Transferring from a community college to a university is a major milestone for students. While the City College Transfer Center is usually the last stop before graduation, Coach Joseph D’Ambro believes the center should be a student’s first step.
D’Ambro is a Senior Student Service Assistant and serves as the assistant coach for
the award-winning City College Knights men's basketball team. Now in his 14th season,
D’Ambro is here to pay it forward stating his students are his “why”.
Students from all walks of life begin their education at City College as a pathway to transfer to a university or to enter the workforce. “Most students have their dream school in mind, but we encourage them to have more options and to be open toward other universities,” said D’Ambro. “Oftentimes, first-generation students have no one at home to help guide them through college applications. These resources provide all students a roadmap to be successful.”
Inside the City College Transfer Center, students meet with their counselor to develop a Transfer Educational Plan. A variety of resources are available to them including academic and career counseling, guidance in researching and selecting a transfer institution, transfer deadlines, admissions agreements, and guarantees with selected universities. Additionally students can attend individual appointments with representatives from the California State University System including UCs and CSUs, as well as private colleges and universities, transfer workshops, transfer fairs, and university tour field trips.
Transfer application assistance workshops are held three to four times a week at City College and walk-in appointments are accepted during busy transfers seasons. “Seeking help from the transfer center early on is critical because knowing your goal ahead of time will guide you very specifically through City College from required courses, GPA requirements, to showing students what financial aid and waivers are available to them upon transferring.”
The transfer center also provides specialized guidance towards university admission
for student veterans, student athletes, and students interested in Historically black
colleges and universities (HBCUS). “Applications fee waivers for CSU apply, the Blue
and Gold Program for UCs, and California Community Colleges guaranteed admission into
nine HBCUs are just a few of the amazing opportunities available to City College students
that most are not aware of.”
City College holds a Transfer Fair during the spring and fall semesters with over sixty colleges and universities in attendance. Last fall five hundred students had the opportunity to meet with six UCs, twenty-three CSUs, and with fifty out of state colleges. The next Transfer Fair will be take place on April 25th. Transfer Options with SDEC will be held on February 22nd and March 8th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Prior to his arrival at City College, D’Ambro began his career with the San Diego Community College District twenty-three years ago. In addition to his life’s work with the district, D’Ambro is the founder and director of 3D Basketball Training, which has provided mentorship for student athletes to achieve a well-rounded athletic and academic experience since 2008.
D’Ambro attended George Mason University in 1997 and played under Coach Jim Larrañaga his first year before transferring. In 1998, D'Ambro was named Honorable Mention All-American by Youth Basketball of America (U-21) in Jacksonville, Florida. He played basketball for the City College Knights from 1999-2001. D’Ambro earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Azusa Pacific University, an associate degree in RTV Broadcast Communications and Liberal Arts and Sciences and a Real Estate Certificate from City College.