Arizona State University President, Michael Crow has invited Los Angeles-area education leaders to share a new resource with their high school students who have been affected by the fires and may be worried about being diverted from their paths toward college.
Families can now access `ASU supports Los Angeles‘, to learn about guaranteed pathways to admission at ASU, as well as one-on-one help for meeting application deadlines and managing educational costs.
While ASU is the first higher education institution to offer this customized support expressly for families affected by the LA fires, the effort is not new for the university.
Past events such as hurricanes and the 2023 wildfire in Maui have led to similar efforts from ASU to help ease the path to college for prospective students.
President of ASU, Michael Crow commented: “ASU has been inspired by the LA-area families who are doing all they can to recover and move forward.
“It’s part of our university charter to help the communities we serve and this is one small way that we can assist Angelenos. Everyone deserves access to high-quality education no matter their circumstances.”
For students like Palisades Charter High School junior Maria Knierim, 17, whose home was destroyed by the wildfires, it is a relief just knowing that ASU is a welcoming option for affected students like her.
Her high school remains closed due to fire damage, but Maria is focusing on her upcoming ACT test and her love of playing soccer.
Maria’s father Sean shared that she had been stressed about how her path to college might be set baclk-until she heard about the ASU effort. He shared: “The number of kids that this is going to make a difference for is amazing.
“Just to know they have that pathway and support and they’re going to be OK.”
Pamela Magee, Executive Director/Principal, Palisades Charter High School said: “Many of our students have lost their homes, and their futures have been shaken by the devastation of the fires.
“ASU’s outreach to provide tailored support in the college admissions process is a reminder that, even in the face of adversity, there are pathways forward.
“This support is crucial for our students as they navigate their next steps.”
ACU has created a resource for high school students in the LA-area who have been affected by the fires.
Families and students can access `ASU supports Los Angeles‘, to learn about guaranteed pathways to admission at ASU.
President of ASU, Michael Crow said everyone deserves access to high-quality education no matter their circumstances.
