ESUHSD Contact: Sergio Diaz Luna
(408) 644-2557
SAN JOSE, CA – On February 13, 2024, the East Side Education Foundation (ESEF) held a forum and speaker panel at the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) focused on equitable access to higher education. The discussion, “Is College Necessary?” explored how higher education institutions, K-12 schools, and nonprofits can improve pathways for the county’s most vulnerable students.
Among the speakers at the forum were:
- Dr. Mary Ann Dewan, Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools
- Cynthia Teniente-Matson, President, San Jose State University (SJSU)
- Eva Blanco Masias, Vice President for Enrollment Management, Santa Clara University
- Heather Lattimer, EdD - Dean of the Lurie College of Education, SJSU
- Alyssa Lynch - Superintendent, Metropolitan Education District
- Guisselle Nunez - Associate Vice President of Strategic Marketing and Communications, San Francisco State University
- Mike Roberts - Founder & CEO, Creating Coding Careers
- Glenn Vander Zee - Superintendent, East Side Union High School District
“Preparing students for life after high school requires a future-ready approach to ensure they are ready for their next step,” said County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mary Ann Dewan. “High schools are providing engaging and strong college and career-ready courses of study and pathways.”
Because of the collective work of county schools and local community organizations, of more than 19,000 Santa Clara County high school graduates, approximately 15,000 were enrolled in college reported by the
California Department of Education for the 2020-21 academic year. The college-going rate in the county was 77.5 percent, as compared to the state percent of 62.2.
“We’re helping our students realize that a college education is within their reach, academically and financially,” said East Side Union High School District Superintendent Glen Vander Zee. “We provide students the preparation and skills to enter and succeed in college and ultimately their careers.”
Over the last decade, ESEF has raised more than $1 million to support student scholarships. Their premiere support program centers on the Spartan East Side Promise, a pathway to guaranteed admission to San Jose State University for qualifying East Side Union High School District students. Since its inception, more than 1,300 students have participated in the program. The foundation supports students applying and entering the university through the Spartan East Side Promise Summer Program and Scholarship Program.
"While we know not everyone is going to college, it should be a matter of choice, not because of a lack of opportunity," said East Side Education Foundation Board President, Manny Barbara.
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About the Santa Clara County Office of Education
Working collaboratively with school and community partners, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is a regional service agency committed to serving, inspiring, and promoting student and public school success. The SCCOE is a premier service organization driven by the core principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and partnership. For more information about the Santa Clara County Office of Education, please visit www.sccoe.org and follow us @SCCOE on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
About the East Side Union High School District
East Side Union High School District is a school district in San Jose, California, serving the East Side of San Jose. ESUHSD administers 19 high schools with a combined enrollment of approximately 24,500 students. ESUHSD’s mission is to align decisions to create safe, dynamic and relevant learning environments that inspire critical thinking, problem solving and innovation. Follow East Side Union High School District on Instagram @esuhsdproud and Facebook @EastSideUnionHSD
About the East Side Education Foundation
The East Side Education Foundation was founded in 2009 to provide support and enhance extracurricular, educational, and athletic opportunities for students in East San José, California. Our mission is to promote and create bold and innovative programs, services, and partnerships that measurably elevate sustainable student success.
