From March 19–21, 20 Herman@s students and alumni took part in a 3-day HSI Southern California College Tour, supported by the 2025–2026 President’s Innovation Fund. The project aimed to empower first-generation Latinx students by helping them see themselves reflected in higher education, experience college life firsthand, explore available resources, and begin building meaningful networks. It also sought to strengthen connections and foster a sense of community between the Herman@s cohorts at South San Francisco High School and Capuchino High School.
Students departed Skyline early in the morning and stopped at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) on their way to Los Angeles. They enjoyed lunch at Freebirds, a popular quick spot near campus. There, we met our tour guide, a former UCSB EOP counselor, who led us on a campus tour, highlighting the Student Services Building, ONDAS Student Center, the library, and the Chicano Resource Center. The highlight of the visit was meeting Jack, a UCSB alum, who shared his personal journey and engaged students in a discussion around the importance of utilizing campus resources, getting involved, building a network, stepping out of one’s comfort zone, and embracing change. Students left UCSB not just with a sense of the campus but with motivation and ideas to shape their own college experiences.
The second day of the trip was action-packed and full of new experiences. Our first stop was Loyola Marymount University (LMU), just minutes from LAX and the scenic Manhattan Beach. The day kicked off with a meeting with the Bay Area admissions counselor, who gave an insightful presentation on transfer admissions. Then, our fantastic student guide, Echkt, led us on a one-hour tour of the campus. Students got a firsthand look at LMU’s small class sizes, the rich religious diversity on campus, exciting internship opportunities in Los Angeles, and the programs that draw students from across the country. After the tour, everyone recharged with refreshing drinks from Starbucks before hitting the road for our next adventure at California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA). The energy was high as students reflected on what they had learned and shared excitement about the next campus experience.
Students stopped for a quick lunch at the CSULA Student Union before our campus tour. The highlight at CSULA was the housing tour, where students visited the South Village dorms and saw the rooms, dining hall, and study spaces. Students then spent the afternoon soaking up the sun and cooling off in the waves at Manhattan Beach—a perfect way to unwind after a long day of exploring campuses. The day concluded with a cozy, family-style dinner by the pool, gathered around the fire pit, sharing our favorite moments from the trip!
This trip was made possible by the President’s Innovation Fund and has had an impact on our Herman@s cohorts as they navigate their next chapter in higher education.
