WHITTIER – Río Hondo College’s (RHC) Honors Transfer Program is celebrating an 81% transfer rate to UCLA, with nearly 100% of all students that complete the program being accepted to four-year colleges or universities, according to the latest data reported by the program’s coordinators.

According to Honors Transfer Program Coordinator and Professor of Sociology Melissa Rifino Juarez, this transfer rate is exceptional due to the fact that UCLA is one of the most prestigious colleges in the world.

“The RHC Honors Program is designed to challenge, enrich and prepare academically talented and highly motivated community college students seeking transfer to a four-year university,” Rifino Juarez said. “Several partner universities give priority consideration for admission to Honors Students. Although, there is not a guarantee of admission, the UCLA data certainly demonstrates the increased acceptance rate of students in the program.”

Rifino Juarez said the high transfer rate is due to the program’s hard-working staff members, including Honors Counselor David Tieu, who provides ongoing counseling support for transfer success. She also credited the students who enroll in the program for being steadfast and committed to their educational goals.

“The program is available to all students at Río Hondo College,” Rifino Juarez said. “Our goal is to cultivate honors scholars so wherever you might be in your educational journey, we are here to support your transfer goals and to build a community of student learners.”

Rifino Juarez said the Honors Transfer Program is a key program for the College because it creates a community of like-minded scholars, while offering opportunities for student engagement beyond the classroom experience. Rifino Juarez, who has worked at Río Hondo College for 26 years and has been the honors coordinator since 2017, also noted that Honors Transfer Program students regularly gain acceptance to colleges such as California State University, Fullerton, University of California, Irvine and the University of California, Berkeley.

“We are extremely proud of the work of the RHC Honors Transfer Program and all of the students enrolled in this program as well – their success is monumental,” Superintendent/President Dr. Marilyn Flores said. “Río Hondo College is proud to have a program with such a strong background and achievement rate, and we love that it’s creating a strong foundation of success for our students.”