By Daily Press staff
California’s recent budget problems haven’t slowed down Santa Monica College’s student transfer success.
SMC was ranked No. 1 in transfers to the University of California system in 2002- 2003, far outpacing other California colleges and community colleges. The college also continues to be a leader in sending underrepresented minorities to the UC system and in transferring students to such private schools as the University of Southern California, school officials say.
“SMC attracts highly-qualified students and challenges them to meet high expectations,” said Dan Nannini, SMC Transfer Center coordinator. SMC transferred 895 students to UC campuses last school year, far outdistancing the No. 2 feeder, De Anza College in Cupertino, with 589.
Nannini credits the college’s quality faculty, high school outreach programs and the clout of KCRW, the college’s public radio station, as draws for its high caliber students.
Nannini pointed out that the college has a strong transfer counseling record. SMC’s Transfer Center conducts workshops, hosts one of the largest college fairs in the state, holds weekly visits from four-year institutions, and has a close working relationship with UC and CSU to make sure SMC students get credit for their classes.
Nannini said he is pleased that SMC is ranked so high in transfers of students from underrepresented minorities, but noted that the total is still lower than what the college would like. Specialized centers for African-American and Latino students work hard to improve those numbers, he said.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 24, 2003. Read the original PDF.