CSUMB CAMP Program Empowers Migrant Students

By Ayda Ortega

La Familia, CAMP Original artwork produced for CSUMB CAMP by artist, Eduardo Camacho

Migrant students, particularly those who are first-generation and come from low-income backgrounds, face unique challenges in higher education. However there is a program at California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) that is available to support them, particularly in times of uncertainty and financial stress.

The College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) began in the early 2000s and has been a reliable resource since 2014. CAMP helps approximately 40 students annually, primarily from the Salinas area and counties of Santa Cruz and San Benito.

The CAMP program has received approximately $475,000 in federal funding in 2024 specifically designed to assist students from migrant and seasonal farmworker backgrounds in their transition to CSUMB. It provides important support throughout their educational journey, helping to ensure their success.

Alondra Morales, a CAMP participant from Salinas, shared her positive experiences with the program.“My motivation to participate in the program was the many resources CAMP provides, as well as the support it offers,” she said. CAMP staff informs Alondra and other students of campus resources such as Cooperative Learning Center (CLC), STAT CAFE, and Basic Needs. These resources not only provide tutoring and help students gain study skills, time Management, and communication skills. But respect all students who look for assistance to maintain confidentiality regarding their academic and personal concerns.

Morales remarked that, “CAMP has helped me succeed in my first year at CSUMB because the program helped me meet new students and make new friendships. Attending a new environment can be nerve-wracking and frightening, but CAMP met our needs by giving us a campus tour and providing resources to help us do well.” One of the amazing aspects of CAMP for Morales is the opportunity to participate in field trips organized by the program, which allows her to engage with other campers. CAMP students often express that, as the motto says, they “come as strangers and leave as family,” highlighting the supportive community they experience. CAMP encourages campers to feel heard and supported.

Alondra Morales has succeeded in her academic journey, thanks to the support she has received from the CAMP program. The program has provided her with essential tutoring services, ensuring that she successfully passes all her courses and meets the requirements of her learning plan during her first year at university.

Two dedicated advisors, Bianca Salinas and Reyna Corrales, have been invaluable in guiding Alondra through her academic challenges.

CAMP provides support in several key areas: academic support, financial assistance, and social/emotional support. Students have access to CAMP advising, peer mentorship, academic success strategies, and a $700 CAMP Grant for financial assistance in 2025. This program is designed to support first-generation students from seasonal or migrant farmworker backgrounds for one year.

The program offers summer bridge events that help them explore campus facilities and opportunities. CAMP also provides service opportunities, allowing students to gain valuable experience at CSUMB, ultimately empowering first-generation students from diverse backgrounds to achieve their educational aspirations.

Eligibility for CAMP includes being a first-time freshman, a full-time student, and a permanent resident or U.S. citizen. Applicants must also meet specific migrant or seasonal farmworker criteria and be enrolled or admitted to CSUMB while applying for FAFSA for the 2025–2026 academic year.

As CAMP continues to grow, it is offering more opportunities for students in 2025. The program offers new opportunities and now hires peer mentors who are also CAMP participants. Additionally, financial assistance has increased from $600 to $700 per academic year. These opportunities help students become more engaged with the campus community and actively involved in their academic pursuits. Approximately, the programs have supported freshman to sophomore retention rate in the CAMP program is 93.5 percent.

Students have taken advantage of the opportunities offered to them. This program has positively impacted every CAMPER student. CSUMB provides a supportive environment that contributes to the success of the programs.

The CAMP program remains an essential support system, fostering the academic and social success of migrant students and ensuring they can reach their full potential at CSUMB. And empowers migrant students with academic, financial, and emotional support, ensuring they thrive in higher education.