CSU Transfer Success Pathway Opens Door to University Access
The California State University (CSU) system is actively working to streamline the transfer process for community college students through the Transfer Success Pathway (TSP), fostering a sense of belonging and increasing access to a four-year education. The program,launched in 2023,provides a comprehensive support system designed to guide students from their community college through admission and into accomplished enrollment at a CSU campus.
A core component of the TSP is proactive support before students even apply. Prospective transfer students receive pre-admission advising to help navigate requirements and plan their academic pathways. This is coupled with access to the CSU Transfer Planner tool,a resource designed to map out course equivalencies and ensure students are on track for their desired major.
The CSU aims to integrate TSP students into the university community well before their official transfer date. Students are invited to campus events and department activities, and benefit from ongoing engagement with CSU staff and faculty. This proactive approach, as explained by a CSU representative, ensures students “are not just preparing to transfer-they’re already connected.”
The success of the TSP hinges on strong partnerships between CSU campuses and their local community colleges. CSU transfer experts actively engage with community college staff, offering support, answering questions, and hosting campus visits and information sessions.
A particularly impactful collaboration exists between Cal State LA and Pasadena City college (PCC). The TSP has been integrated into PCC’s Strategic Transfer Plan, spearheaded by Tameka Alexander and her team, including Transfer Educational Advisor Jocelyn Ramirez and transfer counselor Yvette Valdez.PCC’s Transfer Center provides dedicated resources, including workshops, outreach events, and a dedicated landing page (https://pasadena.edu/academics/transfer-center/transfer-success-path-dual-admissions.php) to ensure students have consistent and accurate information.
Recent events, like Cal State LA Day at PCC, have further strengthened this connection. A dedicated “TSP Zone” allowed students to meet CSU representatives and sign TSP agreements on the spot. PCC even created custom “Cal State LA Bound” t-shirts, displaying both college logos to foster a sense of belonging and pride.
“The TSP exemplifies the power of partnership-uniting the PCC Transfer Center, CSU campus representatives and the CSU Chancellor’s Office,” stated Tameka Alexander. “When all partners work together with purpose and intention, transformative outcomes for students are achieved.”
The program is experiencing significant growth. In 2024, over 800 students signed TSP agreements at PCC alone, a substantial increase from the 323 agreements signed the previous year. Across the entire CSU system, approximately 1,200 students who signed a TSP agreement as 2023 have successfully transferred.
Looking ahead, both PCC and Cal State LA are focused on deepening student engagement and expanding support services. Cal State LA is also exploring ways to extend support to returning and continuing community college students who may not have initially qualified for TSP through its LANext initiative.This includes the new Guaranteed Admissions Pathway (GAP), which offers the same support services and guaranteed admission to 53 majors for eligible California Community College students who don’t qualify for TSP.
Ultimately, the TSP aims to provide opportunities for students who may not have previously envisioned themselves attending a four-year university, acting as a “bridge built through collaboration, care and commitment to student success.”
More information about the Transfer Success Pathway can be found at: https://www.calstate.edu/apply/transfer/Pages/transfer-success-pathway.aspx.
