Student Special Programs

Adult Education Program

Adult Education and Noncredit courses and programs provide accessible, tuition-free learning opportunities designed to help adults achieve their personal, academic, and career goals. Our programs serve as on-ramps to college and the workforce by offering skill-building, high school diploma and equivalency preparation, English as a Second Language (ESL), citizenship, short-term vocational training, and workforce readiness courses.

Students can strengthen foundational skills, explore new career pathways, and transition seamlessly into credit-bearing programs or employment. Noncredit courses are open to all adult learners and emphasize practical, hands-on learning in supportive, inclusive environments.

DESTINO Program

Developing Engaging Science Through Innovative New Opportunities

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields have become increasingly central to U.S. economic competitiveness and growth.  Yet, industries in science and technology have twice as many job openings as there are sufficiently prepared U.S. workers ready to step into these jobs.

The DESTINO program is designed to assist STEM students with an array of student support services and academic support to reach educational goals of earning a degree and transferring to a 4-year university. The DESTINO program supports all students in STEM fields and all activities are free to program participants. For more information call (562) 938-3071 or email rolmos@lbcc.edu.  

The DESTINO program provides students with the following:

  • A dedicated STEM counselor
  • STEM-focused Career Panels
  • University Field Trips and a Northern California University Tour
  • Financial Literacy and Scholarship workshops
  • Tutoring in STEM courses
  • Use of the DESTINO Science Center
  • Academic Success workshops
  • Participation in the Viking Summer Voyage-STEM option
  • Mentoring through STEM faculty and Success Coaches

DREAM Services

LBCC is proud to support undocumented students and those with mix-status families. DREAM Services is dedicated to serving students through education, empowerment, and advocacy.  The program's mission is to support the advancement of undocumented students within higher education and promote pathways for engaged scholarship. LBCC DREAM services are free to undocumented students. For more information, call (562) 938-4151 or email dreamservices@lbcc.edu

DREAM Services provides undocumented students with:

  • Dedicated counselors
  • Assistance with applying for financial aid
  • Referrals to free legal consultations
  • Textbook and laptop assistance
  • Scholarship application support
  • Mentoring and community-building activities
  • Transfer support to private, UC, and CSU campuses 

First-Year Experience Programs

The First-Year Experience (FYE) program houses Viking Advantage and the Long Beach College Promise. These two college programs provide transitional and first year student support through a case management approach, as well as access to Viking Summer Voyage, Welcome Day, Success Workshops, and the Career Academy. Program participants have access to a dedicated success team network of Counselors, Student Success Coaches, and the Welcome Center team. To compliment the student’s experience, the FYE program connects students to tailored support and programs such as clubs, learning communities, and programs. Students are generally admitted to the Viking Advantage and Long Beach College Promise programs in the fall semester only.

For more information visit the website at: https://www.lbcc.edu/first-year-experience. 

Viking Advantage

Viking Advantage is a First-Year Experience (FYE) program for any first-time college students enrolled in 12 or more units per semester. The program aims to increase college access and remove barriers to student success while increasing degree attainment and transfer.

The benefits of the program include:

  • First year tuition waivers (Fall and Spring semesters only) at LBCC
  • Priority registration
  • Case management

Requirements to participate in Viking Advantage:

  • Apply for FAFSA or CA Dream Act
  • Be a California resident (or AB540/Dreamer)
  • Must be a first-time college student (excluding dual enrollment coursework)
  • Enroll in a minimum of 12 units at LBCC per primary terms (Fall and Spring semesters only)
  • Complete the participation agreement by the published deadline
  • Meet with an FYE Counselor to complete a comprehensive educational plan

Long Beach College Promise

The Long Beach College Promise (LBCP) extends the promise of a college education to every student in the Long Beach Unified School District to create a more vibrant community. The LBCP aims to fulfill the academic potential of all youth by offering guidance and continuous support along every step of the student experience, from pre-K through college and onto career and life.

Fueling the LBCP is a dynamic partnership between Long Beach Unified School District, Long Beach City College, California State University, Long Beach, and the City of Long Beach.

The Long Beach College Promise is a First-Year Experience (FYE) program for direct high school matriculants from Long Beach Unified School District. LBCP also extends to Mayfair, St. Anthony and St. Joseph high schools.

The benefits of the Long Beach College Promise include:

  • Two years of tuition waivers for primary terms at LBCC (Fall and Spring semesters only)
  • Priority Registration
  • Case management

In order to be eligible for the second year of funding, Long Beach College Promise students must complete 24 units and be in good academic standing at the end of the summer of their first year at LBCC.

Requirements to participate in the Long Beach College Promise:

  • Must be a LBUSD, Mayfair, St. Anthony or St. Joseph high school graduate
  • Must enroll at LBCC directly following graduation from high school
  • Apply to FAFSA or CA Dream Act 
  • Must be a first-time college student (excluding dual enrollment coursework)
  • Enroll in a minimum of 12 units at LBCC per primary terms (Fall and Spring semesters only)
  • Complete the participation agreement by the published deadline
  • Be a California resident (or AB540/Dreamer)
  • Meet with an FYE Counselor to complete a comprehensive educational plan.

Foster Youth (NextUp and Guardian Scholars)

Foster Youth Support Services helps to provide a smooth transition to college for current and former foster youth students at Long Beach City College.  The goal of the program is to create an engaging, inclusive and equitable community in which current and former foster youth can attain their educational, career, and personal goals.  Provided is a "One-Stop-Shop" that offers personalized assistance with educational goals with academic counseling, personal support, book grants, and referrals to community resources.  Two programs are offered to serve foster youth:

NextUp is a state-funded program designed to support the educational goals and well-being of students who were in foster care on or after their 13th birthday. Students must be under the age of 26 at the beginning of the academic year. This program provides “over and above” support, including academic, personal, and financial assistance to help students overcome barriers that may impact their college and career success.

The Guardian Scholars Program serves students who have been in foster care at any age and are not eligible for or not participating in NextUp. Students must be under the age of 35 at the time of acceptance. Guardian Scholars offers academic counseling, personal support, and referrals to campus and community resources. The program ensures that foster youth who do not meet NextUp eligibility requirements still receive holistic guidance, access to resources, and a strong, supportive community to help them achieve their goals.

Justice Scholars Program

The Justice Scholars Program (JSP) is a student support program housed within Student Equity at Long Beach City College.

The mission of the program is to create an inclusive, equitable, and just campus environment for formerly incarcerated and system impacted students.  Through building community, the team is dedicated to promoting awareness and identifying the challenges students face.  The program provides educational, social, and professional tools needed to reduce recidivism and increase persistence.  The goal is to support students from reentry to graduation and/or transfer.  JSP is part of the California Community College's Chancellor's Office Rising Scholars Network. For more information visit https://www.lbcc.edu/post/justice-scholars-program.

MANA Program

MANA is a program dedicated to building cultural, educational, and community experiences for Asian Pacific Islander Desi students. The Mana community helps ground students to build a strong foundation within their own communities to reach academic success.  The goal is to enhance students' experiences and make connections between courses, instructors, and classmates through learning communities, social events, conferences, college hours, and student support programming. For more information visit the website at https://www.lbcc.edu/mana-program

MANA provides the following services:

  • Academic support for Asian Pacific Island Desi students
  • Tutoring
  • Transfer information
  • Cultural workshops
  • Financial Aid/Literacy workshops
  • Mentoring
  • Job opportunities

Male Success Initiative

The Male Success Initiative (MSI) is designed to address the unique needs and challenges of men of color (MOC) by connecting them to existing services, bolstering a sense of belonging and identity, opportunities for mentoring, and more. The mission is to inspire MOC to dream while empowering them to act so that demography (race, socio-economic status, zip code) is no longer destiny.

Requirements to Participate (all apply):

  • Be enrolled in 6+ units
  • Applied for the FAFSA or California Dream Act
  • Self-identify as a male student of color
  • Maintain a 2.0 GPA
  • Consistently strive to be the best version of self

Puente

The Puente program is designed to support underrepresented students in their academic journey. Puente aims to bridge the gap for historically marginalized students, fostering a sense of belonging and empowering them to achieve their educational and career aspirations. The mission is to help students transfer to four-year colleges and universities, earn college degrees, and return to their communities as leaders and mentors.

Puente provides students with:

  • Mentorship: Each Puente student is paired with a dedicated mentor, fostering a one-on-one relationship that supports academic success and personal development.
  • Cultural Enrichment: Puente incorporates cultural experiences and activities celebrating diversity, creating an inclusive learning environment.
  • Writing and Academic Skills Development: Specialized courses focus on enhancing writing and critical thinking skills, preparing students for the academic rigor of college.
  • Community (Familia) Building: Regular workshops, field trips, and community service opportunities promote a sense of belonging and social engagement.

Puente is open to all students. For more information, email counselor Vidal Vargas at vvargas@lbcc.edu or call 562-938-3016.

Senior Studies Program

The Senior Studies Program provides fee-based programs for adults. Classes are offered in world affairs, music, brain enhancement, and other areas, all designed for the active adult. Mini tours to museums and galleries are also sponsored by the center. The Senior Center is located at the Trades, Technology, and Community Learning Campus in room QQ-122. For further information, call 562-938-3047.

Trio Program - Project Launch & GO Project

Project Launch and the Growth and Opportunities (GO) Project are federally funded Student Support Services programs designed to assist students who are low-income, first-generation to college, or have a disability and who demonstrate academic need and the motivation to achieve their maximum potential in higher education. The programs provide academic, personal, and transfer-focused support to promote persistence, graduation, and successful transfer to four-year institutions.

A key benefit of participation is access to services tailored to individual student needs, including academic and transfer counseling, tutoring and study skills support, assistance with transfer and scholarship applications, career and life counseling, financial literacy education, and educational enrichment activities.

  • TRIO Project Launch — supports first-generation and low-income students, including students with disabilities
  • TRIO GO Project — supports students with documented disabilities

Both programs are housed at TTC GG-217. For more information, call 562-938-3233 or visit www.lbcc.edu/trio-go-project.

Trio Program - Upward Bound 

The Upward Bound Program provides comprehensive academic, social, and emotional support services to approximately 70 participants in their preparation for college entrance. The program serves three target high schools in the Long Beach Unified School District with the overall goal of assisting participants to successfully enroll in and complete a post-secondary education. The program accomplishes this objective by enhancing participants’ academic skills, personal motivation, and confidence needed to succeed in college. Upward Bound recruits students who are from low-income families, are potential first-generation college graduates and have a high academic need for services. Foster youth and students who have complex barriers impeding their academic success are a high priority in the recruitment process. Programming is structured to enhance participants’ academic skills, personal motivation, effective communication and leadership skills, creative and critical thinking skills, a positive attitude toward learning, and tolerance toward others. Participants attend the program on a year-round basis and receive high school elective credit for completing an intensive six-week summer program. As of March 2020, all services have been replicated and students have available services six days a week.

The program offers two specific components:

  1. Academic Year Programming (Sept. - June) 
    Saturday Academy includes but is not limited to: assistance in choosing a college; tutoring; personal and financial counseling; career counseling; assistance in applying to college; special instruction in reading, writing, study skills, and mathematics; assistance in applying for financial aid; SAT preparation; leadership development workshops; college tours; and exposure to enrichment engagement. Annual academic activities/events also include after-school tutoring, academic advisement, socio-emotional and social justice workshops, and STEM opportunities. 
  2. Six-Week Summer Programming (June - Aug.) 
    Students participate in an authentic “college-going experience” by residing on a local college campus and taking college-level courses. The intensity of the summer program is designed to enhance each student’s abilities inside and outside of the classroom and to prepare students for how to successfully navigate the rigors of college. Students have the opportunity to take part in a variety of academic classes such as English Composition & Literature & Composition, Foreign Language, Math, and Laboratory Science as well as innovative STEM programming. Following the completion of the summer component, an annual excursion to visit colleges in Northern California punctuates the six weeks. 

Umoja Scholars Program

Umoja, (a Kiswahili word meaning unity) is a Learning Community and critical resource dedicated to enhancing the cultural and educational experiences of African American and other students. Umoja believes that when the voices and histories of students are deliberately and intentionally recognized, the opportunity for self-efficacy emerges and a foundation is formed for academic success. Umoja actively serves and promotes student success for all students through a curriculum and pedagogy responsive to the legacy of the African and African American Diasporas.

Umoja Scholars Program students may enroll in general education courses that are culturally relevant through the Learning Community. They also receive academic, personal, transfer counseling, career exploration guidance, and participate in professional development conferences and cultural events. Umoja Scholars may also attend tours and field trips to UC/CSU and Historically Black Colleges and Universities based on space and availability. For more information, call 562-938-5052 or email the counselor at umoja@lbcc.edu.

Campus Child Development Center and Learning Lab

Childcare and preschool services make attending classes more convenient for many students. Quality care is available for children between 2 and 5 years of age, before kindergarten entrance. Both LBCC campuses have childcare facilities. Financial assistance may be available for income and need-qualifying families. The facility used is not dependent on the location of classes. The centers are open Monday-Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and partial and full-day options are available. For information about fees, space availability, and parent/family responsibilities, call 562-938-3079 or 562-938-3082 (TTC), 562-938-4253 (LAC), or visit www.lbcc.edu/child-development-center.

A²MEND

The purpose of the African American Male Education Network and Development (A²MEND) program is to promote and enhance college attendance, success, empowerment, leadership, networking, professionalism, and graduation of individuals who identify as Black/African American or Latino males at Long Beach City College.

Services: 

  • Opportunities and resources through the national A²MEND organization (e.g., mentorship, leadership development, conferences)
  • Engagement in special events, workshops, and activities through the associated A²MEND club
  • Counseling support throughout affiliated students’ journey (in collaboration with learning communities and programs)
  • College Tours (in conjunction with existing learning communities and programs)

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Students who self-identify as Black/African American or Latino males who are enrolled at LBCC
  • Completion of the A²MEND interest form