Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC) has increased the number of Associate Degrees for Transfer (ADTs) awarded to students by 63.6% over four academic years, earning statewide recognition as one of 15 California institutions named 2026 Pathway Champions of Transfer by the Campaign for College Opportunity.
The recognition highlights MSJC’s significant progress in expanding educational opportunities and strengthening pathways to four-year universities. Honored specifically for its growth in ADTs awarded, MSJC is helping more students reach critical milestones on their journey toward earning bachelor’s degrees.
The college’s progress continues to accelerate. In the most recent academic year alone, ADT awards increased 22.9%, while the number of individual students earning an ADT grew 18.5%.
“But the growth represented by these numbers means much more than statistics. It means more MSJC students are reaching important milestones on their educational journeys and moving closer to earning bachelor’s degrees and achieving their goals,” said Dr. Tawny Dotson, MSJC Superintendent/President.
Associate Degrees for Transfer provide students with a clear and streamlined pathway to continue their education at four-year universities. These degrees prepare students to pursue bachelor’s degrees at CSU, UC, and other universities, expanding their educational and career opportunities. “When our students succeed, their families benefit, and our communities prosper,” Dotson said.
For MSJC alumna and author Brooke, the college provided more than a starting point for her academic journey. It offered opportunities to explore her interests, build confidence, and develop relationships with faculty who encouraged her ambitions.
After graduating from MSJC in 2020, Brooke transferred to UC Riverside, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in 2022. She continued her education at CSU San Bernardino, pursuing a teaching credential, and has drawn on her community college experience in her writing about navigating the transfer process.
“That formative chapter at MSJC completely inspired my book,” Brooke shared.
She credits the college’s art community, including gallery activities with Professor John Knuth and mentorship from Dr. Eileen Doktorski, with shaping her educational journey.
Her experience illustrates the lasting impact of a supportive community college environment, where students can discover new interests, build meaningful connections, and develop the confidence to pursue opportunities beyond graduation.
For MSJC, this statewide recognition represents both measurable progress and a continued commitment to student success.
Behind MSJC’s growing number of transfer degrees is a coordinated effort among faculty, counselors, classified professionals, and student services teams to help students navigate the transfer process and reach their educational goals.
“Our transfer team, instruction, and student services have worked to foster a culture of transfer. We’re happy to see that work paying off for our students,” said Dr. Pamela Wright, MSJC Director of Transfer.
That culture extends beyond helping students complete coursework. It also connects students with academic guidance, transfer resources, university partnerships, and the encouragement they need to envision themselves succeeding at a four-year institution.
The Campaign for College Opportunity will recognize MSJC alongside other California institutions during its virtual 2026 Pathway Champions celebration on Thursday, October 22, in conjunction with National Transfer Week.
For students like Ortiz, and the growing number of Eagles preparing to follow similar paths, the recognition represents something greater than an institutional award: the opportunity to turn educational aspirations into achievements that extend well beyond MSJC.
