CAP Forum

CAP FORUM 2024

On May 1–2, 2024 over 200 outreach and admissions professionals assembled for the first time since 2019 at UC Irvine for the 2024 College Access and Preparation Forum (CAP). The return to an in-person conference offered networking, student performances and powerful speakers and  generated much excitement among SAPEP leaders.

The theme for this year’s convening — Transcending Together Through Collaboration, Innovation and Excellence — inspired attendees to reach greater heights in advancing K–16 students by working together and using tools and resources that support preparation for and matriculation to UC and beyond. Concurrent session strands included topics focused on Data, Research and Evaluation; Collaboration, Innovation and Engagement; Technology and the Future Ahead; and Supporting Student Success and Advancement.

The highlights of the event included the plenary sessions; UCLA’s Dr. Tyrone Howard spoke about how we can achieve true equity for students in education, while UC Berkeley’s Dr. G. Cristina Mora shared her powerful journey from first-generation student to tenured faculty during a moderated conversation with UC Berkeley’s Assistant Vice Chancellor for Educational Partnerships Yvette Flores. We were also joined by Vice Provost for Educational and Community Partnerships Dr. Stephanie Reyes-Tuccio, who facilitated a discussion with community college leaders Keith Curry, Mike Munoz, LaTonya Williams and Jamal Cooks, all of whom spoke candidly about the success and challenges that support opportunities for transfer-intending students and about how we can better work together across all systems of higher education for more success.

We also celebrated the legacy of Dr. Winston Doby, who dedicated his career to increasing student diversity and access at UCLA and throughout the University of California system for more than three decades. Dr. Ashley Cheri, P–20 manager at the UC Irvine Center for Educational Partnerships, and Executive Director Claudia Morales of the UC Berkeley Center for Educational Partnerships were this year’s award winners, both exemplifying unwavering dedication for creating equity, access and opportunity for California students. While the conference has wrapped up, we are excited about upholding the theme of the event with collaboration and innovation across the state.