The purpose of PCC's Talent Search Program (TS) is to provide college planning and preparation tools that guide low-income, potential first generation college students as they transition from high school to college. TS staff work to guide and advise students of college requirements so students are eligible to apply to the university of their choice. Furthermore, participants receive career advisement, financial literacy workshops, SAT/ACT preparation and college tours.

---

History

---

PCC's Talent Search program is part of the Federal TRIO Programs, which include eight programs aimed at serving and assisting low-income, first-generation college students, and students with disabilities in their academic progression from middle school to college. PCC received the first 5-year Talent Search (TS) grant in 2011 to serve Pasadena Unified School District High Schools (PUSD). The TS grant to serve PUSD high schools was renewed in 2016, and a second 5-year grant was added to include four El Monte High Schools. Only 1,300 of the 37,000 public and private high schools in the United States had a TS Program, including Pasadena and El Monte High Schools.

The second TS grant that serves EMUHSD was renewed for another five years in 2021, with the addition of Durfee Elementary School to serve 8th grade students.Despite the fact that PUSD was not renewed, PCC provided funding to continue serving existing students and ensuring their academic success. We are extremely excited to apply for the PUSD grant in 2026.

---

Program Statistics

---

Description	2015-2016	2016-2017	2017-2018
Graduated Seniors	160	283	266
Enrolled Into College	139	171	239
% Enrolled Into College	86%	81%	89%
2 year	70	138	123
4 year	69	33	116

TS has graduated over 100 students annually, with over 90% of them enrolling into 2 year and 4 year colleges.