Mt. San Jacinto College boosted the number of Associate Degrees for Transfer it awards students by 63.6% over four academic years, earning a statewide honor the college announced Oct. 21.

The Campaign for College Opportunity named MSJC one of 15 California institutions receiving a 2026 Pathway Champion of Transfer award, according to the college. The organization is recognizing 40 Pathway Champions total this year across multiple categories, including community colleges and California State University campuses.

The degrees, known as ADTs, give community college students a streamlined path to transfer to CSU, UC and other four-year universities with junior standing.

The growth is accelerating. In the most recent academic year, ADT awards at MSJC increased 22.9%, and the number of individual students earning an ADT grew 18.5%, according to the college.

Dr. Tawny Dotson, MSJC superintendent/president, said in a statement that the numbers represent more students reaching milestones toward bachelor's degrees and that the benefits extend to families and communities across the district.

Dr. Pamela Wright, MSJC's director of transfer, said the college's transfer team, instruction and student services staff have worked to foster what she called "a culture of transfer."

That effort goes beyond coursework. The college connects students with academic guidance, transfer resources and university partnerships, according to MSJC.

MSJC alumna Brooke, who graduated in 2020 and transferred to UC Riverside, is one example of that pipeline in action. She earned her bachelor's degree in 2022 and went on to pursue a teaching credential at CSU San Bernardino. She has since written about navigating the transfer process.

"That formative chapter at MSJC completely inspired my book," Brooke said in the college's announcement.

She credited the college's art community, including gallery activities with Professor John Knuth and mentorship from Dr. Eileen Doktorski, with shaping her educational path.

The Campaign for College Opportunity planned to formally recognize MSJC and other honorees during a virtual celebration Thursday, Oct. 22, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., coinciding with National Transfer Week.