Office of Community and Economic Development

Fresno State RISE (Rising Initiative for Success in Education)

Formerly Parent University

Important Notice: Name Change

Our program is transitioning from Parent University to Fresno State’s RISE (Rising Initiative for Success in Education). Some services or contact details may change during this time. Thank you for your patience and support

All persons, regardless of sex, race, color or national origin, who are interested in the mission and focus of the program are welcome.

Lifelong Learning and Workforce Development Services

The Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED) at Fresno State, through its San Joaquin Valley Rural Development Center, engages individuals, families, and community members throughout California through Fresno State RISE (Rising Initiative for Success in Education). Fresno State RISE promotes educational achievement, workforce readiness, digital literacy, and personal development through a variety of comprehensive courses and technical assistance workshops offered virtually, on campus, and at community sites across the state. Serving high school students, and adult learners, Fresno State RISE builds community capacity by training and hiring instructors while empowering participants with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to create new educational, professional, and socioeconomic opportunities for themselves and their communities.

Classes

English Conversation

Develops English language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Interactive practice and real-world conversations help participants strengthen comprehension,
translation, communication skills, and confidence in everyday situations.

Spanish Conversation

Develops Spanish language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Interactive practice and real-world conversations help participants strengthen comprehension,
translation, communication skills, and confidence in everyday situations.

Digital Literacy 1

Basic Device Usage:
Introductory course on navigating computers and mobile devices, internet basics, Zoom, device storage, and online safety.

Email Navigation:
Gmail fundamentals: account setup, navagation, composing emails, organization, translatin tools, and online safety.

Digital Literacy 2

Google Workspace Essentials:
Hands-on use of Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides with review to build confidence.

Google Workspace collaboration tools: Chat, Meet, Keep, Forms, Vids, Sites & Wix; includes review.

Digital Literacy 3

Digital Productivity & Tools:
Google Calendar, QR codes, Canva (free & paid), platform safety, recap & Q&A.

Portals & Academic Digital Tools:
School and health portals (clinics, hospitals, pharmacies),
Google Classroom, attendance, grades, submissions, communication, and troubleshooting.

Digital Literacy 4

AI & Social Media Literacy:
AI fundamentals, algorithms, content creation, risks, ethics, privacy, responsible use.

Photography & Editing:
Photography basics, editing, smartphone photography, photo organization, final project.

Professional Development

Skill assessment, résumé development, interviewing, business etiquette, job search, networking, and long-term career planning.

Pathway to College

This course informs participants on the types of colleges, application processes, and financial aid. Participants will learn how to navigate grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities, while gaining the skills needed to make informed decisions about their educational future.

Financial Literacy

Money Management & Financial Skills:
Budgeting, smart spending, credit & FICO, banking, savings, 529 plans, goal setting, and lending programs.

Parenting Skills

This interactive course provides individuals with practical tools to strengthen family relationships, improve communication, manage stress, and support their children's healthy development. Participants will learn positive parenting strategies, effective discipline techniques, conflict resolution skills, and ways to navigate challenges from childhood through adolescence.
Positive parenting, communication, discipline, emotional regulation, child development milestones, self-care, and
community resources.

Health and Wellness

Promotes healthy lifestyle practices for individuals and families through education on nutrition, physical activity, mental wellness, preventive care, and chronic health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, stress, and oral health.

Small Business Development

Small Business Development Intro:
Provides individuals with the foundational knowledge needed to start and operate a small business. Participants will learn how to validate business ideas, understand business structures and licensing requirements, manage finances, build business credit, develop a brand, create a simple business plan, and explore funding opportunities. The course also connects participants with resources and tools to support long-term business success.

Small Business Development Advanced:
Designed for individuals seeking to strengthen and grow their businesses. Participants will explore advanced
topics including financial management, digital marketing, e-commerce, business automation, hiring and workforce compliance, risk management, tax planning, operational efficiency, and long-term growth strategies. The course
provides practical tools and resources to help businesses increase profitability, improve sustainability, and prepare for future expansion.

Social Emotional Learning

Essential tools to help lead healthy, fulfilling lives. The training allows participants to acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions. Participants learn that they have a dual role to play in raising self-aware, respectful children who know how to manage decisions and resolve conflicts nonviolently.

Social Emotional Learning 2

This course helps participants develop the social and emotional skills needed to navigate everyday challenges with confidence and resilience. Through interactive discussions and practical strategies, participants will explore healthy boundaries, self-esteem, stress management, emotional regulation, communication skills, conflict resolution, resilience, and positive habit formation. The course also emphasizes mindfulness, meaningful relationships, and personal growth to support overall well-being at home, school, work, and in the community.