SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — September 23, 2026 — College Track and Cal Poly today announced a new partnership that will provide high-need California scholars with fully covered on-campus housing, mandatory tuition and fees, and food costs. The partnership marks College Track’s 23rd college and university partnership and its second with a California State University (CSU) campus, deepening the organization’s growing network across 13 communities nationwide.
College Track scholars attending Cal Poly will continue to receive one-on-one coaching, career readiness support, financial literacy education, community-building and other services. In addition, this partnership provides eligible scholars with financial aid to cover many of their direct costs.
“We are deeply grateful to the Madden family, longtime Cal Poly supporters, whose introduction to College Track helped make this partnership possible,” said Jeffrey D. Armstrong, Cal Poly president. “Together, we will continue expanding access and opening doors for more high-achieving students to pursue a Learn by Doing education at Cal Poly.”
“For a first-generation college student, the promise of higher education is ideally rooted in affordability, choice, and a purposeful career and life upon graduation,” says Dr. Shirley M. Collado, President and CEO of College Track. “Our partnership with Cal Poly delivers on this promise by offering something incredibly rare: two distinct campus experiences with meaningful pathways into the workforce. We’re thrilled that our partnership also includes fully funded room and board, enabling our scholars to focus completely on earning their degree and launching into a future they’ve worked to build.”
“Dad worked closely with President Armstrong to establish the Madden Scholarship Program for Oakland students,” states Mike Madden, Board member, Madden Charities and The John Madden Foundation. “The work and outcomes from College Track Oakland are truly inspirational. Board member Susie Lorenzi had the idea to bring the two together, and all of us at The John Madden Foundation are proud to see it become a formal partnership.”
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