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Cal Poly Humboldt representatives promised a greater presence at Del Norte County’s high schools in an effort to offer a clear path for those seeking a college education.

As part of a statewide initiative to streamline the college admissions process for students and families, the Arcata-based California State University entered into a memorandum of understanding with Del Norte Unified School District about two weeks ago.

According to Dr. Chrissy Holliday, Cal Poly’s vice president of enrollment management and student success, the university will work with DNUSD staff to enact any special programs or supports that will make the choice to go to college easier, especially for first-generation students.

“What we want to make sure happens is that if a student wants to go straight to a four-year university, that they stay on track to do that and that they can go,” Holliday told the DNUSD Board of Trustees on Thursday. “If they choose not to (go), that’s fine too, but we want it to be a choice and not because they didn’t have the opportunity.”

The Direct Admissions program will guarantee a spot to some high school students who meet the CSU’s admission standards, which includes completing course requirements with a GPA of at least 2.5. 

According to Holliday, the MOU between Cal Poly and DNUSD means that local students can receive an admissions offer even if they haven’t applied to the university.

“We (will) be able, with the support of guidance teams and teachers here, to be able to say, ‘this student hasn’t reached out and let us know they’re interested, but they’re eligible for admission,’” Holliday told trustees. “‘Let’s reach out to them first.’”

Those students will receive a congratulations letter notifying them that they are admitted to Humboldt and guidance on what to do next, she said.

Under the MOU, Cal Poly Humboldt will communicate with DNUSD on upcoming events and provide promotional materials related to the Direct Admissions program. DNUSD will ensure that all students participating in the program are on track to graduate and can meet CSU’s requirements for admissions.

Cal Poly will also organize campus events and annual programs for students and families, under the MOU.

The MOU the university signed with DNUSD comes after it took part in a CSU-wide effort in 2024 to offer guaranteed admission to Riverside County high school students.

In January 2025, Cal Poly Humboldt offered direct admission to students from Eureka City Schools. In March 2025, the program included Northern Humboldt Union High School District, Fortuna Union High School District and Ferndale Union High School District.

Last month, Cal Poly announced that in addition to expanding Direct Admissions to Del Norte, it will offer the program to Klamath-Trinity Joint Unified School District and Southern Humboldt Joint Unified School District students.

About 18% of Cal Poly Humboldt’s enrollment, roughly 1,800 total students, come from Humboldt and Del Norte counties. She said she hoped to see a small percentage increase in the number of students who qualify to attend Cal Poly. Holliday also noted that by completing the required college prep courses, students may also be eligible for admission to the University of California system.

Cal Poly’s expanded Direct Admissions program is the latest in a series of initiatives Del Norte Unified has been engaged in to boost post-secondary opportunities for its students, Superintendent Jeff Harris said. They include an early college program at Del Norte High School that enables students to get college credits for classes they would normally take at the high school, he said. High school students can also dual enroll at College of the Redwoods and take classes “across the parking lot” at the Del Norte Education Center.

Harris also told trustees on Thursday that he’s part of an advisory committee that focuses on the direction the Del Norte CR campus should take. 

“It’s a really unique opportunity to give CR some feedback and information,” he told Redwood Voice Community News.

That menu of options DNUSD wants to offer its students for post-secondary opportunities also includes access to trade schools, Harris told trustees. The Direct Admissions MOU with Cal Poly Humboldt offers outside support for Del Norte students, he said.

“For some students, they see barriers instead of opportunities,” Harris said. “This is a way just to remove some of those barriers.”

When asked if there’s a goal to the number of DNUSD students that will attend Cal Poly Humboldt through the Direct Admissions program, Harris said he doesn’t know. He noted that this is the first program of its kind Del Norte has been presented with.

“We haven’t had anybody yet I think who has done it,” he said. “There may be some kids in the queue to do it. We may have some kids who have started this year or who may be already chomping at the bit to do it, but I don’t think anyone has been admitted yet.”