As a first generation and low-income student pursuing higher education, I grew up in a household where getting a higher education was encouraged, but no one in my family had ever attended. I came from a single parent, low-income, first-generation background which made navigating higher education a challenge. I did not have anyone in my family to ask for guidance and help when it came to college. If it were not for two of my neighbors in El Monte, things would have been even more difficult. My neighbor and friend Frank Molina was attending UCLA and told me about the Center for Community College Partnerships (CCCP) Summer Intensive Transfer Experience (SITE) program. This was the experience which changed my life. I got to participate in the first ever SITE Program in 1999. This is where I met Alfred Herrera and Santiago Bernal. I also learned about the critical resources needed at community college and how to transfer. My other neighbor had assisted me with applying to Pasadena City College (PCC). I was super excited to learn that I had been admitted; only to later find out that everyone gets into a community college. The UCLA CCCP SITE program connected me with the director of the transfer Center at PCC, the Extended Opportunity Programs and Services, and the Puente Project. These were the foundation of my successful community college experience.
CCCP helped me personally in a few ways. First, CCCP helped me in 1999 when they admitted me to the UCLA SITE Program, as described above. Second, when I was admitted to UCLA in 2002, Santi offered me a position to work as a CCCP peer mentor. This made my experience at UCLA a positive one as it helped me both financial and personally. It connected me with the resources at UCLA to be a successful student and shaped me to be the professional I am today.
Some of my most memorable experiences at UCLA were the CCCP SITE program in 1999, working for CCCP and with the Academic Advancement Program, from 2002 to 2004. I was able to make positive impacts in the lives of many high school and community college student. This experience also assisted me with being academically successful and able to graduate from UCLA. The Transfer Summer Program (TSP) during the summer of 2002 was also very memorable. I am still connected with friends from TSP. Studying abroad in Spain during the summer of 2003 and the UCLA Raza Grad in 2004 were also very memorable.
Graduating from UCLA was a huge milestone in my life. It was an honor to make my family, community and CCCP Familia proud. Graduation from such a prestigious university was an honor and something I never imagined in my life.
Today, I work as full-time faculty/counselor for the PCC Puente Project Counselor and Co-Coordinator Men of Color Action Network (MOCAN) Counselor. I also own an educational consulting business, Palanquins&Friends, LLC. I’m an adjunct counselor/instructor at Rio Hondo Community College.
CCCP saved my life and truly inspired me to be the amazing counselor/instructor that I am today. It helped me stay connected on and off campus. I was able to make great friends that I still keep in contact with.
Huge Shoutout to Alfred Herrera, Santiago Bernal, and Frank Molina. My success is a reflection of their CARE and LOVE.
