By snoadmin
Cal State Long Beach President F. King Alexander urged young people to plan early for college in his address at Gospel Memorial Church of God in Christ in Long Beach on Sunday.
Alexander’s speech was part of Super Sunday, a state-wide initiative where Cal State University leaders, including the chancellor, trustees, presidents and other higher education ambassadors speak at various churches across the state.
Alexander’s address was one of almost 100 speeches put on all over the state by the CSU system.
Alexander encouraged young people to plan early for college, discussed benefits of finishing a college degree and said it is the responsibility of the community to help people stay in school. Alexander addressed about 150 people, including about 20 high school students.
The event is part of the CSU African American initiative, which started in 2005 when Chancellor Charles B. Reed and Bishop Charles E. Blake convened community, civic, business and education leaders to develop new ways to educate kindergarten through grade 12 students, parents and families about the value of a college degree to ensure a stable future, according to the CSU website.
“Follow these courses and follow the online mentorship program, and your students will be on the right path for college,” Alexander said. “[Success in school] is a family issue and a community issue, that’s why we’re here.”
Alexander said that the average salary for people who have never gone to college is $32,000, but the average salary for college graduates is $60,000 and grows each year. For people who start college but don’t finish, the average income is only $37,000.
“When I heard about the salaries that people who finish college get, it made me really want to finish college,” 15-year-old Jaylen Davis said.
High school freshman Lenai Samuals said that she is already taking advanced placement classes at her high school and wants to keep her grade point average very high. Her friend Irene Thompson said she was inspired to put more work into school.
“I learned that I should study more,” Thompson said. “I guess I should start planning more, so I can get to college.”
According to Alexander, 60 percent of CSULB students are female and 40 percent are male, and, of those who graduate, 65 percent are female and 35 percent are males.
“My simple message to the men is, ‘Keep up with the women, they are staying focused,'” Alexander said.
Alexander shared a story about a student named Vincent who excelled at basketball, yet never finished college. Years later, Vincent had a family of five to support and could barely afford to do so. He called Alexander and asked him how he could go back to college.
Alexander said there are too many reasons to drop out of college, but that it is not smart to follow a promise to get rich quickly.
“You need to have your degree as a back-up,” Alexander said.
Alexander said pre-school or kindergarten is not too early to start thinking about college.
Even though Gemarion Washington is only 8 years old, he said he is already thinking about college.
“I really want to go to college,” Washington said. “I really like what [Alexander] said about the basketball player.”
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