The mission of College Success Studies (CSS) is to prepare students for success at Cuesta College. Through the instruction of pre-collegiate, basic skills, and transfer-level coursework emphasizing college readiness, CSS effectively supports students in their efforts to improve foundational and college-readiness skills. CSS courses and curriculum are designed to provide dynamic and challenging learning opportunities that encourage critical and creative thinking strategies.

Our courses support students working toward a variety of educational goals, including transferring to four year institutions, earning certificates or associate degrees and advancing in the workforce. Finally, the CSS department plays a vital role in college-wide professional development activities to encourage student success and retention strategies across the curriculum. 

The CSS department offers a variety of courses some of which have a distance education option. CSS courses include: 

  • basic skills reading and writing strategies 
  • learning skills 
  • college success 
  • tutor training 
  • college success support lab