Volume 78, Issue 8 | www.elaccampusnews.com | Wednesday, November 3, 2021 | Single copy free - additional copies 50 cents
ELAC president Alberto Román, guest speaker at political science 4th annual career fair
Political Science
BY ANNETTE QUIJADA Staff Writer East Los Angeles College President Alberto Román was featured in ELAC’s 4th Annual Political Science Career Fair on Thursday. Román said majoring in political science helped him decide on working in educational administration rather than as an immigration attorney. Faculty involved in the fair included ELAC political science professors Dr. Kenneth Chaiprasert, R o g e l i o G a r c i a a n d J e ff r e y Hernandez. Román said his choice to major in political science goes back to his lived experiences as an immigrant and a first generation college graduate. “In my high school years I began to see the social and political climate shaped by people in power didn’t favor people of color,” Román said. After realizing this, he began soul searching and identifying his core values and principles. Román said once he got into college and started taking classes in American government, political
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theory, international relations, etc. He became intrigued by the government structure and its formation over the years. In his fourth year as a college
student, Román got the opportunity to do an internship with an elected official, congressman George Brown. Román said working with a congressman was one of the
best decisions he’s made. Working for a congressman allowed him to do “case work” and work with Homeland Security to help constituents who were filing for
citizenships and residency. Being able to assist residents who needed immigration support. Román said he felt as if he found his reason, his “why,”
“What I love about political science is that it’s very versatile. It prepares you to go into so many different careers like preparing for a law degree or working for an elected official,” Román said. A few years later Román decided to run for city council in the city of Rialto and lost by about 399 votes. He said this experience taught him that he wanted to stay in public service because he was giving back to his community. Román said having his political science degree gave him the foundation to be where he is today. Professor Chaiprasert said students who get political experience after their bachelors degree and knowing about the policy-making process plays a large role when it comes to serving the community or serving a college campus like Román. Román said local officials are constantly looking for students to get into their internships. Román said ELAC is currently working towards developing an internship to send students to work in the Sacramento Senate committee.
LGBTQ+, brown communities at more risk for STIs BY NATALIA ANGELES Staff Writer Edwin Rojas, a health educator and research assistant, from St. John’s Well Child and Family Center said there is a lot of misinformation surrounding Sexual Transmitted infections and Human Immunodeficiency Virus prevention among LGBTQ+ communities and communties of color. Rojas spoke at a workshop for students to close out Sexual Assualt Awarness Month on Thursday. Rojas said, STIs and HIV are issues that are very present and they need to be addressed and not put in the past.
“Latinos are a group with high HIV infections, It is more likely for brown and Black folks to test positive for HIV. Why?” said Rojas. Students from the crowd gave their input to Rojas’ question. East Los Angeles College student Miguel Rivera said, “Sex education is not funded in schools.” Another response came from ELAC student Karen Diana, “Misinformation in religion causes students to feel less connected with their parents to speak on the topic.” These are some key components that may contribute to the infection spreading throughout communities Rojas’ influence at St. John’s
helps shed light on facts that many the vaginal/testical area.” could participants were be noticed if not aware of facts they had it, said on the topic. from “Latinos are a group students One bit of the audience. misinformation with high HIV infections. Rojas also is U=U, which encourages It is more likely for translates to students to u n d e t e c t a b l e = brown and Black folks to find the nearest untransmittable. clinic or center M a n y p e o p l e test positive for HIV...” that offers free are not aware testing. that HIV can “ Yo u c a n present itself as start testing EDWIN ROJAS asymptomatic. autonomously Health Educator at St. Johns Well S o m e at 12 years Child and Family Center symptoms such old. There is as “Irritation, free testing in rashes, bumps in California at
community health clinics such as LGBTQ+ Center, St. Johns, AltaMed,” said Rojas. STIs can take a strong toll on an individual, yet there is also Intimate Partner Violence that equally affects an individual physically and mentally. “35.6% of women in the U.S. have experienced rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime,” Rojas said. This form of assault can leave an individual with long term mental health issues. This is not far from a topic like STIs. In fact it adds on to methods that community members can take to raise awareness to these issues.
Intimate Partner Violence is also an ongoing problem along with STIs, yet there is a lack of workshops and resources where students can turn to. An example of IPV is sexual coercion and unwanted sexual contact. However, Rojas was able to presents a few different workshops and support groups offered to black/ brown queer males that covers safey in sexuality. For more information regarding STI/HIV and other resources can be found on their instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/prime_ clinic_/
Medical Center encourages students to volunteer BY TERESA ACOSTA Staff Writer
The Career and Jobs Services department gave students access to volunteer opportunities in the medical services community. On Thursday, the LAC+USC Medical Center took part in East Los Angeles College’s monthly “Employer Meet & Greet” over Zoom to discuss the process of applying and onboarding for volunteering at its facility. Julie Santos Pham, the volunteer coordinator at the medical center, was the host for the virtual discussion. She gave background information, their mission statement and vision for the medical center. Santos highlighted some of the types of students that can benefit from volunteer work, such as those looking to get into the medical field. Volunteering at the medical center can give those students a real world idea of what the field is like. “As a volunteer, you’re here to provide a service to the community,
News Briefs
but at the same time because you are application, there is a list of at a health facility, you’re here to… required documentation. Pham gain experience in the health field,” said help is available for those Pham said. needing more assistance with the Volunteers can expect to work application. a minimum of A f t e r 4 hours a week submitting all and commit “As a volunteer, you’re tphaep e rrwe qo ur ki ,r eidf to a 200-hour minimum. The here to provide a service s e l e c t e d , t h e available hours next step is a r e M o n d a y - to the community, but at t h e i n t e r v i e w Friday 8 a.m.-8 the same time because v i a Z o o m . I f p.m. you are offered you are at a health Duties and a volunteer responsibilities facility, you’re here to... position after the may include interview then gain experience in the onboarding will c l e r i c a l work, patient begin. health field.” assistance, A mandatory stocking and orientation disinfecting. session will Perks for go over the volunteering program basics JULIE SANTOS PHAM may include of policies and Volunteer Cordinator at LAC+USC food vouchers, procedures, what letters of is required of the volunteer, safety recommendation, completion and security, and other important c e r t i f i c a t e , n e t w o r k i n g a n d information. employment opportunities. During the question and answer After completing the volunteer portion at the end of the presentation,
Town Hall Series
A Racial Equity and Social Justice Town Hall panel discussion will be hosted by News Anchor Pat Harvey on Thursday from noon to 2p.m. Register at https://bit.ly/townhall110421.
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APPLICATIONS OPEN—Provided above is the QR code students who are interested in volunteerino can be directred to submit an application. a student asked for resources to find paid opportunities in the field. Pham gave plenty of suggested avenues and Internet links to help someone
who may not be in the position to volunteer their time. Anyone with further questions can email Pham at jsantospham@
Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship Workshop
ELAC Transfer Center will hold a workshop on Friday for the Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate transfer students scholarship from noon to 1:30 p.m. Register at linktr.ee/elactransfercenter.
dhs.lacounty.gov or follow the QR code provided.
Transfer Student Experience
ELAC’s sucess coaches will host a workshop on Friday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. for students to learn about the transfer experience as first generation students. Register at tinyurl.com/TransferExp.