GEAR UP Class of 2024 students took a step closer to college as part of the six-week Toros Summer Academy at Cal State Dominguez Hills, during which they took enrichment and college-level courses and lived in the campus dorms.
CSUDH’s program allowed college-bound students to learn how to prepare for and navigate higher education, explore careers and plan for a successful future.
My favorite part is meeting new people and getting the college experience, even if it’s just six weeks. I feel like I’ve matured school- and education-wise.
Marissa Hernandez, a junior at Libra Academy at Marquez High School
The Academy featured five weeks of enrichment and an array of college-level courses, including Chicano and Africana Studies, STEM, financial literacy, art, music and theater, and social-emotional wellness – all held in person on the university campus.
It was followed by a one-week overnight stay in the dorms, allowing students to experience full-day activities preparing them for life on a college campus.
“I think I’ve grown socially and made new friends,” Paulina Munguia, a junior at Santee Education Complex said. “It’s a great college experience, and you get college credit for it.”