Mt. San Jacinto College Earns Transfer Champion Award

The institution received recognition for its significant increase in students successfully earning transfer degrees.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Financial Aid

Bold vector editorial illustration of stone steps and an archway, representing academic progress at a community college campus. — Mt. San Jacinto College was recognized as a 2026 Pathway Champion by the Campaign for College Opportunity following a 63.6 percent increase in degree transfers. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Campaign for College Opportunity named Mt. San Jacinto College a 2026 Pathway Champion of Transfer for its success in student degree completion. The college saw a 63.6 percent increase in Associate Degrees for Transfer awarded over the past four academic years.

Why it matters

This recognition highlights the effectiveness of academic support structures that help students navigate the transition from community college to four-year universities. It validates the impact of specialized guidance provided by faculty and counselors.

The college achieved an 18.5 percent growth in the number of individual students earning transfer degrees during the most recent academic year. This performance serves a student population of 30,000 across a 1,700-square-mile service area.

The players

Mt. San Jacinto College

This public community college serves approximately 30,000 students across a large service area in California.

The Campaign for College Opportunity

This organization advocates for college access and success by pushing for policies that improve student completion rates.

The details

Faculty, counselors, and classified professionals collaborate to provide students with essential academic guidance and university partnerships. These teams work together to simplify the transfer process for students attending campuses in the Menifee Valley, Temecula Valley, and San Gorgonio Pass.

2020: Alumna Brooke graduated from Mt. San Jacinto College.
2022: Alumna Brooke earned a bachelor's degree at UC Riverside.
October 22, 2026: The Campaign for College Opportunity held a virtual awards celebration.

Culture Shift

This achievement underscores a broader shift toward prioritizing streamlined pathways within the California Community Colleges Associate Degree for Transfer program. Institutions are increasingly focusing on standardized transfer credit systems to improve long-term educational outcomes.

Students within the college's service area can benefit from refined transfer resources and expanded faculty guidance when planning their academic paths. These improvements reduce the complexity of the transfer process for those aiming to earn a bachelor's degree.

The takeaway

Institutions that integrate faculty and counseling resources effectively can significantly boost student transfer rates. Students should actively engage with college career services to leverage available transfer partnerships and resources.