Project Access is designed to bring more inner city and urban
students to Laney College and the Peralta Community College
District. Project Access consists of a team of Laney College staff
members. The project is headed by the Dean of Student Support
Services/Matriculation. The team consists of representatives from
Admissions, Financial Aide, Counseling, Matriculation, Assessment,
EOPS, DSPS, and CalWORKs.
Each member of the team is linked with a particular school to visit
and give presentations on opportunities at Laney College. They
provide prospective students with information and materials
including catalogues and class schedules. In addition to English,
much of the information is available in Spanish, Vietnamese, and
Chinese. Access team members prepare reports of their visits and
discuss successful strategies and difficulties at monthly meetings.
Once each year the team sponsors a high school day where prospective
students come to the campus. In 2004, over 180 students
participated. Students are given a sense of what a college day is
like. Particular attention is devoted to making students aware of
vocational training programs. Campus tours and information on
student support programs are given. Project Access also links with
community organization to recruit older students. They make
presentations at churches, correctional facilities, the California
Conservation Corps and other community based organizations, and
provide campus tours for these groups.
Project Access team members participate as part of their regular
duties. B-FAP funds (Board Financial Assistance Program) are used to
increase the number of Pell grants and to produce the marketing
materials. Each year Project access holds a breakfast for community
leaders and school counselors. They inform these individuals that
they will be happy to come to their sites and provide information
about Laney College.
In the four years the project has been operating there have been
more calls for information and requests for tours. Project Access
plays an instrumental part in informing students of options at Laney
College.
To replicate this program it is best to recruit staff members who
are energetic and committed because participation is over and above
their regular duties. It is also important to provide training for
the team, have consistent, scheduled meetings and recognize team
members for their efforts.
Dr. Matthew D. Kritscher, Dean of Student Support
Services/Matriculation
900 Fallon St, Oakland, CA 94607
510-986-6992,
mkritscher@peralta.edu