Chaffey in Focus

May 2026

 

Dear Chaffey College Community,

At Chaffey College, we see the achievement gap up close. It is the disparity in outcomes between those who have been set up for success and those who have not. We see it when a student hesitates, when financial aid forms go unfinished, and ultimately when disadvantaged students do not believe they belong on a college campus at all. For many first-generation students, when the process feels unclear, it becomes easier to step back than to keep going. Too many capable students are navigating the college admissions process on their own, but at Chaffey College, we are working to change that and ensure more students have a clear path forward.

For Ariel Galindo Escobar, a first-generation success story, it took nearly 20 years to bridge that gap. After immigrating from Guatemala, college did not feel within reach. Today, he is a Chaffey College graduate, a transfer student at UC Riverside, and even served as the 2025 commencement class speaker. His story reflects a broader reality across California’s community colleges.

According to the California Community Colleges system, roughly 60 percent of students are the first in their families to attend college. In the Inland Empire, that number is often even higher. Complicating matters further, high school counselors in California frequently serve more than 400 students each, limiting the amount of individualized guidance available. These conditions shape outcomes long before a student enrolls, which is why our work must start earlier.

Chaffey partners closely with local school districts, including Chaffey Joint Union High School District, Fontana Unified School District, Chino Valley Unified School District, and Upland Unified School District. Throughout the year, our outreach team works directly with students who might otherwise not have a clear path forward, often sitting down one-on-one to walk through the process step-by-step.

For many students, the real shift happens the first time they set foot on a college campus. Through strategic outreach and organized campus visits, Chaffey creates opportunities for students to experience college firsthand. That exposure can transform something distant into something tangible that students can imagine for themselves.

The transition that follows is just as important. Moving from high school into college is often where momentum is lost, so we focus on making that step easier. Before their first term begins, students are guided through how to register for classes, understand placement and map out their first semester. That clarity helps prevent early missteps that can derail progress. Support continues through counseling, academic guidance and specialized services that help students remain on track.

Closing gaps in access is only part of the work. Over time, we have learned that students are more likely to persist when they can see where their education is leading. At Chaffey College, that means creating opportunities for students to engage with the workforce while they are still in school, whether through apprenticeships, clinical placements, or partnerships with regional employers. When students understand how their coursework translates into real opportunity, their sense of purpose becomes stronger.

For Ariel, Chaffey’s comprehensive support system changed his trajectory. After completing his GED through Chaffey Adult School, he enrolled at the college and found a network of faculty and staff who helped him navigate self-doubt and stay on track. What once felt out of reach became achievable.

Closing the achievement gap is not about a single solution. It is about creating the conditions for more stories like Ariel’s to take shape. That means recognizing where students lose traction and making sure there is support at each of those points. That is the work. And at Chaffey College, it is work we are committed to every day.

Sincerely,

Henry D. Shannon, Ph.D.
Superintendent/President