Falcons rise: fostering retention, inclusion, success, and empowerment through academic and holistic student support

The Cerritos Community College District received a $272,364 Project Grant award dated September 25, 2025, from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education under the TRIO Student Support Services program (CFDA 84.042). The FALCONS RISE initiative delivers academic support services to disadvantaged students through September 24, 2026, including academic advising, tutoring, financial literacy instruction, and mentorship. These services are designed to increase retention and graduation rates for low-income students, first-generation college students, and students with disabilities while fostering an institutional climate that supports the success of historically underrepresented and other disadvantaged student populations.

The TRIO Student Support Services program authorizes five-year grant periods with annual continuation awards subject to fund availability and demonstrated progress toward program objectives. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution, Cerritos Community College District implements FALCONS RISE to enhance student potential for successfully completing postsecondary education programs and facilitating transfer pathways from two-year to four-year institutions. The award represents one of multiple federal grant investments the district manages to support workforce training, STEM education, and institutional capacity expansion for underrepresented student populations.