性视界

Photo credit: 漏 Gates Archive/Christopher Farber

Bill Gates visited 性视界 on Monday to explore the state and region鈥檚 efforts to streamline college pathways benefitting California students.

During the three-hour visit, Gates met with leaders including 性视界 Superintendent/President Henry Shannon, Michelle Decker, president and CEO of the Inland Empire Community Foundation, and Eloy Oakley, former California Community Colleges chancellor and current president and CEO of the .

鈥淭he Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has provided generous support for numerous statewide initiatives such as and , programs that have helped countless students achieve their academic and career goals,鈥� Shannon said. 鈥淲e are grateful to the foundation and Mr. Gates for including 性视界 in the conversation about the future of postsecondary education in California and how we can provide equitable outcomes for our students.鈥�

It is the second time the has visited 性视界 this year.

The team visited 性视界鈥檚 Industrial Technical Learning Center (InTech) in Fontana earlier in the spring to learn about educational initiatives in the region. The team returned because of what it learned at InTech and due to 性视界鈥檚 role as a leader in education reform with initiatives such as , a law that grants most college students immediate access to college-level math and English without remedial coursework.

Gates and the foundation chatted with leaders about approaches to enact large-scale change throughout the state that put students and their journeys at the center of educational systems alignment. He sought information about how existing statewide initiatives designed to streamline pathways from high school to college and careers have been implemented by colleges in partnership with K-12 districts.

He met with students and observed a demonstration by 性视界 students in the cybersecurity program, heard about 性视界鈥檚 dual enrollment partnerships with area school districts and learned about 性视界鈥檚 digital credentialing system ACES (Academic Community Employability Skills).

Associate Professor of Computer Information Systems David Nimri said Gates鈥� first words about the cybersecurity program were 鈥淭his is impressive.鈥�

鈥淚n many ways this was almost like a dream come true where one of the most preeminent folks in information technology who changed the industry came here to talk to us, meet our students and assess our program,鈥� Nimri said.

Campus leaders wrapped up the visit with a discussion about how districts and other organizations can work together to support statewide higher education goals and ensure equitable access, completion and quality employment opportunities for all students. The conversation included Shinay Bowman, assistant superintendent of instructional services for the Upland Unified School District, who shared success stories about the school鈥檚 UCollege Academy dual enrollment program.

It is the latest in the Gates Foundation鈥檚 efforts to improve educational opportunities for students.

The Foundation launched the 鈥溾�� initiative in 2022, providing support for establishing and scaling dual enrollment programs in states across the country. The initiative aims to give every high school graduate a chance to earn an associate鈥檚 degree or certificate within a year of graduating.

The Foundation also supported Inland Empire organizations including Growing Inland Achievement, 性视界 and the Inland Empire Community Foundation in conducting a policy roundtable in 2021, identifying the needs of the region. This contributed to Gov. Gavin Newsom dedicating $700 million to support expansion and the 鈥溾��. The funding will contribute to expanding and strengthening dual enrollment partnerships between colleges and K-12 school districts.