California Educational Facilities Authority
Academic Assistance Program Grant Recipient
Pomona College
Pomona College's Summer Scholars Enrichment Program (SSEP) is an academic outreach and enrichment program targeted at low-income, first-generation, or historically underrrepresented students from Los Angeles area and Inland Valley high schools. The program provides academic skills training and mentoring with the objective of providing each student with the information and skills necessary to enroll in a four-year college or university after graduating from high school. Each summer, the program brings 90 high school sophomores, juniors and seniors to campus for an intensive, 4-week residential program. SSEP scholars participate in two core courses: Math/Problem Solving and Critical Inquiry/Writing taught by Pomona College faculty. In addition, each participant chooses two electives taught by Pomona College students who serve as teaching assistants. Rising 12th graders are given the rare opportunity to work on a significant research project under the direction of a Pomona College faculty member. Scholars spend 10-15 hours per week working on these projects, which are then presented to the Summer Scholars community. The summer residential program is complemented by a year-round academic enrichment, mentoring, and college access program providing information about financial aid, the college application process, and free SAT workshops. The Program's track record is impressive: the first two graduating cohorts have a 100% college-going rate.
