Coppin State University Welcomes California Community College Counselors for HBCU Transfer Summit
President Dr. Anthony Jenkins, Named HBCU President of the Year, Leads Landmark Day of Connection, Discovery, and Opportunity for California Transfer Students
BALTIMORE — Coppin State University recently hosted California Community College counselors, staff, and administrators on June 17, 2026, as part of the 2026 California Community College HBCU Transfer Summit, a statewide initiative connecting California's community college system with partner Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The visiting delegation spent the morning at Bowie State University before continuing to Coppin State's campus in the afternoon for a dedicated session focused on transfer opportunities for California students.
The afternoon program, held in the Tawes Ballroom, began with welcoming remarks from President Dr. Anthony Jenkins, who was honored as the California Community College HBCU President of the Year for 2024-2025, alongside Dr. James Stewart, Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, and Dr. Nicole Lee, Associate Director of Transfer Admissions, who was recognized as the California Community College Partner of the Year for 2024-2025. Their collective remarks set the tone for an afternoon centered on access, opportunity, and the transformative power of the HBCU experience.
"The CCC to HBCU Transfer Summit represents exactly the kind of intentional partnership that changes the trajectory of students' lives. Coppin State is committed to ensuring that California community college students know they have a home here, and that the path to get here is clear, accessible, and supported every step of the way," said Dr. James Stewart, Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs.
Assistant Directors Jimmy Cooley and Kyle Wright followed with a comprehensive transfer admissions presentation, walking counselors through the specific steps California students can take to pursue a degree at Coppin State. The presentation highlighted the University's competitive in-state tuition incentive for California transfer students, available transfer scholarship opportunities, and guaranteed transfer pathways designed to streamline the journey from community college to a four-year HBCU education.
Visiting counselors also had the opportunity to engage directly with representatives from departments across campus during a lunch and counselor resource fair. Academic colleges, including the Colleges of Business, Health Professions, Behavioral and Social Science, and Art, Science and Education, were represented alongside departments including Athletics, Financial Aid, the Library, Wellness and Recreation, the Eagle Achievement Center, and the Center for Counseling and Accessibility. The fair gave counselors a comprehensive view of the resources, programs, and support systems available to Coppin State students.
The afternoon continued with a student panel, "The Coppin Experience," moderated by Ms. Kaelyn Cooper, Campus Tour and Social Media Manager. The panel featured two Coppin State transfer students who shared their personal journeys: Ms. Latia Carter, a Baltimore City Community College transfer and member of the Class of 2026, and Ms. Shamonique Harris, a Long Beach Community College transfer and member of the Class of 2027. Their candid reflections offered visiting counselors an authentic and compelling look at what it means to be a student at Coppin State.
"Being recognized as the California Community College Partner of the Year is a reflection of the genuine relationships we have built with counselors and institutions across the state. Events like this summit allow us to deepen those connections and make sure that every counselor leaves equipped and excited to guide their students toward Coppin State," said Dr. Nicole Lee, Associate Director of Transfer Admissions.
The visit concluded with small group "Hot Spot" campus tours led by Dr. Lee, Mr. Cooley, and Mr. Wright, giving counselors a firsthand look at campus life and key student resources. The tours reinforced the welcoming environment and vibrant community that define the Coppin State experience.
The summit is part of a broader effort connecting California's community college system with 36 partner HBCUs, equipping counselors to advise students interested in HBCU transfer opportunities, not just those exploring University of California or California State University pathways. By hosting this event, Coppin State strengthens its visibility among California's robust community college network and reinforces its commitment to expanding access for transfer students nationwide.
