From Mount Tahoma T-Birds to TCC Titans: Setting Students Up for Success in College
For first-year students, the leap from high school to college brings excitement, but also the challenge of navigating an unfamiliar world. New schedules, heavier coursework and a larger campus full of new faces can be overwhelming. That’s why College Success Foundation’s partnerships with colleges like Tacoma Community College (TCC) are so important to student success and persistence. Having a strong and reliable partnership creates a softer landing, a trusted network of supportive adults and a clear path during those critical first few months. At Mount Tahoma High School, CSF advisor Melody Rodriguez starts building that bridge to college months before graduation for her students.
“Earlier this spring, I invited TCC’s advisors Marco Flores and Alina Cordova to come to the high school,” Melody says. “TCC hosted three sessions and enrolled students for fall before graduation. Sixteen students had schedules in hand by June. If students already know where to go and whom to ask, they’re far more confident on day one. We want them to step onto campus feeling like they belong there.”
T-Bird Day at TCC
Recently, Melody and Kalina Cordero, the CSF coach at TCC, joined forces and collaborated with Marco and Alina to develop T-Bird Day at TCC. It was a chance for incoming freshmen from Mount Tahoma (home of the T-Birds) to take a guided tour, visit the financial aid office, stop by campus safety to get their ID cards and parking permits, and receive one-on-one support to troubleshoot FAFSA forms and other paperwork. With school starting on September 22, the timing was perfect to give students a head start to help them minimize any first-day jitters.
“A couple of students were walked over to their actual buildings so they could find their first classes,” Melody notes. “That kind of pre-work removes a lot of first-day stress.”
Kalina had a chance to introduce students to Indigo Magenta from The Center for Student Advocacy and Cultural Support, home to two leadership and belonging programs, Men of Distinction (MOD) and Women of Impact (WOI).
“These programs are designed for student retention and leadership,” Kalina describes. “They also create that meaningful sense of belonging while nurturing personal and professional development for first-generation college students.”
Kalina will serve as a college coach to more than 150 CSF Scholars attending TCC throughout the year. These are students who have graduated from a CSF feeder high school in Tacoma and have signed up to receive support from a college coach.
“CSF Scholars at TCC know I’m there for them whenever they need to talk,” Kalina shares. “Which I believe makes a huge difference in a person’s ability to persist in college or not.”
Building Networks and Belonging
Finding your people can be one of the more challenging aspects of starting college. “Many students arrive not knowing anyone,” Kalina reveals. “At the same time, they’re facing heavier reading and homework than in high school, learning time management skills and trying to figure out the complexities of financial aid. Belonging, classes and financial aid are the top concerns at the start of the year.”
CSF’s presence at TCC offers students a reliable and trusted adult they can go to about anything. “When students know at least one person they can reach out to, they’re more likely to persist and they get connected to other students, faculty and staff,” Kalina explains. “Community and belonging are huge components of college persistence.”
Kalina described one moment that captured one of T-Bird Day’s main goals. “One student had trouble getting her ID because her name wouldn’t match her number. When she came out of the security office, the first thing she said was, ‘Where’s Melody?’ It showed how strong that high-school connection is for our students and their advisors. But by the end of the day, after meeting me, Marco and Alina, she said, ‘I see that you’re all part of the same network. I need to build more connections with people here, too.’”
Melody witnessed a sweet reconnection between two CSF Scholars. “These two girls hadn’t had a class together since the 9th grade at Mount Tahoma, and they were inseparable all day. By knowing a familiar person at college, it means that when there’s a club meeting or advising appointment, they’re more likely to text each other, ‘Hey, let’s go together.’”
Help College Success Foundation sustain its impactful high school advising and college coaching programming. Your support makes first-day confidence, network-building and persistence possible for more CSF Scholars.
Make your gift today!