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

Marcus Peinado Marcus Peinado College Adviser - Adolfo Camarillo High School
marcuspeinado@ucsb.edu
Kevin Espino Kevin Espino College Adviser - Cabrillo/Maple High School
kevinespino@ucsb.edu
Jesus Torres 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 Katelynn Francis College Adviser - Lompoc High School High School
katelynnfrancis@ucsb.edu
Angelica Garcia 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 Citlally Torres-Colmenares College Adviser – Rio Mesa High School
citlally@ucsb.edu
Cynthia Rojas 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."

 

PROGRAM CONTACTS

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

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

Micaela Morgan, Ph.D. K-12 Programs Director (DCAC Program Director)
micaela.morgan@ucsb.edu