SBVC Leverages Technology to Connect with Local High School Students

Through a new mobile messaging platform, San Bernardino Valley College is able to seamlessly connect with high school students in our local community, letting them know that college is within their reach. The communication platform, developed by Siembra, directly links SBVC via text messaging to prospective students and their parents in the San Bernardino, Colton, and Rialto school districts. Siembra is free for K-12 school districts, provides a means of tracking student preparation for high school/college, and allows for communication between the district and the student/parent via mobile messaging. Starting in the ninth grade, students will receive messages through the platform, which can be accessed on a computer or smartphone. One major feature is the Stop Light System, which lets students track their readiness toward college. The messaging tool is an opportunity to connect all prospective students in an equitable and inclusive way to higher education with mobile interaction. SBVC’s partnership with Siembra will aim to not only increase enrollment, but develop stronger relationships with students before they even step foot on campus.