UCSD Joins Forces with Area Tribal Leaders to Enhance
Career/College Preparation for American Indian Students

             The “I’m Going to College” Event, was held on Saturday, June 9, 2007 at UC San Diego as a joint outreach effort between UCSD, the Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association (SCTCA), the California Student Opportunity Access Program (Cal-SOAP), the University of California American Indian Counselors and Recruiters Association (AICRA), and the Pauma Tribal After School Program. UC San Diego faculty, staff, students and community members participated in this year’s event.

            The purpose of the event was to explore new directions in exposing 4th -12th grade American Indian students from more than 20 SCTCA tribal reservations to college and career preparation in an effort to begin increasing college-going rates among such students to higher education institutions, including UCSD.

            This is the second consecutive year UCSD, SCTCA and Cal-SOAP have collaborated on the I’m Going to College event. Last year, the gathering attracted more than 140 American Indian students and adults from nine reservations. The majority of the student attendees were 12-15 years-old.