Ontario, CA – The Chaffey Joint Union High School District (CJUHSD) has entered into historic agreements with Chaffey College and Florida A&M University that create a streamlined pathway to a college education for students within the state’s second largest high school district.
The agreements with Chaffey, one of the nation’s earliest community colleges, and Florida A&M, one of 107 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in the United States, were formalized Tuesday night by the District’s Board of Trustees.
The CJUHSD-Chaffey College partnership expands dual-enrollment opportunities across the District’s eight comprehensive high schools, allowing students to earn college credit and a college degree while still in high school.
The Florida A&M partnership guarantees admission to Chaffey District students who meet minimum acceptance requirements. It is the District’s 11th guaranteed-enrollment agreement, and the first agreement of its kind between a California district and an HBCU institution.
“These two agreements are milestones for our District and build on our vision to ensure that all students graduate high school prepared for college and career. We are truly honored to enter into these partnerships with Chaffey College and Florida A&M and are grateful for the commitment that these distinguished institutions are making to our students and our community,” said Dr. Mathew Holton, CJUHSD Superintendent.
Both agreements carry special significance.
Chaffey College and the Chaffey Joint Union High School District both are rooted in the commitment made by Canadian developer George Chaffey when he helped pioneer Greater Ontario in the late 1800s. Among Mr. Chaffey’s goals was to establish a model community with education as a focal point.
“I believe as Dr. Holton does that George Chaffey would be proud to see Chaffey College and Chaffey Joint Union come together they way we have, on behalf of students across our region,” Dr. Henry Shannon, President of Chaffey College, told the Board.
The Florida A&M agreement aligns with the Chaffey District’s unbending commitment to ensuring that all students have an equal opportunity to succeed. Florida A&M is the third largest historically Black university in the U.S. and the only public historically black university in Florida.
Hugh Durham, Director of Admissions at A&M, credited Joshua Kirk, the Chaffey District’s Director of College Readiness and Access, for making the connection that led to the agreement. Kirk is an HBCU alumni, having attended Southern University.
“This partnership not only is the first of its kind, but it’s providing students in the District with another option at a nationally and internationally renowned university. We believe that diversity doesn’t just come from race of socio-economic status, but geographically too,” Durham said.