Cal State Long Beach Hosts Universidad de Familia

The university program invites family members into the classroom to support student success and bilingual communication.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Language Learning

Bold vector editorial illustration of two empty wooden lecture chairs facing a small table, symbolizing educational family support. — Cal State University, Long Beach held a special session to bridge the academic and family experiences of its students. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you believe involving parents in college classroom activities benefits the academic success of students?

Cal State University, Long Beach recently hosted a Universidad de Familia session to help students and their parents connect through shared academic experiences. During the three-hour class, students delivered presentations to their parents, with some using Spanish to ensure non-English speaking family members could engage.

Why it matters

The program aims to break down generational barriers while preparing students to communicate their intellectual contributions effectively. By fostering an inclusive college environment, the session helps bridge the gap between academic life and family support systems.

The session lasted for three hours, requiring significant travel for some participants, including a six-hour drive from Mammoth Lakes. Bilingual instruction was utilized throughout the event to accommodate Spanish-speaking attendees.

The players

Yasmine Martinez

She is a first-generation college student at Cal State University, Long Beach who participated in the family session.

Miguel de la Cruz

He attended the session at the university to support his daughter.

The details

Students shared a classroom environment with their families to demonstrate their academic progress during the second half of the session. The format allowed for direct interaction between participants, encouraging students to explain their coursework to relatives who traveled from across California.

The session took place on Saturday, October 10, 2026.

Culture Shift

This program aligns with the broader push to make higher education more accessible and inclusive for first-generation families. It reflects a shift toward holistic support systems that integrate personal backgrounds into the academic process.

Students and parents who reside in the Long Beach area or commute to campus can utilize these sessions to foster better communication about academic goals. The bilingual nature of the program ensures that families with diverse linguistic backgrounds can stay involved in their student's development.

The takeaway

Building strong communication between generations is a vital part of supporting student success in higher education. Families can implement similar practices by regularly discussing academic goals and being open to diverse methods of information sharing.