CSUB students take statewide service oath with governor

#CaliforniansForAll College Corps fellows begin work to improve community

By California State University, Bakersfield

October 7^th, 2022

Today, California Chief Service Officer Joshy Fryday administered the service oath to the first #CaliforniansForAll College Corps fellows — including 80 students from California State University, Bakersfield — during a statewide event streamed live from Sacramento that featured Gov. Gavin Newsom and participating colleges and universities.

“Part of the California way is giving back to help uplift others, and that is a core principle of the Californians for All College Corps,” Newsom said. “Students from a range of backgrounds will use their unique experiences to serve others and at the same time earn money for college – a triple win for our communities, our students and our future.”

College Corps is a statewide paid service program that provides meaningful work to underserved college students, helping them graduate on time and with less debt while benefitting the local community. Each fellow will receive $10,000 in return for work in the community during the course of the academic year.

The 80 CSUB students selected for year one of the program will work with several community organizations, including the Community Action Partnership of Kern, Dolores Huerta Foundation, United Way of Kern County, Buena Vista Museum of Natural History and Science and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County.

CSUB's edible garden, food pantry and the Sustainability and Energy Management Department are also participating.

“Community Action Partnership of Kern has a long and successful relationship with California State University, Bakersfield,” said CAPK CEO Jeremy Tobias. “Students studying everything from childhood education to public administration have completed successful internships in CAPK’s 17 programs, engaging in practical learning at the same time they helped provide critical services to thousands of families facing poverty and economic disadvantage in Kern County. After graduation, those students have often become successful employees at CAPK. The College Corps program is a fantastic way to grow and enhance this relationship. It serves students who, themselves, have faced economic challenges and helps these students become civic-minded leaders, overcome their own financial challenges and change their lives and communities for the better.”

Alondra Carreno, an 18-year-old sophomore majoring in liberal studies, was placed with the Boys & Girls Club, where she is working with transitional kindergarteners and kindergarteners.

“It has surprised me,” she said of her service so far. “I feel like younger children, they just want to tell you their whole life. I barley know them and they’re telling me about their grandparents and their dogs. It’s interesting because they tell me something new every day.”

The daughter of two teachers, Carreno said the experience has already taught her she’d prefer to work with younger children when she graduates from CSUB and earns her teaching credential.

“My parents are really proud,” Carreno said. “I struggled with finding scholarships and getting financial help and it was honestly a blessing because I really needed it.”

Katrina Gilmore, director of the Center for Career Education & Community Engagement, said CSUB began recruiting students last spring, and noted that the response was strong. Initially, CSUB had hoped to have 100 students in the first year of the two-year program, but some students have been forced to drop out due to schedule and life changes.

“We have a great cohort of fellows, and I am excited to watch them grow throughout the year,” Gilmore said.

College Corps fellows will dedicate the academic year to tackling the biggest issues facing the state. Fellows will work in their communities to tutor and mentor low-income students, distribute meals to those facing food insecurity and take climate action.

“In California, if you are willing to serve your community and give back in a meaningful way, we are going to help you pay for college,” said Fryday. “This is a win-win-win: Helping to pay for college, gaining valuable work experience, and having a meaningful impact on your community.”

Over the next four years, College Corps will engage 13,000 California undergraduates to make a positive difference in their communities. This service and career development program will help build a diverse class of leaders set to transform California for the better. Funding was made possible by the efforts of Governor Newsom and lawmakers.