Two Cal State San Bernardino programs, Upward Bound and the Dream Internship, have been recognized by Excelencia in Education as among the best initiatives in the country serving Latino students in higher education with approaches that respect culture and build on strengths.

Upward Bound, a college prep program housed in CSUSB’s Office of Pre-College Programs, is one of 18 finalists for the 2024 Examples of Excelencia. On Sept. 30, Excelencia will announce from the list of finalists four 2024 Examples of Excelencia at each level: associate, baccalaureate, graduate and community-based organizations. CSUSB’s Upward Bound is in the baccalaureate level. The announcement will take place during the organization’s annual, invitation-only capstone event, Celebración de Excelencia, in Washington, D.C.

Upward Bound and the other finalists were selected through a review of 103 program submissions representing higher education institutions and community-based organizations across 20 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico in four categories: associate, baccalaureate, graduate, and community-based organizations. Programmatic details about the finalists are featured online in Excelencia’s Growing What Works Database — a national, searchable database for institutional leaders, funders, policymakers and others interested in evidence-based programming for Latino students.

“This year’s finalists demonstrate an intentional and aligned approach in supporting Latino and other post-traditional students academically, financially, and socially,” according to Excelencia. “These efforts lead to improved retention and persistence rates as students work toward credit and degree completion.”

CSUSB Upward Bound is part of the U.S. Department of Education’s TRIO Programs, which is designed to provide educational and personal support to high school students from low-income backgrounds. The program focuses on increasing high school graduation rates, as well as college enrollment and persistence rates. The CSUSB program serves students at Rialto, Eisenhower, Carter, San Bernardino, Pacific and Arroyo Valley high schools.

The Upward Bound Success Center provides resources and services to boost academic performance, including tutoring, instruction, advising, coaching and mentoring. Additionally, its Summer University program offers an immersive academic environment with rigorous instruction and a glimpse into collegiate life through on-campus residence.

The Dream Internship, which focuses on undocumented/DACA students, is listed among Excelencia’s 2024 Programs to Watch. The 12 programs were identified by Excelencia because of their promising efforts already making a positive impact on Latino student success while building their evidence of effectiveness. 

The Dream Internship is a paid, on-campus internship opportunity for undocumented students at CSUSB. By participating in the internship, students enhance their research skills, gain pre-professional experience, and expand their network of CSUSB students, staff and faculty.

The internship is part of a campus-wide effort to support undocumented students in their completion of the Dream Service Incentive Grant (DSIG) requirements. The DSIG is a California Student Aid Commission program.

About Excelencia in Education
Excelencia in Education accelerates Latino student success in higher education by promoting Latino student achievement, conducting analysis to inform educational policies, advancing institutional practices, and collaborating with those committed and ready to meet the mission. Launched in 2004 in the nation’s capital, Excelencia has established a network of results-oriented educators and policymakers to address the U.S. economy’s needs for a highly educated workforce and engaged civic leaders.