Summer Pathways
Pathways 2 Excellence (P2E) is California State University, Northridge’s signature summer experience for new incoming students.
This experience is designed to build academic confidence, foster a sense of community, and ensure students are fully prepared for the start of their CSUN journey. With dedicated peer mentors, skill-building workshops, and tailored pathways—including STEM-focused options like M-STEP—P2E equips new Matadors with the tools and support they need to succeed. At CSUN, we are proud to invest in student success before the first semester even begins.
Pathways 2 Excellence (P2E) Site
Given the high number of first-generation college students CSUN serves, Pathways 2 Excellence provides an opportunity to bridge the gap between high school and college mindsets and empower their success
Evolution of Summer Pathways
Beginning in 2021, CSUN expanded the traditional Early Start program by introducing Matador Early Connections (MEC), a holistic model that paired Early Start Math and Writing with seminars that supported self-efficacy, belonging, and connection to campus resources. MEC’s early success demonstrated that strengthened academic preparation combined with wraparound support could meaningfully improve first-year outcomes. As CSUN continued to align its first-year success initiatives with broader institutional priorities, these enhancements laid the groundwork for a more integrated, equity-driven approach to early academic preparation.
This evolution culminated in the transition to Pathways 2 Excellence, a comprehensive onboarding and first-year experience framework that emphasizes academic readiness, community building, and proactive support for all incoming students. Pathways to Excellence now represents a unified structure designed to increase persistence and students’ sense of belonging.
1) Data Point (Persistence P2E vs. CSUN)
80% P2E 1 Year Retention Rate vs. 75.1% Non-P2E 1 Year Retention Rate
2) Representation (Freshmen in P2E)
90% of Program Participants felt P2E encouraged them to succeed at CSUN.
The pie chart above shows race and ethnicity distribution. Hispanic is the largest group at 64.1 percent (191). Asian and Black Pref are each 9.7 percent (29). White is 7.7 percent (23). Two or More is 6.4 percent (19). Decline is 2.0 percent (6).