News Release

Chapman Partners with Santiago Canyon College to Offer Full-Tuition Scholarships and Guaranteed Admission for Aspiring Teachers

Orange, Calif. – Chapman University and Santiago Canyon College (SCC) signed Chapman’s Transfer Admission Guarantee (C-TAG) for Future Educators, establishing a clear pathway for qualified SCC students into the Attallah College of Educational Studies. Chapman has also committed to offer full-tuition scholarships to five SCC students in the first cohort.

This partnership will help address the state’s emerging teacher shortage and diversify the local teaching profession. According to The Center for the Future of Teaching and Learning, California will need an additional 100,000 teachers over the next decade, especially in the areas of STEM and special education.

“At Chapman, we strive to build connections and enhance the relationships necessary to identify solutions to both global and local concerns,” said Dr. Daniele C. Struppa, president, Chapman University. “This new partnership between Santiago Canyon College and Chapman is key to strengthening our surrounding community.”

The agreement guarantees enrollment into Attallah College’s Integrated Educational Studies (IES) undergraduate program for transfer students who want to work in their communities as elementary or special education teachers. The IES program develops future educators through culturally-responsive curriculum, critical and creative inquiry, and community collaborations. Aspiring teachers learn alongside and collaborate with students interested in nonprofit work, policy change, after-school programs, and businesses.

“Santiago Canyon College has helped pave the way for what I believe will be the first of many critical partnerships with local community colleges,” said Attallah College Dean Margaret Grogan, Ph.D. “Together, we have developed an exciting new model for educating teachers who will likely stay and serve our own Orange County communities, while we also minimize the cost of attending Chapman.”

By providing a streamlined transfer process, the C-TAG and accompanying scholarships will mean access to an affordable four-year degree program for local community college students, many of whom are the first generation in their families to pursue higher education.

“We are pleased to partner with Chapman on its C-TAG for Future Educators,” said Dr. John Hernandez, president, SCC. “We believe the program will well serve our students by guaranteeing a path to a world-class institution, as well as address the state’s teacher shortage with a well-qualified and diverse pool of educators.”

About Chapman University
Founded in 1861, Chapman University is California's third largest private university. Chapman is categorized by the Carnegie Classification as an R2 "high research activity" institution and offers personalized education to more than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The campus has produced a Rhodes Scholar, been named a top producer of Fulbright Scholars and hosts a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's oldest and most prestigious honor society. Based in the City of Orange, Chapman also includes the Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus in Irvine. In 2019, the university opened its 11th college, Fowler School of Engineering, in its newest facility, Keck Center for Science and Engineering. Learn more about Chapman University: www.chapman.edu.

Image of Chapman President Dr. Daniele C. Struppa and SCC President Dr. John Hernandez shaking hands
Chapman President Dr. Daniele C. Struppa and SCC President Dr. John Hernandez sign Chapman’s Transfer Admission Guarantee (C-TAG) for Future Educators, establishing a clear pathway for qualified SCC students into the Attallah College of Educational Studies.

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About Santiago Canyon College
Santiago Canyon College (SCC) serves more than 17,000 credit and noncredit students each semester. In 2017, SCC was ranked No. 13 among the 50 Best Community Colleges in the U.S. by College Choice and is currently ranked No. 3 in California by bestcolleges.com, a leading authority in college and university rankings and resources. The college prepares students for transfer to four-year institutions and careers, and provides courses for personal and professional development, as well as customized training for business and industry. The college is recognized for its adult education program which keeps the working adult - and senior - in mind by offering flexible schedules, and community locations. Serving the residents of Anaheim Hills, Orange, Tustin, and Villa Park, SCC is one of two comprehensive colleges under the auspices of the Rancho Santiago Community College District.

Contact: Karen Kalil

Phone: (714) 371-6783