WE Will! K16 Collaborative and Career Ladders Project
High school and college practitioners gathered at Merced College on November 7 for Guiding Futures: Elevating Student-Centered Counseling and Support...
WE Will! K-16 Collaborative Vision Statement
"To create a future where every student in Merced, Stanislaus, and San Joaquin Counties has equitable access to high wage-high demand career pathways, leading to a skilled and diverse workforce that strengthens our communities and region."
Pathways
There is a persistent need to address systemic barriers and educational gaps preventing underrepresented K-16 students from becoming postsecondary and workforce ready in healthcare and education careers.
Healthcare and education are two critical industry sectors in the Northern San Joaquin Valley Region. Because of these systemic barriers, students from predominantly low socio-economic communities and first-generation college students need more skills, knowledge, and opportunities to excel in these two career fields.
Education
Healthcare
Recovery with Equity Recommendations
Provide high-tech, high-touch advising
Support college preparation & early credit
Cultivate inclusive, engaging & equity oriented learning environments
Improve college affordability
Updates
WE Will! and the California College Guidance Initiative Kick Off 2025
The WE Will! K16 Collaborative, in partnership with the California College Guidance Initiative (CCGI), led by Selma Gonzalez and her team, hosted a Community of Practice for CCGI district partners.
SkillRISE Regional Convening Recap & Program Overview
On October 17, 2025, UC Merced’s Division of Professional & Continuing Education hosted the SkillRISE Regional Partner Convening at CSU Stanislaus, bringing together over 25 industry leaders, educators, and workforce development professionals from the Northern San Joaquin Valley.
Strengthening Pathways with ARCHES: WE Will! PBL Workshop Impacts Gustine Unified Schools
In June, ten dedicated educators from Gustine High School participated in a transformative two-day Project Based Learning (PBL) workshop sponsored by the WE Will! Collaborative that exemplified the collaborative approach needed between K-12 education and industry partners.
A Unified Vision: WE Will! K-16 Collaborative and CCGI Champion Regional College Planning
This quarter, we are pleased to highlight our strong partnership with the California College Guidance Initiative (CCGI) through a successful regional workshop. Hosted in early May by the Stanislaus County Office of Education, the event welcomed 98 attendees and served as a valuable opportunity...