News Release

SCC to Celebrate Fourth Annual First-Generation College Student Week

​​​Celebrations include virtual events open to the public Nov. 2-6

​(Orange, CA) - Santiago Canyon College (SCC) will celebrate First-Generation College Student Week with virtual events that are open to the public from November 2-6, 2020. While the college serves this division of students year-round, this is its fourth year participating in the national celebration led by the Center for First-Generation Student Success and the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE).

The virtual events may be accessed at cccconfer.zoom.us/j/2243817609. Registration for some events will be required.

First generation, or first-gen, describes a student from a family in which neither parent has completed a college degree. This division of the student population faces significant challenges to succeeding in college, which SCC hopes to equip them to overcome.

“As a first-generation college student, I understand the array of challenges that our first-generation students encounter in the pursuit of their education goals and aspirations,” said SCC Interim President José Vargas. “The diversity, energy, and dedication of our first-generation students are commendable and I appreciate their contributions in enriching and strengthening our SCC community,” continued President Vargas. “As such, I value SCC's commitment to provide support services that meet students’ needs while fostering an environment that increases student engagement and success.”

The week of celebration will kick off Monday, November 2, at 3:00 p.m. (PST) with a webinar on “First EVERYTHING” with Dr. Jerald Adamos, assistant dean of students and associate director of the Asian-American Activities Center at Stanford University. Dr. Adamos grew up with immigrant parents from the Philippines in a low-income community in San Diego, California. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Education from California State University, Long Beach, a Master of Science in Higher Education Administration from California State University, Fullerton, and an Educational Doctoral Degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of San Francisco. Dr. Adamos also identifies with the LGBTQ+ community where he continues his advocacy and is a supporter of the arts as he has prior background experience as a dancer in the entertainment industry.

                                                

(Pictured left): Dr. Jerold Adamos, assistant dean of students and associate director of the Asian-American Activities Center, Stanford University. (Right): Dr. Stephany Cuevas, assistant professor of education, Attallah College of Educational Studies, Chapman University. 

On Tuesday, November 3, first-gen students are encouraged to vote and share their experience on social media using #SCCTRIO, #TRIOVotes, #SantiagoCanyonCollege, and #WhatHappensHereMatters. The college will also offer two webinars, starting at 10:00 a.m. with the Scholarship Office, “Tips and Tricks on Scholarship Applications for First Generation College Students,” followed by a Transfer Center Workshop for first-gen students at 2:00 p.m.

On Wednesday, November 4, at 1:30 p.m., the public is invited to the webinar “Being a Chismosa” with Dr. Stephany Cuevas, assistant professor of education in the Attallah College of Educational Studies at Chapman University. Dr. Cuevas teaches in the Integrated Educational Studies (IES) program. Her interdisciplinary research and practice focus on Latinx family engagement in students' higher education aspirations. Central to her research is the notion that Latinx students do not experience education in isolation, as sole compartmentalized, individual students. She considers it imperative to understand the significant and central role families have in shaping Latinx students' educational experiences. Her current research explores how family engagement shifts and changes as first-generation students advance in, and complete, their post-secondary trajectories.

The college will host a panel discussion with the Council for Opportunity in Education on Thursday, November 5, at 3:00 p.m. about the history of the first-generation student definition, utilizing an asset-based lens. The public is invited to register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NfpaIGPhSfaMIFzlra8CFQ.

The week of events will close Friday, November 6, with a national event hosted by the Center for First-Generation Student Success and the COE at 11:00 a.m. The Joint Virtual First-Generation College Celebration will kick off with opening remarks from Sarah E. Whitley, Ph.D., assistant vice president of Center for First-Generation Student Success, and Maureen Hoyler, J.D., president of COE. The event will also feature a panel discussion. The public is invited to access this event at https://naspa.org/events/joint-virtual-first-generation-college-celebration.

“First-generation college students are hardworking, determined, goal-oriented, resilient, smart and many more things,” said Dr. LaKyshia Perez, SCC director of special programs. “SCC is a pathway for students to explore their interests and expand their social and cultural experiences.”

At SCC, Dr. Perez leads TRIO Student Support Services, a federally-funded program created to aid first-generation college students in degree completion through tailored services and a cohort of fellow students. Dr. Perez educates students and their families about the college experience and equips them to succeed. She recommends that first-gen scholars achieve a positive college experience by communicating both their positive and negative experiences, utilizing the resources available to them, and maintaining balance. Among the resources offered by TRIO are academic counseling, financial aid assistance and one-on-one tutoring.

Other programs supporting first generation college students at SCC are College Assistance Migrant Program, Extended Opportunity Programs and Services, and the First-Year Support Center. These events are hosted locally by Student Support Services, TRIO–Classic and TRIO Veterans, and the Upward Bound Math and Science federal programs.

For more information about this event/program, please contact Director of Special Programs, LaKyshia Perez, Ed.D. at (714) 628-5011 or perez_lakyshia@sccollege.edu.

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About Santiago Canyon College
Santiago Canyon College (SCC) serves more than 17,000 credit and non-credit students each semester. In 2017, SCC was ranked 13th among the 50 Best Community Colleges in the U.S. by College Choice and is currently ranked 3rd in California by bestcolleges.com, a leading authority in college and university rankings and resources. The college prepares students for transfer to four-year institutions and careers, and provides courses for personal and professional development, as well as customized training for business and industry. The college is recognized for its adult education program, which keeps the working adult, and senior, in mind by offering flexible schedules, and community locations. Serving the residents of Anaheim Hills, Orange, Tustin, and Villa Park, SCC is one of two comprehensive colleges under the auspices of the Rancho Santiago Community College District.

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Contact: Ruth Cossio-Muniz

Phone: (714) 564-5201

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