Hornet Highlights
Student Development & Engagement staff create a welcoming environment for students in a new dedicated space in Building 500.
New Hub Launches for Affinity Programs and Cultural Center
A new welcoming center brings together the Cadena Cultural Center, Grads to Be, and LGBTQIA2S+ programs under one roof and bolsters support for Umoja, located in another dedicated space on campus.
Student Development & Engagement (SDE) is the new umbrella department for these programs and provides centralized collaboration for the college’s multi-cultural and affinity group programming at the college. Each program provides a unique set of support and services, and the SDE department focuses on bridging the intersectionality of identities for the whole campus community. Part of the intent of the new department is to expand individual programs and create a braiding of resources to show the importance of intersectionality and being part of a larger community.
The Cadena Cultural Center, once aligned with the Transfer Center, grew in scope and demand in recent years. Cadena, which stands for chain in Spanish, creates a dynamic set of resources and opportunities for faculty, staff and students to increase cultural awareness and competence. The Grads to Be Program supports undocumented students and students with mixed-status families by providing resources and services geared toward enhancing and supporting their academic journey and personal well-being. The LGBTQIA2S+ Resource Program consists of dynamic events and services created to support the needs of the LGBTQIA2S+ campus community.
In January 2023, Cadena Cultural Center, Grads to Be and LGBTQIA2S+ helped welcome students to their new space in Building 500, Room 512-02 with an open house. The event drew many students, faculty, and staff into the space to learn about services, meet new staff, and learn about resources and upcoming events.
The Umoja Community Program, located in Room 1904, provides essential educational support and services to increase the academic success, retention, degree or certificate completion, and transfer rates of the Black/African, Black/African American or Black/African Diasporic student population and Umoja Scholars enrolled at the college.