LBCC Phoenix Scholars | Background | Funder | Research Team
The LBCC Phoenix Scholars is a research-informed program focused on increasing college access and success for gang-associated youth and young adults (16 to 24-years old) in the Long Beach, CA community.
Background
In partnership with Long Beach City College (LBCC), USC’s Pullias Center is creating a new research-informed program, the LBCC Phoenix Scholars, is designed to increase college access and success for young people who are, or have been, associated with local gangs. The goal is to support young people to develop a path out of gangs and instead into higher education to earn a two-year college degree, certificate, or credential.
The LBCC Phoenix Scholars is entirely funded by a $990,000 U.S. Department of Education grant and is the only recipient from across the U.S. of the grant. The holistic, asset-based approach of the program focuses on providing educational access to gang-associated youth and young adults in the Long Beach area, people who are perceived by law enforcement as associated with gangs, as well as their family members who may be unfairly perceived by educators or administrators because of their familial-gang connections. The program will work with other non-profit community groups and the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) to identify and recommend youth and young adults who meet the program’s criteria.
The program will establish numerous student services and support systems for LBCC Phoenix Scholars including early college experiences, LBCC enrollment assistance, mentorships, internships, specialized counseling and other supports specially designed to meet the needs of gang-associated youth and young adults.
Learn more about the LBCC Phoenix Scholars program by visiting Long Beach City College’s LBCC Phoenix Scholars webpage.
Funder
U.S. Department of Education
The LBCC Phoenix Scholars program is being developed under a grant from the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education, (FIPSE), U.S. Department of Education. The contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.
Research Team
Adrian Huerta
Assistant Professor of Education
Sonia De La Torre
Long Beach City College
Maritza E. Salazar
Research Assistant
Gabriela Torres
Research Assistant