FOR RELEASE: November 3, 1999

CSUN Joins Local High Schools, Colleges
In a Walk for Student Success

At least 600 people are expected to take part in the "Walk for Success," sponsored by Project GRAD Los Angeles, of which Northridge is a partner. The walkers will be visiting approximately 2,500 homes of sixth and ninth grade students in Pacoima, San Fernando, Arleta and Sylmar to help them prepare for college.

"This partnership provides a wonderful opportunity for the university to be involved at the very early stages of a young person's educational career," said Ludim Seja de Manzano, director of CSUN's Student Outreach and Recruitment. "The young people and their families Saturday will have a chance to talk one-on-one with university officials and current CSUN students about what it takes to go to college."

The walk is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. at San Fernando High School, 11133 O'Melveny Ave., San Fernando.

Visitors to the ninth graders' homes will formalize a College Scholarship Agreement with the student, his or her parents or guardians and San Fernando High School. The agreement outlines the criteria high school students must meet to receive a $6,000 college scholarship.

Volunteers will also visit sixth grade students and their families and give them an opportunity to sign a Scholarship Contract that establishes a commitment on the part of the parents, the school and Project GRAD Los Angeles to support the student's academic preparation for college.

Families of these students will be surveyed to identify needs that the school can address, to introduce parents to school expectations and to explain the many opportunities available at the school for both students and families.

Project GRAD Los Angeles' mission is to prepare inner-city, minority students to attend college. Cal State Northridge is part of the Project GRAD effort, providing tutors, mentors, parent education programs and other support to participating schools and the project itself.

Project GRAD is partnered with 15 schools, with more than 25,000 children, in the San Fernando School Cluster. The project introduces into all elementary and middle schools four quality programs that focus on self discipline, confidence, reading and math to enhance school instruction.

For more information about Project GRAD Los Angeles, call (818) 760 4695.