Cerritos College commended for Guided Pathways efforts to advance student success
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 29, 2025
Media Contact: Aya Aoki; Public Relations and Communications
NORWALK, Calif. – July 29, 2025 – Cerritos College received commendation from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office for its progress in implementing Guided Pathways, a statewide framework designed to help students identify academic and career goals, stay on track, and complete their programs efficiently.
As part of this work, the college established eight Learning and Career Pathways (LCPs), each grouping related majors to help students choose a direction and build momentum toward a degree, certificate, or transfer. Each LCP is supported by a cross-functional Success Team that includes a division dean, counselor, instructional faculty, Success Coach, academic support staff, data coach, and social work intern. These teams work together to connect students with resources, remove barriers, and provide timely, personalized support. Success Coaches play a key role in helping students navigate challenges and access academic and financial assistance early.
A six-member Partnership Resource Team (PRT), appointed by the Chancellor’s Office, visited the campus three times to evaluate the college’s implementation of Guided Pathways. In its final report, the team praised Cerritos College for its collaborative leadership, student-centered culture, and commitment to equity. The report emphasized the college’s effective use of data to drive systemic improvements.
These improvements include a reduction in excess units at graduation, from 92.87 in 2019 to 86.24 in 2020, helping students graduate faster and with less debt. The college also implemented a responsive scheduling policy, adding class sections when waitlists reach 60 percent capacity. Course fill rates increased from 78.1 percent in Fall 2023 to 85.9 percent in Fall 2024, while cancellation rates declined. A new onboarding pilot at Bellflower High School brought college admissions, counseling, and financial aid directly to seniors, resulting in a 240 percent increase in participation in Cerritos Complete, the college’s Promise Program. Plans are underway to expand this model to additional high school partners.
The PRT also recognized improvements to class scheduling developed in close collaboration with faculty and deans. These student-informed changes ensure that course offerings better align with demand, improving access and reducing time to completion. The college’s LCP Success Teams continue to support student progress by tracking key momentum points and intervening when students fall off pace.
The report concluded that Cerritos College’s collaborative approach, data-informed decision-making, and student-first practices have led to meaningful gains in retention, completion, and equitable access. “Each visit provided further evidence of Cerritos College’s ability to pursue this effort and reach goals established for its teams,” stated the report.
Based on the team’s recommendations, the college will continue to refine two-year course scheduling, expand the use of education planning tools, and strengthen tracking systems to keep students on the path. These reforms reflect Cerritos College’s commitment to equity, timely completion, and its Students First Framework.
For more information, visit www.cerritos.edu/guided-pathways.
About Cerritos College: Cerritos College serves as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Communities within the college’s district include Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Norwalk, and portions of Bell Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Santa Fe Springs and South Gate. Cerritos College offers nearly 300 degrees and certificates in nine divisions. Annually, more than 5,000 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently averages 21,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at www.cerritos.edu.
-END-
Stay Connected