Crafton Hills College Recognized Statewide for Adult Education Innovation

Publish Date: Aug. 22, 2025

Crafton Hills College was recently named an Advancing California Adult Education Model Program by the California Adult Education Program (CAEP) for its Crafton Leadership Academy for Student Success (CLASS). It honors the CLASS summer bridge program as one of the top initiatives in the state for helping adult learners transition to higher education.

The initiative will be formally recognized at the 2025 CAEP Summit, where CLASS is one of just two programs statewide selected for distinction. 

The program’s success stems from the work of faculty and staff, including the Dean of Student Services & Student Development, Dr. Willie Blackmon and Crafton Transition Counselor with the California Adult Education Program Outreach and Educational Partnerships, Herberth “Alex” Jaco Crafton, who reimagined the summer bridge model to better serve adult learners.

"This recognition is the hard work of our faculty and staff who care deeply about helping students succeed,” said Jaco. "The CLASS program is transformative, enabling adult learners to believe in themselves, giving them the confidence, tools and support they need to thrive in college."

Designed to support adult learners as they transition to college, the five-week CLASS program offers a comprehensive and student-centered experience where participants enroll in COUN-100, a transferable, credit-bearing course focused on academic and personal development. Alongside classroom instruction, students attend university field trips, engage in social-emotional learning workshops, receive supplies and daily meals and build connections with campus resources and peers. The program culminates in a celebration honoring students’ achievements and new academic goals.

The CLASS program addresses common challenges faced by adult school students, such as limited familiarity with college systems and barriers to academic readiness, by integrating instruction, career planning and wraparound support services. Each student develops a Student Educational Plan, submits financial aid forms and is introduced to key campus programs like Extended Opportunity Programs and Services and Student Accessibility Services.

“This program not only builds academic skills but also creates a sense of belonging and motivation for students who might otherwise struggle to find a path forward,” Jaco said. 

The program typically serves between 20 and 25 participants each year. While this current iteration is in its second year, the program builds on more than 15 years of experience from its predecessor, Adult Summer Bridge, an initiative that laid the foundation for what CLASS has become today.

CLASS has demonstrated measurable outcomes in persistence and student engagement and is considered a scalable and sustainable model for colleges throughout California.

For more information about Crafton’s adult education programs, visit https://www.craftonhills.edu/adult-education-program/.