University of La Verne Hosts More than 650 Promise Scholars

About 300 De Anza Middle School students from the Ontario Montclair School District got a taste of college life at the University of La Verne on Jan. 24 through the Promise  Scholars program. First-generation students from the university gave tours and provided insight about their path to higher education during panel discussions. Another 360 students from Serrano Middle School visited on Jan. 25.

Beatriz Gonzalez, the university’s chief diversity officer and vice provost, praised students for taking the initiative to learn about their college options at such an early age.

“It shows that you’re dedicated to yourself, to your future, to spending time thinking about what you want your life to be like,” she said.

The University of La Verne is a federally-designated Hispanic Serving Institution, having a student population that is more than 40 percent Latino. De Anza has a student population that is more than 90 percent Latino and many of the De Anza students who choose to go to college will be the first in their families to do so, said Principal Adriana Gonzalez.

Promise Scholars supports students in planning for college and career pathways starting in the fifth grade. The University of La Verne waives application fees and offers scholarships to Promise Scholars who enroll at the university.