Six San Bernardino County school districts have signed an agreement with Cal State San Bernardino to create a “cradle-to-career” pipeline to automatically admit qualified high school graduates.
The university and school districts on Wednesday, Sept. 24, signed a memorandum of understanding that lays out the guaranteed admissions program for high school seniors in the Apple Valley Unified, Chaffey Joint Union High School, Fontana Unified, San Bernardino City Unified, Rim of the World Unified and Victor Valley Union High School districts.
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The partnership allows Cal State San Bernardino to offer admission to qualifying students before they submit an application.
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Cal State San Bernardino President Tomás D. Morales and university mascot Cody the Coyote high-five Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, after a news conference about a direct admissions program for six San Bernardino County school districts. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
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Cal State San Bernardino President Tomás D. Morales and university mascot Cody the Coyote high-five Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, after a news conference about a direct admissions program for six San Bernardino County school districts. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
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“The data is clear, direct admission increases college-going rates,” David Dufault-Hunter, the university’s vice president, strategic enrollment management and marketing, said during an announcement on campus. “… We know that getting a college degree not only transforms individuals, it transforms communities, cities and our state.”
Data from a pilot program launched last year that involves 10 Cal State campuses — including Cal State San Bernardino and Riverside County school districts — streamlines the process for students. That program is similar to the one announced Wednesday.
In the first year of the pilot program, Cal State San Bernardino saw a 40% jump in applications and a 28% rise in enrollment from Riverside County students, Dufault-Hunter said.
“What that tells us is that there are students that never thought they would qualify, or even thought about going to college who, because of direct admission, received this notification, ‘OK, this is possible for me,’ so they applied,” Dufault-Hunter said.
The program will remove the initial application process, which can relieve stress, Default-Hunter said. Students will know that they have a school to attend, which would allow them to focus on pulling together finances or adjusting to the transition between high school and college that often gets put off, he said.
Under the program, students enrolled at the six San Bernardino County high schools who are on track to meet the requirements for Cal State admission will be offered automatic admission to the university. Requirements include a minimum 2.5 GPA and 15 required courses in math, science, history, English, visual and performing arts and a foreign language.
The students will receive a postcard or notification letting them know they are eligible. Once they decide to go to Cal State, they must submit an application with the required paperwork.
“San Bernardo County has the lowest college-going rate of any county in the state by 10 percentage points,” Dufault-Hunter said.
The county is one of the fastest-growing in the region in terms of high school graduates, he said, and direct admission gives the university an opportunity to dramatically change the outcome for students in the county.
“The IE is also the region of our state with the greatest untapped potential,” said Cal State San Bernardino President Tomás Morales, who in late August announced his departure. “And by participating in this program, each student here is about to unleash that potential.”
San Bernardino County Superintendent Ted Alejandre said the program will reduce barriers for students who want to attend college.
It takes “a team effort to make sure that students have the opportunity to come to college,” said Alejandre, who in August announced his retirement at the end of his term in 2027.
Valerie Aparicio Maldonado, a senior at San Bernardino’s Cajon High School, called the initiative an example of how the university cares for its students.
Maldonado participated in the college-readiness program Coyote Blue through the school.
The partnership between the university and the school districts ensures students have equitable access to high education, making a clear path for college without the stress and anxiety, Maldonado said.
“You’re not just opening doors for students like me, you’re helping us walk through them with confidence, and for that, I’m truly grateful,” Maldonado said in her remarks during the announcement.
Ashley Suarez, a senior at Jurupa Hills High School in Fontana, also spoke at the event.
“Having this direct admission to Cal State University San Bernardino is a bridge to major opportunities in allowing students to further their education,” Suarez said.
Applying to college is a stressful, said Suarez, who added that there are students fortunate enough to have a support system but there are many navigating the system on their own as first-generation college students and first-generation Americans.
The initiative will relieve student stress, she said. Many students don’t realize they can go to college and the initiative will open doors for them, Suarez said.
“So having this opportunity is so incredible, and we are very grateful to have this in which students are going to be able to take this and be the first in their families to attend college, to be the first to be able to show their siblings or their communities that it is possible to go to college, it is possible to further your education,” Suarez said.
