Destination College Advising Corps (DCAC) | Office of Education Partnerships

In 2019, a partnership was developed between the College Advising Corps (CAC) and UC Santa Barbara’s Office of Education Partnerships (OEP). This partnership is fostered by the UC Office of the President and UC Berkeley’s Destination College Advising Corps (DCAC) program.

The UCSB College Advising Corps adopted the UC Berkeley DCAC program model and engages a cohort of UCSB’s Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (UCSB MESA) students at our school sites.

Group of seven people standing in front of a College Advising Corps background.

PROGRAM PURPOSE

Students

DCAC aims to increase college access and preparation for low-income, first-generation and underrepresented high school students. DCAC’s purpose is to ensure all students are prepared to apply to college, have the opportunity to attend college, and are aware of all the post-secondary education options available to them. Students are connected with a highly trained, recent college graduate who is placed at their school site full-time as a College Adviser Fellow.

College Adviser Fellows

The DCAC College Adviser Fellows are first-generation college students who have obtained their bachelor’s degree within two years of beginning their fellowship. Participation in the DCAC service and training program is for a maximum of two years and aims to prepare the College Adviser Fellows to be leaders in education.

PROGRAM INFORMATION

For high school students interested in participating in the program, here is what you can expect:

Intensive academic advising and college planning
Development of an Individualized Academic Plan (IAP) utilizing the UC Transcript Evaluation Service (TES)
Financial aid and scholarship application assistance
College application assistance
Student leadership development
College campus visits
SAT/ACT registration assistance

Please note the following for the UC admissions for freshman:

Freshman applicants are not required to submit SAT/ACT test scores for fall 2021 and fall 2022 application cycles.
SAT Subject Tests are not required, but are recommended for certain selective majors.

For further information please visit the University of California Admissions by clicking here.

Whole School Information

DCAC activities help support our school sites to increase their college enrollment rates and the program serves as a resource for all students at the school. Our DCAC support activities include:

Individual drop-in college advising/preparation
Parent/guardian/family workshops/events
College information and preparation workshops
Financial aid/scholarship workshops

Participant Eligibility

First generation, college and/or low-income students are eligible to enroll in the DCAC program at one of our school sites. For more information, please contact the DCAC College Adviser at your school site.

COLLEGE ADVISER FELLOWS

	Adèle Farag College Adviser - Adolfo Camarillo High School adelefarag@ucsb.edu Adèle Farag grew up in Jackson, Wyoming, where she graduated from Journeys School in 2017. After spending a year and a half at Pitzer College, she transitioned to Central Wyoming College, where she completed her A.A. in Psychology through online courses. Adèle then transferred to CSU Channel Islands, where she earned her B.A. in Psychology. Adele advises because... "I want all students to know there are multiple avenues to success and ways in which they can succeed!"
	Jesus Torres College Adviser - Carpinteria High School jmtorres@ucsb.edu Jesus received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He hopes to follow a career in Counseling to be a support for those students/kids that need it the most. Jesus advises because… he wants to encourage students to pursue and reach their goals and dreams!
	Katelynn Francis College Adviser - Lompoc High School katelynnfrancis@ucsb.edu Katelyn advises because… “I want to be a resource for students and help advocate for their success!”.
	Angelica Garcia College Adviser - Oxnard High School agarcia63@ucsb.edu Angelica received a Bachelor of Arts in Education and Social Transformation and a Bachelor of Arts in Chicanx and Central American Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles. Her future career aspiration is to continue working in education as an educator or a counselor. Angelica advises because… "everyone should have access to resources and support that provide them with the opportunity to pursue their goals after high school"
	Citlally Torres-Colmenares College Adviser – Rio Mesa High School citlally@ucsb.edu Citlally is a first-generation graduate from UC Santa Barbara, earning her bachelor's degree in Sociology with a minor in Spanish. Citlally is originally from the small border town of Calexico, CA. Citlally advises because… “I want to show students that their dreams can be an attainable reality”.
	Cynthia Rojas College Adviser - Santa Paula High School cynthiarojas@ucsb.edu Cynthia received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Science from the University of California, Merced. She hopes to make a positive impact on students and set them up with the right resources to make them successful. Cynthia advises because... "she wants students, especially underrepresented students, to have access to college resources and support to accomplish their academic goals."
	Marcus Peinado College Adviser - Ventura/Santa Barbara County Schools marcuspeinado@ucsb.edu Marcus graduated from Santa Maria High School in 2017 and attended AHC for three years before transferring to CSU Channel Islands, where he earned his B.A. in Liberal Studies. Marcus advises because … “I want all students to know of every possible pathway they can explore”.

PROGRAM CONTACTS

For further information, please contact the OEP staff members listed below:

Mirian Gutierrez DCAC Regional Manager
mirian.gutierrez@ucsb.edu