Success Stories

"I’m ready to tell everyone community college is where I realized my dream." Evelina Rybin Student / Fire Technology and Paramedicine / Cosumnes River College

Evelina Rybin is one of the lucky ones. Even in high school, she knew exactly what she wanted to do with her life. Evelina was going to go to American River College (ARC) and become a paramedic. She knew but didn’t care that college was going to be hard – but what she didn’t anticipate was a predisposition against community colleges coming from (of all people) a high school teacher, and a bias against her career choice harbored by her family and friends.

Yet, Evelina persevered. She enrolled at ARC after finishing high school and went to work on her prerequisite courses. But one of the preconditions for the ARC paramedicine program is a year of first-responder field experience as an emergency medical technician. Undeterred, Evelina found an EMT internship class that sent her to a few Cosumnes Fire Department stations. At the fire stations, Evelyn learned all about a fire internship offered at Los Rios’ Cosumnes River College. She took a fire technology class and was hooked!

Evelina is planning to graduate with an associate degree in paramedicine, one in fire technology, and another one in foreign language studies. She hopes to get hired at a local fire department, and she wants to pursue a bachelor's degree in fire science; maybe even a master's. While fighting fires, Evelina envisions teaching fire tech for the Los Rios Community College District, a place where she found shared passion, friendship, and a place to belong.

The doubters in Evelina’s life who disapproved of her choices have come around to accept Evelina’s determination to follow her passion, and are even proud of her accomplishments. And to the high school teacher who snubbed community college? Tell your students there are options for everyone at Los Rios, so they should enroll in classes, find an interest, and follow their hearts – Just like Evelina did.

"College has been one of the best experiences of my life." Breece Phillips Student / Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering, Mathematics, and Interdisciplinary Studies / Sacramento City College

Breece Phipps’ life is on the up side. And for someone whose life has experienced more than its share of downs, his journey is quite remarkable. Breece graduated recently with degrees in mechanical/aerospace engineering, mathematics and interdisciplinary studies. The first-generation college student even plans to someday assist in the advancement of multi-planet exploration. He credits maturity and tenacity for his success, and the new beginning he found at Sacramento City College (SCC).

As a teenager, Breece became a statistic of America’s battle with opioids. Like so many others, his addiction was leading him down a path of self-destruction. Bad decisions led to dropout status at college — and for a while — even incarceration.   

Breece now says college is the catalyst to changing the trajectory of his future. And when he looks back at his years at SCC, he realizes that his success came not just from his own persistence to learn, but also from the community he found there. He loved hearing the multitude of languages on campus and learning of the different ethnic backgrounds of his fellow students. He looked forward to getting on campus every day because he knew everybody there was supportive and cheering him on. For Breece, SCC provided the faculty, administration and vast amount of resources he needed to thrive throughout his time there, and he says, it felt like family.

"My experience in the Accounting Society and working in BCS prepared me to transfer to a UC." Bahareh (April) Zebarjad Major: Business Economics / Minor: Accounting / Transfer Student

April is a dedicated student who manages her academics alongside her extracurricular activities as a former Treasurer and current President of the Accounting Society Club, as well as being an active member of the Honors Club and volunteering for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistant (VITA). Her experience in the Accounting Society and working in the Business and Computer Science department at ARC has prepared her to transfer to a UC, with UCLA being her first choice. After obtaining her BA in Business Economics, April plans to take the CPA exam and become a Certified Public Accountant.

"My time at ARC has prepared me for the board exams in funeral services." Angelica Morales Major: Funeral Service Education / AS degree

Angelica is extremely proud of her work as a student assistant in the Health Center at ARC and appreciates how the position has allowed her to interact with her peers and make lasting friends and memories. Her time at ARC has prepared her mentally for the National and State board exams, and after earning her AA in Science, she plans to successfully pass her exams and hopes to be a licensed funeral director and embalmer by age 21. She has gained both academic and personal skills and feels that her time and efforts at ARC have motivated her to be a better individual and to reach out to others.

"The MESA Student Leadership Retreat provided us a platform to expand our network beyond just our own community." Jun Li Student / Mechanical Engineering / MESA / Cosumnes River College

At Cosumnes River College, the MESA program provides math, engineering, and science academic development to underrepresented community college students. The goal is to help them excel academically and transfer to four-year institutions as science, engineering, and math majors. This support is crucial in helping students from low-performing high schools reach their academic potential and become technical professionals.

Thanks to generous donors, the MESA Program received a mini-grant from the Los Rios Colleges Foundation to help them attend the Student Leadership Retreat (SLR). The SLR is chance for community college students to interact, network, and build leadership skills with other MESA students. This leadership and skill-building conference features hands-on STEM sessions, including chemistry study, engineering design, and coding.

CRC student Jun Li says, "The MESA Student Leadership Retreat provided us a platform to expand our network beyond just our own community. I befriended students all over California. We collaborated to solve problems and learned about interesting subjects that we would otherwise not be able to learn. But most importantly, my fellow MESA members shared stories that resonated with my experience and motivated me to be a better leader."

"The Mather Diesel Program is preparing me for the future." Michael Hansen Student / Diesel Technology

I have been a student in the Mather Diesel program for the last two semesters. I am taking diesel courses to improve my skills for my career in diesel where I work at Sacramento Regional Transit. I am in the A mechanics apprenticeship program. I am using these courses to aid in my training. I am majoring in Diesel Technology. I have been interested in this field since I began working at Sacramento Regional Transit as a service worker. What I enjoy best about the Mather Diesel program is Learning about new and up and coming technologies and applying what I’ve learned to my current position at Sacramento Regional Transit. The program is providing me with hands on experience as well as in the classroom training that is applicable to the industry. The Mather Diesel program is preparing me for the future by providing me with the necessary skills required to be successful in the industry.  This includes providing information regarding current technologies and hands on experience.

"The Mather program challenges me to expand my knowledge." Leonardo Garcia Student / Diesel Technology / American River College

I’ve been working in the field for a mom and pop shop for a while and have always had an inclination for mechanical things and fixing equipment. My original major has been changed due to trying different fields like the medical field, engineering, and ended up here on the technical side of things. I currently work for a diesel repair shop. What I enjoy best about the Mather Diesel program is the instruction of the various instructors who challenge me to engage my thinking process. I believe the introduction to industry partners is a big part of the program and it really helps get a foot in the door. Once I finish my degree, I hope to get a job in the agriculture industry or as a field mechanic. My words of inspiration to current and future students who are interested in the diesel program are to do what you enjoy and try to challenge yourself to study and expand your knowledge of the subject outside of the classroom.

"At ARC I gained skills in time management, troubleshooting, communication, and general leadership." Vinson Saldivar Major: Electronics Systems Technologies / Major: Sociology / Transfer Student

Vinson has a lot to be proud of, as he received five scholarships from the ARC Foundation and is working towards transferring to a 4-year university where he plans to obtain a Bachelor's degree, followed by a Master's degree, and work for a reputable company. His time at American River has gained him skills in time management, troubleshooting, communication, and general leadership which he plans to use to benefit his career and the company he eventually works for.

"It is never too late to change your career path. I went back to school and started my new career in my mid-thirties." Tyler Wierzbicki Alum / Information Systems Assurance / Cosumnes River College

What has been the key motivating factor or factors in your life to pursue your goal(s)?

I wanted financial independence and to have a career that will last me the rest of my life. I also wanted a career that was challenging and that I would be making a difference in the world. Wierzbicki says he’s inspired by, “All of the anonymous people who push through adversities because they don't allow any obstacles to write their life stories.”

How do you think CRC prepared you for your future?

My major was Information Systems Assurance. I was attracted to the cybersecurity aspect of computer science because of political events happening all around the world centered around information warfare and cyber-crime. The various courses offered allowed me to test the waters of what interested me. I was able to pinpoint which direction I wanted to take in my new career.

Cosumnes River College classes were affordable. The staff seemed to enjoy their jobs and take their students seriously. I always felt safe on campus.

What advice do you have for students and future students?

I graduated from University of San Francisco in 2005 with a BA in Media Studies. After graduating, I worked in commercial real estate and insurance for ten years. I decided to go back to school to explore my passion of computer science and technology.

It is never too late to change your career path. I went back to school and started my new career in my mid-thirties.

"Giving up is not an option." Kesha Harris Major: Legal Assisting / Taking law school Admissions Test

Kesha is the mother of three children (ages 11, 9 and 5 years old) who are all excited for mom to start law school. Kesha will be the first in her family to become a lawyer. She currently enjoys doing motivational speaking because it helped her overcome many challenges to continue school and graduate. She says she has been homeless, married, divorced, involved with domestic violence and has never given up because, as she says, "giving up is not an option."

"At ARC I gained experience and confidence in my field of Automotive Technology." Andrew Johnson Major: Automotive Technology

Andrew is on the road to success as an automotive technology major with plans to work at a local dealership or independent repair shop after graduating, and to eventually become an ASE Master Technician. His time at American River College has gained him experience and confidence in his field, as well as winning the Early Ford V-8 Club and Osher Scholars scholarships and maintaining a 4.0 GPA, preparing him for the future and his long-term goal of opening his own automotive repair business.

"I can get through the day because I know I have somewhere safe to sleep at night." Brittany Tipton Student / Fire Technology and Paramedic / Veteran / American River College

Brittany Tipton didn’t believe she was cut out for college. “I didn’t think I was going to be able to go to college, I didn’t think I would be able to get through college, so I joined the Marine Corps, ended up blowing out my knee and came home. [The Marine Corps] changed the way I thought about the world, the way I thought about myself as a person.”

After Brittany returned home, she decided to enroll in American River College, in large part because of the large veteran population. She credits much of her success so far at ARC to Mike Robinson and the Veterans Resource Center. “Mike Robinson is a huge support at ARC. I wouldn’t still be in school without him. [The] Veterans Resource Center helps students all the way through. Not many colleges have that.”

Despite the support she received from the Veterans Resource Center, Brittany unexpectedly found herself homeless and faced with the choice of paying bills or buying food. She applied for a grant from the Veteran Student Emergency Fund and was awarded $450 to help her buy food and move into safe housing. It allowed her to stop stressing and be able to focus on school.

“I encourage anyone who needs it to apply. Without that boost, I wouldn’t have been able to stay in school full-time and work full-time,” says Brittany. “I can get through the day because I know I have somewhere safe to sleep at night.”

Brittany expects to finish her degrees in Paramedics and Fire Technology in a few years, and then hopes to get hired at a Fire Department. With a few years of experience under her belt, she then plans to take the investigators exam.

"The Mather Diesel Program is helping me succeed." Anthony Bertucelli Student / Diesel Technology / American River College

I am a new diesel technician. I came to the Mather Diesel program through my job at Sacramento Regional Transit. I’ve learned a lot and I am currently pursuing my A.S. degree. My major is diesel technology, but it is not something I have always wanted to do. However, it is an opportunity that presented itself through my current employer. I am currently working in the diesel industry at Sacramento Regional Transit. What I enjoy the best in the Mather Diesel Program is the combination of both classroom and hands on lab instruction. The Mather Diesel Program is helping me succeed by teaching me theories in the classroom that give me a more in-depth understanding of the industry. Also, the hands on training gives me the fundamental training for success in the industry. The Diesel program is teaching me a lot about the diesel industry and it is complimenting my on the job training.

"I chose business as my major, because it gave me the chance to create opportunities for myself." Jonathan Dena Student / Business / Cosumnes River College

How did you choose your major at CRC?

I was incarcerated at 16 years old, and when I was released, I looked forward to getting out and seeing what the world had to offer. I had desires for other majors prior to my release, but was redirected after experiencing the harsh reality of possessing a criminal record in the workforce. So, I chose business as my major because it gave me the chance to create opportunities for myself that others insist I don’t deserve.

What has been your experience at CRC?

I find CRC very welcoming. Many of my professors have help motivate me and have influenced me to grab every opportunity I can. I have plans of being the first in my family to graduate college and hope to create my own business and provide jobs for struggling youth and adults.

Why is pursuing an education important to your future?

I refuse to let any circumstance that I’ve endured get in the way of my happiness,” Dena added. “The fact that I’m not where I could be is more reason to take advantage of every opportunity that I once believed I’d never receive.

"There is no excuse as to why you cannot demonstrate and produce excellence." Joaquin Holland Student / Psychology / Umoja Sakhu / American River College

My major at ARC is Psychology. My educational goal is to obtain an A.A. in Psychology here at ARC, transfer to obtain a B.A., then continue to receive a Masters degree, and become licensed as a therapist/counselor. My career goal is to become a counselor or a therapist.

I get a kick out of helping people, so I'm extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to work here. I like to be the person who students can rely on to receive accurate information about the resources we have here at ARC. I understand the frustrations some people experience of not quite understanding how to navigate campus or the website, so being a student employee gives me the ability to help from an active student point of view.

Umoja Sakhu has shown me so many things I was convinced were impossible. It is by far the best community I've ever been involved in. They make sure you have no excuses as to why you cannot demonstrate and produce excellence. Aside from school I like to play soccer, work on motorcycles, and dance with friends and family - Salsa, Rumba, Timba, and Changui are just a few I was taught growing up. However my most favored hobby is playing Xbox live. GT: Rocket 1100

"I'm making more out of life–my way." Carlo Lopez Student / Computer Science / Sacramento City College

Life isn’t easy for Carlo Lopez. Like many community college students, his family struggles, and money, housing and food are mostly a daily focus. Determined, Carlo fends for himself by relying on hope, ambition and services available, especially the STEM Equity & Success Initiative (SESI).

SESI is a comprehensive, multifaceted program intended to increase the participation and success rates of Hispanic and low-income students in STEM fields and careers. With SESI’s help, Carlo now knows the joy of academic achievement and wants people who are growing up in similar circumstances to know that joy too. His wish is for kids like him to hear what he heard at SCC: the sweet sound of a voice that says, I have your back.

Even when Carlo was just in middle school, he knew he could rely only on himself for a decent life. Nobody was around to expose him to life’s possibilities, so he took it upon himself to discover a world he knew little about. He applied for a library pass and researched jobs that require technology skills. He was looking for an alternative to a life of limited choices.

That library pass opened a world of possibilities. Carlo taught himself to code by poring over free tutorials. His accomplishment had moved him to accept SESI’s help and pursue a college education at SCC despite his life’s brutal reality and an average GPA.

Now, Carlo is a full time student, studying computer science, and looking forward to earning a degree and transferring. He plans on a career of helping people, beginning with those who think college is not for them.

It can be done, Carlo tells those students. There is a way financially, and there is help academically. Follow your dream, think big and go to college.

"I was thrilled to be sitting with the graduating class." Quynhnhu Nguyen Former Student / Sacramento City College

Sacramento City College graduate Quynhnhu Nguyen’s collection, “Entropy,” recently won first place at the college Fashion Department’s annual fashion show. She also won in the Most Marketable category at American River College’s fashion show in 2017 with her collection called “Controlled Chaos.” As suggested by the dark, moody, urban style of both collections, Nguyen is intrigued by fluctuations of emotions and how slivers of optimism and hope can be found in the darkest of places. We asked her a few questions about herself and what inspires her.

Tell us about your experience at SCC. When did you start and why?

My experience at SCC started in 1998. My firstborn was three years old and I just received my GED. I didn’t want to be a waitress all of my life so I decided to go to college and do something better with my life. My mom also drilled it into my brain that I had to go to college and I was floating in the sea of academia for a good while before I found out what I truly enjoyed doing.

How did you become interested in Fashion? Did you have any fashion or design experience prior to SCC?

I wasn’t interested in fashion until I took my first sewing class with SCC Professor Lynne Giovannetti back in 2013. I was a Biology major and focusing on taking courses to get into the Nursing program. I couldn’t get into one of my science classes so I decided to take a sewing class. My mother has an AA in Fashion Design from West Valley College and she would make me fix my own clothes and help her sew basic shirts and pants when I was a child but I wanted to learn from the beginning. The course was fun for me, we started out with basic sewing stitches and learned to make potholders, a drawstring bag and an apron or bag. I ended up making two aprons, one was simple and the other one was a reversible one.

How would you describe your general aesthetic?

My general aesthetic is applying the skills I have learned and allowing myself to be creative with my designs from concept idea to the final product. I love to challenge myself with new ideas and playing around with techniques that I have not worked with before. I like classic designs with a play on my own interpretation of current styles.

What is the concept behind your designs that ended up winning the grand prize at the fashion show?

Is there a story to the designs? Where did you draw inspiration? Did you have a goal in mind when conceptualizing these designs?

I express visual story with my collection. I had just won the Most Marketable category with my Controlled Chaos collection from ARC in 2017 and I wanted to showcase the Entropy collection at SCC the following year. Both collections were about an array of emotions that I was experiencing during my journey. The idea was to tell a story of how emotions always fluctuate and that one moment you are feeling all of these negative emotions and the next you are calm and rational. I worked with real leather, lace and textured fabrics. Four pieces were mainly black with hints of white which was my color story of how dark my emotions were with hints of white which represents serenity and hope. The middle garment was a simple A-line dress which was color block with diagonal seams and a square neckline. The bodice was made out of corded lace and the skirt was a black and white woven wool textile. The white was more pronounced and evoked innocence. The Entropy collection focuses on the strong sensual female. My goal is to have my client feel empowered and beautiful when they wear my designs.

Do you remember the first thing you designed?

The first thing I designed was a tote bag. I created a basic pattern by analyzing the paper bags at the grocery store and drafted a paper pattern to use as my template. I’ve come a long way from that project.

You graduated in the spring. How did that feel? What did it mean for you?

It felt awesome. It took me over twenty years off and on being in college. I was thrilled to be sitting with the graduating class of 2019 along with my peers. It was a difficult journey struggling to finish college with the demands of life. I say, “Better later than never.” Graduating from the Los Rios Community College District meant that I had the power to showcase my skills and creativity because I was tenacious with my studies and I discovered that I also loved to teach other students who wanted to experience what the Fashion Programs had to offer.

When you think of your future, what do you see yourself doing next year? Five years from now? 10 years from now?

I plan to teach in the future. I have been a teacher’s assistant for three years and I plan on applying for an Instructional Assistant job and gain more experience. After that, I would love to get accepted into the Faculty Diversity Internship Program and become an adjunct professor at LRCCD. I have met so many wonderful people along my journey and I plan on networking and reaching out to explore the fashion industry, the art industry and our community. I’ve been working on a community project with the fashion club called Hopefull Totefull where we would make tote bags for first time chemotherapy patients from Sutter Memorial Hospital. We have donated over one hundred totes so far so I would love to have a chance to expand on that project.

"As a student and student assistant at ARC, I learn new things every day." Seyed M. Hosseini Student / Psychology / American River College

I am studying Psychology at ARC and, after obtaining my AA/AS here, I am planning to transfer to Sac State for my BA in Psychology. My goal is to obtain my Master’s degree in counseling and to become a counselor.

I really enjoy my time here at ARC both as a student and a student assistant. I love helping other people, especially when it is helping them with college-related issues. Since the first day I started working on campus, I have been given the opportunity to help others. Also, by working in different departments I learn new things every day and that is something that keeps me happy and encourages me to do my job in the best way it can be done. I like how the staff here are passionate about helping new and continuing students to achieve their educational goals. I am glad to be part of this incredible team.

A fun fact about me is that I have been doing photography as a side job and I will be pursuing it even more professionally by obtaining new skills in the ARTPH and ARTNM courses that are available here on campus.

"In my opinion, ARC is the best college in the world. " Andrei Liogchi Student / Social Work / CalWORKs / American River College

My major is Social Work and my dream is to get a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. Undoubtedly, the Student Services personnel make the college stand out from other educational institutions. For me, CalWORKs is the program that changed my life completely. It helped me to believe in myself, and it became the second family that gave me love, great friends, and needed skills to grow in my future career. I'm thankful for all Student Services departments and I really appreciate their help. However, CalWORKs will always have a special part in my heart. Thank You, CalWORKs!

"All my work revolves around questioning equity in our systems." Anthony Hopkins Employee / RISE / Former Student / Sacramento City College

Anthony Hopkins was six years out of high school and sporting several failed attempts at college. Even dead-end jobs were elusive. He was 24 when he returned once again to Sacramento City College, this time placed on academic probation due to his poor GPA. He knew he needed a confidence boost in his ability to learn.

So, Anthony changed the equation. This time he found “family” support at RISE. RISE (Respect, Integrity, Self-Determination & Education) is an SCC campus organization that welcomes students with a holistic set of support services. The staff and classmates were there for Anthony socially and emotionally, along with study techniques and tactics to adjust his mindset toward academics.

Anthony was and continues to be motivated to solve racial disparities in society. He reengaged with college at SCC because he says he had professors who he felt represented him and truly cared about his success as a man of color. He knew he wanted to study social systems to ponder why Black and Brown people weren't succeeding at the same rate. Anthony chose the field of education where he could make the most impact.

Anthony received his AA in sociology from SCC, a BA in American studies/education at UC Berkeley, and an MA in social studies teaching and curriculum at New York University. And he studied photography along the way too.

After a decade of schooling and working in New York, Anthony has come full circle and returned to RISE, this time as a professional in a paid position.  He is grateful to the organization that gave him his start and savors the opportunity to pay it forward by helping students — who he understands to be walking a similar path.

"FLC was the right choice; with quality guidance from wonderful professors the opportunities for my future began to open up." Jason Ward Student / Psychology for Transfer / EDC Student Activities Club / Folsom Lake College

Jason Ward, an amateur psychologist who always wondered why people do what they do, wanted to broaden his small-town view of things. So, he became a student at Folsom Lake College. And through his participation in several on-campus clubs and social events, Jason was offered an opportunity to study abroad via the Los Rios Study Abroad program.

As he toured the sights and observed the people in Rome and Florence, Italy, his worldview changed. " The most important lesson I learned from studying abroad, is that life is full of opportunities. Opportunities can be easily overlooked and then they pass. It would have been easier to stay in the comfort of my home in Placerville. But then I would not have walked the streets of the Renaissance, not seen The David, not made new friends and not experienced life in a foreign country," Jason shares.

Back home with world travel tucked under his belt, Jason was excited by opportunities that stretched ahead and where his college education could take him. He had a plan.

Jason believes that his degree from FLC in psychology will give him an edge when it comes to getting into UCLA, law school, and his desire to practice criminal law. He says the supportive staff, faculty, and student-led clubs he discovered at FLC, “a community hidden gem,” has given him the tools he needs to make big leaps in his education and career.

Jason advises that community college is a great place for someone who wants to explore everything the world has to offer. Community college is the perfect place to start, Jason says, it’s easy to get the classes you need, has a relaxing atmosphere, and is just a stop along the way to your bigger career ambitions.

"I love the sense of community here at ARC and appreciate the support systems that exist for students." Sav Moore Student / Mathematics / American River College

I am a Mathematics major here at ARC. I am pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and am looking at options for further formal education. In my spare time, I can be found tending my garden, cooking something delicious, or curled up in a comfy chair while knitting. I love the sense of community here at ARC and appreciate the support systems that exist for students. I have met many different students, professors, and other faculty with diverse past experiences. I have learned as much from others at ARC as I have though my actual college coursework.

"My experience with ARC and the ACE program has been amazing." Heather Davis Alumni / Major / Social Sciences / American River College

My experience with ARC and the Accelerated College Education (ACE) program has been amazing. I was 40 years old and working as an administrative assistant for a local hospital. It was a good job and it paid the bills, but I wanted more for myself and my family. I decided to go back to school with the hopes of starting a new career. I did not have the option of going to school during the day, so I needed something that allowed me to work full time while I completed classes. I found the ACE program and it immediately caught my attention due to the accelerated pace and the fact that all classes were laid out in a pattern with an end goal of transferring to a 4-year institution.

The ACE program was a savior because the schedule allowed me to work and support my family while taking classes. The fact that I did not need to compete for a seat in classes or figure out what classes met which requirements on my own was invaluable. ACE Coordinator Megan Bevens was always available by phone, email, or in person to walk me through the next steps and guide me through the transfer process. She made it so easy and I can't thank her enough. I attended the first orientation and was very impressed with Megan and the rest of the program and staff. I signed up for the first 8 weeks of classes in the Fall of 2015 and almost immediately the cohort bonded and felt like old friends. We met before classes and sometimes after class to complete assignments or help each other study. It was that feeling of fellowship among peers that motivated me to stay connected with classes. One of the first classes I took was HCD 310, College Success, taught by Professor Jennie Econome. I feel that class was key to preparing me for what to expect in higher education. Honestly, I wish that class had been offered in High School because I think I would have been more successful in college at an earlier age.

I transferred to Sac State, majoring in Social Work in the Spring of 2018. The momentum from my success at ARC carried over and I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor's of Social Work in the Summer of 2019. I applied and was accepted into the MSW program and the Title IV-E program, starting in the Fall of 2019.

I just completed the MSW program this Spring. Because of my Title IV-E stipend, I am required to work for a county in California for at least two years to fulfill my payback obligation. I applied to several counties with the hopes of relocating back to the bay area. I recently accepted a position with San Mateo County as a Social Worker in Child Protective Services. The starting pay is more than double what I ever made before going back to school. I can actually afford to live in the Bay Area quite comfortably.

I never in a million years thought I would be starting a new career at my age, but I am so excited for this next chapter. I really do credit the ACE program, Megan, Professor Econome, and the rest of the staff at the Natomas Center for helping me realize my potential and directing me on a path to success.

"There was a tribe with me along the way." Susana Barraza Employee / HSI-STEM Equity and Success Initiative Project / Former Student / Sacramento City College

Susana Barraza has a plan. She has specifics and a timeline and she radiates full confidence that it will happen. She wants to gain experience in Washington D.C. (where she interned with the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute), reach the PhD level, return back home and run for public office.

Susana’s plan is especially remarkable because when she graduated from high school (barely), she had no plan at all. She’s the eldest in an income insecure immigrant family, and her parents expected her to work after high school. She entertained the idea of community college only because her best friend was going, so she enrolled at SCC.

Susana’s ambitions changed when she was selected to attend the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities' (HACU) Capitol Forum as a SCC representative. Each spring, SCC students at this forum lobby their elected Congressional representatives hoping to shape and promote future legislation that will benefit all students, particularly those in underserved communities. SCC is the only campus in the region to expose students to these opportunities.

Attending the HACU Capitol Forum changed Susana’s view of what she could dream and even impacted her entire family. Susana understands now that growing up in an immigrant household doesn’t predispose her to the types of jobs her parents have, and she is worthy of the opportunities offered to anyone with an education.

Now that she has her AS in Business Administration from SCC and a degree in economics at Sac State, Susana is giving back at SCC. She is working with the HSI-STEM Equity and Success Initiative Project, a federal grant made available to recognized, Hispanic-serving institutions. Her job now is to support/mentor underserved and low-income students in school by being an advocate for them and an advocate for equity.

Through education, Susana learned that her heard voice can be heard, and she can advocate for herself, her family and her community. Barraza for Congress? Why not?

"I placed third in the 400M hurdles for ARC at the state competition while earning a degree in computer science." Brian Williams Major: Computer Science / Transfer Student

Brian's experience with American River College has been both intellectual and physical, as he juggles his computer science major with his extracurricular activities in track and field. He's proud of himself for getting into college, as well as for placing third in the 400M hurdles at the state competition, and hopes to use his skillset to achieve a bachelor's degree at a 4-year university and eventually work for Microsoft in creating new technologies.

"I love that ARC has so many resources and as student help I truly enjoy my positions here on campus. " Grace Swint Student / Social Science / UNITE, Vice President of Umoja / American River College

I graduated in spring 2019 with an AA in Social Science and plan to transfer to UC Davis in the fall to double major in Political Science: Public Service and Sociology: Law and Society.

My main goals with political science and sociology are to greatly influence and enhance the education system, as I strive to make all campuses ones that are conducive and equitable for all students no matter what walk of life they are from. My goals are to get my Masters in Divinity and PhD in Education so I can be a positive role model, political powerhouse, and youth pastor, as I have a gift for helping people navigate their purpose by turning their pain into passion.

As an Achieve peer mentor, community intern for UNITE, and Vice President of Umoja I get to help and encourage students on a daily basis and implement the things I want to change within the education system, without waiting for my degree to solidify my destiny, which in turn allows me to be the change I wish to see. A couple fun facts about me: I am extremely goofy and currently my favorite book is called Battlefield Of The Mind by Joyce Meyers.

"The Mather Diesel program is teaching us about the current new technology and the technology of the future." Jose Ruiz Student / Diesel Technology / American River College

I was born in Mexico, mechanically inclined thanks to my dad. Now, I work at Sacramento Regional Transit as a Tech A Mechanic trainee. I was sent to the diesel program as part of my training. Currently my major is diesel technology. I always wanted to learn more about diesel and the opportunity presented itself. What I enjoy best about the Mather program is taking in the knowledge as learning about what’s to come in the future. The program is certainly helping me with what I am seeing at work and also helping me with repairs at work. The Mather Diesel program is teaching us about the current new technology and the technology of the future. My future plan after finishing the program is to work for journey level at Regional Transit. My advice for current and future students who are interested in diesel program is to learn about it, take it seriously, and live a good life. 

"If I can earn a degree, you can too." Becky Yang Student / Dental Hygiene / Sacramento City College

Becky Yang is on a mission. She wants everyone to have access to a dentist and understand the importance of taking care of their teeth. That’s why she went to Sacramento City College and earned an associate degree in Dental Hygiene.

Her hope is to find a job helping her community by offering her newly acquired expertise and find a work family like the circle of friends she counted on at SCC. Community college rescued Becky from heartbreak and gave her the support she needed to pursue her goals. She says her counselors were extremely helpful by encouraging her to persevere, even after two rejections to the dental hygiene program and the unbearable grief of losing her parents during that time.

Becky gives credit to the open-door policy of counselors, where she often went to simply have a good cry. When she was considering college, she knew she didn't want to go far from home. Her parents needed her, and money was certainly an issue. Becky is the oldest of eight children, and she grew up in a home where English is not the primary language and her dad’s earnings were stretched thin. She needed to help them, and she needed extra help at school.

Becky did finally get into the dental hygiene program. Every step of the way, counselors, instructors, the staff, and colleagues supported her through all her difficult circumstances. She says she is so grateful for their empathy and and their offers of a shoulder to lean on while insisting she not fall behind in school. And now Becky is a role model for her seven younger brothers and sisters. She can stand tall and prove to them that if she can overcome all the obstacles she faced while earning her degree at SCC, they can too. It will be special moments for Becky when her siblings, one by one, walk the stage to receive their degrees.

"My goal is to work in the Heath Administration field." Liliana Plamadeala Student / General Science / CalWORKs / American River College

My major at ARC is General Science and my educational and career goal is to work in the Heath Administration field. There are many reasons why I like ARC. Being a student at ARC has allowed me the opportunity to become a Student Help in the Career and Pathways Support Services office. This has been a wonderful experience for me because I have learned to be helpful and supportive for other students. I have gained so many work skills such as customer service, student support, and strong clerical abilities. Also, this allow me to interact with people from different countries and with different backgrounds. I am very grateful that as a student I have the opportunity to be part of the CalWORKs program, which helps me succeed with my future career. This program is so important for students with families to become independent. I enjoy reading books in my leisure time and my favorite novel is “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen.

"At ARC, I have developed personally as a student, individual, and as an active member of my community." Yowty Chao Major: Nursing / Transfer Student

Yowty has gained the necessary skills to apply to his future career as a nurse practitioner and developed personally as a student, individual, and active member in his community. He plans to transfer to a 4-year university, earn his Bachelor's degree, and eventually work as a nurse practitioner, but his passion lies in helping villages in Thailand, Laos, and Southeast Asia. After receiving his degree, he wishes to volunteer overseas in those villages and improve the health of their inhabitants, providing general medicine services. In his time outside American River, Yowty volunteers as a tennis coach, is a music instructor at his church, and will be teaching English in China during summer 2013.

"As President of ARC’s Model UN Club, I enjoyed working with other motivated students." Shea McCaslin Major: Political Science / Transfer Student

Shea's experience at American River College has been motivational, encouraging, and has propelled her towards her goal of earning a Ph.D. in International Studies and becoming a college professor. In her time at American River, she has served as President of the Model United Nations club for a year, and interned at the non-profit SHARE Institute, run by ARC anthropology professor Dr. Soheir Stolba. Shea has enjoyed working with other motivated students here at American River, and is looking forward to her spring transfer to UC Berkeley in 2014.

"I'm excited to connect fellow students to college resources." Sheku Baryoh Student / Promise Recipient / Sacramento City College

Sheku Baryoh was 11 years old when he made a promise to himself. After seeing the horrible toll that civil war had on his home country of Sierra Leone and watching a childhood friend die, he promised his family and himself that he would do whatever it took to escape the horrible violence and make a better life. 

He ended up in the Netherlands at age 16 where he attended university and became a registered nurse. But opportunities for employment were still limited.

To fulfill his promise, he knew he would need to do what millions of others have done. He immigrated to America.

Even though he had to start over, he felt that getting an American education was his ticket to a better life. He chose Sacramento City College because of the rich diversity it offers and the quality education he could receive tuition-free through the Los Rios Promise. Thanks to the extension of the California Promise grant, his second year is also tuition-free and he will be able to move on to a four-year university without the burden of student loan debt.

Tuition is just the first hurdle though. Just one textbook for one of Sheku's three summer school classes was $120 – and that’s just school supplies. He also must cover costs of living and caring for his young family, including 19 month old daughter Eileithyia.

He’s heard countless stories from students who go to school full-time and work full-time, but are barely making it, including Ene, who was homeless and living in her car so she could save money to attend school. He does his best to connect students with resources at the college to help them survive, and every bit of financial help makes a difference to students.

That’s why he is so excited about a new opportunity to help students, the Los Rios Promise Scholarship. This scholarship provides $500 to new students who are attending American River College, Cosumnes River College, Folsom Lake College, or Sacramento City College, take a minimum of 15 units each semester and have the most unmet financial need. In fall 2019, 120 students received this scholarship to help remove financial barriers like the cost of textbooks, transportation and school supplies.

Sheku's education from SCC is going to help him join the workforce, share in the American Dream, and finally fulfill his promise.

"The instructors are providing information that will help me have a basis of understanding in the field." Ilya Popov Student / Diesel Technology / American River College

I’ve been working in the field for a mom and pop shop for a while and have always had an inclination for mechanical things and fixing equipment. My original major has been changed due to trying different fields like the medical field, engineering, and ended up here on the technical side of things. I currently work for a diesel repair shop. What I enjoy best about the Mather Diesel program is the instruction of the various instructors who challenge me to engage my thinking process. The instructors are providing information that will help me have a basis of understanding in the field. I believe the introduction to industry partners is a big part of the program and it really helps get a foot in the door. Once I finish my degree, I hope to get a job in the agriculture industry or as a field mechanic. My words of inspiration to current and future students who are interested in the diesel program are to do what you enjoy and try to challenge yourself to study and expand your knowledge of the subject outside of the classroom.

"I chose ARC because the music program is renowned and considered one of the best in the state." Derrick Fong Major: Jazz Studies

Derrick has loved jazz music ever since he was a little kid. He has been playing both the Clarinet and Saxophone since he was in Junior High School and decided to pursue a music major and focus solely on the Saxophone after winning a top soloist award in high school. Even though Derrick lives in Vacaville, which is a considerable commute he chose ARC because the music program is renowned and considered one of the best in the state. His goal is to transfer to the University of Reno because the music faculty are great.

"ARC has given me knowledge to apply to my future career, as well as to my volunteer work." Brenton MacDonald Abby Cheng

Brenton's passion for trains and railroads has pioneered his choice of major, and American River College has given him the knowledge to apply this to his future career, as well as to his volunteer work at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento where he works as a signal maintainer. He has appreciated the quality of ARC professors and small class sizes at American River. In order to earn acceptance to UC Davis he had to complete rigorous requirements for his major, including physics sequences, linear algebra, and differential equations. After completing his bachelor's degree, Brenton wishes to become a manager of electrical systems for a railroad company.

"I gained practical skills that propelled me toward earning a BS degree from UC Davis." Danielle Beckham Student / Human Development / American River College

Danielle has been involved in many beneficial programs at American River College, including the Umoja Sakhu Learning Community and working for two years for the Journey Program assisting students in overcoming their obstacles. She has gained practical skills in studying, creating resumes, writing, and mathematics that are propelling her towards her goal of earning a Bachelor's of Science from UC Davis.

"Root for yourself and be clear about your goals." Marianna Sousa Student / Communications / Former Student Trustee / Sacramento City College

Marianna was a babe in arms when her mother graduated from Sacramento City College’s hygienist program. Decades later, as a mother herself, Marianna returned to school and hit the books 17 years after her last math class. At the beginning, she felt out of place, being surrounded by students that were half her age. But then she figured out that at community college you can customize your experience – if you root for yourself, are clear about your goals, and seek out the people who are willing to advocate for you.

SCC provided Marianna a place to practice and learn to be better. She was able to merge her visual, creative, and leadership skills with a new understanding of the value of relationships. She even went out and established enough of those relationships to get elected as the student body president – then later as student representative to the Board of Trustees.

Marianna knows life can get tough. But she says the professors that truly cared, helped her keep on her trajectory and never lost faith in her – and that’s the true value of community college.

"At ARC I gained valuable information to help me continue on my path to earning a BS degree in nursing." Rebecca Dutra Major: Nursing / Transfer Student

Rebecca has had a unique experience at American River College, predominantly taking online courses, which she feels were of high quality with responsive and flexible instructors. She's enjoyed the atmosphere of those courses and has gained valuable information to continue her on her path to earning a Bachelor's of Science in nursing through Sacramento State University's RN to BSN program and eventually get into the Family Nurse Practitioner program at UC Davis to become a certified Nurse Practitioner.

"ARC has been a stepping stone to a university and has motivated me to declare a major in math." Olesya Khokhlan Major: Mathematics / Transfer Student

Olesya's experience at American River College has been a stepping stone to a 4-year education and motivated her into declaring a major.  Olesya says that math professor Anthony Barcellos' teaching style and dedication to his students led Olesya to choose mathematics as her major, and she aspires to graduate with a bachelor's degree from UC Davis and apply that to a career as either a high school math teacher or a college professor. She is proud of herself in staying on track and managing her time between work, school, and track and field.

"I struggled a lot in my past, and I want to be able to make a difference for others in the future." Gloria Carneiro Student / Radio, TV, Film Production / Cosumnes River College

What lead you to choose CRC?

I chose CRC because it offers a degree in my specific field.

I am 21 years old, and I decided to give my college education a second try. Originally, attended a four year university in my home state, Mississippi, straight out of high school. I changed my major several times until I realized I had to find a school with classes I felt engaged in. I needed to tap into my passions for video creation and media communication, so I moved to California to give myself more opportunities.

Seeing my interests in the arts, my sister recommended I check out CRC’s website, and that’s where I found Radio, TV, & Film Production. I was surprised to find it covers all of the areas I’m interested in.

I chose CRC, because it offers a degree specifically tailored to all of the things I love to do!

What advice do you have for current, future, and returning students?

My advice is that no matter where you come from or what struggles you have faced in life, it is possible to chase your dreams. It is never too late to return to college and better your education.

I found the perfect program for me. CRC’s Radio, TV, Film Production is 100% something I’ve always wanted to do—I just didn’t always know it existed. It has literally changed my life. I get to learn in the classroom and at my job on campus, exactly what I need to know in order to obtain a job in my desired field. And I am learning those skills at industry standard. And that’s one of my favorite things about CRC. We have such a broad range of majors and degree programs available to students here. There is really something for everyone.

If you have the desire and dedication to make your dreams come true and to secure your future, the right opportunities will open up to you.

What have been key motivating factors in your life to pursue your goals?

Maintaining my happiness has been the main motivation for pursuing my goals. I want to feel fulfilled in my career and know that I am successful in something I am passionate about. I truly believe education is the way to success and that helps me stay motivated each and every day.

I am also driven by the desire to put myself in a position where I can make a difference. I want to bring awareness to people’s opportunities, especially in the arts. I want to make opportunities in the arts available on a broader spectrum, because it was something that was not available to me in my previous education.

I struggled a lot in my past, and I want to be able to make a difference for others in the futures.

"I've found a home at the Veterans Success Center, a place where I feel I belong." Jeff Landay Student / Communication Studies / Veteran / Folsom Lake College

For the first assignment in his public speaking class in fall 2016, 30-year-old Jeff Landay was instructed to introduce himself to his Folsom Lake College (FLC) classmates via a three-minute presentation. He began by showing a startling photo of himself taken in 2006 as a patient at Bethesda Naval Hospital. To him, this one snapshot encapsulated what he had endured and would also serve to motivate him for what was to come.

Following a tumultuous childhood, Jeff enlisted in the United States Marine Corps immediately upon graduating from Oak Ridge High School in 2004. In January 2006, his Camp Pendleton-based 3/5 unit (3rd Battalion, 5th Marines) was deployed half a world away to Fallujah, Iraq. During a routine patrol on May 21, 2006, the humvee he was traveling in struck a roadside bomb that left one member of his platoon dead and seriously wounded three others. Jeff was barely alive, but somehow summoned the strength to drive the battered vehicle out of harm’s way. "They all thought that was Jeff's last act, to get that truck back to safety to get his comrades out," his mother, Michelle Landay, said.

Marine Cpl. Jeff Landay was transported to a hospital in Baghdad, then to Germany, and eventually back to the States. Jeff was in a coma for nearly a month having suffered a traumatic brain injury in which they had to remove the left side of his skull to alleviate the swelling. “By every account, I should have died. Technically, I was clinically dead three times,” Jeff recalls.

Upon his hospital release and at the age of 19, Jeff returned to Citrus Heights and faced a long recovery that included relearning to speak, struggling with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and the physical and emotional toll of a cumulative 52 surgeries to repair his injuries. Jeff’s harrowing life-and-death story was featured in the 2007 documentary, To Iraq and Back: Bob Woodruff Reports, and in a segment on ABC World News. The battle scars on his body became his badges of pride alongside the three Purple Hearts he had been awarded for his service to his country.

It was also during this time that Jeff began taking classes at Folsom Lake College using education benefits provided by the G.I. Bill and with additional support from the college’s Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) department. He appreciated that the structure and self-discipline that had originally been ingrained in him as a Marine also fit well with that of academia. Jeff quickly endeared himself to students and staff with his combination of brutal honesty and unbeatable optimism.

The natural class clown also found comradery and compassion from other student veterans that frequented FLC’s Veterans Success Center. He enjoyed helping the “kids,” as he refers to them, most only several years his junior, with their coursework. “Jeff has inspired many veterans and non-veterans here at FLC. His ability to look beyond his injuries and stay focused on the future inspires everyone he comes into contact with…including myself!” shared Veterans Success Center staff member and fellow veteran Ken Walker. “When students get overwhelmed, they can always think about how Jeff has the same commitments and does not give up or even skip a beat. He inspires others to stay in the fight and press on!”

It was also at FLC in that same communications course where he was tasked to tell his story that he discovered he had a knack for public speaking. After receiving an associate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies: Social & Behavioral Sciences in December 2015, he returned to FLC to earn a second degree in Communication Studies. He plans to transfer to Sacramento State and pursue a career as a motivational speaker to hopefully inspire veterans and civilians alike. “We all have struggles,” notes Jeff.

It was that first public speaking engagement that gave him the confidence to share his inspiring story with others. When asked who would play him if his story one day gets the Hollywood treatment, Jeff said with a laugh, “Ryan Reynolds, because it would have to be someone pretty.”

"This is an investment in yourself. So, really invest in yourself while you’re here. " Kari Nahlen Faculty / Kinesiology / Cosumnes River College

What advice would you give to a new college student?

This is an investment in yourself. So, really invest in yourself while you’re here. Put that time in. Put that time in to studying. Put that time to going out and networking—networking is huge.

And when you find faculty you connect with, they can help you with networking to get that job you want. They can help you get that internship or be a reference for you. So, just be out there and know that everyone here has been through this, or is currently going through this process.

So be that person that asks one question. One question can lead you into meeting a counselor, a great mentorship, or something you hadn’t thought of that can help you get to your goal.

What's something you want people to know about Kinesiology?

I want people to know there’re so many different avenues you can choose in Kinesiology—it isn’t just sports. Studying Kinesiology at CRC, you’ll start to see all of these different paths you can take. And what’s great is that at CRC we even offer a class where students get to learn all the sub-disciplines you’ll be using as a kinesiologist.

You can begin to see what you would enjoy and what you wouldn’t. So in taking different courses we offer, 

What’s something you want people to know about CRC?

One thing that I want everyone to know is that CRC cares. Our faculty, our administration, and our classified staff all care. That’s the biggest point I would love everyone to know. If you’re someone who’s thinking about coming to Cosumnes River College, or you’re someone who’s already here, I want you to know there are so many resources here for you. We’re all here putting these resources putting these resources out just so you can have the best experience and find the best way to get to your goal. And we care about you as an individual.

"The improvements in success and retention are most noticeable among some of our disproportionately impacted students." Carrie Marks Professor / English / Sacramento City College

Sacramento City College English Professor Carrie Marks always felt drawn to education, but figured she would pursue her passion outside of the classroom. All it took was teaching her first class for Carrie to decide that the classroom was truly where she wanted to be, but the desire to help students from a policy-oriented role never faded away.

Carrie got her opportunity and brought a seismic shift to the SCC English Department in 2015 by championing and helping implement the first co-requisite class for the English composition class needed to graduate and the pre-requisite English class that many students need.

One of the barriers to graduation for students across the state is meeting the English and Math requirements, but through the English co-requisite classes SCC has seen an increase in success and retention among co-requisite students. The improvements in success and retention are most noticeable among some of our disproportionately impacted students.

The first semester, Carrie taught the co-requisite class for a cohort of Umoja learning community students. After a successful first class, the English Department has steadily increased the number of co-requisite classes available. The ENGWR 300 and 108 co-requisite is now a regularly offered path for students to get the support they need to complete ENGWR 300 - College Composition.

"Life happens. But, whatever comes your way, don't give up. It's your life, your education, and that means it's your responsibility." Tina Royer Faculty / English / Folsom Lake College

How do you help students develop more confidence in their writing skills?

I'm honest with students about my own struggles as a writer- both when I was a student and even now. I often tell students about an experience I had in 6th grade when I was put into "remedial writing" and had to leave class with several other students to learn about writing while the rest of the class got to watch movies. Then, in junior high, I failed my 7th grade English class because I refused to turn any work in. It wasn't that I didn't want to do the work – I did complete all of it – it was that I didn't have the confidence to turn it in. My experience the previous year made me so uncertain about my abilities as a writer, that I didn't want to take the risk of letting someone else read it. Fast forward twenty-something years, and here I am, a college English professor, and I still feel that lack of confidence almost every time I have a writing task. An email, a poem, a writing assignment prompt – all of these still require several drafts before I'm comfortable sharing them. I won't even tell you how many times I rewrote my answers to these questions!

My philosophy is that there is little I can really do to help students develop confidence except to show them, by example, that writing is difficult for everyone. Beyond that, all I can do is offer honest feedback.

What advice would you give to a new college student?

Don't give up. I failed or dropped 3 out of my first 4 college classes when I started as a student at American River College. It was my fault completely; I took on too much, and I didn't devote the time I should have to the courses. That, and life happened! I had other priorities, and school had to take a back seat. I almost didn't come back to school, but I finally decided to give it one more shot. Thank God I did.

I know my story isn't typical of many college students, but all of us deal with outside pressures – family, work, etc. – and school, though it's important to us, can't always be our number one priority. My advice: give yourself permission to make other things your priority. That might mean you earn a C on a paper because you had to make a cake for your child's birthday. Or you didn't do well on a test because you had to work overtime to pay your rent. Life happens. But, whatever comes your way. Don't give up. It's your life, your education, and that means it's your responsibility.

What's the favorite part of your job?

Making connections with people I would otherwise never get a chance to meet. Think about it, every semester, I'm surrounded by hundreds of new students. I can only think of a handful of them over my seven years of teaching that I would have taken the time to get to know if they hadn't enrolled in one of my classes. And, more times than not, I'm so glad to have made their acquaintance.

What was your proudest moment working with students?

My proudest moment happens every time I see students at the beginning of the semester who have little or no confidence in their writing, but, by the end of the semester, they recognize that their words have value. Most people aren't what I would call "good writers," but most everyone can produce a "good" paper, at least sometimes.

Additional Information:

My creative work has appeared in ZYZZYVA, Fugue, Poetry Now, Calaveras Station, The American River Review, and other journals. I won a number of awards when I was a student, including a Bazzanella Award from Sacramento State.

Tina Royer has her B.A. and M.A. from CSU, Sacramento.

"“Make up in your mind that you will not give up. No matter how challenging, no matter the obstacles you may face, do not give up.”" Jonathan James Faculty / Kinesiology / Cosumnes River College

What advice would you give to a new college student?

Make up in your mind that you will not give up. No matter how challenging, no matter the obstacles you may face, do not give up. This is a life lesson as well. A graduate of Valley High School, James chose to attend CRC, where he played basketball. After receiving his A.A. degree, he attended the University of West Georgia on a full athletic scholarship. James is now back at CRC where he inspires student athletes to achieve whatever goals they may have. Understand that you have support here at CRC, we have an abundance of resources available for our students, and faculty and staff that are eager to help and mentor our students.

What's the favorite aspect of Kinesiology as a discipline?

Being a sports guy and former student athlete, to now teaching Kinesiology and working as the Head Coach for Men’s Basketball, I have come full circle. I have always being intrigued with the human body and how it functions. Essentially that is kinesiology. Our department and discipline can lead to many different and interesting professions within the larger field.

What is unique about CRC’s Kinesiology and sports programs?

Our kinesiology and sports programs are unique because a majority of our student-athletes desire to be in the kinesiology and health professions. We do an exceptional job of creating opportunities and mentorships for not only our immediate student-athletes, but the general student body as well.

"Being able to help my students learn to decipher fact from fiction is really enlightening for them and rewarding for me as an instructor." Dana Wassmer Faculty / Nutrition / Cosumnes River College

What’s unique about CRC’s Nutrition program?

Our Nutrition program is great, because our students get a fuller experience by working with other departments. For example, we partner with our Horticulture program, so that we can provide the students with food that’s grown and processed from the ground—students are able to experience eating the food that they harvest.

Having the ability and flexibility of doing collaborative work with other departments, both inside and outside of the classroom, is really wonderful. I think the students definitely benefit and they can begin to see many avenues with a start in college with a degree in Nutrition.

What's your favorite aspect of teaching Nutrition?

What I love about teaching nutrition, is the opportunity to see the light bulb turn on as I share all this new information with them. I love to see the transformation in their thinking as they gain the ability to decipher fiction from actual facts. They develop the ability to critically analyze what is based on science and what is more for a profit.

So, being able to help my students learn to decipher fact from fiction is really enlightening for them and rewarding for me as an instructor.

What do you wish for your students?

So, what I wish and what I would actually recommend for my students is that they make a connection. I think if they are able to make a connection with a faculty member, a fellow student, or with a student club, then they now feel like they belong. They can feel and know that we want them here and we want them to feel welcome.

I encourage students to remember we are all here to help them. We have all of these resources available for our students, and I really want them to take advantage of these opportunities so they can make these important connections.

"And I hope that, in addition to meeting their goals, my students learn critical thinking skills that can help them to effectively make decisions that will promote their success." Jacob Velasquez Faculty / Philosophy / Cosumnes River College

What do you believe makes CRC special?

To me, CRC feels like home, and the community feels like my extended family. So, for me, the supportive environment cultivated by all the people here, from those in leadership positions to the each and every student, is what makes CRC special.

What do you hope for your students?

What I hope for my students is that by taking my class, they get closer to achieving their goals. If they do this simply by satisfying a requirement for a degree or for transfer (or whatever), that's fine. And I hope that, in addition to meeting their goals, my students learn critical thinking skills that can help them to effectively make decisions that will promote their success. For me, taking a class in philosophy here at CRC is what thrust me onto a path that allows me to flourish—this is what I hope my classes will do for my students. 

What do you want students to know about the community at CRC?

I want students to know that the community at CRC is invested in them succeeding and is prepared to do whatever it can to promote their success. But what I most want students to know, is something about themselves—I want them to know they have what it takes to succeed, and the CRC community is a resource to help them do just that. 

"Get to know people on campus. Network with your classmates so that you can make friends and establish a support system." Bernadette Anayah Faculty / English as a Second Language / Folsom Lake College

Please talk about your experiences working with first generation college students.

The ESL students who come into my classroom at the Rancho Cordova Center, the Folsom Lake College main campus, or the El Dorado Center are here because of their overwhelming determination to improve their lives. They have overcome the challenges of leaving their own country and making a new life in the United States – with a new language and culture. Their ages range from eighteen to eighty, and it is not uncommon to see two or three generations from the same family taking classes. They know the value of education and appreciate the opportunity they have to attend the community college.

I can identify with their experience and empathize with them in many ways. Having lived, worked, and traveled in many different countries, I know what it's like to adjust to a new culture and learn a new language. I understand their vulnerability, their fears, and their humility. And, I recognize and admire their passion to achieve their dreams and succeed.

I believe in setting high standards and expectations in my classroom. I stress the value of education and tell my students: "You can lose everything else, but you will never lose your education." And, most important of all, I think kindness, support, and encouragement are essential.

What advice would you give to a new college student?

Get to know people on campus. Network with your classmates so that you can make friends and establish a support system. Join a club and get involved in college activities. Find people on campus that you can talk to when you need help or advice – one of your professors, a counselor, or a staff member. Find a place on campus where you feel comfortable and like to hang out – a spot in the library, the cafeteria, or a gathering place. This will give you a sense of belonging; you will not feel so alone; and you will have a much more satisfying and successful experience.

What's the favorite part of your job?

I enjoy meeting students from so many different backgrounds, and I love to hear their stories. There is always something new to learn. It is also wonderful when you have students from twenty or more different countries and language backgrounds in your classroom working together, overcoming their fears and prejudices, forming bonds, and ultimately learning that their commonalities are so much greater than their differences.

What was your proudest moment working with students?

I think one of the proudest moments was seeing five of my former ESL students walk across the stage at graduation. They had started in the beginning level ESL classes at the Rancho Cordova Center, transitioned to the main FLC campus, and completed their requirements for graduation. I was very proud of them.

Additional Information:

• EOP&S Instructor Appreciation Award, 2009

Bernadette Anayah has her B.A. from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland and her M.A. from San Francisco State University.

"Career development isn’t something people do once in their lives and that’s it. It can and should be cyclical throughout one’s lifetime." Julie Collier Faculty / Work Experience / Folsom Lake College

What advice would you give to a new college student?

Don't try to plan your entire life. Allow for unplanned opportunities to guide you a little. This happens by getting involved in on-campus and off-campus activities: joining student organizations, finding jobs and internships, getting to know your professors, volunteering, and finding work that needs doing in a world with so many underfunded organizations that need your time and talent more than ever.

What's the favorite part of your job?

I have two favorite parts: First, meeting with students who are so motivated and hopeful in their quest to get work experience and start their career that they inspire me and secondly, networking with employers who are on-board with creating opportunities for these students. I've had the good fortune of working with several local professionals from companies like SMUD, Intel, and Vanir Construction Management who want to come on campus and mentor students with no other motive other than to outreach to their community and give back.

What was your proudest moment working with students?

At Sac State I worked with members of the student chapter of the Power Engineering Society. Over the course of four years, their officers sought me out as a resource in planning their industry panels. These students were so committed to serving their peers, so good at networking, reaching out to faculty and staff, and always created exciting career events. I nominated them for a leadership award sponsored by the Student Organizations and Leadership office and they won. I was really proud of them – their level of commitment, hard work and service to their peers and the university.

Did you have access to a place like the Career & Transfer Center when you were going to school? What do you think are the most-helpful features of FLC's Center?

As an undergraduate I did have access to a campus career center. I remember asking to do an interest assessment and they had me sit at a computer and answer a bunch of questions. I don't remember getting to meet with a real person who could help talk me through the results of that assessment. Later I found the counseling office and they offered career counseling. That experience was so much more valuable. I think a career center is only effective if there are real people available to guide students and help them in the self-exploration and research process.

Is the center a true all-ages facility that has something to offer every level of student?

Yes. Career development isn't something people do once in their lives and that's it. It can and should be cyclical throughout one's lifetime. Due to rapid changes in technology and the way organizations operate in today's marketplace, it's been said today's workers will experience between seven and eleven job changes over their lifetime. A viable occupation today could be obsolete in a decade so individuals need to be flexible and open to change. The FLC Career & Transfer Center is dynamic in the way it serves its student population, offering the latest career resources, advice and industry information.

Julie earned her master's degree in counseling at Sacramento State University.

"I want students to know that they are the future of their industry—working together with new people means that they will have new friends and new colleagues for the rest of their lives." Omari Williams Faculty / Music / Cosumnes River College

What advice would you give to a new college student?

One thing that I want my students to walk away with in their experience with music at CRC is growth in confidence and community. I want them to grow in confidence with their music and with learning about themselves. And I also want them to be mindful of learning about community. I want students to know that they are the future of their industry—working together with new people means that they will have new friends and new colleagues for the rest of their lives.

What's your favorite aspect of music as a discipline?

My favorite aspect about the arts is that it really is this sort of place where students from all backgrounds come to share their own personal stories. Artists are story tellers. And every single student has a story to tell. They have something that they can offer to other students, to the world. And the arts really help us delve into those subjects and find the best way to communicate.

What is unique about CRC’s Music program?

This is a really incredible place for new possibility. A lot of our students come from this region and beyond and they’re not really sure what the possibilities are for them. They’re not sure how they fit in finding a career in the arts or finding a career anywhere. And I think that CRC really provides an intimate educational setting in a way that students can really work with their professors to really pursue those dreams in ways that they might get lost in other campuses. We are a family here at CRC.

"The Workforce Development office is responsible for the administration of Career Technical Education (CTE) programs and services. " Roxanne Luppino Staff / Outreach Specialist / American River College

As an Outreach Specialist, Roxanne Luppino is committed to organize and manage programs and initiatives that promote community wellness. Her aim is to identify the needs of the college as well as identify services that are necessary for special populations.

"Be open to learning and the process of discovery." Linda Abraham Faculty / Biology / Folsom Lake College

What aspect of Biology are you most interested in?

Biology is the study of life. I am interested in all living organisms but since I started teaching I have been fascinated by how people learn. This interest in education is coupled with my training as a bench scientist and the study of the unseen microbial world. Microbes play a critical role in our ecosystem and impact all aspects of the earth and its residents. Yet they are often labeled as “dangerous germs”. The more we understand about the microbial world the better we are able to evaluate the role they play in our quality of life. The vast majority of microbes are beneficial and just a small percentage, known as pathogens, cause disease. If we consider the impact of just three diseases: AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, we can appreciate how devastating infectious disease is on a global level. I am interested in helping students understand this dichotomy as they learn about microbes.

What advice would you give to a new college student?

Firstly, be open to learning and the process of discovery. Let it excite you the way it did when you were a toddler. Get involved, don’t be passive, engage your mind. Find what interests you, pursue it passionately and learn at a deep level. In the field of infectious disease there is so much we talk about in the classroom that then is heard in the current news. Everything from drug resistance, MRSA, nosocomial infections, mad cow disease to H1N1. These topics come alive when you relate them to your own life and their impact on society. Patricia Cross states that “passive learning is an oxymoron; there is no such thing”.

Secondly, pace yourself. Science classes are rich in content. Do NOT cram for an exam the night before. Disaster will follow. Keep up with the material, whether you are reading or writing or thinking. Consider running a long distance marathon, you have to put in regular training to achieve ultimate success. There is an anonymous quote that captures both of these suggestions: “If you study to remember you will forget, but, if you study to understand, you will remember."

What’s the favorite part of your job?

I care about my students and my subject area. I am inspired by Parker Palmer, a highly respected writer and teacher: “[teachers] are able to weave a complex web of connections among themselves, their subjects, and their students, so that students can learn to weave a world for themselves.” I get excited when students see the relevance of the material in my classroom. I love it when students ask to borrow books to read and when they bring in articles they found in the library or in the newspaper. If I can play a small role in the lifelong learning process then my job has meaning.

Plus, I get summers off to travel with my family. This past weekend I was in Monterey with two days in the world famous aquarium, a few weeks ago I was in Yellowstone National Park. Last summer I explored the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. A teaching job has its perks if you like to travel and maintain a love of learning!

What was your proudest moment working with students?

There are many rewards each semester. I would find it difficult to choose a “moment”. I love to hear that students who have previously been intimidated by science find it fascinating and fun. Recently a student completed the class and then wrote a rap song inspired by gas gangrene. She sent me the YouTube link. Another student was accepted to vet school in Scotland. Many microbiology students go on to careers in allied health, particularly nursing. Some plan to work in health clinics in Africa or Mexico. I am humbled that I get to be a part of their career plans. I often joke with my students that if I am their patient one day I want to know that they really understand key elements of infection and disease.

Linda Abraham has her M.Sc. from University of Witwatersrand, South Africa and her Ph.D. from University of British Columbia, Canada.

"When students get to 'play', learn something at the same time, and grasp the connection to the class – that rocks!" Diane Carlson Faculty / Sociology / Folsom Lake College

How do Sociology classes make someone a more well-rounded individual?

Sociology incorporates aspects of many disciplines (including History, Political Science, Economics, Psychology, Anthropology, Humanities, Media Studies, and so on) to help students discover more about themselves and how they are connected to others through a bigger picture of historical and social processes. Classes cover everything from the micro level (such as emotions, identity, and intimate relationships), to the societal level (such as divisions by race, social class, gender and sexuality; politics; media; environment; and social movements). Sociology makes visible the way societies are structured and the complex reasons why things are the way they’ve come to be. More importantly, Sociology encourages us to question our assumptions about the world, to break down stereotypes and systems of inequality, and to be active in the many ways that change happens. Being exposed to all this will help students be more informed and better members of their families, their work, and their local and global communities.

What advice would you give to a new college student?

Be yourself, work hard, and don’t give up. Breathe. Connect to other students. If things get hard, get help. We have excellent resources at the college dedicated to student success – use them.

What’s the favorite part of your job?

The students are the best part of my job. Every semester is exciting because students bring new and different ways of thinking about the material. I also love finding interesting hands-on/active learning activities to help explore a concept or process. When students get to “play”, learn something at the same time, and grasp the connection to the class – that rocks!

What was your proudest moment working with students?

I am the very most thrilled when I have students who at the beginning of the semester may have been unaware or even resistant to thinking about multicultural issues and inequalities, who then later in the semester resolve to use their privilege and dedicate themselves to work for change in whatever arena they will be. This happens every semester, so I never cease being thrilled!

Additional Information:

• 2000 Guest Lecturer - University of South Africa, Institute for Gender Studies
• 2008 Adjunct Faculty of the Year – Woodland Community College.

Diane Carlson has her B.A. and J.D. from University of Arizona and M.A. from UC Davis.

"Working to ensure the success of campus initiatives" Cynthia Sommer, EdD Director, Workforce Development / American River College

Dr. Sommer is responsible for the development, marketing, implementation, and administration of comprehensive innovation and training programs, working with industry partners, campus departments, and community agencies to ensure success of Workforce Development initiatives. Her work includes the college's new mobile simulation laboratory.

"Promoting campus health, wellness and student success " Josef Preciado Faculty / Director, Calif. Apprenticeship Initiative Grant / American River College

As a CAST member, Josef is devoted to direct the ARC community toward successful methods to prevent isolated and patterned behaviors, which may cause a risk to the individual or the campus community. Among his many contributions, Josef strongly supports the creating of a campus culture that can encourage and empower students in order to boost campus health and wellness.

"The skills one acquires in the Communication major, including conflict resolution, leadership, and critical thinking, are highly sought after by employers." Paula Haug Faculty / Communication Studies / Folsom Lake College

Why should students pursue a career in Communication?

Humankind has come up with some pretty clever stuff over the ages – but our greatest invention, by far, is language. Language – communication – is the essence of our humanity; it allows us to connect with each other and cultivate ideas and grow! Every career field, from accounting to veterinary technology, relies upon communication in order to function effectively. The skills one acquires in the Communication major, including conflict resolution, leadership, and critical thinking, are highly sought after by employers.

What advice would I give to a new college student?

My advice is simple: don't quit. No matter how crazy your life may get, stay enrolled – even if it's only for 3 units! Once your car stops visiting campus, it gets harder and harder to come back. So stick around. You'll be glad you did. That, and buy a tiny stapler to keep in your backpack. Your professors will love you for it.

What's my favorite part of my job?

I love that my discipline so readily lends itself to effective teaching. A lot of good teaching is good communication – so by modeling effective communication skills, I become a better teacher. I also love how technology has expanded my discipline. Communication once took place only face-to-face. Before we knew it, we were communicating in writing and via telephone and radio and television, and now much of our communication takes place via computers and text messages. It's fascinating to see how the media affects the message.

What was my proudest moment working with students?

I have been very fortunate to be heavily involved in both service-learning and AmeriCorps programs, so I've had many proud moments with students. My students have done everything from build houses for Habitat for Humanity to revamping music rooms at The Boys and Girls Club to teaching underprivileged kids to read. On a day-to-day basis, however, my proudest moments probably happen in the Public Speaking course. I've had hundreds of students, literally, who thought they would freeze up or pass out or throw up - and that has never happened once! It's wonderful to see someone do the thing they thought they couldn't do – and to feel like I helped them in some small way.

Additional Information:

• Outstanding Teaching Award, Fresno City College, 2006
• International Communication Association Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award, 1992
• "The Native Americans: What Communication Journals and Texts Tell Us About America's Original Indigenous Minority" Presented at the National Communication Association Convention, Chicago, Illinois, 1992
• "The Native Americans: What We Learn from the Social Science Journals" Presented at the National Communication Association Convention, Miami, Florida, 1993

Paula Haug has her B.A. and M.A. from CSU, Fresno.

"I needed a community for myself and my family for my own sense of wellbeing." Alex White Professor / English / Sacramento City College

SCC English Professor Alexandria White, who also works with Umoja students, has received the Unsung Hero Award from the California Legislative Black Caucus.

Alex moved to Sacramento from Oakland 2 1/2 years ago to buy a home for and raise her family. We asked her to talk about the work she is doing that is receiving recognition in the community.

Are you from the Sacramento area?

I am originally from the Bay Area, specifically from Oakland. I attended San Francisco State University as an undergraduate where I studied abroad to the United Kingdom and earned a B.A. in Creative Writing/English. I later attended UCSC for an M.A. in Literature. I focused on postcolonial literature and literature of the African diaspora.

What drew you to Sacramento City College to teach?

I moved to the Oak Park area from Oakland two & half years ago to buy an affordable home for my family. Our house in Oakland was being sold and I was pregnant again (we had a son who was 3 at the time), so we had to make a tough decision about where to move. I had been adjuncting at 3 Bay Area schools up until that point, but I knew that could not sustain that level of work with a toddler, new born and the possibility of our rent being doubled or tripled due to crazy Bay Area rental prices. We decided to leave the Bay Area as renters and move to the State Capitol as homeowners. When we got to Sacramento I did not work because my baby was literally two days old and I planned on staying home with her for at least a year to breastfeed and bond with her. I had my mind and heart set on SCC as soon as I knew we were planning on moving here; and it just so turned out that our new house was literally 2 miles away!!!

Can you tell us more about your work in the Oak Park community? When you started?

Since I was new to the area and a new homeowner who didn’t know anyone in Sacramento, I started attending neighborhood association meetings where I quickly became involved in community engagement and neighborhood improvement projects (2016).

I helped to organize a park party at our neighborhood park; then later our neighborhood was selected to receive a $90,000 grant from Kaiser to update and beautify the park. The caveat was that someone from the neighborhood had to be involved in all aspects of the project: 1.) weekly planning calls with South Gate Parks & Rec, Kaiser (fiscal sponsor) & Kaboom (the non profit playground specialists); 2) canvassing the community to participate in the design day; 3) volunteering to actually help build the play structure; 4) regularly organizing activities, park clean ups & events at the park to help maintain and take care of the park.

We are currently installing a beautiful mural at the park and we are planning for our annual park party which has evolved into a 3-on-3 basketball tournament with free food and prizes to the community members who attend.

What inspires you about your work in the community?

I love interacting with others and learning more about people’s stories. I needed a community for myself and my family for my own sense of wellbeing. Additionally, I hate accepting society’s ills and I feel obligated to be the change I want to see in the world. I want to set a good example for my children and my students about civic engagement and feeling empowered to transform themselves and their communities. Many people of color are living in communities with a history of redlining, neglect and disinvestment–I feel personally obligated to address those historical inequities in the best way I can. Working with a neighborhood association and a group of likeminded people is much more impactful than working as an individual.

"I would like for my students to experience a reflection of themselves in my class." Jesus Guzman Professor / English / Sacramento City College

Jesus Limón Guzman recalls a future without promise. At eight years old, he and his family crossed the border into the U.S. That passage began a life of constant fear and uncertainty – uneasiness that all they had, anything they earned or worked toward or built, could vanish in an instant.

“When I was in high school, I had this awareness that we were undocumented,” says Limón Guzman. “There was no pressure – or hope – of going to college, because even if I went to college it wasn’t promised that it would lead to a career.”

He believed that if he were lucky, he would make a decent living as a custodian, pressure washing and cleaning parking lots. Anything more was out of reach – not meant for people like him. This was the understanding shared by all undocumented immigrants.

Yet perhaps there was a seed of hope for something more, because Limón Guzman did apply to college. He tried Sacramento State first, but was told he would have to pay out-of-state tuition, which he could not afford.

“That’s when I went to Sac City, and that’s when everything changed,” he says.

From the moment he stepped onto the tree-lined campus of Sacramento City College, everywhere he looked, he saw people like him – people from his neighborhood, who dressed like him and talked like him, people with brown skin, who struggled, who had family obligations and juggled multiple jobs while attending school. He saw himself in his classmates, but most incredibly, also in his instructors and counselors. His idea of success and what was possible began to shift.

He says that when he met counselors Juan la Chica and Keith Muraki, he couldn’t believe his eyes and ears. Here were two people who, as professional educators, commanded respect and embodied success. They were confident and intelligent, approachable and familiar. They ate at the same South Sacramento restaurants as Limón Guzman and his friends and family. They understood where he was coming from.

“I never experienced that before. I never experienced those two worlds meshing,” Limón Guzman says. “I hadn’t met someone that could articulate some of the struggles I was going through in an intellectual fashion.”

It pushed the boundaries of Limón Guzman’s reality. He started to see that he could do more, even within the limitations of his employment options as an undocumented immigrant.

He began volunteering. Education became important to him, so he poured his energy into developing after-school literacy and tutoring programs for local youth. If he couldn’t have a professional career in education, he figured, he could still use his own education to give something back to his community: “It gave me a sense of purpose. I could contribute.”

But it wasn’t until the Obama administration implemented the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) that Limón Guzman’s world truly opened up. He applied for a work permit and was hired as a tutor at SCC’s Writing Center. Meanwhile, he continued volunteering and earned his master’s degree in English Literature from Sacramento State.

He began teaching part-time at SCC and American River College. He was hired as a lecturer at Sacramento State and continued to apply and interview for full-time positions. Then, he received the news that he had been selected from a competitive pool to teach English as a tenure-track professor at SCC.

Never had he imagined that any of this could happen for him. Now as a professor, he has one goal – to provide a space for his students to learn about themselves and gain the confidence, skills and perspective that they need to change their own narratives.

“I would like for my students to experience a reflection of themselves in my class,” he says. “Education is empowerment. Education has allowed me to come back to my community with a genuine purpose.”

"We need to increase the pool of civil service applicants who are prepared to fill vacancies in the financial services sector. This sector has significant shortages and is projected to grow exponentially over the next 10 years. " Frank Kobayashi Administrator / Vice President of Instruction / American River College

American River College has received a $700,000 grant from the California Community College Chancellor's Office to launch an innovative new accounting apprenticeship program. Working in partnership with government and industry partners, ARC will start a new career pathway designed to meet pressing local, regional, and statewide labor market needs in the financial services sector. "This grant creates an exciting opportunity to build sustainable financial services professional pathways for the people of our region," said Frank Kobayashi "This apprenticeship-to-new-career pipeline also provides upward mobility opportunities to workers from disproportionately impacted communities underrepresented in financial services occupations."

"My advice would be mostly to just keep going and don’t give up. I encourage students to stick with it." Mike Yarbrough Faculty / Math / Cosumnes River College

What do you think stands out CRC?

CRC is very welcoming. The very first time I stepped on campus, which was in 1999, I felt welcomed here immediately. And that’s something special about CRC.

I think CRC is special because we focus on our students. Here we make the students the top priority. Every decision that is made here at CRC is made with the students in mind. How many classes we’re going to schedule, or what time or where—every decision that I make as an instructor, is for the students.

What intrigues you most about teaching math?

What draws me to math is that it’s very objective. And for me, as a mathematician, I think math is in everything. It’s in business. It’s in science. It’s in nature.

My favorite stories are of former students who reach out years later to let me know that because of taking my classes, it gives them more confidence in life. And from there that they just have the drive to go out and get the jobs they want. My advice is to gain the skills you need here so you can get whatever it is you want in life.

What advice do you have for new and future students at CRC?

I really just hope that CRC students get what they came for. Whether that would be a degree, or a certificate, or to transfer. Taking these classes can give you the skills to do the job you want.

My advice would be mostly to just keep going and don’t give up. I encourage students to stick with it.

"I see the classroom as a mini-version of society: people from different backgrounds with diverse experiences sitting together and having to co-exist and find a way." Lisa Sapra Faculty / English / Folsom Lake College

How do you help students develop more confidence in their writing skills?

From the first day and throughout the semester, I take the position of “anyone can do it.” One of my first lectures, especially in ENGWR 101 and below, is about how writing is not simply a natural born talent, that it is a skill anybody can develop through practice and hard work. This gives many students who have for such a long time believed they cannot write and therefore hate writing a slight hope that maybe the class won’t be so painful. What they find out is that it is a difficult challenge if taken seriously, but most of my students tell me at the end of semesters after they took my classes that they learned more in my class than in most others. These testimonies are passed on from student to student, which gives many students the confidence they need to succeed.

Throughout the semester, many students have panic moments; this usually hits around mid-term time. Many students come to my office, which I encourage them to do. This is part of them developing the confidence they’ll need throughout college. They need to connect with their professors, and when they do, they often grow in new ways. They are taking initiative to help themselves, and this is them taking responsibility for the outcome of their goals. Many students go through their trials on their own, and while many find their way, there are also many who sink in isolation. As a result, I encourage students to talk to me during office hour. In my developmental writing classes, I actually schedule one-on-one conferences with each student for a chance to connect with each student individually and give them feedback based on their individual performance. These meetings also allow me to help guide the students so they can move in the direction of progress for the remainder of the semester.

One option I give my students in all of my classes is the opportunity to revise any one essay for a better grade. This also gives students confidence that they didn’t have to get it right the first time, and just in case it didn’t all sink in on that first try, they have some recourse. This often makes some difference in their grade, and ultimately makes them feel like they made these choices for themselves, which in turn gives them a greater sense of self.

What advice would you give to a new college student?

A new college student has a daunting transition to make, and there are several things a new college student can do to ease that transition. First, at the college level, it would be wise for the new student to attend college orientation to find out about college resources and programs that he or she might qualify for. Most students are fairly unaware of all of the things they can do to improve their experience and outcome. Hence, in my class, I am informative in my syllabus by listing contact information for the Reading and Writing Center, DSPS, EOPS, etc., just in case the students didn’t learn about these outlets in another context. Fortunately, because I teach mostly basic skills classes, I have been working closely with the counselors, who have visited the class to further guide and direct students, talking about survival skills and whatnot.

On a personal level, I encourage new students to see college as life-changing and allow the experience to give them new insights and perspectives about their lives and those of others. This requires some commitment to independence and being an individual, as this is their lives, not their parents. They are no longer children, and since most incoming freshmen are around the age of 18, this advice is significant because they are claiming their lives as their own. For re-entry students who are new to the campus, the personal transition is much different, as these students are torn in many directions. A good schedule is necessary for all students, but especially for re-entry students who have families, work full-time, and are trying to get a college education. Set aside time for your studies everyday, but don’t forget to sometimes have time alone for just yourself. Balance is key for all.

What’s the favorite part of your job?

There are two things that make teaching a career I could not replace with anything else. First, I love being in the classroom, facilitating students’ ideas in group discussion, answering questions and clarifying ideas, and generating connections between students from different backgrounds. I see the classroom as a mini-version of society: people from different backgrounds with diverse experiences sitting together and having to co-exist and find a way. Even though it is not always a happy ending, something positive can come from this situation, as it forces each individual to pause and listen.

The second thing I love about teaching goes hand-in-hand with the first: seeing students’ growth. Even though most students learn something and change in some way by the end of a semester, it is rare that there is a significant transformation. But, every now and then, I get to work with a student whose transformation is profound, and this is one of the most rewarding experiences as a teacher.

What was your proudest moment working with students?

I have had many proud moments as a professor, and what they all have in common is a cohesion in the classroom between the students and me. We are all bouncing ideas off of each other, expanding our ideas as individuals and as a group, learning from each other, being challenged in new ways, considering new ideas genuinely, sincerely, and in the end, walking out with a feeling of fulfillment and energy. This is what many teachers call the “aha-moment.” But, I’d like to extend that to the entire group because when our students have that experience, somehow we do too. That is what makes me proud to be a teacher. There aren’t too many professions that instill that kind of growth and understanding, and I’m proud to be in a profession that does make a difference sometimes.

Additional Information:

• Zora Neale Hurston Forum 2002- 1st place award
• Sally Cassanova Pre-Doctoral Scholar 2003-2004
• English Department Award for paper on 18th century letters
• Graduate Dean’s List Honorable Mention 2004

Lisa Sapra has her AA from Orange Coast College and B.A. and M.A. from CSU, Long Beach.

"College is an experience that you will gain more than book smarts from." Jason Pedro Faculty / Medical Laboratory Technology / Folsom Lake College

What advice would you give to a new college student?

The best advice I could give is to learn how to be a college student. The key here is engagement. If you push yourself to become engaged in the material you will learn several skills critical to being a college student. It may take a semester or two, but engagement will teach you how to study and keep yourself focused on your greater goal.

Engagement doesn't stop at the classroom though. Get involved with on-campus activities and use as many of the provided resources as you can. College is an experience that you will gain more than book smarts from. You will learn life, job, and communication skills; and so much more, but you have to be engaged in order to truly benefit from it.

I call this the epiphany moment. It's the moment when you realize that what you thought was the best you could do, really wasn't. I went through this myself in college and found that engaging myself in the college experience was key to my academic success. Go to office hours – even if you do not need help. Utilize the tutoring center, or better yet become a tutor. The college experience does not stop once you leave the classroom.

My final piece of advice is to never pursue money. It's understandably easy to get caught up in the pursuit of a six figure job; however you should never sacrifice your quality of life for it. Do what you love and the money will come. If you don't know what you love, get out there. Do internships, contact companies, ask for informational interviews. Of course this all ties back to engagement; if you love what you do then you'll be great at what you do.

What's the favorite part of your job?

The variation. There is always something new happening, some new problem that needs solving. It keeps me on my toes and I love it. Best of all, it brings me back to the college experience that I loved so much.

What was your proudest moment working with students?

The proudest moment is seeing my students transform from individuals first learning how to hold a needle, to professional Medical Laboratory Technologists. It's amazing what our program manages to accomplish in such a short period of time. Our program has a steep learning curve and engagement is pretty much a requirement for success. Seeing our students enter into the medical field with professional licensure and a passion for what they do has to be one of the best feelings in the world.

What is unique about FLC's Medical Laboratory Technician program?

Well it's one of the first Medical Laboratory Technician programs in California. Also interesting is all MLT programs are governed by California law, which mean a few unique criteria are put upon us here at the college. For instance all MLT instructors, at minimum, must be current California-licensed Clinical Laboratory Scientists. As you can imagine, keeping up with these unique criteria brings some interesting, but solvable, challenges to our campus.

Furthermore, we set our standards very high for our program and its students. Laboratory professionals play a key role in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. We set our standards so high because as a patient you expect your medical team to be the best and the brightest, and that is what we aim to provide with this program.

Jason received his B.S. in Microbiology from UC Davis and is a State and Nationally Licensed Clinical Laboratory Scientist.

"Improving educational programs and meeting equity needs " Tiffany Mpagazi Faculty / Career Technical Education (CTE) Transitions & Perkins Coordinator / American River College

Tiffany Mpagazi is passionate about creating a clear transfer path to help students graduate and achieve academic success. She aims to help students successfully transfer and earn a credit through high school/ROP agreement by improving career education programs, and integrating academic and career-technical instruction.

"The Cooperative Work Experience and Internship Program (WEXP) provides opportunities that support students in advancing their career." Raquel Arata Administrator / Dean, Career Education & Workforce Development / American River College

As an administrator, Arata is committed to providing administrative support to ensure efficient operation of the WEXP program. The program offers students the opportunity to develop technical skills, explore possible career choices, build confidence, network with people in the field, and transition into the world of work.

"Take opportunities to learn under professionals through trainings and internships. " Vivian Dillon Faculty / Work Study Coordinator / American River College

The Work Experience and Internship Program is an experiential academic program which allows students to apply what they have learned in the classroom to a work environment while earning college credit. We are also available to assist you in coordinating efforts to develop internship sites in your industry field. 

"I had a great many mentors and teachers along the way and now I am excited to be able to mentor others." Ian Wallace Faculty / Theatre Arts / Folsom Lake College

What advice would you give to a new college student?

Don't be afraid to ask questions. If you feel lost, either physically, emotionally, or intellectually, there are plenty of people around who want to help you.

What's the favorite part of your job?

I love working with the students and sharing my love of theater with them.

What was your proudest moment working with students?

I feel the most proud when a show opens and the set is finished, the lights are hung, and the costumes are made. I am always impressed by how much the students are able to accomplish.

There are so many aspects to theater - performance, directing, designing - how did you decide on theater tech as your focus as both a student and teacher? What most appeals to you about your focus?

As a high school student, I was drawn to design, because I got to be able to create new and different environments. I had a great many mentors and teachers along the way and now I am excited to be able to mentor others in the field of theater design and technology.

"Theater folk" seem to be especially passionate about their art/craft - does the passion of up-and-comers fuel your own love of theater and of teaching in general?

Yes, it is so exciting to see young people getting excited about theater. I have designed and built hundreds of platforms over my career and it makes me happy to see someone want to stay after class to finish building their first platform.

What was the first professional show that you remember seeing - did it set you on the track that you're still on? What do you remember about the experience?

When I was in the fourth grade, my parents took me to see The Wind in the Willows at the Children's Theater Company in Minneapolis. I remember sitting in the darkness as the house lights went down and the stage came to life. I remember some of the stage magic, where an actor jumped down into a trap in the stage and came back up and spit water out as if he had jumped into a pool of water. That was really exciting to me.

Ian received his BFA in Drama from NYU, Tisch School of the Arts, and his MFA in Theater Design from UC San Diego.

"Counseling students at the community college provides a wonderful opportunity to connect with individuals of incredibly diverse backgrounds." Chris Clark Faculty / Counseling, Transfer / Folsom Lake College

Please talk about your experience counseling students:

I have worked as a community college counselor for over 20 years. As a counselor, I provide academic, career, and personal counseling to students in addition to teaching classes in the area of Human/Career Development. Additionally, I serve as the campus transfer services coordinator.

I love what I do. My interest within the counseling field began after having been inspired by a mentor/college counselor while I was a student at West Valley College. Counseling students at the community college provides a wonderful opportunity to connect with individuals of incredibly diverse backgrounds, life experiences and with a broad range of goals. This makes for a very exciting work place!

What advice would you give to a new college student?

Give yourself time when deciding on a major! Often, students limit themselves (and their natural interests) by choosing common majors because they believe they can get a good job with that degree. Often, these students don’t care for the coursework and end up doing poorly in their studies as a result. Students should find their passion (and this takes time) and study what they enjoy! It’s important to keep in mind that the majority of undergraduate college degrees will not lead you to a job in a specific field. Students who study what they enjoy can pursue work experience opportunities (such as internships or cooperatives) at the university level to gain experience in areas that pique their interests. The college degree coupled with work experience makes for a powerful combination when interviewing for jobs.

Students who are undecided may consider taking some of our career exploration classes such as HCD 310, 318, 330, or 335. Additionally, taking introductory courses in various disciplines is a great way to get exposure. Classes such as PSYC 300, BUS 300, SWHS 300, ADMJ 300, and ECE 300 provide nice introductions to certain fields.

What’s the favorite part of your job?

When I receive letters or e-mails from students who have transferred on to a four year college and share what is going on in their lives.

What was your proudest moment working with students?

That’s a tough one, as I have many. I have a favorite scenario that occurs with many students which makes me so thankful and proud. That is seeing students move forward with their educational and personal goals who didn’t have the grades or confidence in themselves while attending high school. Coming to the community college gives students an opportunity to begin with a “clean slate” and start over. It is incredibly powerful to watch these students transform and empower themselves through their community college experiences and education.

Additional Information:

• Outstanding Work in Student Services (West Valley College)
• Rise Above Award (West Valley College)
• Faculty of the Month (West Valley College)
• Innovation in Articulation Recognition (CIAC)

Chris Clark has his A.A. from West Valley College and B.A. and M.S. from San Francisco State University.