More than 300 eighth grade students from Montclair and Ontario saw the promise of a college education when they visited the Cal State San Bernardino campus recently.

The students, participants in the Ontario-Montclair Promise Scholars Initiative, came from Vernon Middle School in Montclair and Oaks Middle School in Ontario and were greeted by Cody the Coyote, the CSUSB mascot, on Jan. 19.

During their visit, hosted by the Campus Tours and Events of the CSUSB Office of Admissions and Student Recruitment, the students stopped by the university’s Cyber Security Center and the Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art, and heard presentations that were focused on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) disciplines.

The Promise Scholars Program works with the Ontario-Montclair School District to ensure that all students receive opportunities to achieve their educational and career goals.

It aims to ensure more students have access to higher education and post-secondary technical training so they have the skills to be prepared for the future, for themselves, their families and their communities.

“Advanced education and technical skills means a more prepared workforce, which impacts higher-wage job development in the region,” the Promise Scholars website says. “The bottom line is that access to college benefits us all, and this work is a necessary part of preparing our communities for the future.”

The program is a partnership between Ontario-Montclair School District, Chaffey Joint Union High School District, Chaffey Community College, CSUSB and other community partners.

Photos by Robert A. Whitehead/CSUSB

The Promise Scholars Program works with the Ontario-Montclair School District to ensure that all students receive opportunities to achieve their educational and career goals.