los Angeles College.
- Be a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.
- Be a first-generation college student (neither parents have graduated from a four-year institution) and/or low-income (as defined by the U.S. Department of Education) and/or disabled.
- Demonstrate academic need.
- Have an academic goal of transferring to a four-year university.
- Be available to attend workshops and tutoring at WLAC.
Useful Links:
PDFs for the following will be coming soon:
- Trio SSS program application
- Trio SSS workshop information
- Trio SSS grant stipend requirements and Stipend Verification Form
BACK TO TOP
|
Upward Bound
|
 |
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Marilyn Ingram
310.287.4523
ingramme@wlac.edu
Karen Morales
310.287.4586
moralekm@wlac.edu
|
|
The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education. The Upward Bound (UB) Program at West Los Angeles College provides fundamental support to participants in their preparation for college entrance while providing opportunities to succeed in their precollege performance and ultimately in their higher education pursuits. Upward Bound is a federally funded program that serves high school students from low-income families and high school students from families in which neither parent holds a bachelor's degree.
Additional services provided by Upward Bound are:
- Academic and Career Advising
- Earn High School and College Credits
- Field Trips and Cultural Events
- Financial Aid and Scholarship Workshops
- Monthly Stipends available to qualified participants
- SAT and CAHSEE preparation
- Weekly Homework Club
Qualifications
- Be in the 9th or 10th grade.
- Have academic need and want to go to college
- Meet low-income family guidelines OR be potential first-generation college students.
- Be a citizen or permanent resident of U.S.
Schools Partners: Crenshaw, Dorsey, Hamilton & Los Angeles High School
BACK TO TOP
|
