TAKING CFEP HOME
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In 1999, Dr. Keith Curry was hired as a program coordinator for the Center for Educational Partnerships (CFEP), his first job after he earned a bachelor's degree from UC Santa Cruz.
While in college, at age 19, Curry created "Destination Higher Education," which invites admitted African American students to campus so they could learn more about UC Santa Cruz and meet other students. He brought his student outreach and support prowess to UCI and CFEP and was instrumental in improving UCI outreach efforts in Compton where more than 19% of students are African American and more than 78% are Hispanic. "I grew up in Compton," Curry said. "My mother worked for Lynwood Unified School District. My father coached basketball and was a teacher within Los Angeles Unified School District. We lived in the Compton community, and I was and still am committed to doing everything I could to create opportunities for Compton youth." |
President and CEO of Compton College and Compton Community College District Keith Curry speaks at the 2015 UCI Black Leadership Advancement Coalition Gala. Curry received the Distinguished Alumnus Award and served
as the event’s keynote speaker
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Curry worked for CFEP for six years, advancing from program coordinator to director of the Early Academic Outreach Program (EAOP). Simultaneously, he earned an Ed.D. from the UCI School of Education, focusing his dissertation research on the accreditation difficulties Compton College was experiencing.
After a stint as dean of student services at El Camino College Compton Center, Curry in 2011 was promoted to interim CEO of Compton Community College District. Today, he serves as president and CEO of Compton College and Compton Community College District.
In the role, Curry is responsible for promoting student enrollment, success, and retention and coordinating strategic plans and procedures to enhance academics and student services. Under his leadership, the district has expanded student enrollment and introduced and expanded programs, including the implementation of Guided Pathways, the Tartar Support food pantry, the Formerly Incarcerated Students in Transition Program, and the Equity and Achievement Plan targeting black and Latinx students, as well as students with disabilities. Compton College has built a new library/student success center, allied health building, and has three new facilities projects currently in construction. Compton College's future goal includes building new student housing to address housing insecurity.
After a stint as dean of student services at El Camino College Compton Center, Curry in 2011 was promoted to interim CEO of Compton Community College District. Today, he serves as president and CEO of Compton College and Compton Community College District.
In the role, Curry is responsible for promoting student enrollment, success, and retention and coordinating strategic plans and procedures to enhance academics and student services. Under his leadership, the district has expanded student enrollment and introduced and expanded programs, including the implementation of Guided Pathways, the Tartar Support food pantry, the Formerly Incarcerated Students in Transition Program, and the Equity and Achievement Plan targeting black and Latinx students, as well as students with disabilities. Compton College has built a new library/student success center, allied health building, and has three new facilities projects currently in construction. Compton College's future goal includes building new student housing to address housing insecurity.
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I am invested in (UCI) because of the people, and it's why I'll never stop giving back. I don't know how else to thank someone for what they did for me – I can say thank you over and over again, but by paying it forward, that for me is more rewarding.
President and CEO, Compton College and Compton Community College District |
At each stage of his career, Curry reflected on what he learned from his time with CFEP, particularly from Dr. Juan Francisco Lara, assistant vice chancellor of enrollment emeritus and CFEP founding director.
"I learned from Dr. Lara how important it is to acknowledge the value of every single student and to build relationships not only with students and potential students but with fellow employees and community members," Curry said. "Particularly the importance of building and nurturing relationships – reaching out to create partnerships, making connections, offering support, expressing appreciation for the contributions of others, accepting that everyone has the right to be heard and to be treated as someone of value. I carry that with me in my work with staff, with educators, with political leaders, with the public, and especially with students." In appreciation of his time at UCI, Curry has funded multiple scholarships for education students who persevere through tremendous barriers, as well as scholarships for EAOP participants from the Compton Unified School District who choose to pursue a degree in any major at UCI. |
"I am invested in the school because of the people, and it's why I'll never stop giving back," Curry said. "I don't know how else to thank someone for what they did for me – I can say thank you over and over again, but by paying it forward, that for me is more rewarding.
"I wanted to recognize the efforts of students who may have experienced some of the challenges I have faced, but who have persevered, and it was important to say 'thank you' to UCI."
"I wanted to recognize the efforts of students who may have experienced some of the challenges I have faced, but who have persevered, and it was important to say 'thank you' to UCI."
The preceding story is part of the "CFEP: 25 Years of Impact" series, honoring the people, programs and partnerships that have helped impact millions of students, teachers and families over the past quarter century. View the entire series here.
