UNITE-LA convened more than 70 cross-sector partners in April for a Lunch & Learn focused on dual enrollment partnerships between K-12 districts and California State University campuses. While most dual enrollment opportunities across California are offered through community colleges, the session highlighted how CSU-based models can provide students with earlier access to university coursework, campus experiences and degree pathways. Bringing together K–12 districts, higher education institutions, workforce leaders and policymakers, the discussion explored how these partnerships can strengthen college access while creating clearer connections to postsecondary education and high-demand careers. Presenters from Cal Poly Pomona, CSU Long Beach and Pomona Unified School District shared promising approaches designed to expand opportunity and improve pathway alignment for students historically underrepresented in higher education.

The session highlighted work supported through the L.A. Region K–16 Collaborative, which has helped align K–12 districts, CSU campuses and regional partners to address persistent barriers in college access and pathway navigation. Presenters emphasized that while dual enrollment participation has expanded significantly in recent years, greater attention is needed to ensure coursework is intentionally connected to students’ academic and career goals.

Featured examples demonstrated how CSU partnerships can move dual enrollment beyond access alone. Cal Poly Pomona and Pomona Unified School District shared an ethnic studies dual enrollment model that embeds university credit-bearing coursework into the high school experience, while CSU Long Beach highlighted its ENGR 101 program, which allows high school students to earn CSU credit while learning alongside university students and exploring engineering pathways firsthand. Together, these models illustrate how stronger K–12 and university partnerships can help students build confidence, strengthen college readiness and gain earlier exposure to academic and career pathways.

The discussion reinforced the importance of continued collaboration, policy alignment and shared accountability to ensure students can access dual enrollment opportunities that support both college completion and career success. Slides and a recording are available at losangelesk16.org/technicalassistance.

For more information, please reach out to Carrie Lemmon, Senior Vice President, Systems Change Strategy, at [email protected].