The CSU will spend $28 million on initiatives aimed at helping first-generation and underserved students receive a quality education, Chancellor Timothy P. White pledged at a White House summit.

The initiatives include:

• $8 million to hire 70 additional professional advisors who will leverage e-advising technologies to provide real-time assistance to help students navigate college;
• $8 million to expand the Early Start summer program, which helps prepare students for college-level math and English before they arrive on campus;
• $12 million to increase undergraduate research, study abroad and internship opportunities that provide alternatives to traditional lectures; and
• Improving access for community college students and helping them complete their degrees by providing admissions preference and clear, unambiguous transfer pathways for the 25 most popular majors.

White made the pledge at a Jan. 16 White House summit on increasing opportunities for all students to attend college.

President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan spoke at the summit. In addition to White, the heads of the University of California and state community college systems, business leaders, philanthropists, nonprofit organizations and other stakeholders from across the country participated.

Each of the attendees was invited to announce commitments to improve opportunities for students.

For a full list of universities and other organizations that participated in the summit, visit the "Commitments to Action on College Opportunity" report.