South Bay Promise
Invest in the future of our students by supporting the South Bay Promise program.
The South Bay Promise
The South Bay Promise creates a direct pathway to college and increases access, affordability,
and success for all students and their families.DonateAnswering the call for college access and affordability and to create a college-going culture in the South Bay community, El Camino College created the South Bay Promise program. First-time, full-time students who enroll after their senior year of high school will have first- and second-year enrollment fees waived.
The rigorous academic programs at El Camino College are building tomorrow's workforce and preparing El Camino students for these careers. Strong community college programs can ensure that a state has the skilled workers trained for the jobs of the future, including job openings in manufacturing that can't be filled due to the skills gap.
Accessible and Affordable Education
With the introduction of the South Bay Promise, an opportunity exists to break these barriers and make a postsecondary education available to all high school students in the South Bay.
By creating accessible and affordable higher education, the South Bay Promise will contribute to economic grown in the South Bay, which benefits local businesses, and creates a sense of community pride.
The overall goal of the South Bay Promise program is to attract high school students to community college, therefore, creating a more educated and sustainable local workforce.
Comprehensive Support
Opening the door financially to a college education is a great start, but more must be done. To help ensure students' success, programs are in place to provide strong connections to El Camino College for South Bay Promise students. To this end, students entering El Camino College through the South Bay Promise will receive the following benefits:
- Priority early registration
- Educational planning
- Guaranteed placement in required English and math classes the first year
- Additional academic counseling services
- An array of services to choose from
- Guidance and assistance through follow-up activities for continuous support
- An active, engaging, and dynamic setting for students to grow their knowledge and skills
I am the first to attend college in my family. Going to college wasn't on my radar until I heard about the South Bay Promise program from my counselor. El Camino College has been great; I plan to major in kinesiology."
Learn More
Program History
At the encouragement of the South Bay Workforce Investment Board (SBWIB), the El Camino College South Bay Promise program started in 2014 with 12 students from Inglewood Unified School District and Centinela Valley Union High School District.
The South Bay Promise included 90 students in the fall of 2017 with the inclusion of Torrance Unified School District.
In the fall of 2018, the program expanded to 500 students who graduated the prior June from one of the district's high schools or reside in the El Camino Community College District service area.
News
Through the Foundation, El Camino College recently received a $50,000 pledge from American Honda Motor Co., Inc. as a lead gift to create the South Bay Promise Endowment Fund. The South Bay Promise program provides affordable access to a college education. This commitment from Honda will be the catalyst for providing long-term funding in perpetuity for students in the South Bay.
Dr. Dena Maloney and Andrea Sala (center) surrounded by friends from American Honda Motor Co. - Karin Baker and Steve Morikawa (on left) and Alexandra Warnier and Kacey Takeshima-Ahn (on right).
On May 11, 130 South Bay leaders visited El Camino College to participate in a signing ceremony for the South Bay Promise.
Educational leaders, elected officials and community partners joined together to sign resolutions and reaffirm their commitment to this program that provides college access. State Senator Ben Allen was the keynote speaker and American Honda Motor Co., Inc. presented a $50,000 check to support an endowment fund for the South Bay Promise.
The South Bay Promise expanded in the fall of 2018 to include 500 high school graduates
from all seven school districts in the El Camino Community College District. Through
this program, high school graduates who attend ECC full time will have enrollment
fees waived for the first year. The Foundation was pleased to host this historic event
and bring awareness to this vital community program.
View Photos
Signing Ceremony Television Coverage
Signing Ceremony keynote speaker, Senator Ben Allen.
South Bay Workforce Investment Board
The SBWIB embraces comprehensive strategies to meet the needs of business for a skilled
workforce, while creating opportunities for workers to prepare for and enter into
well-paid careers.Learn MoreThe South Bay Workforce Investment Board (SBWIB) is a partner in the South Bay Promise working with our local colleges and universities.
The SBWIB provides services to South Bay Promise students to create workplace readiness skills as they transition into college and career preparedness. SBWIB also offers a variety of services including:
- Resume building
- Interview preparedness
- Leadership/team building
- Internships
- Hiring events and recruitment opportunities in the South Bay
We want our students to believe in their educational dreams and know we support them by surrounding them with the resources needed to prosper. With the support of our entire community, the South Bay Promise will succeed.
South Bay Promise Sponsorships
Want to help support the South Bay Promise? All gifts of $5,000 or more will be named on the donor recognition wall. Significant pledge commitments may be paid over multiple years.
Should you have any questions regarding South Bay Promise gifts, please contact:
Andrea Sala | Executive Director
310-660-6040
asala@elcamino.edu
Heidi Wang | Development Officer
310-660-3593 x6716
hwang@elcamino.edu