My name’s Mark. I was hired on to design and manage the I.T. end of things for the tour. I traveled to most of the destinations to make sure the 20-odd computers kept operating. Because the computers were pretty reliable, I had time to observe the high school students who were using the computers to explore their options for college life. The students were assisted/mentored by a great group of CSU student volunteers, our dedicated production crew and the outstanding CSU staffers and managers who poured every ounce of their energy into this project.

Many of the schools we visited were chock full of kids who didn’t think they were (a) smart enough for college or (b) could afford college or (c) were cut out for college or (d) [insert your favorite excuse here]. However, through the Road to College experience, a number of them saw their objections batted away one by one until they got it that they could indeed look to a future that included a college degree, and that the CSU would be there to help them along the way.

For me, those were the times that made all the 5:15 mornings and all the junk food on-the-run worthwhile. You see, my regular job is rewarding enough, but here I was helping to change kids’ lives. That’s not something I get to do every day. It gave me a warm feeling to know that something I did may have had a positive life-long impact on some of the kids.

Thank you to Marge and Caron for asking me along for the ride. I got a lot more out of it than I bargained for.

Sincerely,

A graduate of CSU Dominguez Hills, class of… oh dear, let’s just say too many years ago.

McClymonds High Student Accesses Road to College Website

Unbelievable!

That it’s the last day of our incredible tour

That we have touched so many lives in California and helped students realize their dreams

That we started this project a few short (make that very short) months ago

That we made it to 14 locations in 10 days

That we met so many great people whose stories kept us inspired, motivated and alive

That the CSU chose to take this journey and help people realize that a college education is the key to success

That we found the best production crew who believed in this journey and made it happen

That we received so much positive feedback and requests to do this again from parents, counselors, administrators and students

And that this tour comes down to the countless students we met and had the privilege to speak with about the many opportunities college has waiting for them…students that changed our lives and made our Road to College journey unforgettable…to all of them we say “thanks for a great ride and get on board the Road to College!”

- Marge and Caron

This is Angelica Ochoa, reporting from Independence High School located in San Jose. As a first generation college student who is navigating college life with very little resources, I am happy to report I made it through school. My journey may have been a little easier had I had something as awesome as this College Tour!!!!!!! It is a really great feeling to know that this tour is helping educate so many and planting the seeds of college in their heads early on. Can’t wait to see the college bus tour next time. I’m on board!!!!!!!!!!

Road to College Street Team at Independence High...Thanks SJSU!

This morning I had the privilege to once again participate on the Road to College Bus Tour. Today was a different day from all the other high school visitations. I got to go to MyClymonds High School in Oakland. I was once again inspired by talking to students about college life and what it gives. I told them that college is a time in our lives where you can experience discipline, responsibility, and make memories that will last a lifetime. I mentioned that high school is very different from college. In high school, you HAVE to go to class; in college, you have a CHOICE, you can go to class or not. Basically, you are the boss of your own future. You are the boss of what career you want to get into, and that is an accomplishment in the making.

I also mentioned that college is a place where you can bring out the greatest potential in yourself and that nothing can hinder you from that. There is ALWAYS a way to get an education and there is ALWAYS a way to go to college.

I met a senior named Darneesha and she wanted to major in Biology or Fashion. I was deeply inspired by her determination to make it and and to become the first generation in her family to go to college. This girl had major drive to succeed and she almost made me cry. Her drive made me more inspired and more grateful for the opportunity to be in college to study what I love, FASHION.

Thank you CSU and AT&T for this wonderful opportunity. I will never forget it.

GO CSU! GO Beach!!!!!

McClymonds High School Students

Hey everyone! I’m Daisy, a student at Cal State East Bay, and I was given a chance to volunteer at one of the stops on the Road to College tour. I must say, it was quite an experience. Our stop was at McClymonds High School in Oakland, CA, but there were actually two schools which occupied the building: Excel High School and BEST (Business Entrepreneurial School of Technology) High School. We were able to meet about 50 kids there, and my fellow East Bay students and I (there were 3 of us total) helped out the high school students with any questions they had about college. It felt really good to be there because a lot of the students did not know where they wanted to go to college or how to search for scholarships. I was able to tell them about the different online resources they could use, and they seemed very appreciative of the new found knowledge that I helped with (score!).

A lot of the students I talked with said they wanted to major in business (the best major out there of course)! One student even said “business majors are gonna take over the world!” I was laughing so hard (on the inside at least)!

The bus was so nice! Computers were set up inside and out. Students were able to sit on nice couches to learn more about the CSU system. They asked a lot of questions which I thought was a great thing. Overall, the experience was a positive one. I don’t get to do many college outreach events, so the fact that I was able to do this one was really inspiring. It’s great knowing that I helped at least someone take charge of their future and figure out the beginnings of the journey ahead!

East Bay Street Team

Greetings from Sacramento! This is Nathan Evans, Director of Admissions & Recruitment at California State University San Marcos. I’m here on the Road to College bus where we’re showing off the amazing resources for students, families and educators available on calstate.edu and csumentor.edu.  

The bus has been at high schools, college fairs and counselor conferences across the state this week and has been a big hit. We’re actually being overwhelmed by requests for the bus to visit more schools and sites. We’ll see what we might be able to do in the future.

If you didn’t get to check out the bus in person, you can find out more at calstate.edu/roadtocollege(and see pics!).

Oh, and by the way, don’t forget today is the first day of the fall 2009 application period for fall 2009 for the CSU! Apply early!

-Nathan

Hello everyone I am David, and I am a Roadie for the Road To College Tour. When one thinks of “Roadie” one would imagine a life of glamour, luxury and pampered travels. One imagines journeys, adventures and continental breakfasts as far as the 5 freeway. And that one wouldn’t be disappointed! I’m having a great time.

Oh yeah, I was also hired to capture some of the event on video and created this fine gem:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lb_C8yTg8YA

Check it out. I’ll wait…..

Pretty sweet, right! Well, when I was first hired as a Roadie I wasn’t sure what to expect. All I knew was that it sounded like a great opportunity for high school students. Then I saw the bus…WOWSERS! This monster RV was larger than my apartment…complex! If this woulda rolled into my high school I would of been so excited about going to a CSU. So from this point on I couldn’t wait to hit the road and see the reaction of the students. And I wasn’t dissapointed at the sheer awesomness’ness the bus possesses (yes I said awesomnesss’ness!). I also enjoyed working with the CSU mentors and felt they were the perfect buffer between the high school students and the college experience.

It’s been an exhausting week and a half journey so far, in a different hotel almost every night, but working with a great crew to help future generations makes it all worth it.

If they decided to continue this tour and hit up more schools throughout the state I wouldn’t hesitate to jump on board the Road To College!

R4L (Roadie Fo’ Life)

Being a graduate of the California State University, Chico campus, I am proud to be a part of this tour. My CSU experience was an incredible one, and if I can encourage others to explore the CSU system, I’ve done my job. We get a lot of looks on the road with this giant RV, and I think the CSU system is getting some great press from our visits to high schools and educational conventions around the state. We’ll end up traveling over 2,000 miles before we finish, and with the responses we’ve received, we could easily do thousands more. Big thanks to our road crew, Melinda, Mark, Vince, Brent, and David for putting it all together and tearing it all down every single day. 13 locations in 10 days is no easy task, and this team has handled it all with a smile. See you on the road…………………

The experience I had today was great a lot of the students were open and welcoming to be advised. We shared stories and I shared how I am starting up a clothing line and I was surprised to find out how many students were interested in business. It was an overall good experience and was a pleasure to help out at Bullard.

–Albert Ticer

Students from Bullard High

I am a first generation college bound student. No one else in my entire family has come anywhere close to attending college. So my road to college has been very challenging. I did not have the family help or mentoring. I had to explore and research all the information for myself. After many obstacles and challenges I am finally a college student at CSU Fresno. I am a double major in biology and psychology, i am planning on attending graduate school for clinical psychology.

  Elizabeth Millan