Future Monterey Peninsula College students looking to transfer to Cal State Monterey Bay should have a smooth transition from the community college to the four-year university thanks to the newly established Lobo Otter Pathway Program.

The program will allow graduating high school students to apply to both schools through one application, with guaranteed admission to CSUMB after completing an associate degree for transfer from Monterey Peninsula College. MPC and CSUMB presidents Marshall T. Fulbright III and Vanya Quiñones held a signing ceremony Monday to officially launch the program.

“Together, we are making a difference,” Quiñones said during the signing. “Together, we are making incredible strides in strengthening the educational pipeline in our region.”

The CSU and UC systems require high school students to meet “A-G” requirements — which means passing grades in history, English, math, science, elective courses and more — to be eligible for admission. The program is aimed toward students who don’t meet those requirements to attend a four-year university straight out of high school or returning students who have a gap in their education.

The program is expected to strengthen graduation rates for participating students, while simultaneously boosting CSUMB’s transfer retention rate, which this year was higher than last.

While retention rates for transfer students remain steady at CSUMB, Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Ben Corpus said during a budget town hall last week that transfer applications for fall 2025 are down by 6%.

The Lobo Otter Pathway Program as well as a similar program launched with Hartnell College last year, are part of CSUMB’s continued enrollment strategies.

“Creating a better future is not just about having a vision, it’s about taking action,” said Fulbright during the signing ceremony. “It’s about showing students that they can (succeed), and that we believe in them from the start, that they belong in higher education, and we will be walking with them every step of the way.”MPC and CSUMB also have 2+2 degree pathways for prospective transfer students. Students at MPC can follow one of 28 associate degree pathways that are mapped out to the corresponding bachelor degree programs at CSUMB. These pathways make it easier and more cost-effective for students to complete a two-year associate degree and then complete their bachelor’s degree in another two years.

A nursing program between the schools also allows students to complete an accelerated bachelor’s degree in nursing in two and a half years.

“I’m hoping the door we’re opening will remain open,” said Quiñones, “so we can provide more opportunities for our students.”