Irvine Valley College (IVC) has received three 2026 Pathway Champions awards from the Campaign for College Opportunity, recognizing the college’s commitment to student success, equity and transfer pathways.
IVC earned recognition as a Pathway Champion of Placement for campuswide English success, a Pathway Champion of Placement Equity for Black student success in English, and a Pathway Champion of Transfer for growth in the number of associate degrees for transfer (ADTs) awarded.
In the 2024–25 academic year, IVC achieved an 81% success rate in transfer-level English, exceeding the statewide rate of 68% by 13 percentage points. Black students at IVC achieved an 83% success rate, surpassing the statewide rate of 58% for Black students by 25 percentage points.
“Being recognized for Black Student Success in English and Campuswide Success in English is a wonderful reflection of who we are as a college and what we can accomplish together on behalf of our students,” said IVC President John C. Hernandez, Ph.D.
The awards highlight IVC’s work to expand access to transfer-level coursework, support equitable outcomes and help students progress toward transfer and a bachelor’s degree.
“IVC has long been committed to creating a culturally responsive campus where students feel welcomed, supported, and able to see themselves as part of our community,” Hernandez added. “I am especially proud of our faculty, who bring that commitment into the classroom every day and continually look for ways to help students succeed. For our Black students, this means creating opportunities to develop their identities, build community and feel a strong sense of belonging at IVC.”
The Campaign’s profile identifies three practices contributing to IVC’s English outcomes:
- Faculty-led writing support: IVC’s Writing Center is staffed by English faculty who provide personalized, one-on-one assistance to students enrolled in Writing Conference courses. Faculty mentors build relationships with students while supporting their writing needs, from class assignments to transfer applications.
- Black Student Success Scholars Program: Dedicated counseling, workshops and monthly “Porch Talks” help Black students build community and a sense of belonging. Annual visits to historically Black colleges and universities introduce students to additional transfer opportunities.
- Collaboration and professional learning: Faculty and classified professionals work across departments to address students’ needs. The Hub, IVC’s campuswide Center for Professional Learning, supports the exchange of teaching practices and approaches to creating inclusive, student-centered classrooms.
The Pathway Champion of Transfer award also recognizes IVC’s growth in awarding ADTs, complementing the college’s achievements in transfer-level English. Together, the three awards reflect IVC’s efforts to remove barriers, strengthen student support and expand pathways to a bachelor’s degree. Read the Campaign for College Opportunity’s profile of Irvine Valley College to learn more about the college’s English success recognition.