CSUN Pathways to Success Program

Abstract

The CSUN Pathways to Success program supports undergraduate and graduate students from underrepresented groups to prepare them for careers in food and agriculture by implementing structured student outreach and integrated student support services. The program is a collaborative effort between CSUN’s Marilyn Magaram Center for Food Science, Nutrition and Dietetics, Los Angeles Mission Community College (LAMC), local high schools and several USDA agencies, including the California Women, Infants and Children (WIC) supplemental nutrition program. Pathways is an undergraduate and graduate Fellowship program providing scholarships, proactive advisement, tutoring support, paid research assistantships, peer and faculty mentoring, and a variety of professional development and training opportunities including comprehensive lactation education training, leadership and professional skills workshops, and hands-on learning experiences. Forty students have successfully completed the program and some are currently practicing professionals. Since 2017, outreach has been conducted to almost 4,000 individuals through presentations at local high schools, CSUN and LAMC.