Lemoore College and Fresno State are strengthening their partnership to expand educational opportunities for Central Valley students with the opening of the Fresno State Success Center on the Lemoore College campus.

The new center provides students with direct access to Fresno State resources, guidance and support as they prepare to transfer and continue their education. By bringing university services directly to Lemoore College through the Bulldog Bound transfer program, the partnership is designed to simplify the transfer process, strengthen academic pathways and help more students pursue bachelor’s degrees.

The Fresno State Success Center will serve as a resource for students exploring transfer opportunities, providing connections to university representatives and information about academic programs, transfer requirements and degree pathways. 

“Providing access to higher education and creating opportunities for our students to continue their education is at the heart of what we do at Lemoore College,” said James Preston, president of Lemoore College. “The Fresno State Success Center and the adjacent Fresno State classroom at Lemoore College brings the next step in their educational journey directly to our campus. Students can begin planning for their bachelor’s degrees while still attending Lemoore College, with access to the guidance and resources they need to succeed. The bachelor’s degree attainment rate in Kings County is 9% compared to the 23% statewide average, so this partnership reflects our shared commitment to keeping higher education accessible and helping more students achieve their academic and career goals right here in Kings County and in the Central Valley.”

The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to increasing educational attainment throughout the region by creating stronger connections between community college and university programs. With Fresno State resources available on campus, Lemoore College students will have additional opportunities to explore their academic options and prepare for a successful transition to the university.

“At Fresno State, we are committed to building seamless pathways to higher education for students across the Central Valley. Our partnership with Lemoore College comes to life through the grand opening of the Fresno State Success Center on their campus, representing a dedicated, on-the-ground commitment to supporting our transfer students’ success,” said Martina Granados, associate vice president for Strategic Enrollment Management at Fresno State. “Having direct access to dedicated resources and support right at Lemoore College means students can navigate their academic journey, explore degree and career pathways and prepare for a smooth transition to Fresno State with confidence.” 

The center is intended to help students make informed decisions about their educational goals while reducing barriers that can make transferring to a four-year university challenging. It will also serve as a support space for the Fresno State students who are currently enrolled in one of three B.A. degree cohorts that are offered in the adjacent Fresno State classroom at Lemoore College. A Fresno State transfer student ambassador will also be in the center once or twice a week to help answer questions, share their own experience and support fellow students in their journey. 

“We are thrilled to launch the Student Success Center alongside our partners at Lemoore College. This center is more than just a facility; it’s a launchpad for local students pursuing their passion for teaching through Fresno State, including our Integrated Teacher Education Program. Together, we are building a stronger pipeline of talented, dedicated educators for the Central Valley,” said Dr. S. Marshall Perry, dean of the Kremen School of Education and Human Development at Fresno State.

The center also supports the institutions’ broader efforts to strengthen the region’s educational and workforce pipeline. By helping students move more easily from community college to university programs, the partnership creates additional opportunities for Central Valley residents to earn advanced degrees and prepare for careers that support the region’s economic growth.

For Lemoore College students, the center represents another resource to help them move from their first college courses toward completing a bachelor’s degree, with support from both institutions along the way.

Students interested in learning more about transfer opportunities can visit the Lemoore College Transfer Center at https://lemoorecollege.edu/resources/transfer-center/.

By Amber Myrick, district director of marketing, communications, and public information