EP143: CAMP at Washington State: Improving Student Outcomes for Migrant and Seasonal Farm Working Families — A 2024 Example of Excelencia

In this episode we sit down with Michael Heim, the Director of Migrant Education Student Access & Support (MESAS) at Washington State University Pullman (WSU). 

Heim has overseen both the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) and the High School Equivalency Program (HEP) at WSU for seven years. Under his leadership, WSU CAMP has been selected as this year’s Example of Excelencia at the baccalaureate level. 

Created in 2005 by Excelencia in Education, Examples of Excelencia is a national initiative that identifies and promotes evidence-based practices improving Latinx student success in higher education. 

Tune in as Heim, and Diverse host Ralph Newell, dive deep into the inner workings of the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), which supports students from migrant and seasonal farm working backgrounds during their first year of college. 

WSU’s CAMP serves a cohort of Latinx students annually, focusing on retention through evidence-based practices that positively impact these students' educational journeys. Despite its successes, the conversation also explores the challenges CAMP faces, such as the need for continued support beyond the first year and the role of community partnerships in sustaining student success.

This is the third feature in our series of four schools being recognized in 2024 by Excelencia in Education. In case you missed it, check out our prior episode featuring this year’s Example of Excelencia at the associate level: Getting to Know the EAP program at Reading Area Community College episode. 

 

KEY POINTS: 

- WSU emphasizes diversity, focusing on its growing Latinx population.

- CAMP supports students facing challenges, leading to a 10% higher graduation rate.

- More funding could further boost CAMP’s retention and graduation outcomes.

- How Heim’s work with CAMP has shaped his views on education access for underserved groups.

- Ongoing support from K-12 to higher ed is vital for migrant students.

- The University of Idaho tragedy underscores the need to validate student concerns and build trust.

- WSU and University of Idaho CAMP programs foster community among migrant students.

 

QUOTABLES:

“CAMP is a program specifically designed to help students who come from a background in migrant and seasonal farm working to have success during the first year and transition into their second year.  – Michael Heim 

"The stronger the foundation for that student, the more successful they'll be later." – Michael Heim 

"The goal is to really serve the state as a land grant institution. We've noticed that at least one sector is kind of growing pretty quickly and that population is our Latinx student population." – Michael Heim 

 

GUEST RESOURCES:

Michael Heim

Examples of Excelencia | Diverse: Issues In Higher Education

 

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Closed captioning and a live show transcription are available in the video for this episode.

 

In The Margins is produced by Diverse: Issues In Higher Education and edited by EPYC Media Network (visit at https://www.epyc.co/).