In being named to Excelencia’s Baccalaureate Level category for its 2024 Examples of Excelencia recognition, Upward Bound was recognized as one of the programs that demonstrated an intentional and aligned approach in supporting Latino and other post-traditional students academically, financially and socially.
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 and those aspiring to attend college.
“I think the fact that [alumni] have returned to the university speaks to the positive, relationship-building aspects of our [pre-college] programs and to the opportunities the programs offer,” said Summer Steele, the executive director of CSUSB’s Pre-College Programs. “Many begin as student assistants in our office, build their skills and continue on. CSUSB is great for those students who were part of the pre-college pipeline.”
In the last 10 years, CSUSB has grown from having two pre-college programs serving 100 students per year, across six high schools, to now housing programs serving more than 10,000 students per year, across 16 school districts in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.
“One thing that we teach our students here in Upward Bound at Cal State San Bernardino is the power of telling your story, and taking the power of your story to help others,” says Dalia Hernández.
The federal grants will help the program, which works with high school students, provide one-on-one academic support and guidance, individual and group tutoring, and access to college campus visits.
James Trotter of Academic Technologies & Innovation and Dalia Hernández of Upward Bound will join a program that prepares early to mid-career academic and administrative emerging leaders who aspire to advance.
Memorial services will be held at San Salvador Catholic Church, 169 W. L Street, in Colton. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to organizations most dear to him: Inland Empire Future Leaders or the Tzu Chi Foundation.
Hawkins, who served at the university for 33 years as an administrator for various programs including Upward Bound and EOP, passed away on Nov. 18.