Westmont’s expanding role in local college-prep programs has led to a noticeable increase in local student enrollment over the last three to five years, according to the college.
The momentum was evident at two recent events hosted by the Santa Barbara Unified School District’s Program for Effective Access to College (PEAC) and the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara, where some 50 Westmont students, including current students and incoming freshmen.
The number of students earning PEAC Scholarships and Nursing Fellowships has tripled in recent years, underscoring the value of community partnerships and growing support for these students and programs, said Irene Neller, Westmont’s vice president for enrollment, marketing and communications.
“It’s hard to stay dry-eyed at these awards ceremonies and events where students receive scholarships in front of their families and significant mentors and teachers to attend some of the nation’s top colleges and pursue their dreams,” she said.
“It’s inspiring to see how Santa Barbara’s investment in education extends its reach far beyond our community,” she said. “Westmont’s scholarships always exceed $25,000 for each student, so the financial investment is profound in making college affordable.”
Neller credits much of Westmont’s success in recruiting students, especially those from Spanish-speaking families, to the dedication of Brenda Tirado, an Ojai native who joined Westmont’s admissions team in 2019, and Araceli Espinoza (’21), assistant director of admissions.
Espinoza, who grew up in the Central Valley, began working at Westmont shortly after graduating with the dream of strengthening partnerships with Santa Barbara college-bound programs to help marginalized students afford private college.
Tirado served as a guidance counselor at Santa Barbara High School while earning her master’s degree. Espinoza also began outreach to develop strong pathways from high school programs to Westmont, while earning her master’s degree in leadership in higher education.
Both lead Westmont’s partnering programs with PEAC and Resilience, Education, Adventure, Community and Health (REACH); act as liaisons to regional high schools; and establish programs to bring prospective students to campus.
“Sharing their own stories of pursuing their college dreams resonates with the students and families in our community,” Neller said. “The power of shared stories elevates hope and changes lives.”
One such program, Trailhead — part of Westmont’s Gaede Institute for the Liberal Arts —has seen growing participation from local high school students.
“This weeklong immersive college experience encourages students to explore God’s call to a life of deeper purpose,” Westmont said.
The Gaede Institute’s Liberal Arts Ambassadors program employs first-generation college students to work with Santa Barbara-area schools and nonprofit organizations, such as PEAC and REACH, helping students discover all the ways a liberal arts education can strengthen their professional skills as tutors and mentors while making and meaningful impact in their community.